Bucks County Guestbook
| Description: | For general comments about Bucks County, sprawl, or the on-line tour. | ||
| Related Link: | David's Photographic Tour of Bucks County, Pennsylvania | ||
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Thursday, September 1, 2016 -- 04:14:03 (EDT)
Name: donna
Location: , , United States
the link to the video on this site is corrupt. Can someone fix it?
Friday, July 8, 2016 -- 05:59:45 (EDT)
Name: Lynne Moskol -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Hartsville. Warminster Twp, PA, United States
Have enjoyed your site for years. Posted some of it on Facebook today--getting quite a response. My husband loved the bridges. We collect postcards--a terrific documentation of local history--especially Arnold cards. Your tour is great.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015 -- 07:34:51 (EDT)
Name: LYNN MAUST -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bedford, Pa, United States
Hi David and Happy New Year!
In researching Washington's Crossing for a friend who lives way down in Louisiana, I found your FABULOUS coverage of it all....so I just sent it on to her. Now I will read all you wrote and really sit and enjoy your great photos, detailing so much of the park.
I hope you are doing well and still taking photos!
Wishing you well,
Lynn
Monday, August 31, 2015 -- 11:11:39 (EDT)
Name: Kerri Zerrenner
Location: Dublin, Pennsylvania, United States
The Stover-Meyers Mill is not in Bedminster. I don't think it's even in Bedminster Township, though, it is on the other side of Pipersville, which is still Bedminster Township. Shouldn't this photo be in your Stover line up?
Friday, May 15, 2015 -- 08:58:49 (EDT)
Name: John E Rescoe -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Portland, OR, United States
David, hello! When I was a teenager, I visited with the Union County, NJ Hiking Club what we called the "Glen of Ringing Rocks" two times in about 1954 and in 1956. I have never forgotten that strange place. Not being an educated geologist, I still don't know why these rocks have a metallic ring. I'm now looking at 74 years, but I still think of the "ringing rocks".
Thursday, March 5, 2015 -- 07:54:07 (EDT)
Name: Jack Weber -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Potomac Falls, VA, United States
David -- The internet is a marvelous thing! I was going through some old papers from my mother and came across letters from her dear friend, Elsie Gallavan Hauptfuhrer. They were very close friends in the 1940's and 1950's. Her letters all bore the return address "Hunter's Hill, Washington Crossing PA. I started searching on Google and saw an image on Pinterest from your website. It was a drawing of Hunter's Hill. The crazy part is that in my mother's papers is that exact picture. It was Elsie's stationery and she used it as a Christmas Card as well. My jaw dropped when I saw the image. Any information you might have on Elsie and her home would be much appreciated. By the way ... how to you happen to have the image?
Regards,
Jack Weber
Potomac Falls, VA
See entry from:
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 -- 02:18:52 (EDT)
Name: Eric -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
Hi David,
I was browsing the web for information on High Rocks State Park and came upon your website. I just recently started a blog about my hiking adventures in the Southeastern PA area (sepahiking.blogspot.com) and have linked to your website to send viewers in your direction since I was just there over this past weekend. I have a question for you as well. In your post about High Rocks, you reference it to being called Boileaus Rocks at one time. Would you happen to have any more information about this? I did a search but it didn't turn up much as far as results go and I'm curious about the history.
Thanks
Eric
Friday, June 13, 2014
Name: Jennifer Wood -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
Alexander Stout Wood son of Elias Wood and Hannah L Peterson was my great great grandfather. My grandfather was Albert King Wood. Both of Lenni Lenape indians, and lived in Cartersville. I'm trying to find any information on our family. My great great grandfather owned 12 acres in solebury around the 1920s. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jennifer Wood.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Name: Michael Myers -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA, United States
Hi David, I saw a post from your website commenting about Buttonwood Bend Farm. I believe this is the farm house my wife and I currently live in between Buckingham, PA and Pineville, PA.
We are located on Durham Road, between New Road and Smith Road.
I was wondering if you could reach out to Ronald and let him know of this information.
If you could provide him with my e-mail address I will send him some pictures of the house. It currently has 1.8 acres remaining, but would have had about 12 acres at the time period his grandmother lived in the house.
I've included a pic (attached). We have 2 large holly trees on the opposite side of the house from this photo. One male (near the road) and one female. They would have been around in the 1940's for sure. They sit next to the stone circular well.
Thanks a lot David,
Michael
The home was built over nearly two-centuries. The first section was built in the 1720s, followed by around 1800, and last 1900.
Thursday, April 24, 2014 -- 07:36:19 (EDT)
Name: Petrona Charles -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , PA, United States
Hi Everyone,
The Bucks County Covered Bridge Society is sponsoring a Mood's Bridge Birthday Party on June 7, 2014 11:00 to 2:30.
Come and walk on the bridge, meet the Mood's family. Enjoy visiting booths of the various Historic Societies in Bucks County, perhaps they can answer your genealogical questions. Find out what is being done to preserve the history and essence of Bucks County PA.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Name: Clark W Nicholls -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hi David!
I like your page on Quakertown...
Do you perhaps know anything of my Clark ancestor who from family lore had local quarries, and one in Vermont, which supplied slate stone for all the sidewalks in Quakertown? I doubt any survive, this would have been in the late 1800s...
Clark
Friday, October 25, 2013 -- 06:04:14 (EDT)
Name: John E Rescoe -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
My name is Jack, and all of my family on both sides who came from Ireland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire came to America and lived in Moyamensing, Northern Liberties, Trenton, Clinton, N.J., Perth Amboy and Elizabeth. I'm 72, and have been interested in our origins in this region since about age six. My family it seems first came to America in 1799 at Philadelphia (Moyamensing) and New York in 1892. When I was a teenager living in Elizabeth, I joined the Union County Hiking Club. Several of our hikes out of Elizabeth around 1955 were to the Glen of Ringing Rocks, Kintnersville, and Lumberville. Once we visited an old iron mine with two entrances very close together, which was only about 2000 feet south of Lumberville right off the river road only several feet, perhaps 100 feet. The mine was very large, actually quite vast to me as a boy. It was dry & looked like various places could collapse. No moisture or dripping water in this mine. It's been over 50 years since my last visit, and I often wonder why no one ever mentions this iron mine when writing about Bucks County history. Does anyone know the history of this mine? Did it have a name? I dropped my flashlight down a steep slanted ore pass about 57 years ago, and I bet it's still where it landed. Be careful!
Monday, August 12, 2013 -- 07:05:55 (EDT)
Name: Ronald A. Fautz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: WILSON, N.C., United States
David- my friend and I grew up in Point Pleasant, Tinicum Twp. Bucks County in the 1940-58 period. We both went to several one room school houses until our 7th grade.We are co-writing a book about our lives and there are several chapters about our growing up in this very special place. We are both in our mid 70's and hope to finish it soon. The impact of those early years and experiences play an important role in who we became. Also, my grandmother had a small chicken farm in Pineville near Buckingham (Buttonwood Bend Farm). Thank you for your wonderful efforts about Bucks County.
See entry from:
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Name: John Rohrman -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hello David,
I am trying to get in touch with Linda Alaythia Skill (Musgrave). More than 10 years ago, she posted on an ancestry.com message board that she had a picture of a Harry Rohrman, taken in the 1890s or 1900s in Philadelphia or Bucks County, PA. I am the great-great-grandson of a man named Robert Henry Rohrman, who apparently went primarily by "Harry." He grew up and lived most of his adult life in Philadelphia; his older brother, William, moved to Doylestown, Bucks County. I have NO pictures of my Harry and am very anxious to see if she is still in possession this picture and might be able to scan and send me a copy.
Thank you!
John Rohrman
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 -- 06:52:22 (EDT)
Name: John Snover -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Hollidaysburg, PA, United States
Thank you so much for building this page. I am moving to Bucks County soon and can't wait to see these places in person.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Name: Donna Doan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, PA
Hello,
I stumbled upon your excellent website when I was doing some research about farmland preservation in Bucks County. I share your sentiments that our irreplaceable farmland is being destroyed forever by rampant overdevelopment. I grew up in Lower Bucks, and the changes I have seen over my 50-some years are staggering. Thank you for compiling all your information and presenting it in such a way so that newcomers to the area will understand the magnitude of the losses we have suffered here. The land that feeds us is a finite resource. How foolish we are to pave it over.
