The "Lancaster County's Hidden Gem" Story

Sign at entrance to Historic Poole Forge.

It was an ordinary day.  My wife, Carol, and I are walking around the grounds of the historic Poole Forge in Narvon, Pennsylvania.  Narvon is located on Rt. 23, about a half-hour drive east from the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Route 23 was at one time one of a very few roads that led west from the city of Philadelphia as people traveled west until they reached the mighty Susquehanna River.  The property dates back to the earliest days of our young nation and was part of the flourishing iron industry in Lancaster County.  In 1775 James Old purchased the property where we are standing.  He was an experienced iron master and saw the potential of the property along the Conestoga.  

The covered bridge build near Poole Forge. Click on images to enalarge.

He built and operated the forge for twenty years.  Pig iron was brought in from nearby furnaces, refined and sold to local black- smiths as well as sold to markets in Phila- delphia where it was used to make armaments for the Revolutionary War.  James sold the forge in 1795 to his son, Davis, who continued the operation of refining iron.  Over the next 50 years it changed hands a few times until in 1852, with the iron industry fading, the forge was closed.  

Bridge's interior using the burr arch trust design.

Poole Forge was one of a few key components that led to the survival of our young country when relations with England became strained and finally broke.  The area where we are standing is surrounded by hillside and is along the Conestoga creek in Caernarvon Township.  At one time the area was a vibrant iron plantation which included the Ironmaster's Mansion, Paymaster's Building, spring house as well as two tenant houses.  

This is the West Tenant House on the grounds of Poole Forge.

A nearby covered bridge that crosses the Conestoga Creek, now known as the Conestoga River, is the perfect setting for Carol and myself on this beautiful day in late August.  The area where the covered bridge now stands was where the Downingtown and Ephrata Turnpike crossed the Conestoga River in the mid-1850s.  

Parking is supplied for those arriving with horse and buggy.

The bridge was needed to help those traveling on the road better cross the river.  The owner of Poole Forge since 1854, Mr. Isaac O. Blight, signed a petition asking Lancaster County to build a bridge by his location to make it easier to cross the river.  Mr. Blight lived in the mansion with his wife Matilda and son William at the time.  On June 8, 1858, Justices of the Peace Levi Ringwait and Hanson Jacob signed an affirmation for the proposal for the erection of the bridge.  

The beautiful Ironmaster's Mansion.

It was said the bridge should be built 89 feet from the Poole Forge coal house due to hot coals possibly catching the bridge on fire and that it be built without a roof.  On May 16, 1859 a contract was signed to build the bridge for $1,219.  The bridge was built using the Burr Trust type by Levi Fink and was 99 feet from end post to end post with a width of 15 feet.  It was built with a roof high enough to allow livestock to pass through it.  

The forge is located along the Conestoga Creek later called River.

As I drove through it today it looks to be in near-perfect shape.  In August of 1980 the Poole Forge Bridge was listed in the national Register of Historic Places.  As Carol and I walked around the grounds of Poole Forge, she remarked about how beautiful the original Ironmaster's Mansion was.  

Remnants of the forge can be seen on the other side of the river.

The mansion recently was renovated with a new roof, windows, new plumbing, electrical lines and exterior lighting.  The entire mansion was repointed with appropriate mortar and walkways were enhanced.  Today the Mansion is used for community events.  I had a chance to take many photographs, since there were only a few others walking the grounds with us.  Tough to visualize what it must have looked like in its heyday, but if it was half as beautiful as it is today, it would have been one of the finest locations in Pennsylvania.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Another view of the Mansion.

#141 on the Lancaster County Historic Preservation Trust Site list.

The covered bridge is beautiful for any distance.

This lone woodpecker is trying his best to get into
the small hole made for a bird perhaps half his size.

The "Cleaning Up The World" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Enjoying a meal at the French restaurant known as Le Piment on the island of St. Martin.  I have written many times about the island and quite a few of those stories told of having a meal at Le Piment.  It is one of the favorites of my wife and myself for many years.  But, this year there was something very different about the service we received.  

