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The Town of Lumberland was
established on March 16th 1798. The first
Supervisor was Daniel Bush. Lumberland was part of the
precinct of Mamakating until 1743. The territory of
Lumberland originally encompassed 300,000 acres including
the territory of eight towns that were created including
Liberty, Bethel, Town of Cochecton, Town of Fremont, Town
of Tusten, Town of Highland and the Town of Delaware.
The Lenni-Lenape Indians lived through much of the region.
One of the earliest settlers in the region was John
Showers at Mongaup. A guest at Mr. Showers tavern was Tom
Quick who became known as an Indian hunter after his
father was shot and killed by Indians. After Showers had
granted an Indian permission to spend the night Quick
murdered his enemy and fled. By 1783 the Native American
Indians no longer existed in Lumberland.
The earliest
schools in Lumberland and their districts were created on
September 14th 1813.The Commissioner of
Highways Position existed in 1810. Oliver Calkin served in
that capacity. Town meetings were held in the homes of the
residents. There was no Town Hall. The Town Clerk in 1819
was J. Canfield. Early stores were granted licenses as
early as 1817. The first constables in 1813 were David
Quick and John Smith. Daniel Van Tuyl held the postion of
“Overseer of the Poor” in 1818. The D&H Canal was
completed along the Delaware River Lumberland regions of
Mongaup, and Pond Eddy by 1829. Boat building took place
at Mongaup.
In the early
1800’s the local population of Lumberland were about 733
persons. The early settlers relied on lumbering from the
vast forests of pine, oak, chestnut and hemlock.
Surveys of the
major roads in Lumberland commenced in 1842 and the School
Districts were revamped in 1843. In the 1840’s the
assessed valuation of the D&H Canal property in Lumberland
amounted to $100,000.
Lumberland
Architecture: Two Grist Mills were built in Lumberland,
one in 1788 known as “ Maney’s Mill,” and one at Mongaup
known as “ Godwin’s Mill.” Simple homesteads were built
and most homes had a barn on the opposing side of the
road. “ Two barns from this 1830’s - 1840’s era are
evident in Glen Spey, one at the ‘Glen Spey Corners,”
known later as the “Orchard Inn,’’ and one on Proctor Road
known as “ Maney’s Barn.”
The Erie
Railroad was completed on the Pennsylvania side in 1851
and subsequently brought new development to the area.
Wealthy Businessmen, New York City and New Jersey
residents came to witness the beauty and serenity of the
region. Well known Singer Sewing Machine Vice President&
General Manager, Mr. George Ross McKenzie came to this
region by 1863 followed by William F. Proctor who was
Treasurer of the same firm. Both Singer magnates built
large Manor homes for their family. Mr. McKenzie built a
church and a School in the mid 1860’s. He became President
of the Singer Company by 1884. This region was known as
South Lebanon with Lebanon Lake in the North. Mr. Chester
Chapin, a wealthy railroad and steamship entrepreneur
developed an 18,000-acre game preserve by 1891 at Lebanon.
A bridge
crossing the Delaware at Pond Eddy, much like a Roebling
prototype was built by Decker in 1870. This allowed
visitors and goods to enter the town. Commissioner of
Highways for the Town of Lumberland in 1873 was Mr.
McKenzie. By 1875 one day of work was expected for each
resident with seventy dollars of valuation. In 1877 the
Town audited the departments books and by March 1879 a
lease was secured for the residence of Isabella Kerr to be
used as a Town Hall.
As the McKenzie and
Proctor Mansions progressed they were continually enlarged
and enhanced with every known amenity known to mankind.
Many of the town residents worked for these estates. The
region of South Lebanon would eventually be renamed by
George R McKenzie as “Glen Spey,” which reminded him of
his homeland in Inverness, Scotland along the Spey River.
A Post Office for Glen Spey opened and G.R. McKenzie
served a short term as Post Master.
As work progressed on
the Town Roads the first 10 -ton Steam Roller was leased
from the Niagara Steam Roller Company. Water troughs were
created at this time. Bridges at Lebanon Brook, Decker’s
Bridge and the iron bridge at the Jesse Knight place all
required repair and rebuilding by the Town.