My father, and as many previous generations of my family as I can recall, farmed here in Bucks County. I am now engaged in a battle to save the farm Dad grew up on and worked on for the majority of his life. The irony of this situation is that the farm is supposed to be PRESERVED. The 234 acre Patterson Farm was taken by Eminent Domain by Lower Makefield Township, whose officials claimed they were going to preserve it (that was in the late 1990's). An easement for preservation was never sought by the township until this year, after YEARS of prompting from the public. However, the township applied for farmland preservation for only a small fraction of the farm. NOW, the townshps' story is much different than the tale of preservation they "sold" to the public more than a decade ago. The current supervisors have allowed Commercial development on a portion of the farm. The development required the felling of trees that were over 200 years old. And heavy construction on what was supposed to be Bucks County Open Space land. The dirty work of destroying the centuries-old trees was quickly accomplished over Labor Day weekend while the publics attention was focused on enjoying time away with their families. And when citizens complained about the loss of the historic trees, the township was quick to point out that the trees were actually growing just a few feet beyond the edge of the preserved land, on land that the developer (coincidentally) owned that adjoins the farm field.
Another parcel of the farm containing the oldest frame constructed home in the township, a historic barn, and agricultural outbuildings that are essential to farming, is in imminent danger of sale and ruination unless the zoning changes that the proposed buyer has requested can be denied. The proposed buyer has plans to bulldoze much of the site, tear down part of a historic barn that was just restored, pave over much of the historic farmstead to make a parking area, and turn the historic home into an office building! A sneaky clause in the townships' agreement of sale allows the buyer to bulldoze the home if the "repurposing" costs prove to be too great. This is a farm that is part of a land grant from William Penn to Thomas Janney in the 1600's. The historic home I mentioned was already on the tax rolls in the late 1700's. The Patterson farm is a working, food producing farm, that has fed our community for over 325 tears, but its future for food crop production is growing quite dim if the public does not speak out against zoning changes. Are you aware that less than 6% of the farms within a 100 mile radius of Philadelphia are engaged in growing food? I find that statistic mortifying when we have some of the most fertiles soil here in Bucks County.
Will you help me save Patterson Farm by posting a link to the Patterson Farm website on your website? Every available voice is needed to speak for perpetual preservation. The zoning hearing is in early March. Bucks Countians (and others who care about our vanishing farmland) need to be made aware of this situation so they can attend the zoning meeting and/or get involved with writing emails or letters to the media.
Please check out my website www.PattersonFarmPreservation.com or "Like" my Facebook Page "Friends of Patterson Farm Preservation" or Twitter @PattersonFarmPA.
Last weekend we began a petition to demand preservation of the farm. Even though our supervisors don't "get it" the people understand that farmland is a finite resource that must be preserved. We've gathered nearly 250 signatures in just a few days, from a wide variety of locations. Read the comments and sign the petition if you'd like, here:
PRESERVE Patterson Farm now
The loss of a single farm impacts not just the township where it is located, but the entire region it serves. For example: My family used to sell the vegetables they grew to Campbell's Soup, which fed people throughout the country.
I see from the comments posted on your website that people have a fondness for open spaces and they DO care for the land. That is encouraging.
Best Regards,Donna Doan
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 -- 02:51:39 (EDT)
Name: Mike Ghirelli -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, UK
I stumbled across this about Buckingham Pennsylvania USA. I live in a small rural village near Buckingham in Buckinghamshire in the UK. Our town is a small ancient market town of about 15000 inhabitants, surrounded by agricultural land. Nearby are settlements named Soulbury and Wycombe and others that have their equivalents in Bucks County USA. There is a certain amount of suburban expansion which is strictly controlled by the UK planning laws. The south of the county (where William Penn is buried, near the vilage of Penn) which is nearer London is more developed than the north where I live. It is sad to read that in what you might call our transatlantic twin, Buckingham County USA and around Buckingham Town USA, i.e. so much of the rural and agricultural landscape and the cultural heritage is being threatened by uncontrolled development. I would have thought the rising price of fuel and the consequent high cost of commuting would have reduced the attraction of your county to developers.
Friday, November 30, 2012 -- 00:20:57 (EDT)
Name: Ralph
Location: , , United States
I knew it was long shot on card tables.Would love to know where Fells got them.Philadelphia area had so many. I came back to thank Mr. Hanauer for this site.I have and always will love Bucks County!
Saturday, November 3, 2012 -- 10:21:56 (EDT)
Name: Ralph
Location: , , United States
One generation live in opulance on Walnut st in 1800's.my pieces are unmarked and enjoyed by me immensely.I am very fortunate they survived.According to Dupont house,they have picturs of Fell house with"victorian furniture
Saturday, November 3, 2012 -- 10:07:40 (EDT)
Name: Ralph
Location: , , United States
I am putting this question out there:I inherited a pair of flame mahogany card tables by my grandfathers marriage(2nd) to a Fell daughter in Buckingham around 1950.Did the Fell family have a large bunch of locally made furniture disperse to family( maybe from the school of Henry Connolly)
Friday, September 7, 2012
Name: Edna White -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
David
I am looking to find the gentleman that makes the wooden pens out of covered bridge wood that he gets after they repair the bridge.
Do you have any idea how I can contact him? I had his card, but I have lost it.
Thanks
Edna White
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 -- 07:25:52 (EDT)
Name: Cindy Greb -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Solebury, PA, United States
I just visited the Gilead Church yesterday. I feel very connected to that place, for some reason. I am proud of the people who helped slaves to escape.
FYI, about ten years ago, I encountered an elderly gentleman in lower Bucks who kept meticulous records of African American freed slaves in Bucks County. All of it was painstakingly hand-written and displayed in his home. The data is incredibly important historically and I fervently hope someone can help to catalog the information on discs.
It all deserves to be housed in a museum.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 -- 01:41:28 (EDT)
Name: Janet -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Rockaway Township, , United States
I am considering retiring to Bucks County. Does any one if Bailey St in Washington Crossing floods? There is a house for sale there and it is on the canal.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Name: Lynda Plott -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
Hello David,
After doing a google search for "William Crowder," your website of Bucks County photographs popped up!
There is a wonderful sequence of farm pictures submitted by Lynn (Crowder) Maust.
I was born and raised in Bucks County (Southampton) and my parents were good friends of Jane and Bill Crowder.
I remember all three of their beautiful daughters - Lynn, Charlotte and Jessie.
(And, yes, I clearly remember going to their Sauerman Road Farm!)
In 1948, Bill Crowder painted my mother's portrait and my portrait.
To this day, both paintings hang in our Georgetown house bringing much pleasure to my husband and me as well as to our guests who always rave about the portraits.
I would love to get in touch with Lynn again.
Wondering if you could please ask her to contact me at this email address: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Thought you could forward it on to Lynn Maust for me.
Thanks!
All the Best,
Lynda
P.S. My mother (Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey) was known as "Bucks County's Original Ghost Chaser so I think that our little black cat is naturally drawn to my mom's energy and spirit. We often find her stretched out (or curled up!) somewhere in close proximity to the portrait
See related:
- Personal Story by Lynn Maust
Friday, March 30, 2012
Name: R. Curt Chinnici -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Raven Rock, New Jersey, United States
Hi David,
I have enjoyed reading your blog and I see that an old neighbor of ours, Lynn Maust has left comments on your blog. My neighbors in Raven Rock NJ and I are writing an book about our hamlet for History Press this year. We are trying to contact past residents to see what kind of things they may remember about the people who lived here. Likewise, if you have any contacts who may have photos or artwork of Raven Rock, could you pass this info on to me? Would you be able to send me her email address or simply forward this message to her for me? I believe she rented a small cottage on Quarry road from Edna Laszlo. I now have a piece of her stationary from Edna?s old scrapbook
Best,
R. Curt Chinnici
Raven Rock, NJ
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 -- 03:32:24 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
The winter has been very good to us this year. It is February 7, 2012. I passed Tyler State Park several times within the last month. The beauty of the park is so relaxing. I remember many years back when Dennis Mead of Nazareth would visit. We would take walks through the park and venture through the woods. The sunbeam would shine down through the tall trees. Sweet memories.