I realize that mixed drinks come with
a straw, but why not use an alternative?

After ordering our meal and drinks we were delivered our drinks without a plastic straw.  I know, you don't usually drink a mixed drink or a beer with a straw, but we usually don't have a mixed drink or beer with our meal.  We love the peach tea that they serve in a can.  And, we like to use a straw.  We asked about the straw and were told they are trying to cut down on the use of plastic straws since they are harmful to the local environment.  So, we just poured our peach tea into a drinking glass and had it that way.  Many local governments are trying to reduce the reliance that people have on plastic supplies in order to clean up the environment.  Others seem to think that something as small as a plastic straw isn't going to help clean up the environment, but it is said that Americans use more than 500 million straws DAILY, which is enough to fill 125 school buses.  

Too many shorelines look like this in the world!

Plastic straws are said to have a 200-year lifespan so you begin to multiply the 500 million a day times all those years and you see why there is so much plastic in our environment.  In the United States, Colorado declared in 2013 that July 11 would be "Straw Free Day."  So who else is trying to help in this effort to reduce the use of plastics?  The Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship line has said bon voyage to plastic straws.  

We need to eliminate items such as this from our environment.

Now, why can't we do that with plastic bags and cups as well as polystyrene foam containers?  Le Piment did tell us they would give us a plastic straw if necessary, but they are hoping most customers will not request one.  But, for some people, they cannot not do with a plastic straw.  Certain diseases make it almost impossible to drink from a glass or bottle without the use of a straw.  Perhaps someone could invent a suitable alternative to help make a plastic-free environment for all of us.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Vida Dutton Scudder: Woman, Author & Saint" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading the weekly email that I get from my church, St. James Episcopal, in Lancaster, PA.   A portion of the email is to present a weekly "Saint in the Spotlight" that will be celebrated at Wednesday's Evening Prayer.  Many of the saints I have never heard of before while others bring back memories of past Bible readings or sermons given in the church.  Today's saint is a woman by the name of Vida Dutton Scudder who was born in India on December 15, 1861.  Her parents were Congregationalist missionaries David and Harriet Scudder.  A year after her birth her father accidentally drowned so she and her mother returned to Boston where her mother's home was located.  Sometime in the 1870s she and her mother were confirmed as Episcopalians.  

Photograph of Vida Dutton Scudder

Vida entered Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts where she studied English Literature.  She was one of the first American women admitted to the graduate program at Oxford University and she eventually taught English Literature at Wellesley College in Massachusetts; becoming an associate professor in 1892 and a full professor in 1910.  She became involved in social activism and was one of the founders of the College Settlements Association and a member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross which was a group of Episcopal women dedicated to intercessory prayer and social reconciliation.  While teaching she helped establish the Church of the Carpenter in Boston.  This church sought to promote the cause of economic justice in the labor movement.  In 1911 she co-founded the Episcopal Church League and joined the Socialist Party.  The following year she supported striking textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  The following was part of a well-known speech she gave that year:  I would rather never again wear a thread of woolen than know my garments had been woven at the cost of such misery as I have seen and known past the shadow of a doubt to have existed in this town....If the wages are of necessity below the standard to maintain man and women in decency and in health, then the woolen industry has not a present right to exist in Massachusetts.  Vida Dutton Scudder was a supporter of World War I and eventually joined the Fellowship of Reconciliation in 1923 and became a pacifist in the 1930s.  She was said to have been at the epicenter of advanced thought in the church and society.  Upon retirement she began authoring books and became the first woman published in the Anglican Theological Review.  A few of her most famous quotes are: 

• It is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed.
• Luxury, like a minimum wage, is a relationship; it changes as we change.
• The worst danger of the mystic is as always a quest of spiritual privilege leading to aloofness from the common lot.
• The suppression of war is not the equivalent of peace.
• War to win peace is at best a dangerous illogical method.
• Reality, like beauty, is in relationship and there only.
• An element of abstention, of restraint, must enter into all finer joys.

