Pahaquarra

The OLD MINE HOLES AND THE OLD MINE ROAD

By

William D. Durling

Historical explanation for personally conducted trips about Camp Pahaquarra of Trenton and Mercer Area Council Boy Scouts of America

Following is the Story, with Routes, for New Campers, relatives and friends. Start the trip by Assembling on the Bridge where Deer Creek crosses the Old Mine Road

Trenton, New Jersey
Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-seven

Because the Hollanders 0f nearly three centuries ago were desperately in need 0f mineral resources, the Boy Scouts 0£ America, Trenton and Mercer Area, have today a camp site that is historic and romantic, as well as picturesque and altogether desirable.

Holland, long famous as a country in which only one mineral is to be found, became aware some three hundred years ago that man cannot manufacture with zinc alone. It was then that venturesome spirits began to look to other lands for needed supplies and products. Among others was Henry Hudson who decided upon a tour 0f discovery to the New World. In 1605 he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, seeking not only minerals, especially copper, but also the much desired Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He finally entered what isnow New York Bay and sailed up the magnificent river which was afterward given his name, passing the New Jersey Palisades, and made a landing at an Indian settlement called Esopus. This settlement later became a white colonization and is now known as Kingston, in the state of New York.

Hurried observation convinced Hudson that there was an abundance of minerals in the mountains, which ended at the river and reached back and back into the then undiscovered country. Returning to his home, the explorer made a report to the Dutch government which resulted in the sending of an expedition to the new land of promise.

This expedition landed in Esopus in 1654 and began at once to prospect for minerals, especially for the much wanted copper. The hardy adventurers followed the mountain range back in the unknown country for many miles arid finally came to another beautiful river. This was at what is now Port Jervis, the source, almost, of the Delaware River. Turning their faces southward and following the river, the explorers before long stood on the spot where you are now standing.

Amazement at the beauty and grandeur of the country did not stop the Dutch from thinking of their main object. They were after minerals rather than scenery. Following a tributary of the river - Deer Creek, now facing us-the travellers soon found what they were looking for, fine samples of copper-much better than they had discovered along the Hudson.

Loading themselves with as much as they could carry 0f the prized minerals, the explorers made their way back to Esopus and sailed for Holland. And today if you go to Amsterdam you may see in Holland's National Museum some 0f the copper taken from these mine holes in 1657 by Claaus De Ruyter and his fellow adventurers.

Thus was recorded the first work of the white man in this part of the country - in the old mine holes of the Pahaquarra Mountains. "Pahaquarry" as this mine and township is known derives its name from Pahaqualong, the Indian name for the mountain which forms the southern boundary of the township. The original word was spelled Pahaquarra. The "Y" having been added later. The Scouts have restored the original word. According to the United States Geological Survey the Indian word meant "termination of two mountains."

The findings of their prospectors convinced the Dutch that they could mine the copper with profit and they soon began the undertaking. The date of the second expedition is not known, but it followed the trail of the first one, landing at Esopus on the Hudson. The first thing needed was a road to get ore from the mine to the ships. So the hardy Dutch began the building of a highway - or rather a trail from the shores of the Hudson to the shores of the Delaware. This is said to have been the first road constructed in this country. It was 103 miles long and was known as the "Old Mine Road." It still remains a public highway, as you may see, and will doubtless long continue as monument to these sturdy pioneers from Holland.

Previous to the coming of the Dutch only Indians had frequented this section. The Indians on the north side of the river were hostile to those on the south. Deadly encounters between the rival factions were the result and many are the traditions of blood and torture that have come down to these later days. Especially interesting is the story of the Indian Ladder which was built just below hereto afford a means of escape in time of native battle.

Among the numerous places of note nearby is Mount Tammany named after the celebrated Delaware Chief, Tamenund, meaning "beaver like" or amiable. Many societies have been named after this famous old Indian leader, including New York's great political organization, Tammany Hall.

After a time the miners and pioneers at Pahaquarra learned that the Delaware flowed into the Atlantic and then began hopes that ore might be sent down the streams to ships in the sea. Rafts were floated and little difficulty was encountered, except at Foul Rift. Foul Rift still retains its name and still, remains an obstacle to navigation, as most Scouts well know, especially if they are canoeists. However, river navigation among the early miners had the effect of doing away with much, of the popularity of the "Old Mine Road.'

There is no record of the. length of time covered by the mining operations of the Dutch. In fact little is known of the early history and traditions of the section. As late as 1832 there were only thirteen families in the whole countryside. Among the ratables at that time were one grist mill, four saw mills, 59 horses and 121 head of cattle paying state and county taxes of only $109.61.

Going back a little further it is learned that in 1820 the post office for the section was called Calno. This information is gleaned from Peter Dimmick, who now owns and operates the ferry between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, bringing you to the camp if you came up by way of the Delaware Water Gap. As you climbed the river bank of the Jersey side you may have noticed an ancient foundation, about twenty feet square. That was the site of the original Calno post office. Late postmasters included Chauncey M. Dimmick, brother of Peter Dimmick, the ferry man. The latter was assistant postmaster. The average yearly income of the office for these brothers was $60, giving them about $2.50 per month each. The office went out of business physically and officially alike October 10, 1903, when a flood washed the building away. Mr. Dimmick says that at that time the water was five feet, eight inches deep in his kitchen. The rise of the Delaware at this point was placed at forty feet.

