Zeamer Collection: Cumberland County
The State Library has undertaken a project to transcribe and provide online access to Cumberland County cemetery and other records transcribed by Jeremiah Zeamer in the early 1900s.
Because of the deteriorating condition of the original transcriptions in the library's collection, the State Library has made the decision to transcribe the records as they appear in his notebooks and publish them on the web. More records will be made available as this project progresses.
11.30.2009
11.27.2009
Library funding cuts
By HOWARD FRANK
Pocono Record Writer
November 25, 2009
Monroe County's public libraries could see fewer programs and services after an across-the-board cut in state funding next year.
The state reduced funding to libraries by 20 percent in 2010, but the local impact varies.
Related Stories
* Fair to support Pocono Mountain Community Library this weekend
"This has probably been the most difficult year for us to balance the budget," said Wendy Franklin, Clymer Library's director.
Clymer faces three key budget issues. One is the funding cut from the state — about $10,000 of their $258,000 budget.
Second are lower local revenues. Clymer receives part of its funding through a tax assessment based on property values, which have decreased.
And third, PPL has uncapped its electric costs. The library is facing a 34 percent increase in its electric bill.
"We've been cut $10,000, and our electric bill is going up about $4,000," Franklin said.
That means cuts in several areas. There will be cuts in programs. There's no increase for staff salaries. The library will be looking to offer programs that are free or inexpensive to run. And it's cutting anything that is not essential to the operation of the library.
"Furniture and equipment purchases have been eliminated. We've reduced technology funds to $500 next year," Franklin said.
Clymer serves Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships.
Barbara Keiser, director at Eastern Monroe Public Library, said "We're holding our own pretty well, although the state aid — a 20 percent cut — isn't insignificant."
That aid — $561,022 last year— is more than a quarter of the budget of $1.9 million.
Despite the funding cut of more than $100,000, Keiser said her staff might still grow.
"Our budget isn't approved yet for 2010, but staff has recommended we keep our staff and perhaps increase it at the Smithfield branch — because our local income has come in ahead of budget," she said.
The programs and materials portion of the library's budget may face cuts.
"... The cuts will probably come from resources — new material available — databases, new books, movies. We will still be buying them, but people may have to wait longer, because we won't be buying as much in the past," she said.
Eastern Monroe Public Library is supported by a 1.1 mill local tax from the municipalities it serves — the boroughs of Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg and the townships of Stroud, Smithfield, Middle Smithfield, Hamilton, Jackson, Price and Pocono.
Meanwhile, Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville has cut five employee positions through attrition since 2000.
"We saw the handwriting on the wall. The state cut affected us very deeply," said Director Carol Kern.
They also lost about $100,000 last year from uncollected taxes. Western Pocono, unlike the other county libraries, receives its funding through the Pleasant Valley School District, which collects its 1.75 mill tax.
"People walked away from their homes," she said.
But the cuts have been strictly staff, through attrition — the library hasn't cut in programs or purchases. "We have to be careful — we still have to maintain our state standard," Kern said.
Kern said the library would wait until after Sunday's fundraiser to decide what she has to cut in January.
"Maybe reduced hours on a Saturday afternoon is one option. That would be the first thing we'd probably do. We're working hard at not cutting anything, so we can provide full service to our community," she said.
Pocono Mountain Public Library's operating budget will receive about $16,000 less from the state. That's about 4 percent of its total budget for 2010.
But the majority of Pocono Mountain's budget is from local support. The library receives tax remittance from Mount Pocono and Coolbaugh township millage surcharges.
This year continues a pattern of diminishing state aid, according to Ann Shincovich, the library's director.
"We eviscerated our budget last year. ... We had to eliminate some of our technology and professional development. We had to gut our programs last year. People expect us to do certain things that we just can't do," she said.
That means the library cannot fill vacant positions or support all the technology. "We won't have the same programming funds," she added.
But residents can always donate to help programs and technology. "We see a lot of people using our computers for the Internet especially when they are looking for jobs," Shincovich said.
Barrett-Paradise Friendly Library in Cresco is out about $6,000 because of the state funding cut, but that won't take them off course.
