F 129 .P3TF9 KkflS A HISTORY OF [The Tri -States CiTy •• w f^ ILLUSTRATED Class. ±1: Book. Gopi^tl^^ COPYRIGHT DEPOSn^ A shady spot on the roadway leading to Eddy farm near Port Jervis Cun irnagirialion boait. Amid ill gay treation. Huts like these. A crimson touch on the hardwood trees; A vagrant's morning wide and blue. In early Fall where the wind walks, too; A shadowy highway cool and brown. Alluring up and enticing down From rippled water to dappled swamp. The outward eye, the quiet will. From purple glory to scarlet pomp; And the striding heart from hill to hill ; The tempter apple over the lence; The cobweb bloom on the yellow quince; The palisn asters along the wood, A lyric touch of the solitude; An open hand, an easy shoe, And a hope to make the day go through. — Another to sleep with, and a third To wake me up at the voice of a bird ; The resonant, far-listening morn. And the hoarse whisper of the corn; The crickets mourning their comrades lost, In the night's retreat from the gathering frost; Or is it their slogan, plaintive and shrill. As they beat on their corselets, vailant still? A hunger fit for the kings of the sea. And a loaf of bread for Dicken and me; A thirst like that o£ the Thirsty Sword. And a jug of cider on the board, An idle moon, a bubbling spring. The sea in the pine-tops murmuring; A scrap of gossip at the ferry; A comrade neither glum nor merry. Asking nothing, revealing naught. But minting his words from a fund of thought. A keeper of silence eloquent. Needy, yet royally well content. Of the mettled breed, yet abhorring strife. And full of the mellow juice of life; A taster of wine, with an eye for a maid. Never tioo bold and never afraid. Never heart-whole, never heart-sick — - These are the things I worship in Dick; No fidget and no reformer, just A calm observer of ought and must. A lover of books, but a reader of man. No cynic and no charlatan. Who never defers and never demands, But smiling, takes the world in his hands, — Seeing it good as when God first saw And gave it the weight of his will for law. And oh. the joy that is never won. But follows and follows the journeying sun. By marsh and tide, by meadow and stream. A will-o'the-wind, a light-o'-dream. Delusion afar, delight anear. From morrow to morrow, from year to year. A Jac^-o'-lantern, a fairy fire. A dare, a bliss, and a desire ! The racy smell of the forest loam. When the stealthy, sad-heart leaves go home: O leaves. O leaves, I am one with you. Of the mould and the sun. and the wind and the dew! The broad ?old waVe of the afternoon: The silent flock of the cold new moon: The sound of the hollow sea's release From stormy tumult to starry peace; With only another league to wend. And two brown arms at the journey's end : These are the joys of the open road — For him who travels without a load. By Bliss Carman. Copyright 1908 By E. L. parks PORT JERVIS By JOHN P. FRITTS Illustrated by WM. H. ALLERTON Edited By W. H. NEARPASS & JAMES BENNETT LIBRARY of CONGRESS two eoDles KeceivM JUL 20 woa CLASSOS. XXc. Ku, ^T=^rr^ P8-| F'J Fishing on the Neversink f« HE thriving city of Port Jervis is set be- The tween green hills on the Delaware River port^Jervis at the mouth of the Neversink, which winds in and out like a silver thread among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The crest of the Appalachain Range forms a most harmonious and pleasing background for the farms of Orange County, set like jewels in Nature's crown. Port Jervis is ideally located, whether considered from a residential or a commercial standpoint. No matter how much natural beauty and attractiveness a place may possess it does not appeal with much force to an outsider until he has definitely settled in his own mind the question of its accessibility. There are many localities which boast — and justly, too — of rugged and picturesque surroundings and prosperous local conditions. But in too many cases they are not to be considered by the city worker who has neither the time nor the inclination to undertake the long journey necessary to reach it. Port Jervis is doubly fortunate in this particular. It is within easy commuting distance of New York City, and yet affords all the advantages of country life. The city is located on several lines of railroads, one of them being the main trunk line of the Erie, and there are twenty-four trains sched- uled in and out of the city every day on this single road. The city claims a population of 1 4,000 and its suburban popu- lation will swell this number by perhaps 3,000. p o X o c o (J5 3 C * i/i .2 3 > iM (A a; g ® „ „° -6 ^ c g ^ H tS > ^ -^ ^ l^ REAT historical interest attaches to the cit>' and its surroundings. Port Jervis was laid out as a village in 1 826. The first permanent settlers were decendants of the French Huguenots and the Dutch who settled the old town of Deerpark. Long before the white man came, before the Manhattan Indians sold their Island to the crew of the "Half Moon" for twenty-four dollars worth of beads and rum, the country around about Port Jervis was the abode of fierce aborigines. Even within the memory of the early white settlers it was a veritable paradise for sportsmen, fish and game of every sort abound- ing. The big game, fiercer than its copper-colored hunters, was like the latter, slowly driven westward with the march of empire. Even to-day, some of the milder denizens of the woods remain and make the region one of the most attrac- tive near the coast for the hunter and sportsman. There are many evidences, which antiquarians may find at the present time, of the Indian occupancy