Vida Dutton Scudder died October 9, 1954.  She was thought of enough that she made the list of "Saint in the Spotlight" at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  She is one amongst many great people who have gone down in history as gaining enough passion and sisterhood to be called a saint!  I would have loved to have met her and heard her speak about her passions and feelings.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "They're Going To Make What?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just took a photograph at my local grocery store of a variety of Spam they have for sale.  If you have never tried Spam, it is a brand of canned cooked pork made by Hormel Foods Corporation.  It was first introduced in 1937 and became known worldwide during World War II.  By 2003 Spam is now sold in 41 countries on six continents and trademarked in over 100 countries.  The basic ingredients in Span are pork with ham meat added, salt, water, modified potato starch, sugar and sodium nitrate as a preservative.  Natural gelatin is formed during cooking in its tins on the production line.  It is said that it is high in fat content as well as sodium and preservatives.  With the advent of communication technology, Spam has become the subject of urban legends about mystery meat.  It is believed that the name Spam is an abbreviation of "spiced ham."  It is also said that Spam is "ham that didn't pass its physical."  British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher refers to Spam as a "wartime delicacy."  In 1959 the billionth can of Span was sold and in 2007 the seven billionth can was sold.  Five years later the eighth billionth can was sold.  Perhaps the can I bought at the store today may be the ninth billion can.  

As I took the photograph I noticed the store sells a variety of types of Spam which include: Regular, Lite, 25% less Sodium, w/Chorizo, Teriyaki, w/real Hormel Bacon, Hickory Smoke and Oven Roasted Turkey.  And now, beginning September 23, 2019, you will be able to buy Pumpkin Spice Spam.  A few years ago the company that makes Spam posted on its Facebook page that they were coming out with Pumpkin Spice Spam.  Everyone, including me, thought it was a joke.  Evidently is wasn't! " The Daily Meal", a food-and-drink site, recently got a sample tin of the new variety for taste-testing.  They claim it looks like normal Spam with a whiff of that familiar pumpkin spice scent.  For me, that may be pretty gross.  But, how about you?  Oddly "The Daily Meal" reviewers were pleased with the taste and the hint of sweetness it offered.  Will I try it?  

Mac & Cheese with Spam and stewed tomatoes and apple
sauce.  Makes a heavy plate of food!

I'm not sure...yet!  I should tell you that tonight for supper my dear wife made me Mac & Cheese with pieces of good old regular Spam in it.  I put that on a dish and cover it with a couple scoops of stewed tomatoes.  Good meal if you want to put on a few pounds.  I gained 2 pounds after eating my Mac & Cheese & stewed tomatoes along with a big dish of peach tapioca. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Tough Getting A Square Meal Around Here!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  At least for me it was, but for one very large king snake who lives at Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary is was as if something was eating at him.  Actually, he was eating himself.  The founder of the sanctuary, Jesse Rothacker, discovered that one of his rescued king snakes was trying to swallow himself.  Talk about being hungry.  

Now, if you can't stomach looking at or holding snakes, this place wouldn't be for you, but Lancaster County is so lucky to have a fellow like Jesse who takes in all types of reptiles that otherwise might be released into the wild and perish shortly afterward.  So, what do you do when you discover that one of your residents got so hungry that they grabbed the other end of their body and began to swallow it?  Jesse said that it's not unusual to find a king snake biting themselves, but he's never found one that was swallowing its tail.  This particular snake was found to gnaw on itself, but not to the extent that it did when found with its tail about three feet into its mouth.  I showed my wife the photograph in the newspaper that was submitted by Jesse and she turned her head and told me to get it away from her.  

The snake eating itself.