"The library board and our staff want to work and fundraise so we do not have to cut back on materials and services for our patrons," library Director Cindy DeLuca said.
DeLuca said the library customarily uses state money for materials, such as children's books and recordings, but may have to find a way to replace the lost funding.
"What we will have to do is find another event or fundraiser to replace that money," she said.
But of greater concern to DeLuca is the cutbacks on the state level. She said "The state system provides so many services and helps libraries large and small provide so many services, like databases and interlibrary loan services."
Pocono Record Writer
November 25, 2009
Monroe County's public libraries could see fewer programs and services after an across-the-board cut in state funding next year.
The state reduced funding to libraries by 20 percent in 2010, but the local impact varies.
Related Stories
* Fair to support Pocono Mountain Community Library this weekend
"This has probably been the most difficult year for us to balance the budget," said Wendy Franklin, Clymer Library's director.
Clymer faces three key budget issues. One is the funding cut from the state — about $10,000 of their $258,000 budget.
Second are lower local revenues. Clymer receives part of its funding through a tax assessment based on property values, which have decreased.
And third, PPL has uncapped its electric costs. The library is facing a 34 percent increase in its electric bill.
"We've been cut $10,000, and our electric bill is going up about $4,000," Franklin said.
That means cuts in several areas. There will be cuts in programs. There's no increase for staff salaries. The library will be looking to offer programs that are free or inexpensive to run. And it's cutting anything that is not essential to the operation of the library.
"Furniture and equipment purchases have been eliminated. We've reduced technology funds to $500 next year," Franklin said.
Clymer serves Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships.
Barbara Keiser, director at Eastern Monroe Public Library, said "We're holding our own pretty well, although the state aid — a 20 percent cut — isn't insignificant."
That aid — $561,022 last year— is more than a quarter of the budget of $1.9 million.
Despite the funding cut of more than $100,000, Keiser said her staff might still grow.
"Our budget isn't approved yet for 2010, but staff has recommended we keep our staff and perhaps increase it at the Smithfield branch — because our local income has come in ahead of budget," she said.
The programs and materials portion of the library's budget may face cuts.
"... The cuts will probably come from resources — new material available — databases, new books, movies. We will still be buying them, but people may have to wait longer, because we won't be buying as much in the past," she said.
Eastern Monroe Public Library is supported by a 1.1 mill local tax from the municipalities it serves — the boroughs of Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg and the townships of Stroud, Smithfield, Middle Smithfield, Hamilton, Jackson, Price and Pocono.
Meanwhile, Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville has cut five employee positions through attrition since 2000.
"We saw the handwriting on the wall. The state cut affected us very deeply," said Director Carol Kern.
They also lost about $100,000 last year from uncollected taxes. Western Pocono, unlike the other county libraries, receives its funding through the Pleasant Valley School District, which collects its 1.75 mill tax.
"People walked away from their homes," she said.
But the cuts have been strictly staff, through attrition — the library hasn't cut in programs or purchases. "We have to be careful — we still have to maintain our state standard," Kern said.
Kern said the library would wait until after Sunday's fundraiser to decide what she has to cut in January.
"Maybe reduced hours on a Saturday afternoon is one option. That would be the first thing we'd probably do. We're working hard at not cutting anything, so we can provide full service to our community," she said.
Pocono Mountain Public Library's operating budget will receive about $16,000 less from the state. That's about 4 percent of its total budget for 2010.
But the majority of Pocono Mountain's budget is from local support. The library receives tax remittance from Mount Pocono and Coolbaugh township millage surcharges.
This year continues a pattern of diminishing state aid, according to Ann Shincovich, the library's director.
"We eviscerated our budget last year. ... We had to eliminate some of our technology and professional development. We had to gut our programs last year. People expect us to do certain things that we just can't do," she said.
That means the library cannot fill vacant positions or support all the technology. "We won't have the same programming funds," she added.
But residents can always donate to help programs and technology. "We see a lot of people using our computers for the Internet especially when they are looking for jobs," Shincovich said.