The occupation of
Lumberland residents through the 1800 decades included
Farmer, Stone Dealer, Merchant at Pond Eddy, Pattern Maker
in Glen Spey, Workman on the Erie Railroad and D&H Canal.
Following the death
of “Glen Spey’s founder, George R. McKenzie’s children
received their inheritance in the millions of dollars.
Seven Children built summer mansions here with the
youngest daughter inheriting and revamping “The Homestead
Mansion.” The hey days of Glen Spey” are sometimes
referred to the era of 1910-1915. The mansions were known
throughout the County and State for their beauty and many
people would travel here to attend the “Lumberland
Agricultural Fairs throughout 1915. The McKenzie’s
mansions were known as Homestead, Bel-Air, Windy Knoll,
Woldcroft, Burn Brae, Ardmore, Bramble Brae and
Thornliebank.As the family moved away from the region the
estates were sold. Many of the Manor homes became Summer
lodges and Camps. The Ukrainian Fraternal Association, UFA
purchased the Ewing and Vanderbeek estate in the early
1950’s, which became Verkhovyna Resort. Two Ukrainian
Churches were constructed. and annual Ukrainian festivals
are still enjoyed at “Ardmore.”
From the turn of the
century Boarding Houses were popular in the hamlets of
Glen Spey, Mongaup, both upper and lower, Hillside, and
Pond Eddy. Throughout the early fifties these summer
abodes were enjoyed.
In addition to the
six one-room schoolhouses in Lumberland a Methodist Church
and a Catholic Church were built on Berme Church Road at
Pond Eddy. The earliest Methodist Church was at Mongaup,
C.1830. Numerous camps since the nineteen- twenties
provide summer opportunities for children.
The beauty of
Lumberland can be witnessed in many forms: through
historic architecture, country scenery, streams, hills,
etc. Lumberland has a rich heritage. The opening of Route
#97in August 1939 was an exciting event for the town as
was the grand opening of the first Town Hall and Town Barn
in 1937 on the former Craig Estate Land. The Carriage
House became the Town Hall and the large Dutch gambrel
barn became the first Town of Lumberland Highway Garage.
Later the land was used to build the second Lumberland
Highway Garage and the Lumberland Fire Department.
The Town Center is
at Glen Spey. The former Glen Spey School has served as
the Town Hall since the early 1950’s when the original was
destroyed by fire. The town has an active Fire Department
that started in 1951.Annual Chicken Barbeques take place
by the organization.
The Bicentennial of
the nation in 1976 was celebrated with a grand display of
historical events and activities at the Ball Park across
from the Town Hall. At the event a new flagpole and
placement of War Memorials was unveiled.
A new Lumberland
Municipal Building and Senior Citizen Center was built in
1988 next to the Town Hall. Supervisor Thomas Hill was the
driving force to secure the structure. The Lumberland
Museum located within the Town Hall was created in 1991
and houses a fascinating display and dozens of completed
Town History Projects and photos around the town.
Lumberland has been well enhanced and documented with over
twenty-five Historical Marker Sites. A recent “Scenic
Byway Grant” enhanced a “Greenway Path” at the Lower
Mongaup Cemetery near Scenic Byway, Route #97.
Lumberland is a great
place to visit and call home. Wonderful Cultural events
and concerts are held at the Lumberland Town Hall and the
completion of the George Ross Mackenzie Elementary school
at Glen Spey in 1995 on the site of his” Golf Links,” is a
great addition to the town. The property was donated to
the district by the Town of Lumberland. Senior Citizen
Events in the town and Pancake Breakfasts are enjoyed by
all. The Town of Lumberland observed its Bicentennial
throughout the year of 1998 with numerous events, dinners,
historical exhibits and a Grand Field Day was held
September 5th 1998 at the Town Hall and Ball
Field with the unveiling of the restored Town Hall Bell
Tower, six hours of cultural events, historical displays
and fun for the family.
Circle Park held a
grand opening on August 13th 2005. The park
site adjoins the Town Hall and Municipal Building and is
enjoyed by all! The Town Historian since 1985 Mr. Frank V
Schwarz invites the public to visit the Lumberland Museum.
This mini-history of the Town of Lumberland is one facet
of the land we are proud to call our Town and it has been
written in honor of the Sullivan County Bicentennial in
2009.Please feel free to contact the Historian at: (845)
865-8600 ext.222. |