of the country. Many relics of their life and warfare prove conclusively that the Orange County Indians recognized fully the excellent strategical location on the Delaware at the mouth of the Neversink, and that the present site of Port Jervis in that remote period was a great camping ground. Slowly, but surely, the trappings of the hunting and camp- ing ground made way for the homes of the white men. The stern chase and warfare was succeeded by modern schools and factories. Long ago the metamorphosis was complete and the pale faces came into complete possession of the rich territory. But the latter followed the lead of their copper- colored predecessors in their choice of a center of population; so the Indian's camp ground of yesterday has become the prosperous city of Port Jervis to-day. B « c »i ii 2 g to ^ C " V 5 10 _u: 2 » .S — 3 o _2 Si: !> --t- c oj q^ E 3 2.Q S2 ^ -£ -c C ,'- O n 1- D. -a c s •£ > •c IS 10 si UST how many years elapsed after the occupation of Manhattan Island by the Dutch or, more properly, the founding of Communipaw, New Jersey, in 1613, which was the first European settlement in these parts, before the sturdy Hol- landers began to spread out among the hills and lakes around the upper Delaware, is a matter of some conjecture. It was early in the third decade of the Seventeenth Century, for by that time all this country had been taken up by the lordly 'patroons,' who obtained for a small pittance from the Dutch West India Company immense tracts of this country land extending along and back from the Hudson River for scores of miles. "These Old Dutch burghers and the retainers whom they brought with them were huge, slow-movmg bodies, great 'trenchermen' and given to much silence, as they are graphi- cally described in Irving's most interesting history. They never hurried, having too much avoirdupois, but they were unexcelled in a bargain, being for some centuries the great tradesmen of Europe. They early took a fancy to this sec- tion between the Hudson and the upper Delaware, knowing a fine piece of country and being able to drive a sharp bar- gain, yet with such skill and ease that they seem to have had little trouble with the Indians. "The Indians of this section were induced to peaceableness by the mild character and gentle ways of the Quakers, who began to come up through the Pennsylvania country along the Delaware. So that, while New England was being harassed by its Pequod massacres and King Philip's war, the settlers in these pleasant valleys around and in Port Jervis were left to pursue their untroubled, easy-going ways, culti- vating the fertile soil and making the first beginnings of what have since become the dairy and pastoral mterests of this section. "About the middle of the Seventeenth Century settlers began to come into this section from New England (espe- cially from Connecticut), being attracted by the extreme fer- tility and good situation of this country to the west of the Hudson. After the cession of New York to England by the Dutch in 1 664 the estates of the patroons were greatly cur- tailed, thus opening up much new land, and the Eastern im- migration was considerably increased. Thus, the popula- tion of Port Jervis comes from cosmopoKtan sources, the fire and push of the Puritan spirit being added to the solid, steady virtues of the Dutch." the rive -R 3 O to o Z Iley lawa 00 c ro c > Q _o 3 o 6 -3 Q o o. c ATURE has been kind to Port Jervis. The beautiful little city, nestling in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has every natural advantage to attract the homeseeker. Although well within the suburban zone of New York City, its surroundings are as rugged and picturesque and its home life as essentially "countrified" as if the place were beyond the Laurentians, in far off Canada. But its advantages are not limited to the beautiful surround- ings bestowed by Mother Nature — rich and prodigal as they are. Its schools and churches are models for other and even larger cities to pattern after, while its social advantages and high sense of civic pride are unrivalled. Nature Prodigal In Her Blessings -a B nS c ^ ° V .= ^ E S QUO. HE climate is well nigh ideal, from a health-giving standpoint. The region has an elevation of about 2,000 feet above the sea level. The mean annual temper- ature for the months of February, May, August and October may be taken as fairly representing the year, and were as follows: February, 24.3 degrees; May, 57.9 degrees; August, 59.7 degrees; October, 48!^ degrees. The relative humidity for the same months was 69.16 degrees, 60.17 degrees, 79.59 degrees, and 71.50 degrees, respectively. Excessive dust, which is the great drawback of the lower levels, is here prevented by the proper amount of moisture in the air. At the same time there is sufficient elevation to secure a low degree of humidity. If there be any truth in the theory that proper environment promotes health, then the dweller in Port Jervis must be healthy indeed; for, if he be blessed with a clear conscience, he may have days and nights of restful, solid enjoyment. The pure and bracing air acts as a tonic when the tired sys- tem has relaxed from the cares of business, and, after a year's residence in Port Jervis, a man's rejuvenation is complete. The old settlers of Port Jervis say they were obliged to kill a man to start a cemetery. Opportunity is afforded for many most delightful drives. Every roadway approaching the city runs past fertile and well stocked farms. As some one has aptly described it: "Tastefully arranged and cultivated farms spread out before the view — the brown and white farm houses nestling in the valleys among clumps of oaks or elms, with some curving brook or stream nearby. Stretching out on every side, even to the top of the deep-wooded mountains, lie the broad, green fields, where the famous stock of Orange County graze at their leisure among the verdant and quiet meadows. Glimpses of the Delaware or Neversink in the distance, skirt- ing some rugged cliff or precipitous mountain side, and the long range of Blue Mountains across the horizon, where, on clear days, the higher peaks of the Shawangunk range, and even the Highlands can be seen, add to the ever-varying charms of the delightful scenery throughout this vicinity." A Health- Giving Climate o >> X M ■ H o ^ c ; e w ^ > o V U Z • n tJO ?; U 5- ' » -u -l:^ C ns i2 cu tn • « > 1m a: 1^ z Hi V 00 V S r, = 2 >> -§ r;3 a> >- O CQ J3 c S O U, _ o (S O 4i .y P -^ c 8 D- -.- -5 ■§ <=>- ORT JERVIS and vicinity is very popular Popular ^ With with summer vacationists who are attracted Summer by the superb scenery and natural advan- Vacation- tages of the place. There are famous trout streams within easy reach, pure spring water lakes are near, there are scores of romantic water-falls and wooded glens, while there is not in all the country 'round a swamp, a marsh, a breeding place for mosquitoes or a lurking spot for malaria. The hotels and boarding houses have a wide range of prices, with attractions of various degrees, so that every taste and every purse can be accommodated. The roads about the city ire a constant delight. The city authorities have spared no expense to put them in first class condition for automobilists and drivers, and it is a well- known fact that they are not surpassed even by the famous pikes of Westchester County. The number of summer visitors has grown to astonishing proportions of late years. The delights of mountain and stream with the quiet leisure possible at all times, the city newspapers available each morning and evening and finally, accessibility to New York City, are powerful magnets to at- tract summer visitors. ^ 2 *j o (8 ■ E -g ^ HE number and variety of commercial Port Jervis enterprises which flourish in Port Jervis is _ astonishing to one who has not taken into Center account the city's fine geographical loca- tion and its magnificent resources. Even if it did not possess unusual railroad facilities, which bring it into close touch with New York and other large cities. Port Jervis would flourish on its own account. It is located in the very heart of one, of the most famous agricultural and stock-raising sections of the world. For many years the fame of Orange County has grown and spread to all quarters until to-day it stands almost without rival in the excellence of its agricultural products and the high breeding and commercial value of its live stock. On such solid foundation of fine natural resources was the city's property laid. The artificial aids came later and in natural order of growth. The geographical position of Port Jervis was in its favor from the very outset. When the great trunk line of the Erie Railroad was projected in the early forties, and pushed to completion at a somewhat later date. Port Jervis was made the terminus of the New York and Delaware divisions. This, of course, guaranteed exceptional freight facilities for the town. As year has succeeded year, the business of this one road at this point has grown to enor- mous proportions. At the present time the employees pay-roll of the Erie Railroad alone amounts in round numbers to $125,000 per month. An idea of their extent and general importance may be gained from the fine photographs in the pictorial section of this portfolio. _- CO o oo .2 o ao b BO U O i= «) j3 -—" -^ Si 8 1 .j; _c ij J) U CD S h A Pike county water fall. Child's Park. Pa. THER rail lines sene to strengthen the frieght and passenger facilities of Port Jervis. The improvements and construc- tion of new lines now well under way will cost about twenty-seven millions of dollars. In addition a franchise has been granted for a trolley and steam line from Port Jervis to Straudsburg. This line will be built down the beautiful and picturesque valley of the Delaware River, through the famous Delaware Water Gap. It will make a direct connecting line to Philadelphia and will bring a vast deal of passenger and freight traffic to its northern terminus. Port Jervis. This road will enter the famous anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania and will be of incalculable value to the Port Jervis manufacturers and general tradesmen. Its beneficial influence will be felt especially in the coal and iron and allied interests, as it is bound to open up a large trade thioughout the New England section while through competitive rates are inevitable. This line, too, will afford direct and quick connection with the Pennsylvania and with the Philadelphia and Reading roads, thus affording new and important trade inlets to ihe West and Northwest as well as to the South Still another road, the Delaware Valley and Kingston, which will be a part of the Erie system, is projected to run along the Delaware and Hudson canal. This will give the fortunate city of Port Jervis a third line into the anthracite coal regions, and is bound to attract many new and important manufacturing enterprises to the place. The Ontario and Western is now in operation, running northeast from Port Jervis through the Neversink Valley. This company have large coal fields of their own, and benefit Port Jervis greatly. All express trains stop at Port Jervis. This gives quick and