Barrett-Paradise Friendly Library in Cresco is out about $6,000 because of the state funding cut, but that won't take them off course.
"The library board and our staff want to work and fundraise so we do not have to cut back on materials and services for our patrons," library Director Cindy DeLuca said.
DeLuca said the library customarily uses state money for materials, such as children's books and recordings, but may have to find a way to replace the lost funding.
"What we will have to do is find another event or fundraiser to replace that money," she said.
But of greater concern to DeLuca is the cutbacks on the state level. She said "The state system provides so many services and helps libraries large and small provide so many services, like databases and interlibrary loan services."
11.06.2009
The Ramirez Solar Home
By Pocono Record staff report
November 06, 2009
BUSHKILL — Work has begun to rehabilitate one of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's most significant historic structures: the Ramirez Solar House.
National Park Service staff and Frederic Schwartz Architects worked for the past two years to complete architectural and engineering plans to restore the building near Raymondskill Road, south of Milford. The Washington Office of the National Park Service provided funding used to award a restoration contract in September to MERIT, Inc.
November 06, 2009
BUSHKILL — Work has begun to rehabilitate one of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's most significant historic structures: the Ramirez Solar House.
National Park Service staff and Frederic Schwartz Architects worked for the past two years to complete architectural and engineering plans to restore the building near Raymondskill Road, south of Milford. The Washington Office of the National Park Service provided funding used to award a restoration contract in September to MERIT, Inc.
10.27.2009
Fire guts historic Dansbury Deopt
An early Monday morning fire gutted the historic Dansbury Depot on Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg. Read the complete story by visiting the Pocono Record web site at
10.02.2009
Family Histories in the Monroe County Histroical Association Collection
The Monroe County Historical Association has an excellent collection of local material, which can be used in their Reference Room. Among the material in their collection are a number of individual family histories, many prepared by members of the families with the help of the Staff of the Historical Association over a period of many years. Persons who are in the process of compiling their own genealogies may wish to go to the Stroud Mansion and refer to some of these. Those in the list which follows appear in our catalog, with the notation that they are in the Historical Association Library.. We have duplicates of a few of them on a shelf in the Local History Room, on the back of the low bookcase in the center of the room, but most of them are available only at the Historical Association and must be used there.
We may perhaps add that it is our hope that when genealogies of local families are completed by people who have used the Local History Room materials in their search, they will be kind enough to those who follow, to donate a copy of their history to the library as well as to the Historical Association, giving a helping hand to those who follow, however distant the relationship may be.
The index can be found in The Local History [ HIST Ref. 929.9 FAM ]
We may perhaps add that it is our hope that when genealogies of local families are completed by people who have used the Local History Room materials in their search, they will be kind enough to those who follow, to donate a copy of their history to the library as well as to the Historical Association, giving a helping hand to those who follow, however distant the relationship may be.
The index can be found in The Local History [ HIST Ref. 929.9 FAM ]
8.25.2009
Pa. Civil War Conscientious Objectors Database
Found this on The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania website.( http://www.genpa.org/CivilWarCO.html)
Pennsylvania's Civil War Conscientious Objectors Database
Introduction (Summary)
Jonathan R. Stayer, Head, Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives
Provided here is a database of names of Pennsylvania men who refused military service during the American Civil War for reasons of conscience--primarily religious convictions. Volunteers of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania transcribed these entries from the "Register of Aliens & Persons Having Conscientious Scruples Against Bearing Arms, 1862," (entry #3168); Records of State and District Offices, 1861-72, Pennsylvania (Part IV), Western Division; Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau, Record Group 110; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.
This register serves as an index to original requests for exemption on file as "Conscientious Objector Depositions, 1862" (Series #19.15); Records of the Adjutant General; Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Record Group 19; Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, PA. In some instances, the depositions show the age and the occupation of the objector, and each one is signed by the man seeking exemption. These papers are arranged first by county and then roughly in alphabetical order by the individual's surname, similar to the entries in the Register. Copies of the depositions may be obtained for a fee from: Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives, 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0090 (www.phmc.state.pa.us).
