Eldredville Post Office 1838

by Louise Smith Posted on February 11, 2012

I recently received an 1838 map of Sullivan County, New York, which I have found fascinating.

In 1838 the Town of Lumberland included what are now the Towns of Tusten, Highland, and Lumberland.

Eldredville, located where the current village of Eldred is, seems to be the only post office in all of Lumberland. This is quite interesting because I thought that before being called Eldred, the location was called Halfway Brook Village.

I have seen letters addressed to Halfway Brook or just Lumberland, but 1845 was the earliest one.

Eldredville P.O. is located where James and Polly Vandorsol Mulford first settled at the end of 1815. James Eldred (father of Charles C.P. Eldred) was the postmaster around 1830. A room of James’ home was the post office.

Also of interest to me were the many sawmills located along the rivers.

Halfway Brook—11
Ten Mill River’s 2 branches—17
Beaver Brook—9
Between the mouth of the Ten Mile River and Beaver Brook were several streams with a total of 10 sawmills
The stream from Long Pond (Beaver Pond)—6

The lakes shown are Long Pond (Beaver Pond), Hagan’s Pond (Highland Lake), Sand Pond, Round Pond, Mud Pond?, and York Lake. There is no Mill/Stege’s Pond or Washington, Bodine, or Montgomery Lakes.

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Boarding House Memories from Yulan; Bodine and Washington Lakes

by Louise Smith Posted on February 10, 2012
The building on the left, Minisink Lodge. West Shore Cottage on the far right, was originally owned by the Racines. Both Minisink Lodge and West Shore Cottage would become part of Cantwell’s West Shore Lodge. Photo courtesy of Kevin M.
Bornstein’s Grand View Farm. Postcard courtesy of Kevin M.

I would love to hear the memories (or stories you heard) of vacations at any of the boarding houses near Yulan, or on Washington or Bodine Lakes. These are the ones I know about:

Boarding houses and lakes on the west side:
Washington Lake, Bodine Lake, Montgomery Lake
Bradley/Avery
The Maple Crest (Walters)
The Colonial (Hensels)
Washington Beach House (Tethers)
Laurel Cottage (Mr. and Mrs. James Parker)
Sunset Cottage (Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Hazen)
Lake View Farm (Kaeses)
Grand Vue Inn or Grand View Farm (Bornsteins)
Park Hotel (Mr. & Mrs. Atwell Bradley)
Bertram’s Cottage (Mrs. Bertram)
Yulan Cottage (Hensel and later )
West Shore Lodge (Cantwells)
Woodland Cottages (Herman and Mathilde Protz)
Highland Cottage (Kalbfus)
Minisink Lodge and West Shore Cottage (both became part of Cantwell’s)
Bodine Cottages (Bodines)
Twin Oaks

Posted in Boarding Houses | 20 Comments

The Road to Yulan from Barryville

by Louise Smith Posted on February 9, 2012
Road to Yulan from Barryville. Postcard courtesy of Kevin M.

Here is a postcard I did not include in Echo Hill and Mountain Grove because I was not sure of its location. Can anyone help?

My next post will be about Yulan and the boarding houses nearby on Washington, Bodine, or Montgomery Lakes. I am hoping former summer boarders in the area might stop by this Halfway Brook site and share their memories in the comment section.

I will also post on the other locations—Barryville, Eldred, and Highland Lake—and maybe we’ll hear from people who visited or worked at the boarding houses in the Town of Highland, New York, many years ago.

Posted in Postcards, Where is this? | 23 Comments

Erie Train Depot in Port Jervis, N.Y.

by Louise Smith Posted on February 6, 2012
The original Erie Train Depot in Port Jervis, New York. This structure was replaced in 1889 and rebuilt in 1892. Photo courtesy Kevin M.
The Erie Railroad Depot in Port Jervis, New York, opened their new station on February 2, 1892. 1907 postcard in Austin Collection.

There were some stores in Barryville and Eldred, but townsfolk continued to travel to Port Jervis for the household items they needed. John B. Jervis, for whom Port Jervis (Carpenter’s Point) was named, had been the chief engineer of the D&H Canal.

    Jervis was one of the great 19th century engineers. He designed and oversaw the construction of the Croton Aqueduct and water system built to serve New York City. He was involved in several major railroad projects and the iron industry.—minisink.org.
Posted in Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, Postcards | 1 Comment

C. Metzger writes Mort Austin again

by Louise Smith Posted on February 3, 2012

A number of letters written to my grandfather Mort Austin or his brothers (in the 1880s through at least 1910) indicated that the Austins and their friends often thought of moving somewhere else to find work to pay their expenses.