extremely satisfactory passenger service to New York at al' times. No stops being made between Port Jervis and New York City adds immeasurably to the advantages of Port Jervis as a residential city. B a a. e o O , a o 6 ■> s- :^ en a. Hawks Nest Rock, a perpendicular cliff 900 feet high from river below. About five miles north of Port Jervis on the Delaware COINCIDENT with the development of ihe various railroads leading into and through Port Jervis has been the rapid growth of the city's manufacturing indus- tries. In these are represented nearly every branch of human endeavor. There are iron foundries, stove works, factories for making agricultural implements, tinware manufacturers, glass cutting and glass blowing works, underwear, overall, shirt and glove factories, silk mills, factories for the manufacture of boots and shoes, saws, silver- ware, furniture, glass, bronze works, hardware and wooden- ware, brushes, paper, motors, general railroad supplies, carriage stock, hats, cement goods, pipes, besides lumber mills, flour mills and breweries. Its close proximity to New York and other seaboard cities and its fine connection with Western inland cities, gives Port Jervis a peculiar advantage as a manufacturing center. In brief, its location is ideal and when the transportation lines projected or under construction are added to those already existing, the city must, in the very nature of things, take its place as one of the important manufacturing centers of the country. In the opinion of realty experts, whose conclusions are en- titled to a respectful consideration, property values in Port Jervis will take a sharp upward turn within a very short time, and in their judgment the present is the psychological time for making investments there. Rapid Grozvth o/ City 's Industries Port Jervis Near World's Markets •- 3 -g •£ o .w < c£ 1 he last of the old overshot mills Morals lO single feature in the civic life of any city ^ Wi'S'/i ... Standard makes for clean living and good citizen- ^^ ship so much as the advantages it offers Civic for the education of its youth. In this respect Port Jervis takes high rank. Its progressive citizens, who are always to be found working, in season and out of season, for the city's welfare, are particularly proud of its schools and its churches. The reader may readily understand this feeling of pride by a glance at the accompanying pictures. These speak louder than mere words for the progressive spirit and high moral tone of the community. The fine High School building shown was erected in 1888; the Church street school in 1899. An excellently equipped corps of teachers is emp'oyed and the schools' curriculum includes the higher branches, which lit the pupil for an entrance to college. There are also a number of up-to-date public school build- ings which are under the supervision of the Board of Educa- tion. The greatest possible care is taken in the selection and assignment of teachers, and the highest standards are main- tained in every department of instruction. Besides the public schools there are a number of parish schools, two private schools and one Conservatory of Music. In all of these schools a uniformly high standard of excellence is maintained, and all are fully abreast of the progressive spirit of the city and of the times. The spiritual side of the city's civic life is represented by ten fine church edifices, the pastors or priests in charge being, without exception, men who hold broad and liberal views, in harmony with that tolerant spirit which makes for the upbuilding of a community. 3 CQ qj a> H O o a. a> >^ ^ O tfi u u > 2 18 aj .^ o H u~> a. A woodland road MONG the more prominent public build- Its int^s may be mentioned the fine new _ ... ■' Public Carnegie Building containing the Free Buildings Public Librarj' of 20,000 volumes and the Free Historical Library of 4,000 rare volumes and manuscripts. Public School Library, the Port J-rvis Board of Trade, the prospective Y. M. C. A. build- ing, St. Mary's Orphan Asylum, the Elks new building in process of construction, and two fine hospitals. The city supports five progressive newspapers. Two of them, the Union and the Gazette, are dailies. Besides these, there are a weekly, a semi-weekly and a weekly agricultural journal of wide circulation. Two large national banking institutions are located at Port Jervis. There are also several building and loan asso- ciations whose reports show them to be in first-class condi- tion. One of these, established in I 868, is the oldest insti- tution of its kind in the world. There are commodious hotels and theaters, a complete electric street car system with thoroughly modern equipment. The city also has a splendid fire department with an enviable record of saving property. The accompanying photographs give a good idea of the architectural excellence of the public buildings of Port Jervis. In this respect the town compares very favorably with much larger cities. The residential sections are a delight to the eye. Much painstaking care has been taken in the home building by the citizens, and the results as a whole are very pleasing. There are scores of beautiful private homes where good taste in architecture has been combined with pleasing landscape effects — the well kept lawn of this or that particular house owner being a proper component part of a harmonious whole. tu ^ T3 3 O i1 "o -n '2-^ 4> c ^ 1:; e 3 ■c U O U 0- -Fi no ds of road ■E c « 10 r u E >. ■- o > V OJ (X ^ _c -c ^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS lilllllliiri n III; 1 1 ill I'l 1 " 014 208 361 9 • -t^^'