Monroe County names:
945 Absalom Fetterman Monroe Not Given
947 Henry Houser Monroe Not Given
946 Israel Houser Monroe Not Given
948 James H Kerr Monroe Not Given
949 Ransom Labar Monroe Not Given
950 Sydenham W Palmer Monroe Not Given
951 James Teel Monroe Not Given
952 Robert Teel Monroe Not Given
Pennsylvania's Civil War Conscientious Objectors Database
Introduction (Summary)
Jonathan R. Stayer, Head, Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives
Provided here is a database of names of Pennsylvania men who refused military service during the American Civil War for reasons of conscience--primarily religious convictions. Volunteers of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania transcribed these entries from the "Register of Aliens & Persons Having Conscientious Scruples Against Bearing Arms, 1862," (entry #3168); Records of State and District Offices, 1861-72, Pennsylvania (Part IV), Western Division; Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau, Record Group 110; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.
This register serves as an index to original requests for exemption on file as "Conscientious Objector Depositions, 1862" (Series #19.15); Records of the Adjutant General; Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Record Group 19; Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, PA. In some instances, the depositions show the age and the occupation of the objector, and each one is signed by the man seeking exemption. These papers are arranged first by county and then roughly in alphabetical order by the individual's surname, similar to the entries in the Register. Copies of the depositions may be obtained for a fee from: Reference Section, Pennsylvania State Archives, 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0090 (www.phmc.state.pa.us).
Monroe County names:
945 Absalom Fetterman Monroe Not Given
947 Henry Houser Monroe Not Given
946 Israel Houser Monroe Not Given
948 James H Kerr Monroe Not Given
949 Ransom Labar Monroe Not Given
950 Sydenham W Palmer Monroe Not Given
951 James Teel Monroe Not Given
952 Robert Teel Monroe Not Given
8.20.2009
Mountainsides
In the early 1990's, Brain Hineline a life-long Pocono resident saw a need for a general magazine devoted to Northeastern Pennsylvania and founded the Mountainside in 1992. The magazine was well received by the public however not very profitable. Publication was halted after just three issues.
In the hope of saving a valuable local resource, Brian has given Eastern Monroe Public Library permission to add the Mountainside to its growing digital projects collection.
Just go to to www.monroepl.org and look for the Local History link. Click on the link and look mfor the digital collection.
In the hope of saving a valuable local resource, Brian has given Eastern Monroe Public Library permission to add the Mountainside to its growing digital projects collection.
Just go to to www.monroepl.org and look for the Local History link. Click on the link and look mfor the digital collection.
7.28.2009
Agricultural Production Monroe County Pennsylvana
Monroe County farms:
Number of farms: 1945-(1,219) 1950-(884)
Average size of farms 1945-(95.3) 1950-(100.8)
Acreage in farms 1945-(116,145) 1950-(89,145)
Number of farms: 1945-(1,219) 1950-(884)
Average size of farms 1945-(95.3) 1950-(100.8)
Acreage in farms 1945-(116,145) 1950-(89,145)
7.07.2009
The Rain Boy: Do you believe in the supernatural?
Do you believe in the supernatural? Or do you want to understand people
who do? It seems that various strange things have happened here in Monroe
County, and if you want to know more about that sort of thing, the Local History
Room has copies of both volumes of “ Pocono Ghosts”, a copy of “ Spooky
Pennsylvania, tales of Hauntings, strange happenings and other local lore”
(all shelved in 133.1) and a folder in the vertical file, under Supernatural and
Paranormal, about the story of the Rain Boy, who was the central character in
a story of poltergeist phenomena, especially including a sort of indoor rain that
was never explained, although it was investigated both by the local police and
by a parapsychic. All these materials can be used in the Local History Room.
The folder also includes reactions of various people on the Internet who discuss
this story. We also have copies of the books, that can be borrowed, shelved, again,
in 133.1.