Monday, February 6, 2012 -- 11:35:11 (EDT)
Name: elaine -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: buckingham, PA, United States
I decided to take my 'little sister' from Big Brothers Big Sisters on a hike this weekend, and heard that High Rocks was a good place to go. I googled it and found your photos and website. I then realized that I know your parents from League of Our Own. Good folks with great values to pass on to you!
Very handy website for my weekend ahead! Thanks!
Monday, January 30, 2012 -- 09:31:29 (EDT)
Name: Susan
Location: , Florida, United States
Dear David,
I was researching places in Essington, PA (where I lived as a small child) when quite by accident I came across your website. How happy I am that I did. Your pictures of Bucks County are fantastic. Not only do you have the eye of an artist, but also a genuine appreciation for history. Thank you for sharing and keep up your excellent work.
Sincerely,
Susan
Saturday, January 14, 2012 -- 11:31:57 (EDT)
Name: Jean Bready -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Palo Alto, CA, United States
Hi There,
The Bready Family has quite a history in the area. John Bready was a Commissioner of Roads and Bridges and my grandfather Arthur Bready had the Bready Farms Dairy. I'm looking for anyone with surviving milk bottles from "Bready Farms" or if anyone knows of any old bridge locations that still have the metal plaque showing the John Bready name. I saw one once as a child but don't remember where. Also any photographs of the Bready Farm.
Thanks
Jean Marie Bready
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 -- 02:01:45 (EDT)
Name: Frank Drinkhouse -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
Hi Bucks fans! My dad lives in Easton and is eagerly looking for postcards of the Easton & Philadelphia trolley line on a bridge by Raubsville. He'll pay for postcard copy of the trolley on the bridge. Does anybody know of any? Call Dave Drinkhouse, 1-610-559-3973. The bridge my dad is looking for a photo or postcard of is 3.2 miles south of the Third St. bridge south of Easton on Rt. 611, just below the BlackHorse Tavern. If anyone has photos of this old bridge, call my dad, please. Thanks! Dave at 1-610-559-3973
Kind regards and much thanks,
Frank Drinkhouse
618-610-2522
Friday, December 23, 2011 -- 07:15:01 (EDT)
Name: Joe Forgeng -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Raleigh, NC, United States
David,
I heard something about High Rocks Park from a relative who lives in Chalfont, PA. Curiosity got the best of me, and I found your pictures online. Outstanding! Thanks for sharing them!
Merry and Happy!
Joe Forgeng
Monday, September 26, 2011 -- 00:00:02 (EDT)
Name: Kathryn Eileen Lee -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Watertown, New York, United States
Looking for Fell relatives from Bucks Co. and the Philadelphia area. Visited the Meetinghouse in Buckingham and went through the Cemetery and found several Fells. My Grandfather was Charles Fell-Lee/twin sister Marion of Philadelphia. Would appreciate information.
Monday, September 12, 2011 -- 00:52:54 (EDT)
Name: Dee -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, PA, United States
Great Historical recollections. I heard there were ice skating ponds and a park off Burnt House Hill Rd. and Dillon Rd. in Plumstead / Doylestown. Do you have any recollections? Please respond. Thanks. Dee
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Name: Robin Seiz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
David,
Your photographs are beautiful. Do you by any chance have a picture of the Hillcrest Diary Farm and House on Point Pleasant Pike and Wrightstown Road? It's been torn down now.
We are building a new home in Solebury, (that will look like a very old home) and the stone that we have chosen is reclaimed from Hillcrest Diary Farm and Barn. We would love to have a picture of this home.
If you don't have a picture, is there someone else that you know that might have one.
Thanks,
Robin Seiz
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Name: Chris Craghill -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United Kingdom
David
I am not a Fell descendent but am a regional historian who used to live close to the Fell ancestral home in Uldale, which is in the Northern Fells of the English Lake District. As an historian my main area of interest lies in the Northern Fells and over the last 15 years, amongst other things connected with my work, I have been collating information on the Fell family of Longlands and following the trail of Joseph and Bridget Fell on their migration to Bucks County, PA. My visit to Bucks County in the spring of 2007 was, in part, to further that research and to that extent was very successful and helped to give me a 'sense of place', an invaluable experience for both family and local historians.
I have very fond memories of my visit to Eastern Pennsylvania, particularly the friendliness and openness shown to me, especially the many times when I had to stop and ask directions!? I loved the whole adventure of it and would love to return.
Even though I am not a member of the wider Fell clan I feel as if I have a special connection to them through both my research and my own Craghill family connection to the old farm of Horsemoor Hills, also in the parish of Uldale and very close to Longlands.
I have finally finished my 'Fell Family of Longlands' history package and am about to contact those people who have already shown interest in it. My old website has been off the net for about a year now but I am working on a new one as well as a blog and with luck they should be ready to go in the foreseeable future.
Please feel free to post this note on your guestbook.
All best wishes
Chris Craghill
See entries from:
- July 28, 2011
- June 11, 2007
Thursday, June 16, 2011 -- 02:30:39 (EDT)
Name: Anthony -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , New Jersey, United States
Hello,
Just want to warn everyone .... My wife was just parked in Ringing Rock parking lot with a party of five. While exploring the rocks .... someone smashed her car window and stole some items. Be wary ... be careful. I would not leave anything of value in the car and would for now .... either have an extra person to watch the car or park somewhere else.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Name: Rayna Polsky -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA, United States
Hey there David,
I also have a site about Bucks County! I love your Photographic Tour and was wondering if it would be alright to add a link to it on my web site.
You can check it out at www.buckscountyhistory.org
I've been checking out your site for years -- it's so full of information! I totally dig it.
Rayna
Monday, May 2, 2011 -- 04:02:30 (EDT)
Name: Lynn C. Maust -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bedford, Pa, United States
Dear David,
It's been quite some time since I have contacted you...you have certainly taken the before and after concept to great new heights ...great job!
Lynn M.
Saturday, March 5, 2011 -- 08:41:31 (EDT)
Name: Robert Hockman -- Email: robert Hockman
Location: Hawley, Texas, United States
David: I am a double Doyle descendant. You have a wonderful site. However there is no connection between the D'Oilys of Oily, Normandy and Edward Doyle of Dublin, the ancestor of the founders of Doylestown, Pennsylvnia, Doylestown, Ohio and Doylestown, Wisconsin. The descendants of Sir Robert D'Oily, who crossed the channel with William the Conqueror and built Oxford, England died out with a female descendant who married a Basset. For the origin of the Pennsylvania Doyles, see the Doyle cland. They are the descendants of Viking raiders who settled around Dublin during and after about 900. I would be very interested in seeing this handwritten book you mention in an answer below. Some one has made a leap of imagination.
Bob Hockman
Saturday, March 5, 2011 -- 08:08:06 (EDT)
Name: Robert Hockman -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Hawley, Texas, United States
David:
I am a double Doyle desendant. Insofar as I am aware there is no connection between the D'Oily and Edward Doyle of Dublin Ireland, the ancestor of the Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Doylestown, Ohio and Doylestown, Wisconsin. I have been researching this family for more than 30 years. For the origin of the Doyle name, please see the Doyle Clan.
Bob Hockman
Friday, March 4, 2011 -- 09:25:49 (EDT)
Name: John Sweet -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, PA, United States
I am looking for photos of an outdoor rock concert I am told occurred late 60's, early 70's on farm land where West St now crosses 202 bypass. Have you ever seen anything?
Friday, February 25, 2011 -- 08:43:28 (EDT)
Name: Cindy Cain Stark -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: North Platte, NE, United States
Hi Dave,
I have enjoyed what you posted about Doylestown. My ancestors founded Doylestown. You posted some very nice pictures. Doylestown looks like a beautiful place. I am hoping one day I can travel to see the town.
My Grandmother was a Doyle. We have tracked back to Doylestown, PA.
They also founded Doylestown, Ohio. They sure got around didn't they. LOL
Thank you again for all the work.
Best Regards,
Cindy Cain Stark
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Name: David Carlson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Philadelphia, PA, United States
Hello David,
I like your Ringing Rocks page; it's the best page on the subject. I've been puzzling over the origin of this boulder field for some time and I've come up with an unorthodox hypothesis.
