East of Parkers Glen, the next hamlets on the way to Port Jervis were Pond Eddy (later Flagstaff), Pennsylvania, and Pond Eddy, New York. Pond Eddy’s suspension bridge, built in 1871 was near Lock 63. On the Pennsylvania side was an Erie Railway station.—Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, p. 12.
Thank you for putting together such a wonderful blog!
My family owned the house in Pond Eddy, PA that was the old general store and post office from 1956 to 1989. I am in the very early stages of researching the rich human and natural history of this region.
I have found references that Pond Eddy, PA was previously known as Flagstone. I see in your photo caption above, you mention it was later known as Flagstaff. Was Pond Eddy, PA also known as Flagstaff?
Louise: Thank you for your question, which points out that I got the sequence wrong. Pond Eddy, PA was earlier known as Flagstaff.
In the collection of Minisink Valley Historical Society is an image with the quote: “Here Folks are waiting for the train at the Erie Station in Pond Eddy, c. 1890. This southern Shohola village was once called ‘Flagstone,’ the center of the area’s prosperous bluestone industry.”
The house in this picture (the white one with the porch) still exists today, but it was moved up the Hollow Road at some point.
How do I know this? Well, that’s the same house I’ve lived in for my entire life.
I came across this picture and it fascinates me.
I’ve had profound interest in the present bridge that’s being replaced for over 45 years for I used to play on it a lot as a young boy.
But when I saw what used to be there before the current on I found myself staring at the picture and caught myself in a mental state of mind of almost sensing of myself being there cause I know the area so will.
Fantastic picture.