Sometimes very odd things happen. Or, of course, sometimes we hear that very
strange things have happened, but no-one we know actually witnessed them, and we
don’t know what to believe. Such was the case of the “Rain Boy”. Left homeless by
the death of his grandfather, a young man was taken in by some people who lived on
Ann Street, behind the Methodist Church and across from the Driebe Freight Station
Museum. Soon a series of very strange events took place, especially involving water, or
“rain”, which sprayed around inside the house. The police were called to investigate,
also a local parapsychic. The center of the disturbance seemed to be the homeless man,
who appeared to be the victim of violent activity. There is a folder in the Local History
Room vertical file under “Supernatural and Paranormal”, which tells several versions of
the story; a chapter from the book “Pocono Ghosts”; the story of a French television crew who came to film the story for a series on strange phenomena; comments from
fans of such stories, taken from the Internet ,etc. The library also has copies of “Pocono
Ghosts”, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and “Spooky Pennsylvania, tales of Hauntings, Strange
Happenings, and Other Local Lore”, in 133.1, both copies to borrow, and copies in
the history room. This story is covered in these books.
Submitted by Ann Kane
Reference Librarian
Eastern Monroe Public Library
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
who do? It seems that various strange things have happened here in Monroe
County, and if you want to know more about that sort of thing, the Local History
Room has copies of both volumes of “ Pocono Ghosts”, a copy of “ Spooky
Pennsylvania, tales of Hauntings, strange happenings and other local lore”
(all shelved in 133.1) and a folder in the vertical file, under Supernatural and
Paranormal, about the story of the Rain Boy, who was the central character in
a story of poltergeist phenomena, especially including a sort of indoor rain that
was never explained, although it was investigated both by the local police and
by a parapsychic. All these materials can be used in the Local History Room.
The folder also includes reactions of various people on the Internet who discuss
this story. We also have copies of the books, that can be borrowed, shelved, again,
in 133.1.
Sometimes very odd things happen. Or, of course, sometimes we hear that very
strange things have happened, but no-one we know actually witnessed them, and we
don’t know what to believe. Such was the case of the “Rain Boy”. Left homeless by
the death of his grandfather, a young man was taken in by some people who lived on
Ann Street, behind the Methodist Church and across from the Driebe Freight Station
Museum. Soon a series of very strange events took place, especially involving water, or
“rain”, which sprayed around inside the house. The police were called to investigate,
also a local parapsychic. The center of the disturbance seemed to be the homeless man,
who appeared to be the victim of violent activity. There is a folder in the Local History
Room vertical file under “Supernatural and Paranormal”, which tells several versions of
the story; a chapter from the book “Pocono Ghosts”; the story of a French television crew who came to film the story for a series on strange phenomena; comments from
fans of such stories, taken from the Internet ,etc. The library also has copies of “Pocono
Ghosts”, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and “Spooky Pennsylvania, tales of Hauntings, Strange
Happenings, and Other Local Lore”, in 133.1, both copies to borrow, and copies in
the history room. This story is covered in these books.
Submitted by Ann Kane
Reference Librarian
Eastern Monroe Public Library
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
6.23.2009
Monroe County Resorts by Susan Kopczynski
MONROE COUNTY – The Old and Near Vacation
Even before the Civil War, Monroe County was a place to visit. The picturesque Delaware Water Gap attracted vacationers and inspired artists and poets.
Attracted by co-religionists who settled here, Quakers from Philadelphia began to come for vacations as early as 1820. In 1829, Antoine Dutot who founded the village of Delaware Water Gap and built the first hotel named the Kittatinny House. In these early years, only the wealthy had the time and money to take a holiday. Because of poor accessibility, many avoided the Pocono’s and went to the more fashionable Hudson River valley, the White Mountains of New Hampshire or the shore resorts. Those that did come here came for country living and did not care about status or fashion.
In 1856, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad was completed, changing Monroe County forever. Service from New York City brought vacationers to the Pocono’s to join the earlier ones from Philadelphia. After the Civil War, service was improved. Travel time was shortened to four hours and eight stations were added.
The railroad also made the area more accessible to a broader range of people – less educated and less fussy or affluent. What attracted them were the pure mountain air, sweet clean water and quiet healthy country lifestyle. It was a respite from the hectic, stressful, unhealthy city.