I'm positing a comet impact in Hershey, PA, perhaps 13,100 years ago. As we know, small comets are low density objects composed of dust and ice that would disrupt in the atmosphere, but even chunks of a disrupted comet would reach the ground at near entry speed above a certain size. A disruption, however, would spread the energy over a wider area, creating a broader shallower crater compared to an impact of similar-size mass of solid rock or iron. And this diminished "impact signature" might obscure multiple small craters during an hypothesized extinction event that is claimed by some scientists to have killed off a dozen or 20 large fauna species from the Arctic Circle down to Cape Horn in Argentina.
Like hail held aloft in a thunderhead, I imagine vastly heavier material suspended in a vastly more energetic air column, and similar to rear flank downdrafts (RFDs) in supercell thunderstorms that are thought to spawn tornadoes, I imagine wicked-big, downdraft comet tornadoes dumping narrow "dikes" of rock and debris across the landscape. Since diabase is of particular interest to geologists in drawing up geologic maps, they might easily mistake superficial diabase boulders for supposed underlying diabase dikes and sills, and unwittingly have already mapped the course of these comet tornadoes across Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Hershey, PA is on the edge of the Triassic terrain that contains quite a bit of diabase, and since diabase is perhaps the toughest rock in existence (it was used for Belgian Blocks on city streets to withstand centuries pounding by iron horseshoes), I'm thinking that diabase boulders in comet debris may retain the imprint of the impact that would simply fracture most other rock. This impact imprint might take the form of deep pitting of the surface from ultra-high-velocity cometary dust grains and a "prestressed" rind from gigapascal level pressures that might cause auditory-frequency resonance in the skin of the rock when struck. Even the location of the boulder field at Upper Black Eddy on the precipitous edge of a high cliff overlooking the Delaware River lends itself to a storm hypothesis. I could imagine the air column becoming momentarily unstable when the tornado dropped off the edge of the cliff, dropping its largest boulders. And again, if diabase is the toughest rock, then its boulders would also tend to be the largest in the air column.
Thanks so much, and I'd like to know your thoughts and criticisms.
(See attached images of Hershey, PA terrain map and geologic map.)
Sincerely,
Dave Carlson
Philadelphia
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Name: Sherry Leigh -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Florida, United States
David,
I lived in penna. all my life till 11 and 1/2 years ago and never heard of these rocks. i now live in florida and would like to know is it allowed to take one or two small ones from the area and if so is it also possible to purchase them and have them shipped. i am very much into nature and geodes and so forth. please let me know and also send me directions from york penna. in case i ever get back up that way. as a senior citizen i don't travel that far often. thank you so much for your assistance.
love and light
Sherry Leigh
David's Reply:
I would imagine that removing the rocks is not allowed, since it is a public park. Looking at the state regulations for state parks, the regulations state the following activities are prohibited:
"Damaging, defacing, cutting or removing rock, shale, sand, clay, soil or other mineral product, natural object or material".
It's one of those situations where if everyone started doing that there wouldn't be anything left in the park for people to enjoy.
For directions, please visit this link:
http://www.davidhanauer.com/buckscounty/ringingrocks/
and then scroll to the bottom of the page, under "Related items of interest"
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Name: John Preine -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: San Antonio, TX, United States
David,
Thank you for the wondeful site. I'm hoping to make a trip to Bucks & Chester counties later this year or in early spring next year. My family connections are rooted in theses counties, Beans & Darlington. I would like to contact Linda Musgrave so we can share research - we both are from Glocester County, New Jersey and are related but never met. I currenty reside in San Antonio, TX.
John Preine
See entries from:
- September 14, 2010
- March 11, 2007
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 -- 11:13:29 (EDT)
Name: arly johnson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
I have always carried a magnetic charge, enhanced thru life by more than a dozen lightening strikes, and can pick up stonesand magnetize them so they will spin (I am told this is because the stone is trying to line up with the magnetic field that was in existance at the time it was formed) and I have always wondered how one of the "singing rocks would respond to me. I cannot travel to the park, and am wondering if there is a way for someone to send me a small rock so I can see what it will do?
Monday, August 16, 2010 -- 01:27:10 (EDT)
Name: J. Anthony Manger -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Lambertville, NJ, United States
David,
I believe that the image I clicked on shows G.W. Sotter's studio, which I know wsa on Ash Mill Road in Holicong. Can you tell me whether that structure still exists and, if so, a little more specifically where it is?
Many thanks.
Tony
See entries from:
- August 16, 2010
- January 22, 2009
Saturday, August 7, 2010 -- 07:22:57 (EDT)
Name: Chuck Rudy
Location: , , United States
Just wondering if any folks who lived in the Warrington/Neshaminy area knew the location of the homestead of Smokey Yunick [http://www.smokeyyunick.com]. Smokey was a kid who grew up in Neshaminy (which has all but disappeared but was centered around Frog Hollow near the 611 bridge over the Neshaminy Creek near the power station in front of Target) on a farm and sold his produce in Doylestown after walking the 3-4 miles along the Easton Highway.
Smokey became one of the greatest racing mechanics never to graduate high school and a Bomber pilot who started his career at Pitcairn Field, now NAS Willow Grove for just a little while longer.
Anyone with info pass it along to Dave and we'll get together somehow.
Thanks!
Chuck
Saturday, August 7, 2010 -- 11:51:42 (EDT)
Name: Marie
Location: Chalfont, PA, United States
I have lived in Bucks County for nineteen years, and I really enjoyed your photographic tour :) I stumbled across your site while looking for images of the high rocks to show a friend. I have to say that the sprawl is awful. I grew up in Warrington, and it makes me sad to go back there now because it has become so urban. The farms that I grew up playing on are now shopping centers and developments :(
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Name: Christopher Carr -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Dear Dr. Hanauer,
I just want to thank you for your wonderful site on Bucks. I was raised in Hilltown and graduated from Pennridge in 85. I think that makes us football rivals! I am sickened by the over development at "home". I was complaining about this in 1990 and I can only see that it has come true. I've been living in the south for 20 years now and I'm planning on moving home in spite of the traffic and mess.Sometimes you just can't get home out of your system. Thank you for your efforts. They are very much appreciated.
Blessings,
Chris Carr
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Name: Bob Deck -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hi David,
I wanted to thank you for the excellent job of photography, journalism, and the detailed descriptions of Bucks County. I'm from the Wilkes-Barre area, and there are many places I will be visiting thanks to your site.
Bob
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Name: Sam Moyer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States
Hi David,
I just stumbled on your website, while looking for old photos of Bucks County. I've been appalled at what's happening to the place I grew up. Every time I come back to visit my family I see more farmland going away. I sorta feel I've steeled myself, become numb. When I can, I try to document or preserve, and I'v done some work with Jeff Marshall at the Heritage Conservancy. Anyway, thanks for your work in putting the website together.
Best regards,
Sam
Samuel Moyer Furniture
Thursday, May 27, 2010 -- 08:31:58 (EDT)
Name: Phil Torrence -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Newark, NJ, United States
I remember when a kid I use to go to greenland kids camp
There and visit ring rocks. The
Best time of my life. As a poor boy
Raised in phila. Each summer I looked
Forward to the camp and play tunes on
The rocks.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Name: Stephanie McDonald -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Chalfont, Pennsylvania
Hi -
I stumbled across your website while trying to find images of the original Doylestown courthouse. I was not aware that three had been built on the same spot. Do you know where I might find photos of all 3 courthouses that can be used/reproduced?
Thank you - Stephanie McDonald
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Name: John Birks -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Wolverhampton, England
Dear Doctor David Hanauer,
You may recall a few years ago after viewing your web site regarding Bucks county I asked you if you new of the Birks family at Hunters Hill farm, I posted on your site an appeal for any information.
I have since been successful via other sources in finding my cousins who still live at Aqueduct Road, Washington Crossing and Newtown and are visiting from the UK in May and staying in New Hope.
The owner of Hunters Hill farm has been in contact with me via your good self and I thank you for forwarding my Email address, he in turn has invited my wife and I my cousins as well to visit Hunters Hill and I'm sure my cousins will remeniss many happy memories.