While there is no record of the Dutch occupancy, there are some facts knownabout later mining operations. For in instance from 1850 to 1863 a firm of Philadelphians named Godleys, worked the holes but the venture proved unprofitable and the spot was finally abandoned. Later, in 1861, there was organized the Alleghaney Milling Company, also the Pahaquarra Mining Company in 1903. Work was carried on at intervals but the stockholders did not get much out of it. These operations did not develop the "Old Holes," but took copper from the exposed strip on the mountains. There was involved about three and a half square miles of territory, or the 1,490 acres now owned by the Scouts. Mining was again suspended in 1917.

A year later, or in 1918, another enterprise was started, that of making barrel staves from the timber on the tract. Buildings were erected and machinery installed, but the business proved unprofitable. Then in 1924 an effort was made to log the district, but this, too, was given up as a failure after some three months trial.

Apparently the section is not of much value from a business viewpoint, but surely the Scouts are not finding fault with this. If the country had been cleared and mined extensively it would not have been available for beautiful Camp Pahaquarra.

So much for the ancient history and traditions 0f the place, with the exception of a mention of the old fort located about two miles up the Old Mine Road and built by the pioneers some two centuries ago. Made of stone, with thirty-inch walls and partitions, this fort was set, as was the custom in those days, according to the points 0f the compass, with a corner each to the north, south, east and west. It was placed on an elevation in a big clearing and much 0£ the original walls remain in a good state of preservation. Mrs. Cecelia Ribble, aged 89 years, and her sister, Mrs. Ida Shoemaker, aged 81, have made their home in the old fort for more than forty years. Mrs. Shoemaker's former home was in the house now occupied and owned by Mr. Dimmick, the ferry man. Mrs. Ribble was born and reared on the Pennsylvania side of the river. These family names can be traced far back in the history of Warren County. It is especially interesting to visit and inspect the old fort house. There are still in use the old windows and doors, with hinges of wood and other evidences 0£ ancient workmanship.

An old slave cellar gives mute testimony of the customs of other days. Mrs. Ribble and Mrs. Shoemaker, fine old ladies, gave the writer 0f this article much information of historical value. They tell among other things of the great flood in 1903, when the Delaware, ordinarily half a mile away, rose to the road in front of the house. It must have been a sight long to be remembered.

And now we come down to the Scouts' replacement of the Dutch and other pioneers. In the Fall of 1923, the Executive Committee of our Council began looking for a permanent camp site. Mr. Chris Cartlidge, Chairman of the Camp Committee, made some forty special trips and inspected sixty suggested locations. Then came a suggestion by Dr. William J. Bickett, Superintendent 0£ the Public Schools of Trenton, that the "Old Mine Holes" country might be available. Mr. Cartlidge came here for an inspection and the sixty other places were out of the running. It took until early in 1925 to gain control of the property desired, but Mr. Cartlidge and Mr. Carrick, the Scout Executive, were determined to have a camp that year, even if they had, as they said, only ten boys. The 1925 camp developed much better than was expected and is now a matter of fine history, as is also its even more successful successor, the camp of 1926.

ALONG THE TRAILS

And now let us go and look over the beauty spots and the historical places of the camp property.

The first trail, here to the right, is called the Kaufman Trail. It is named after S. E. Kaufman of Trenton, one time president of the Scout Council. It leads to our camp-fire site, where, according to traditions, the Delaware Indian chiefs once had their headquarters. From this spot splendid lookouts were obtainable and these were important, since only, the river separated from the enemy, and raiding parties were frequent. This is the place where the Scouts of today have their evening camp fires, with all sorts 0f pastimes. Perhaps the most popular form of camp fire sport is the telling 0£ Indian stories. The country is rich in Indian lore and tradition.

Following to the south is the Cartlidge Trail, named in honor of the man who has done so much £or the camp. This leads to the old mine holes. Winding down the mountain and crossing Deer Creek, one locates the largest 0£ the openings made by the Dutch. Other holes are scattered about. The largest hole is hewn out of the rock, or shale. It is about five feet wide and eight feet high and runs back about two hundred feet where openings spread out like fingers on a hand. Caving side walls make the place unsafe for inspection and no one is allowed to enter.

The large iron pipe to be seen was used for water supply for the last mining operaion. The smaller pipe provides a water supply for our camp. This was installed by Mr. a. H. Oakley, a former council president, who is still interested and active in Scouting. Mr. Oakley also gave and installed the camp's electric light system, which is such a convenience in the kitchen, dining room, hospital cub house, headquarters and wash rooms. Think of the change from the centuries when only the stars and the moon served to relieve the blackness of night in the forests of Pahaquarra.

We will now visit the old strip mine, crossing the creek, arid return by the trail leading to the Durling Ceremonial Grounds. This trail was built by the Scouts of the 1926 camp.