In 1877, the New York Times estimated that the 35 mile stretch along the Delaware River from Milford to Delaware Water Gap expanded by 5,000 people during the summer. To accommodate this influx, more and more boarding houses were built. According to the railroad’s resort directories, Monroe County had 152 hotels and boarding houses in 1905. Four years later, there were 204. While Delaware Water Gap was the focal point, resorts spread north to Bushkill and Milford and west towards Cresco.
There was a place for everyone. For those who could not afford the resorts, there were boarding houses. To supplement their income, farmers opened their homes to vacationers. Some of the wealthy built their own summer homes or bought or renovated older homes.
With train travel time down to three or four hours, some came just for a day or a weekend. Businessmen from the city could establish their families for the summer and join them for the weekend. Those who preferred the resorts “dry” and free of vices could go the Quaker resorts such as Buckhill Falls or Pocono Manor and simply enjoy nature, solitude and a healthy lifestyle.
As time went on, more emphasis was placed on recreational activities such as boating, golf, tennis, fishing, hunting, swimming, horseback riding, croquet and even bowling. Bicycling became all the rage around 1900 with clubs sponsoring trips to the area. Walks to scenic spots and waterfalls were popular. Besides recreation, there was entertainment. Amusement rides, music programs and even vaudeville shows were offered.
Promoting the resorts was the Monroe County Resort Association established in 1902. They were successful beyond their wildest dreams. So many vacationers came to Monroe County in 1902 that 20,000 visitors were turned away by the resorts. Resorts had to place people on cots in halls, parlors and cellars. The famous and not so famous flocked to the Pocono’s. Among the former was William Cullen Bryant, Joseph Jefferson (the actor), and John D. Rockefeller. Theodore Roosevelt stopped overnight at the Kittatinny House.
With the advent of the automobile, the American vacation changed. Instead of summer long stays at a resort, vacationers opted for shorter stays with weekend jaunts. Large resorts tried to compensate by staying open and offering year round activities. Resorts further west in the Pocono Mountains began to offer skiing, skating, tobogganing and sledding. Camping also became popular as a cheap vacation. By World War I, the resort industry was declining.
Modernization, innovation and uniqueness helped the big resorts survive Prohibition and the Great Depression during the 1920’s and 1930’s. But by 1938, Delaware Water Gap had only five resorts listed by the Chamber of Commerce. Instead of being a vacation destination, the town became “the gateway to the playground of the East”. By the end of the Depression, the term Pocono’s came into general use. During World War II, rationing of food items, tires and gasoline, as well as labor shortages, impacted the resorts. After the War, the interstate highway system eased travel to Monroe County. New York City was now just a two hour drive along Interstate 80.
The use of artificial snow machines, made the ski resorts less dependent on Mother Nature. In the 1950’s, new resorts that catered to honeymooners sprang up offering heart shaped or sunken roman tubs. By 1969, there were 25 such resorts with an average of 2000 guests per week. The changing youth culture of the 1960’s, brought a decline of the singles and honeymoon resorts. The new visitors wanted indoor swimming pools and nightclubs. Year round conventions business required that as well.
Today, the area still attracts visitors. Arriving by car from New York City or Philadelphia, they seek a quick, easy and inexpensive getaway for the day or weekend. The outdoor enthusiasts still bird watch, fish, hunt, hike and canoe along the river. Camping is still popular and there are many shows and festivals to enjoy. Some have built summer homes. Many visitors become year round residents making Monroe County one of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania.
Extracted from Better in the Poconos by Lawrence Squeri, University Park, PA, The State University Press, 2002.
Even before the Civil War, Monroe County was a place to visit. The picturesque Delaware Water Gap attracted vacationers and inspired artists and poets.
Attracted by co-religionists who settled here, Quakers from Philadelphia began to come for vacations as early as 1820. In 1829, Antoine Dutot who founded the village of Delaware Water Gap and built the first hotel named the Kittatinny House. In these early years, only the wealthy had the time and money to take a holiday. Because of poor accessibility, many avoided the Pocono’s and went to the more fashionable Hudson River valley, the White Mountains of New Hampshire or the shore resorts. Those that did come here came for country living and did not care about status or fashion.