We are looking forward to visiting Bicks county and seeing for ourselves the beautiful scenery as portrayed on your site, again many thanks.
Yours Sincerely,
John F Birks
See entries from:
- April 25, 2010
- April 5, 2010
- February 22, 2007
Monday, April 19, 2010 -- 05:38:36 (EDT)
Name: Chuck Rudy -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Edison, PA, United States
David, with regard to the discussion between the Krants and Randts bridges I would only add two items.
The approach in the drawing shows an entrance illustrating a bridge which was not set on a road as shown in the photograph heading straight over the creek. Many of the bridges were set a 45 degree angles to the roads, this made is possible to build a much shorter bridge but the turns onto the bridges were often unable to be traversed by later auto and early truck traffic. So driving down the road one would make a hard right turn onto the bridge, then upon exit make a hard left turn back onto the roadway.
The second point is roads have simply disappeared in many spots in the county. There is one a half mile from where I live, I also know of one in the former town of Grenoble where a road over the railway is left to rot and not accessible to pubic traffic. No doubt the cost of a bridge could have shut down a road if there was a similar crossing nearby.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Name: Cathy Carver Tacconelli -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
I am looking into my family history. My maiden name was Carver and my great-grandfather, Frank Cramer Carver came from Carversville in 1871. His great grandfather (Paxton Carver) lived in New Carversville in 1892. I wonder if it was named after our family? Any idea about the very beginning.
David's Reply:
I do not have any specific information about your ancestors, but you will be pleased to know that the book "Place Names in Bucks County" by George MacReynolds, says this about the Carvers from Carversville: "...the Carvers had not only been early settlers, but some of them were people of intellectual attainments far beyond the average."
Monday, April 5, 2010
Name: Chris Antoniacci -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Hello David.
A friend of mine, Jeff Marshall, who is a Bucks County historian just pointed out an entry on your blog from February 22, 2007 about my house. I have been the owner of Hunters Hill Farm since 1995. If it would be possible for you to share the e-mail address of the person who posted that entry, I'd like to share any information with him. Below is a photo of the house just after a snow storm in February of 2010.
Hunters Hill Farm
See entries from:
- April 25, 2010
- April 5, 2010
- February 22, 2007
Monday, April 5, 2010
Name: Mitch Bunkin -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Hi David,
I'm not too familiar with demolished covered bridges. However there are very few roads crossing the Tohickon Creek from Tinicum to Bedminster Townships. Going from north to south, roads crossing the creek are: Fretz Valley Road, Farm School Road, Bedminster Rd(A.K.A. #113), Easton Rd.(A.K.A. #611) and Randts Mill Road. Randts Mill Rd. is the only road I know of with a mill. Attached is a 1908 photo looking east of Randts Mill Road from my collection showing grist mill on left & the covered bridge. Perhaps this is the bridge & the label is spelled erroneously. Take care.
Mitch
WEB SITE = http://www.bucks.edu/~bunkinm
Randt's Mill Bridge
Randt's Mill Bridge
Monday, March 29, 2010
Name: Mary Jayne Corley -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Hello and thank you for a beautiful and informative web site about the covered bridges in Bucks County. I was hoping you had some information that could help me with a beautiful print I purchased at an estate sale in New Hope. It is a print of a covered bridge, an older print. On the back of the print typed on a old piece of paper is:
Kratz Bridge Oak Bridge demolished in 1930 connects Bedminister and Tinicum Township. I have searched and searched and cannot find anything online. I live in Newtown and even asked some of the older folks around here to no avail.
Any information or direction to a web site would be much appreciated. Thank you so much and again I truly enjoyed learning the history of the covered bridges in Bucks County.
Sincerely,
Mary Jayne Corley
Update: I have done some on line research and found out that the Kratz's immigrated from Germany to the Bedminster area in the 1790's. There is no mention of a bridge in their name and the only information I was able to obtain regarding this bridge is that it is in the PA State Archives. Evidently there is a one line article and a picture from 1919.
I heard back from the Bucks County Historian about this covered bridge. He stated that he does not have much more information except that the total length of the bridge was 140 feet. It was divided into two spans and went over the Tohickon Creek. It was built in 1848 and was demolished in 1930.
The Kratz Mill Bridge
Kratz's Mill Bridge
Oak Bridge, Built in 1848 between Tinicum and Bedminster Townships. Demolished in 1930
Oak Bridge, Built in 1848 between Tinicum and Bedminster Townships. Demolished in 1930
See entry from:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 -- 11:17:02 (EDT)
Name: Molly -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , PA, United States
David,
I just finished looking at your page about sprawl in Bucks County, and I was very saddened by some of the before and after pictures. I've lived in Bucks County my whole life, and I too have noticed how many awesome open spaces have been taken by large and ridiculous housing developments. What can be done about this? Is there any way to fight against development?
Molly
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Name: Kevin Nelson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Milford, NJ, United States
Hi David,
I just discovered your Bucks county site and wow, what a useful source of information. Perhaps you can help me with a project I'm working on. I'm an amateur photographer and have taken an interest in covered bridges. I was at the Frankenfield bridge today and the best vantages seem to be from stream level on either side, however, the trees are covered with "no trespassing" signs. I guess I'm just curious to see how you dealt with the access restrictions?
Thanks,
Kevin Nelson
Milford, NJ
Sunday, January 17, 2010 -- 10:05:42 (EDT)
Name: Lois -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Gilbert, AZ, United States
I ran across your page while googling, "Lockhart Farms", Chalfont, PA. I grew up in North Wales, PA (1970-1984) and we drove, "to the farm," to buy our fresh milk. The milk was still sold in glass bottles. You would pay a deposit the first time you bought milk, then return your used bottles and bought filled bottles in the dairy case. The farm would wash and sterilize each bottle before refilling. They also sold a 5 gallon milk container that had a spout on the bottom. That worked great for our family, which drank 5 gallons 2X a week.
I also enjoyed going to Lockhart for the ice cream. We would ALWAYS by a cone before we left. I thought they made the ice cream there, but I could be incorrect. It was a beautiful, scenic drive. The farm is a very fond memory of mine and I'm sad to read it is no longer there. It was nice to see the 2 photos of the old farm, posted on this site.
See entries from:
- June 28, 2007
- May 06, 2008
- June 15, 2008
- January 17, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010 -- 04:09:08 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
Another year has come and gone.It was Thanksgiving weekend and Dennis Mead and I drove through Peddler's Village and New Hope enjoying the fall beauty making our last stop at Tyler Park. Our time together is very special and the atmoshere in Bucks County is very enjoyable for the both of us to embrace as we embrace another year of our love together.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Name: Robin Chambers -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA , United States
I was wondering if you knew what the name of the pizza place near the state store across from the Acme shopping center was before it was changed. I think its Roman Delight now. I used to work at the Party Pickens in the same center. The pizza place had a train set in it if I remember correctly.