Charles Metzger, Catskills, N.Y., to Mort Austin, Eldred
November 1896
Well Mort! Old Sport,
I am glad to know that you are still alive, and rejoicing in our Republican Victory.

You are going to put yet another winter at Eldred are you? Well probably, it’s wise not to make a break right in the teeth of winter. But for land sake, pull out of there next spring, or you will get grated there for good yet.

Since my return from that little trip to Eldred, I have earned over $150. Where could I have done that in Eldred during Sept. and Oct.? I did not loose a day. I even worked all of Election day (I didn’t forget to vote though.)

You ask (1st) am I going to remain here this winter? (2nd) am I coming to Eldred?

Well, 1st if I can get enough work to make expenses, I am going to stay. (2nd) I am not going to Eldred in any event, as there is nothing there for me except vexation and you know that I have had my share of that.

If I get laid off I am not sure yet where I will go, but I don’t intend to lay still unless I am compelled to.

So there are to be two new houses at Eldred are there? I am glad to hear that. I suppose that when I see that Town, I will hardly know it.

Hoping that you are in good health and spirits. And to hear from you in the near future.

Your old friend,
Chas. C.R. Metzger

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Looking South from Eldred’s 4 corners

by Louise Smith Posted on February 1, 2012
Postcard looking south from Eldred, in Austin Collection.

The man is standing at the center of Eldred. The view is looking south towards Barryville on Brook Road.

At the left is the corner of William Wilson’s grocery store. Next, possibly Abel Myers’ store, the Parker Hotel. In the center is Red Men’s Hall (with a bell tower).

On the right is a building perhaps built by Charles Wilson (William’s brother) around 1900.

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Love Those Hats!

by Louise Smith Posted on January 30, 2012
Bertha Collins is third from the left. Photo in the Austin collection.

Bertha Collins was the granddaughter of the Collins family who originally owned the Collins’ house and who I assume Collins Road in Eldred was named after.

(By 1905 my Austin grandparents owned one of the Collins homes—there were two I know of and I think both burned down—and ran it as the boarding house: Homestead Cottage.)

Bertha Collins attended the same school (Centenary Institute) as my grandfather Mort Austin.

I think this photo was taken between 1890 and 1900.

Posted in Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, People | Comments Off on Love Those Hats!

Bronx Park and Zoo

by Louise Smith Posted on January 30, 2012
1908 postcard in the Austin Collection.
The Conservatory, Bronx Park, New York. Postcard in the Austin Collection.

In 1891, 250 acres were set aside for a New York Botanical Garden out of the 640 acres acquired for the Bronx Park around 1888.

Nathaniel and Elizabeth Britton Lord, whose ideas inspired the park and conservatory, were influenced when they visited the Royal Botanical Garden at Kew in London.

The Conservatory, built mostly of steel, cast iron, wood, and glass, was designed by the Lord and Burnham Company, the premier glasshouse design and fabrication firm of the time.

Construction (from 1899–1902) cost $177,000. The Zoo opened in November 1899, with 843 animals in 22 exhibits.—wikipedia.org.

Posted in Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, Postcards | 2 Comments

January 27, 1895

by Louise Smith Posted on January 26, 2012

Charles Metzger, The Minisink House, Eldred, to Mort Austin
January 27, 1895
Dear Friend Mort,

Glad to hear that you are managing to keep contented. One thing is settled in my mind and that is to leave Eldred. I think it will be better for me every way. When a young man leaves his native town, he is then thrown on his own resources and put to his best mettle. No one remembers when you went to school and keeps thinking you are still a Boy.

I’ve been trying to keep busy a little by cutting fire wood, but this snow is so deep in the woods that it’s rather up hill work. I used to go skating last month sometimes, but of late the snow has covered the ice for good.

While I am on the subject, Mort, unless I strike something before that, I will be right with you to travel till we can strike a favorable position. I think the spring is the best time to go only we ought to get started midling early, Providence permitting.

I will try and get up to see you next month and then we can talk matters over. Someone is trying hard to get me a job up in the Catskills, but I have some doubt of their succeeding.

But if nothing unforeseen occurs, the indications are that you and I may still take that overland trip. George Beck was last heard from out in Missouri, so he is well on his way to Alaska. He promised to write to me as soon as he conveniently could.

I see your folks nearly every day. Lon has been assisting Mr. Reese in his meetings sometimes.

There have been no social gathers since Jan. 1st, but there is to be an oyster supper at I.M. Bradleys on February 5th.

Trusting to hear from you soon. I am as ever your sincere friend,

Chas. C.R. Metzger

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