In 1856, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad was completed, changing Monroe County forever. Service from New York City brought vacationers to the Pocono’s to join the earlier ones from Philadelphia. After the Civil War, service was improved. Travel time was shortened to four hours and eight stations were added.
The railroad also made the area more accessible to a broader range of people – less educated and less fussy or affluent. What attracted them were the pure mountain air, sweet clean water and quiet healthy country lifestyle. It was a respite from the hectic, stressful, unhealthy city.
In 1877, the New York Times estimated that the 35 mile stretch along the Delaware River from Milford to Delaware Water Gap expanded by 5,000 people during the summer. To accommodate this influx, more and more boarding houses were built. According to the railroad’s resort directories, Monroe County had 152 hotels and boarding houses in 1905. Four years later, there were 204. While Delaware Water Gap was the focal point, resorts spread north to Bushkill and Milford and west towards Cresco.
There was a place for everyone. For those who could not afford the resorts, there were boarding houses. To supplement their income, farmers opened their homes to vacationers. Some of the wealthy built their own summer homes or bought or renovated older homes.
With train travel time down to three or four hours, some came just for a day or a weekend. Businessmen from the city could establish their families for the summer and join them for the weekend. Those who preferred the resorts “dry” and free of vices could go the Quaker resorts such as Buckhill Falls or Pocono Manor and simply enjoy nature, solitude and a healthy lifestyle.
As time went on, more emphasis was placed on recreational activities such as boating, golf, tennis, fishing, hunting, swimming, horseback riding, croquet and even bowling. Bicycling became all the rage around 1900 with clubs sponsoring trips to the area. Walks to scenic spots and waterfalls were popular. Besides recreation, there was entertainment. Amusement rides, music programs and even vaudeville shows were offered.
Promoting the resorts was the Monroe County Resort Association established in 1902. They were successful beyond their wildest dreams. So many vacationers came to Monroe County in 1902 that 20,000 visitors were turned away by the resorts. Resorts had to place people on cots in halls, parlors and cellars. The famous and not so famous flocked to the Pocono’s. Among the former was William Cullen Bryant, Joseph Jefferson (the actor), and John D. Rockefeller. Theodore Roosevelt stopped overnight at the Kittatinny House.
With the advent of the automobile, the American vacation changed. Instead of summer long stays at a resort, vacationers opted for shorter stays with weekend jaunts. Large resorts tried to compensate by staying open and offering year round activities. Resorts further west in the Pocono Mountains began to offer skiing, skating, tobogganing and sledding. Camping also became popular as a cheap vacation. By World War I, the resort industry was declining.
Modernization, innovation and uniqueness helped the big resorts survive Prohibition and the Great Depression during the 1920’s and 1930’s. But by 1938, Delaware Water Gap had only five resorts listed by the Chamber of Commerce. Instead of being a vacation destination, the town became “the gateway to the playground of the East”. By the end of the Depression, the term Pocono’s came into general use. During World War II, rationing of food items, tires and gasoline, as well as labor shortages, impacted the resorts. After the War, the interstate highway system eased travel to Monroe County. New York City was now just a two hour drive along Interstate 80.
The use of artificial snow machines, made the ski resorts less dependent on Mother Nature. In the 1950’s, new resorts that catered to honeymooners sprang up offering heart shaped or sunken roman tubs. By 1969, there were 25 such resorts with an average of 2000 guests per week. The changing youth culture of the 1960’s, brought a decline of the singles and honeymoon resorts. The new visitors wanted indoor swimming pools and nightclubs. Year round conventions business required that as well.
Today, the area still attracts visitors. Arriving by car from New York City or Philadelphia, they seek a quick, easy and inexpensive getaway for the day or weekend. The outdoor enthusiasts still bird watch, fish, hunt, hike and canoe along the river. Camping is still popular and there are many shows and festivals to enjoy. Some have built summer homes. Many visitors become year round residents making Monroe County one of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania.
Extracted from Better in the Poconos by Lawrence Squeri, University Park, PA, The State University Press, 2002.