Thank you
Robin Chambers
Thursday, December 24, 2009 -- 02:56:26 (EDT)
Name: Chuck Rudy
Location: , , United States
In looking over some of the Doylestown to Easton Trolley line pictures I noticed the tracks were distanced from Route 611, River Road, past Kitnersville. On a recent trip I decided to look about to see if there was any remnants of the old line. For much of the route up 611 a trackbed can be seen where it was dug out of the hills above the roadbed. Once in a great while there are small bridges and parts of bridges at waterfalls or runoff areas on the hill. For now we can see where much of the line was located, in many different spots. There are few spots to stop on the road and take pictures, but I hope to give it a try in the future......and if you want to discover it yourself do it while the trees are barren. It's difficult to decipher in the summer. Enjoy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 -- 03:20:48 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
I have lived in Bucks County for a long time. I would suggest riding to Easton, Pa. on River Road , it is a beautiful view. I met Dennis Mead from Nazareth many years ago and we have enjoyed the beauty in the fall, winter , spring and summer.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 -- 05:58:22 (EDT)
Name: Lynn Rio -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Oriental, NC, United States
i have just discovered your wonderful site and i am so hopeful that someone out there can give me some information. My grandfather was William L'Eplattenier, and he was married to Eva, they owned a gentlemans farm at the foot of burnt house hill road and route 202 in the 1920's and 30's. It was called silver maple farm and he had anshire cows. He leased the land to to several farmers, one of them had a daughter named ? miller. They only used the farm for vacationing. If anyone has any information I would be so grateful to hear...the house still stands in the same spot, it was a large farmhouse with a wrap around porch, circular....there is a barn to the right of the house and there was a stone fence that boardered the house...and big trees aligned the property...the trees are gone, the fence is gone, and the porch is gone, i think...someone turned it into apartments......does anyone know of this....its located in buckingham/doylestown....thanks
Saturday, September 5, 2009 -- 06:26:18 (EDT)
Name: vivian Ducat -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New York, New York, United States
We came to the area in January 09 and found ourselves driving along the river and wandered into an amazing restaurant in the small town of Milford, NI called Tooze--that is one part of the story. We asked the owner what there was to do in the area and he directed us to Ringing Rocks---which were covered with snow and didn't really ring much. We made a pilgrimage back to the area in mid April 09---both to eat two more amazing meals at TOOZE---and to use metal hammers we brought from home on the Ringing Rocks....Everything was successful from the amazing food, to the fun time and great video we got to shoot of one of our sons (age 9) making music on the Ringing Rocks. It was great to find your site. And I recommend all your visitors to go to Tooze for a Culinary Institute inspired (educated) meal with extremely friendly, accessible restaurateurs. A great weekend could be spent at the Rocks and at Tooze in Milford, New Jersey.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Name: K. Zingaro Clark -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Buckingham, Pennsylvania, United States
Hi David -
I'm the author of two photographic history books, Bucks County and Bucks County Inns and Taverns (part of the Images of America series). I love the Photographic Tour of Bucks County section of your site and refer others to it often. You've captured so much of what makes this county so unique and wonderful. I commend you for the section on Suburban Sprawl too. We need to keep such thought-provoking commentary and evidence in front of people at all times. I drive throughout the county regularly to find material for my publications. Far too often I get that sinking feeling one experiences when confronting an irreversible reality. Once this land, these views, and those farms are gone - they're gone. By promoting preservation and demonstating visually what can, and is, being lost, you're doing a great service for us all.
If you know anyone with OLD photos of Warminster Township I'd be interested in talking with them. They can find me through my web site www.HistoriaProductions.com.
Thanks much,
Kathleen Clark
www.HistoriaProductions.com (my personal web site for signed copies of my books - they're also sold at bookstores, large and small)
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Bucks County |
Bucks County Inns and Taverns |
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Name: -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Mr. Hanauer,
I teach social studies and I recently read your article Suburban Sprawl in Bucks County and Beyond and was quite impressed. I was wondering if I could have your permission to reprint (photocopy) your article and use it in a lesson this upcoming school year. So often my kids tell me what does this matter - it will never impact our lives. This is a perfect example of how history does impact the present and how the cycle of history repeats. I think it would be an invaluable lesson for them to learn at an age where they are more willing to absorb information and make an impact through thoughts and deeds.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Name: Wayne Miller -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Erwinna, Bucks County
I shot some video at Van Sant Airport. Let me know what you think.
Here's the link: A Sunday Afternoon at Van Sant Airport
Monday, July 6, 2009
Name: Heather -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
David,
This is quite a web site, and I had been looking for info about the rock fields for some time now. Thank you! I saw that you lived/live in Michigan, but do you think that you will ever compile anything on Montgomery county PA? We live right on the border between Bucks and Montgomery (moved here about 2 years ago) and would love more info on the area. I also head up a moms organization and would love to share info with other moms in the area too.
Thanks,
Heather
Thursday, July 2, 2009 -- 08:29:05 (EDT)
Name: Sam
Location: , PA, United States
Love your Bucks County web page. So much to do see and experience that I didn't know about. Thanks for sharing. Now, if only you added other counties to the list...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 -- 05:55:57 (EDT)
Name: Dave -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
David
Great web page thanks for sharing. I am looking for spots to go explore with my camera. Your web page is great for that.
Cheers
Dave
BTW great name..
Monday, May 18, 2009 -- 06:29:14 (EDT)
Name: George Morgan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pipersville, Pennsylvania, United States
Hi David,
I enjoyed your website immensely, but I have to take issue with your statement that James Monroe crossed the river at Coryell's Ferry (New Hope) on Christmas night in 1776.
There is no hard evidence for this and it would have added over 26 miles to Monroe's journey in a blinding snowstorm. If he had in fact crossed at Coryell's, he would have had an uphill haul with his heavy artillery piece as there was no shore line road on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River.
The only mention of Monroe having crossed at Coryell's comes from Monroe's recollections which were written fifty years after the fact. No other document or recollection supports it and onel of Monroe's biographers, Richard Hanser has gone to lengths to explain the inconsistency as ""a curious lapse of memory."
Without going into a lengthy dissertation, the myth of the crossing in New Hope has been well fed by a New Hope businessman who stages a "reenactment" of the Monroe Crossing every December. It is a cute little pageant, but has no solid footing on which to stand.
George Morgan
Sunday, May 17, 2009 -- 11:11:56 (EDT)
Name: sara
Location: Philadelphia, PA, United States
Thanks for the great website. I moved to Philadelphia several years ago and haven't explored much outside of the city. I've been spending some time trying to find interesting day trips and I came across your website. It was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Monday, May 4, 2009 -- 19:25:15 (EDT)
Name: Elizabeth -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New Jersey United States
I read about Ringing Rocks in my local paper this weekend and found your site on the Internet. Your photos were very nice.
If you could answer a few questions, I would appreciate it.
I'm 67, so would I have a problem walking to the stone field from the parking lot?
Would I be able to find some "ringing" stones near the edge without trying to walk on them?
Do you have a basic map of the area on-line with all your local sites indicated so one could plan to visit a few places on a one day trip from NJ?
Thanks for any information you can give me!
Elizabeth
David's Reply:
To answer your questions:
--> "I'm 67, so would I have a problem walking to the stone field from the parking lot?"
That depends on what kind of '67' you are. A few years ago I went with my father who was around 63 or 64 at the time and he did just fine, although he wasn't jumping around like I was. But it is still possible to carefully make your way around the boulders as long as you're willing to use your arms and your legs to get around.
--> "Would I be able to find some "ringing" stones near the edge without trying to walk on them?"
Maybe. I honestly don't remember. It was hit or miss (no pun intended) regarding which rocks would ring, so I'm sure there is a good chance you could find some near the edge of the field.
-->"Do you have a basic map of the area on-line with all your local sites indicated so one could plan to visit a few places on a one day trip from NJ?"
No, I don't, but if you tell me which ones you're interested in I can try to pinpoint them on a map for you and then send it along to you.
I hope this helps!
Thursday, April 30, 2009 -- 11:16:12 (EDT)
Name: Laurel Jones -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: West Chester, PA, United States
Hello Mr. Hanauer,
I am a geology major at West Chester University writing a tem paper on the Ringing Rocks formation. I came across your website and was very intrigued. I would potentially like to use some of your information as well as one of your images. Of course I will cite everything correctly. One question though, when was this page "published" or posted? I can't seem to find a specific date. Overall, I am very impressed with this tour you've put together. It looks like it took a lot of time and energy. I've really learned a lot about Bucks County (much more than I would have ever imagined!) and very much enjoyed looking through it all. Thanks for your time!
Laurel Jones
David's Reply:
I last updated the web page about Ringing Rocks on February 4, 2008, a little over a year ago. It was originally posted around December 2006. You are more than welcome to use the info and photos from the web site.
Good luck with your term paper!
Monday, April 20, 2009 -- 06:43:16 (EDT)
Name: Mary Lafferty -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Atlanta, GA., United States
I grew up in Doylestown, my family still lives in there. It was great being able to see your pictures, bought back many fond memory's. Thanks
Monday, April 6, 2009 -- 06:02:41 (EDT)
Name: Kelley
Location: Doylestown, PA, United States
Hello!
Thank you so much for sharing your photographs and information about the history of Bucks County.
I loved seeing pictures of the land where my home now sits. Sorry that the farm had to be bulldozed but interested in the history. (it is your pictures from 1994, corner of Burnt House Hill and Landisville Roads) You suggested you didn't know the name of the farm. Is it possible it was part of the Barness land? How do you think I could learn more information about this?