The Durling Ceremonial Grounds are used only for honor events. It is there that the meetings of the Wimachtendienk, a secret order of the Scouts, are held. No one can make application for membership in this order. Membership is an honor given to one out of every fifteen boys in camp and given only to those whom the officers and campers feel have best exemplified the ideal behavior of a scout. The site was formerly used by the barrel stave company as a log yard. From it a railroad ran to the mill.

Let us follow this old roadbed across Deer Creek. You will notice on your way many witch hazel bushes and large wild raspberry plants. Part of the original stave plant has been used for camp purposes and this new brick building makes a first class first aid station which has been named ,after Dr. A. W. Belting of Trenton, a great friend and generous supporter of Scouting.

Next to the First Aid Station was an old blacksmith shop which has now become a fine workshop. This is used in camp repair work and also in the craftsmanship classes. It is known as the Eppele Craftsmanship Shop, in honor of Mr. Frank J. Eppele, of Scout friendship and activity fame.

We will climb the concrete steps to the Wolf Cub House. This was used as a dining hall during one of the mine operations. It is now used for the same purpose, also for a kitchen, with sleeping quarters up stairs.

Directly in front of the Cub House and to the right of the old crusher building is the Roebling Trail, named for our good friend, Siegfried Roebling. This leads up to the strip mine and to Overlook Point. It is a long climb to the mine but the results warrant the exertion. The ore is there exposed in what looks like a mill dam, about 60 feet high and 700 feet long. A narrow gauge railroad formerly ran around the base of this mine to Overlook Point. The view from this point is both beautiful and wonderful. To the right is the old hopper where the ore was dumped. This hopper is about 30 by 40 feet in size and 20 feet deep, with a trap at the bottom for the loading of cars. During the mining operations a car loaded with ore went down on one track and pulled up an empty on the other. Half way down the mountain an aerial picked up the load and carried it to the ore bins. These are at a place resembling Overlook Point. Some eighty car-loads of the ore still remain in the bins, reminders of the mining that failed.

Let us now go into the old crusher building and follow an imaginary load of ore to the finish of the operation. As it is dropped out of the bin into the first crusher it is reduced to pieces about the size of a hickory nut. From there it goes to two other crushers which turn it out about like ground coffee. Thence it goes to crushers at the left where it is reduced to powder. Then, after being treated with chemicals in a large vat, the mass is placed ill a furnace for further treatment. This is the process of copper hand1iIig as practiced during the later years at "The Holes." I am told, however, that for every dollar's worth of copper produced, the cost to the company was two dollars. It is easy to see that business could not long continue along those lines.

And now let us proceed to the old gas plant, now the kitchen for our mess hall. The mess hall is named Good Times Hall after the Trenton Evening Times, which, with The State Gazette and the Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, may always be depended upon to be friendly towards boys Scouts or otherwise. Good Times Hall is just what the name implies. Its clean1iness and fine order make it doubly attractive. That piano there is the gift of Mr. Cartlidge, who well appreciates that music has an important place in boyhood.

The old gas plant was used to furnish fuel for the big engine employed to generate light and power for the latter day mining operations. Some may wonder how such massive machines could be hauled away up here in the mountains. The secret is that they were brought here ”knocked down" or in smaller units, and were put together on the grounds. Truly it seems that there are no problems of transportation, manufacturing or commerce too difficult for man's ingenuity to solve.

Leaving the old crusher building, and the shops now used as commissary and tool department, we come to the stables where the mine horses and mules were kept. This building is serving at present as a garage.

And next is the headquarters building, with store, camp office, library and staff meeting room. This was once the mine office and laboratory. Members of the camp staff now use the upper rooms for sleeping purposes. The place is known as Hottel Hall, being named after Mr. Joseph B. Hottel, Council President.

Again crossing the creek and following the old mine road, we go back to the camp site, with its attractively arranged tents and the Lawton Parade Grounds, named after Lewis Lawton, Jr. Mr. Lawton is vice-president of our Council and is greatly interested in Scouting.

Back of the camp is the river and Oakley Cove, named after Mr. Oakley, whom I have already mentioned. The Cove provides swimming, boating, canoeing and fishing. It is here that the boys have no end of fun and it is here that most of thc lads go for a parting look, with a sigh, at the end of their time in camp. The catamarans were the gift of Mr. Eppele, already mentioned, and Mr. Owen Prior, another fine friend of the boys.

So much for the past-ancient and more recent alike. But what of the future? Since we have no way, as a great man has put it, to judge the future except by the past, can we not feel that the. future of Camp Pahaquarra is assured ? The writer of this article has been a camper all of his life. He has visited camps of all sizes in many states, and he has yet to find one anywhere that will in any way compare with Camp Pahaquarra. Camp Pahaquarra has unlimited possibilities and so it is with a ring of gladness that one asks "What of the Future?"

In conclusion the author wishes to express appreciation for the helpful cooperation of Mr. John P. Dullard 0£ Trenton, Librarian of the New Jersey State Library; Mrs. Ribble, Mrs. Shoemaker and Mr. Peter Dimmick 0£ the Pahaquarry Country; Scout Executive E. R. Carrick and Mr. John H. Sines, managing editor of The State Gazette and the Sunday Times-Advertiser, at Trenton.