The story in the paper said that Jesse did find scarring on the tail of the reptile which means it must have tried to eat itself in the past. But, to this extent?  Jesse said that this snake seems to always be hungry, but never went to this extent before.  He joked that this snake probably wouldn't do well on the SAT.  Accompaning the online article was a video showing how Jesse was able to get the snake to regurgitate almost half its own body.  After all of its body was regurgitated, it received a bath to get rid of "digestive juices".  All that could be found to show what had happened were small pin pricks where the teeth bit into the body.  The snake has been adopted and will move to its new home in the near future.  Hope the new owner realizes that it must feed the snake often in order to keep it from eating itself once again.  Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary is found in the small village of Elm which is to the north of Lititz, Pennsylvania.  Forgotten Friend is a nonprofit reptile rescue and education group that focuses on the prevention of cruelty to animals.  Its address is not given out since it works with law enforcement.  You can watch the video of the snake's rescue at LancasaterOnline.com.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Grand Dame Of Elkton, Maryland" Story

Historical Plaque on Rt. 213 in Elkton, Maryland.

It as an ordinary day.  Standing with camera in hand in front of what at one time was one of the most beautiful and iconic pieces of Elkton, Maryland's history, Holly Hall.  Known as "The Grand Dame of Elkton," Holly Hall is a 2 1/2, Federal-style brick mansion that was built about 1810 by General James A. Sewall who was a U.S. officer in the War of 1812, a public servant and an early railroad executive.  

Holly Hall, home of Gen. James Sewall.

In 1813 he commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 49th Maryland Regiment in action against the British during the War of 1812.  It was on April 29 of 1813 that forces under British Admiral George Cockburn, including nine ships, sailed up the Chesapeake Bay.  They sacked Frenchtown, Maryland, but when they attempted to move up the Elk River to Elkton, they were repulsed by Sewall's forces at Fort Defiance, an earthworks fortification a mile below the town.  Sewell also led the formation of the Elkton and Susquehanna Bridge Turnpike Company that was responsible for the building of a road from Elkton to the Susquehanna River.  

Photo of the Holly Hall Oak after it collapsed in 2009.

Holly Hall is so named because it was surrounded at one time by many holly trees.  It was designed after published designs of such early architects as Asher Benjamin and Robert Morris.  Its design is simple but sophisticated and restrained, in the manner of the early 19th century. While its basic form, hipped roof, and recessed stucco panels are noteworthy, its parapets are unique in Maryland.  They relate it to many contemporary published designs, commonplace in England, but rare in America.  

My photograph shows the demise of this beautiful and
historical structure in Elkton, Maryland.

Standing nearby the mansion for many years was what was known as the Holly Hall Oak.  It was a white oak that was said to be more than 400 years old.  On April 26, 2009 it collapsed of old age and sheer size.  It had a circumference of 21.92 feet, height of 58 feet and a spread of 78 feet when it was last measured in 2008.  As I prepared to photograph the mansion I noticed that the building is in dire need of restoration and preservation.  I could only imagine what it looked like at one time years ago.  I recently read that Elkton's Mayor Robert J. Alt pledged to obtain funds for the restoration and preservation of the historic gem that stands at the crossroads of Rt. 213 and Rt. 40.  It is at the east end of the Big Elk Mall, but not part of it.  

If money has been alloted through the Six to Fix program,
why hasn't this structure been brought back to life once again?