Thank you!
David's Reply:
It is certainly possible that it was a part of the Barness land. The photographs and labels were provided by Lynn Maust, and these were part of her "Personal Stories" page. If you would like more information, please send me your e-mail address. Additionally, if you have any photographs of the locations today I would be happy to add them to the site for an interesting before-and-after comparison.
See related:
- Personal Story by Lynn Maust
Sunday, March 29, 2009 -- 03:50:20 (EDT)
Name: Peter W. Brunner -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Warwick, Pa, United States
Are you refering to the 8 arch Bridge in Bridge Valley, Warwick Township? If so, it has been on the National Register for years. Penn Dot trurned it over to the County, the County turned it over to the Conservancy and the Conservancy turned it over to the Warwick Historic Society/Warwick Township. Monies have been raised to repair and stabilize the bridge over the years. There was money given for a road sign once but it ended up spent for Moland House. There were a few of us who tried to maintain it but that's another story. Warwick Township would probably like to get rid of it and the Historic Society is pre-occupied with Moland House thus not inclined to maintain it. It is the last remaining 8 Arch Bridge in Pennsylvania. Build in 1804 it replaced the Bridge that Washington and his troop went over. In the event that Brandywine was a complete loss Washington directed all troop to reform at that Bridge.
See related:
- Warwick tour page
- Entry directly below this one
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 -- 04:50:38 (EDT)
Name: BJ Ross -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
We ae a small Questers group interested in getting the stone arch bridge in the national registry of historic places. IT does have a number. OUr goal is to have a PHMC sign placed on Route 263 to point out the bridge and its history. Any help you could be to us would be greatly appreciated. We are willing to do some fund raising to support this goal.
Thanks
BJ Rossat bjandhoward@hotmail.com
See related:
- Warwick tour page
- Entry directly above this one
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Name: Cynthia Marturano -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Taylor, PA, United States
To Whom It May Conern, I am emailing because every time I write and send it via snail mail, I get the letter back due to insufficient address. I am looking for information on the Ringing Rocks itself. I would like to visit but need directions and would like a pamphlet or brochure from you if you have one. And if you can tell me of any books and the like describing them. So you have post cards also? I would truly appreciate your help. Thank You, Sncerely, Cynthia Marturano.
David's Reply:
This is a common request:
Link to maps are at the bottom of the Ringing Rocks web page.
Link to more Ringing Rocks Maps further down this page.
Friday, March 20, 2009 -- 03:59:58 (EDT)
Name: jake
Location: , , United States
I am an ancestor of the Doyle Family and i can tell you more!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Name: Rosemary Connelly -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Milford, Delaware, United States
Hi David,
I came upon your site looking for information about the covered bridges and enjoyed seeing what you had posted. My husband and I recently explored this area and loved the bridges and the whole area really. I posted my husbands photos on our blog www.livecheapmakeartusa.blogspot.com and added a link to your site, since it was so chock full of good info. I thought I would let you know.
Thanks for the great photos and information!
Rosemary
Visit our new website Live Cheap and Make Art!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Name: Marie Lippincott -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hi David,
Your pictures and stories are fascinating. I was very excited to see all the pictures and stories about Ringing Rocks.
My husband's great-great-great-great grandfather was once the owner of that property. His name was Tunis Lippincott.
Have you heard anything about him?
Below is a story that was written about him, and his Ringing Rocks.
I hope you find it interesting.
We are planning to come to see the Ringing Rocks this spring, and hope to find out more about my husbands ancestors.
Thanks for your great website.
Marie Lippincott
THE HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CHAPTER XXXIV, NOCKAMIXON, 1742 from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time by W. W. H. Davis, A.M., 1876 and 1905* editions. Ringing Rocks On the eastern side of the township near the river, on the farm of a Mr. Lippincott, is a peculiar geological formation known as "Ringing rocks," (14) occupying a space of about four and a half acres, of irregular shape, branching out, as it were, from a common centre, in four directions. The rocks vary in size from a few pounds to several tons in weight, and when struck give out a peculiar metallic sound, the tone of each differing from the other. They are, doubtless, of igneous origin. The eastern part of the formation is several feet higher than the western. The rocks are piled upon each other to an unknown depth, not a particle of earth being found between them, nor is a tree, bush, or spear of grass to be seen. A moderate-sized dog could easily creep down among them to the depth of 10 or 15 feet. The formation inclines to the west and north, but rocks of the same kind are not to be found in the neighborhood. About 300 yards east from the ringing rocks is a beautiful water-fall, 30 feet high and 50 feet wide. The course of the creek for a short distance about the falls, is north 22 degrees 30 minutes west, but changes at the falls to due north and continues in that direction some distance.
Sunday, March 1, 2009 -- 08:35:28 (EDT)
Name: Kathleen Somers -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Elk River, MN, United States
I just learned about the ringing rocks a couple days ago when I saw the park featured in a travel show. It was so much fun to find your website and article about the rocks. thanks for doing that. I appreciate all that you have added to my knowledge of the area.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Name: Louisa Arndt -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: San Rafael, CA, United States
Hi David,
Just found your page. I was delighted to read Mr. Hillmantel's account. I attended Center School from 1933 to 1940, the year before he entered 1st grade there. I've lost contact with all but one former student - Mary Stassick Miller, who still lives there - but would love to reconnect with others and share memories. Also, I've started jotting down some of those early memories, and it would be great to confirm some of the dim ones. I have "school pictures" but no photos of the school building itself.
My parents, Ernest and Martha Arndt, originally lived quite close to Center School. We moved to what I think is now called Orange Road (I think it was supposed to be Arndt Road) around 1933, having lost their farm to the sheriff. I married in 1946 and moved out of Pennsylvania in 1952, but Mom and Dad lived in Bucks County until 1975. I'm eager to learn if Mr. Hillmantel knew them or knew of them. He might also remember my good friend, Mary Stassick Miller, who I think would have been in 8th grade when he began school there.
Love to hear from you, and your connection to Center School.
Louisa Arndt
San Rafael, California
See related:
See entry from:
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 -- 06:10:17 (EDT)
Name: Henry Lindenmeyr -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Holicong, PA, United States
David on the Moland House
you might add that the restoration is by Warick Twp. , with the architectural help of John Milner & Ass. It is a fine example of how restoration is to be done.
henry
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Name: Henry Lindenmeyr
Location: Holicong, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
David
Thanks for your website
Below, paintings by Geo Sotter of the Barn I have been fortunate enough to live in for 40 years, circa 1920's and 1940's.
Henry Lindenmeyr
Painting of barn on Ash Mill Road, Holicong, by George Sotter, circa 1920's
Painting of the barn by George Sotter before revovations in 1929, to convert it to his stained glass & painting studios
Painting of barn on Ash Mill Road, Holicong, by George Sotter, circa 1940's
See entries from:
- August 16, 2010
- January 22, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Name: Tom Mills
Location: Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Enjoyed your photos . . . I do a lot of nature shots also. Im a pilot full time, but photography is my passion.
Great shots
I don't have any aerial photos . . . I fly a 2 engine business jet, and am usually too high and busy when down low, to get much.
I do however have pictures from Ringing Rocks, and Ralph Stover st Park. Below is one of the Ralph Stover St Park shots.
I am trying to start a group, the Delaware Valley Nature Photographers Group, for lack of a better name, to stir some intertests. To make it informative, share ideas, tips & pointers and get togathers to just talk about the love of photography. I am a pilot, but there are lots like me, who have shown interests.
I do a lot of wildlife, birds, bears, some landscapes.
Tom Mills
Yardley, Pa
High Rocks at Ralph Stover State Park
Thursday, January 1, 2009 -- 03:38:57 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
Dave,
I live in Bucks County and recently drove past Bowman's Tower on my way to New Hope. I would like to see a drawing of the tower on your website. I would like to take this moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year especially Dennis Mead of Nazareth, Pa. We shared many special moments in Bucks County ; as my love grows more and more each day for him.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Name: Wayne Miller -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Erwinna, Bucks County
Hello David,
You may find two self published book by Gesila Beans (Fred Beans wife) on Van Sant Airport in Erwinna. She visited the airport one Sunday afternoon this past summer, and she took random pictures. Van Sant Airport is now a Bucks County owned airport and county park. It is one of a few of the rapidly disappearing grass runway airports in the country and it is an absolute treasure.