6.15.2009
Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project
The Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project (PJN) is a unique, free, searchable fulltext archive that documents the history and life of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania. To date, it is a digital archive of The Jewish Criterion (1895-1962) and The Jewish Chronicle (1962-present).
6.05.2009
Californial Digital Newspaper Collection
The California Digital Newspaper Collection offers over 200,000 pages of California newspapers spanning the years 1849-191l: the Alta California, 1849-1891; the San Francisco Call, 1893-1910; the Amador Ledger, 1900-1911; the Imperial Valley Press, 1901-1911; the Sacramento Record-Union, 1859-1890; and the Los Angeles Herald, 1905-1907. Additional years are forthcoming, as are other early California newspapers: the Californian; the California Star; the California Star and Californian; the Sacramento Transcript; the Placer Times; and the Pacific Rural Press.
The California Digital Newspaper Collection is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
http://cdnc.ucr.edu/
5.13.2009
Suffolk Historical Newspapers
Search the pages of some of Suffolk Counties oldest newspapers.
http://shn.suffolk.lib.ny.us/
http://shn.suffolk.lib.ny.us/
5.05.2009
First Polio Case Reported in Monroe County Region
With the advancement in technology, librarians are receiving requests for specific information from all parts of the world. Last week I received a very specific request from a person living in upstate New York.
Request
I am trying to find out about Little Flower Camp for Girls, which used to be near Tobyhanna in the 1940's. I attended that camp in the summer of 1949. It was supposed to be for 2 weeks but we were quarantined for an extra week because of the death from polio of a fellow camper. I know it was a long time ago but it was traumatic for a 7 year-old, her first time away from home. I have always wondered about the story behind that event.
In 1949 there were 38,153 cases of polio reported in the United States, so my chances of finding
this particular story seemed fairly good. I found an article in The Daily Record for Monroe County 8/11/1949 explaining about what had happened at the camp. What I found interesting was that the story was not on the front page of the newspaper but on page five. How the way that we report the news has changed.
Request
I am trying to find out about Little Flower Camp for Girls, which used to be near Tobyhanna in the 1940's. I attended that camp in the summer of 1949. It was supposed to be for 2 weeks but we were quarantined for an extra week because of the death from polio of a fellow camper. I know it was a long time ago but it was traumatic for a 7 year-old, her first time away from home. I have always wondered about the story behind that event.
In 1949 there were 38,153 cases of polio reported in the United States, so my chances of finding
this particular story seemed fairly good. I found an article in The Daily Record for Monroe County 8/11/1949 explaining about what had happened at the camp. What I found interesting was that the story was not on the front page of the newspaper but on page five. How the way that we report the news has changed.
4.27.2009
Two New Digital Postings!!!!!
On the Local History Site we have two new digital postings.The first is a paper written by local historian Vertie Knapp that deals with the ice harvest industry of Monroe County Pennsylvania. The second is the early history of Eastern Monroe Public Libray.
4.21.2009
Pennsylvania City Directories
The State Library of Pennsylvania collects historical Pennsylvania city directories in print and microform formats. These directories can be used for family history research, local history research and other purposes. The link on this page is to a directory of our city directory holdings. Please ask at the Reference Desk in the Main Reading Room (Room 102) for help to retrieve these items.
www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=147640
2.19.2009
Digital Collection
Greetings from the Local History Room. We have some great news to report. A Digital Collection feature has been added to the Local History page. The first entry is titled:
SOUVENIR: Four County Firemen's Association. Stroudsburg, PA
June 16 & 17, 1911.
19 pages is available for viewing. Original copy is located in the Local History Room.
Just go to www.monroepl.org and click on the Local History link and look for the Digital Collection.
SOUVENIR: Four County Firemen's Association. Stroudsburg, PA
June 16 & 17, 1911.
19 pages is available for viewing. Original copy is located in the Local History Room.
Just go to www.monroepl.org and click on the Local History link and look for the Digital Collection.
2.13.2009
Dick Phillips ( Local Sculpter)
Local sculptor Richard 'Dick' Phillips died Sunday in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Story and photo on page A3. obituary A4 in the Pocono Record 2/10/09.
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