The Mayor submitted an application to a new program announced by Preser- vation Maryland entitled Six to Fix and found that Holly Hall was one of the six historic sites picked for monetary aide.  Here's hoping that work can begin soon on "The Grand Dame of Elkton."  It is presently begging for attention as I stand, looking at what at one time must have been the most beautiful structure in Elkton.  Please don't allow it to rot away before it can be brought to life once again for the sake of the residents of Elkton and all those who visit or pass through the town.  Talk is cheap, but action will be the only think to save this Dame.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "1931 Ford 'Model A' Tudor Sedan" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the streets of Stone Harbor, New Jersey when I noticed a car parked  at an angle along the curb.  Caught my eye instantly.  Walked around the car snapping photos with my iPhone and in a minute a few more gathered around this piece of motor history.  The Ford Model A was Ford Motor Company's second market success after its predecessor, the Model T.  The Model A was first produced in 1937.  Prices for the Model A ranged from $385 for a roadster to $1,400 for the top-of-the-line Town Car.  The engine was water cooled and provided 40 horsepower with a top speed of 65mph.  The 1930 and 1931 models  were available with a stainless steel radiator cowling and headlamp housings.  The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle and gearshift.  It had a visual fuel guage, and the fuel flowed to the carburetor by gravity.  A rear-view mirror was optional.  The Model A was the first vehicle to have safety glass in the windshield.  As I stood next to the car I loved the exterior tri-color, whitewall tires, spoked wheels, adjustable windshield, simple dash and full-sized covered spare tire.  I spent a few minutes taking photos, but tough to do when the car was in a small parking space.  Check out the photographs I was able to take.  I did wait a few minutes, but never had the chance to meet the owner of this fantastic car.  I'm sure you will agree it is remarkable, even if you don't appreciate automobile history.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Front view of the 1931 Ford Model A. 

The white-walled tires with spoked wheels can be seen in this photo. 

Notice the windshield can be opened for ventilation and on
top of the windshield is a sun shield.  The rear-view mirror
is attached to the frame of the front door window. 

I can see from the plate that the car belongs to Pop and he lives in New Jersey.

The spare tire is a feature of artistic imagination with the white leather cover and
Ford logo. The rear bumper is split to allow easy access to the spare tire.

I love the tri-color shown here.  Running boards were always
a neat feature to me.  I believe the top had a type of canvas covering.

Very simple steering wheel.  You can see the gas, clutch and brake pedals
in this photograph.  Seats were cloth with stitching for artistic effect.

The "The Ice Cream Boat" Story

Riding the ferry to Pinel Island.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in the front row on a lounge chair with a beach umbrella providing the shade.  Carol and I decided to make a visit to one of our favorite spots while on the island of St. Martin.  A few hundred yards off beautiful Orient Beach is a small spit of land known as Pinel Island.  

View of Pinel from the ferry boat.

We have been making visits for many years to the island to relax on the white sand beach and take a dip in the clear blue water that is only waist high for close to fifty feet from the shoreline.  The island is uninhabited except for the many iguanas that make their home in the small hills on the island.  Every trip to the island finds us walking to the top of the island to snap a photograph from the same location so we can compare the shoreline from year to year.  

The spit of land where the beach is located can be seen
from the top of the island.

Sand in the nearby channel changes the beach from year to year and its interesting to see the changes each year.  Beach chairs and umbrellas are for rent as your ferry boat arrives at the dock and food is available at a nearby restaurant which brings food supplies daily by boat to the island.  In recent years we have found one new addition in the form of a small boat with a colorful sign across the top of it which reads "Ice Cream Boat."  It is St. Martin's seagoing rendition of a United States Mister Softee Truck.  

Lily and her Ice Cream Boat.

The young woman that runs the ice cream boat is named Lily.  Most days we visit she can be found in the shallows around Pinel Island.  Lily was a resident of Normandy, France before she decided to set sail and see the world.  She eventually found her way to the French side of St. Martin where she settled and bought a Mako boat that she rigged with solar panels to power the sub-zero freezer that she uses to keep her products cold.  What makes it so nice for adults as well as children is that she can bring her boat close to shore and everyone can reach the boat since the water in usually no more than three feet deep.  

Food is being prepared at the restaurant while
the iguana waits for a scrap of food from the cook.

You know she has arrived when you hear her horn blow.  Lily got her idea for the ice cream boat after seeing much the same thing along the Mediter- ranean as she began her world travels a few years ago.  Her ice cream is local so you get to experience local products when you buy from her.  She enjoys making her visits to Pinel, but would someday like to sail to Tahiti.  When Hurricane Irma struck in 2017 everyone wondered if and when she would return to Pinel Island, but when the beach chairs returned to the island, she was right behind them looking for customers.  One day she will get the urge to explore again and we will have to do without our afternoon treat from the St. Martin Ice Cream Boat.  But, for now, my afternoon treat of ice cream is still intact.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Oldest Cemetery In Lancaster County" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Heading south through the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania to take a few photos of one of the oldest cemeteries in Lancaster County.  

Martin Meylin rifle shop in Willow Street, PA

As I drove south I passed close to the rifle shop of Martin Meylin as well as the the Hans Herr House; all stories I have written in the past.  It was in 1710 that the first extensive settlement in what would later be known as Lancaster County was established.  It was between the Conestoga River and Pequea Creek and included what today is known as Pequea, West Lampeter and Strasburg Townships.  

The Hans Herr House near Willow Street, PA

At the time the area was known as Conestoga, since the old roads were traveled by locally made Conestoga wagons.  The settlement was begun by Mennonite immigrants who settled on Native American ground that was granted to them by William Penn.  These Swiss-German Mennonites came to Pennsylvania in search of religious freedom as well as economic opportunities.  

The 1733 Tschantz Cemetery (Graveyard)

They came as peacemakers and learned from their Native American neighbors the ways of this rich land we known today as the "Garden Spot of America."  Before long I pulled to the side of the road known as Pequea Lane which was where one of the oldest European cemeteries in Lancaster County, if not one of the oldest in our new nation, is located.

A member of the Mylin family.
Click to enlarge image.

Known as the Tschantz Cemetery which is a rather small cemetery with a few dozen headstones that are almost impossible to read.  Three of Lancaster County's most famous pioneers are said to be buried here.  Martin Meylin is perhaps the most famous being credited with the creation of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle, later misnamed the Kentucky Long Rifle.  It was in 1719 that Martin or his son built the gun shop that I passed on my way to the cemetery.  Meylin's rifle creation was more than likely influenced by his acquaintance with the Jaeger Swiss Riffel from his earlier days in Europe.  Martin is said to be buried at the Tschantz Cemetery along with his wife and son.  Also buried here is Jacob Miller whose tombstone lists his death as April 20, 1739.  

A more modern tombstone in the foreground
is for the Wendell Bowman family.  Other stones
of the Bowman family are shown here, but
I wasn't able to find all names listed on above stone.

Many of the tombstones were inscribed with German lettering, but I found Mr. Miller's in English which read: Here lies buried the old Jacob Miller.  Born in Germany.  He died April 20, 1739.  When he died, his age was 76 years, 1 month and 3 weeks.  Mr. Miller passed on some of his land to his sons with Samuel receiving the land directly next to the cemetery.  His wife later remarried Hans Tschantz who set aside the land for the cemetery in which I now stand.   The final pioneer was Wendell Bowman who lived nearby and died in 1735.  Wendell built a two-story log cabin in 1712 that was in the center of his 530-acre tract of land.  Under the east end of the cabin was a stonewalled arch cellar.  

Joseph Bowman's tombstone.  Joseph
was son of Wendell Bowman.

If the cabin existed today it would be the oldest-known structure in Lancaster County.  As I walked around the small cemetery I found no readable tombstones that dated back to when the cemetery was first opened.  The earliest legible grave belonged to Elizabeth King who died February 21, 1732 at the age of 23.  Several of the stones in the cemetery seemed to be rather recent and made of black slate which preserves the engravings better than sandstone or limestone.  I have included a few of the stones, but was unable to decipher much of what was placed on the tombstones.  The cemetery has been meticulously maintained for many years.  I was impressed with how well the cemetery looked.  The kind of place I would want to be buried in if I wasn't going to be buried in my church cemetery of St. James Episcopal in downtown Lancaster.  That cemetery also dates back to the mid-1700s.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Name was unreadable, but date of death can be seen.
Click on images to enlarge them.

I could read part of the inscription, but not all.

The graveyard was in very good condition.

German?

I believe this is the tombstone of Jacob Miller, but very hard to read.

Tombstone of Veronica Bowman who was the wife of  Joseph Bowman.

A slate tombstone for John Witmer.