Thanks for your website.
Wayne Miller
Here are three photos, the first of me in a Tiger Moth and the second of David Pitcairn in his yellow Stearman. The Delaware River and beautiful Bucks & Hunterdon County expand beneath both aircraft. The third is Van Sant Airport from the Tiger Moth.
Van Sant Airport is the long field in the upper right w/white dots in the field, or parked aircraft.
See related:
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Name: Ilene Rubin -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, United States
Hello, David!
How are you and how've you been?
I have wonderful news---
I have a new painting of Bucks County for your website. But also, I live here now!
I couldn't be happier. I'm actually living in a place that I've loved for so very long. It's the most wonderful gift!
I've taken thousands of photos and I'm painting up a storm.
The one I'm working on-- I think the photo is on your website, I'll have to check and see. There are two barns with red roofs and a road and fence.
The one I'm sending you, I leanred to do with a pastel teacher here in Doylestown, named Rita Corino. She took the photo and had all of us in class, paint it. This is the result of that. The other one is the canal in New Hope from a photo I took in 2003.
I will have more for you as time goes on. You can see what else I've been painting at my website, www.IleneRubin.com.
Hope your holidays are coming along wonderfully!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Bye for now,
Ilene
Websites:
www.ilenerubin.com
Art in Bucks County
See entry from:
Friday, December 05, 2008
Name: Scott Hofer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
My Name is Scott Hofer and I am related to the Bready family of Bucks County. I came accross your great site and found an entry about the Bready family. I am trying to find information about our family and I was wondering if you could please send me her email address (below is the entry).
Thank you, Scott Hofer
Saturday, October 13, 2007 -- 20:31:54
Name: Cheryl Brady -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
See entries from:
Friday, November 28, 2008
Name: James P Athens -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hi Dave, A question on the great work you did on your Mercer tour. In 1972 at an auction I picked up what I believe to be the original silva vocat tile. I also purchased another tile just like the siva vocat tile but it shows a person picking grapes and it is labeled Autumn. Any info on this piece? Jim
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Saturday, November 22, 2008 -- 04:20:11 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
I drove through New Hope and Peddler's Village within the last few weeks. The scenery in Bucks County is peaceful and beautiful. The decorations at Peddler's Village this time of year are so beautiful. I want to get in touch with Dennis Mead and enjoy the beauty of the lights that are displayed in the village. Bucks County is a picture in itself.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 -- 03:25:18 (EDT)
Name: Linda and Rob Castagna -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Milford, New Jersey, United States
David, your website is a delight and reflects countless hours of hard work. We are placing the link on our bed and breakfast website so our guests can decide ahead of time what they would like to see and do in our wonderful river valley. Thank you for taking the time to make your site so special.
Link to: Chestnut Hill on the Delaware
Sunday, September 14, 2008 -- 03:19:36 (EDT)
Name: Joan Sweeney -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Dear David,
I have quibble.
Your webpage must be the source for some of the history in a travel article about Doylestown in the Washington Post 9/10/08 by Sue Kovach Shuman. She begins "Frenchman Edward Doyle...."
While the name may have been French or even Norman originally, we descendents of Edward Doyle don't think of him as French. It's been written that he came to Rhode Island from Ireland in 1687 and was indentured for his passage. He married a daughter of the man who brought him over, Thomas Dungan, and the whole family moved to Bucks County. Thomas Dungan started the first Baptist church in Pennsylvania in Cold Spring, near Bristol. Edward Doyle died in 1702 or 3 and his children bought land in what became Doylestown in the 1730s. William Doyle, who opened the tavern, was his grandson.
Thanks for the later history of the tavern and for all the photos.
David's Reply:
I do not know if my web site was the source of the information for the Washington Post article. My source was a book called "Doylestown...And How It Came To Be (1724-1980)" by Wilma Brown Rezer. The book is handwritten and was reprinted by the Doylestown Historical Society in 1997. In her chapter "The Doyles", the author states:
According to Historical Records, the Doyle family originated in France, with the name spelled D'ouili. During the "Inquisition" in the Middle Ages - they fled to N. Ireland and the name was changed in 1600 - to D'oyley. Later the spelling of Doyle - appeared in S. E. Galway Co. It was from Ireland, that the first Edward Doyle came, in 1640. He settled in Newport R.I. and then migrated to Bucks Co...
Saturday, September 6, 2008 -- 12:47:13
Name: Paul Porter -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hi David,
This is Paul Porter. I believe Linda Musgrave may have mentioned me to you. Like many I have roots in Buck's County plus some original letters that were written during the late 1700's from and to those locations. If you want to see more details on that, feel free to check out my web pages at:
http://www.twinwolf.net/~tsb/
my genealogy include some mysteries listed at:
http://www.twinwolf.net/~tsb/mysteries.html
I just wanted to compliment you on your web site. I do basic web pages for a few folks including our mutual friend Linda. I picked hers up after the previous webmaster was frustrated and lost the passwords.
With your permission I would like to set a couple of links so that more folks can find and enjoy your work. Would that be all right?
Again, wonderful job!
Paul David Porter
Monday, August 25, 2008 -- 00:38:01 (EDT)
Name: Bill Kibbel -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pleasant Valley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
This is a painting of a local farm just prior to it being demolished for yet another development constructed in historic Bucks County Pennsylvania.
Thanks to Lynn Maust for the reference photo, other photos and her narrative about Bucks County.
Regards-Bill
Pleasant Valley
Bucks County, PA
kibbelart.com
Condemned Farm
Bucks County, PA
Oil on panel - 11" x 14"
See related:
Friday, July 11, 2008 -- 06:20:44 (EDT)
Name: Carol B Stapleton -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
FANTASTIC!! Just saw this wonderous area on the travel channel, so, of course I Googled it and found your site. Thanks for the tour and I am adding this to my retirement tour list.
Thursday, July 3, 2008 -- 02:58:51 (EDT)
Name: EDWARD SISKIN -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: LANGHORNE, PENNSYLVANIA, United States
I WAS WORKING, AS AN ENGINEER FOR A RADIO STATION FROM PRINCETON NEW JERSEY, BACK ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1976. WE WERE COVERING THE 200th ANNIVERSARY OF WASHINGTON'S CROSSING OF THE DELAWARE RIVER. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN BETWEEN FIVE & TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE LINING BOTH SIDES(PA & NJ) OF THE RIVER! IT WAS AN EXCEPTIONALY COLD DAY, THERE WERE CHUNKS OF ICE IN THE RIVER! BUT, THE SUN WAS STRONG OF SPIRIT AND SO WERE THE FOLKS WATCHING THE EVENT UNFOLD. THANKS FOR BRINGING BACK THE MEMORIES OF THE DAY WITH PICTURES FROM YOUR TOUR - THEY'RE OUTSTANDING :-)
Monday, June 23, 2008 -- 01:52:19 (EDT)
Name: William Erwin Seifert -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: 8504 cnty Rd 7 Joes , Colo, United States
i just Stop by to say Hello my Family was from TinCum / Nockamxion Bucks County i like the picture's - Been a long time since I been Back there the Old Homestead is in Springtown the Seifert'S farm
keep up the Good Work
Bill E Seifert
Sunday, June 15, 2008 -- 11:55:31 (EDT)
Name: maria falcon-"terri" -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
lockhart farms! i remember riding our bikes to the farm store to buy candy. my mom used to buy our milk there.in fact,young danny lewis was my first crush in sixth grade.i should thank him for his gift of lifesavers that he would frequently bring to school.we both attended peace valley elem.let his brother send danny my regards-terri falcon
See entries from:
- June 28, 2007
- May 06, 2008
- June 15, 2008
- January 17, 2010
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 -- 07:32:58 (EDT)
Name: Joseph Manduke -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
I was searching the net and found a reference to "Lockhart Farm". I grew up next to there, next farm west on Curley Mill Road. We called it Stone End Farm-there were no street addresses then, and no zipcodes! I bought my calf from Leidy Lewis of that farm, and went to school with the kids, catching the bus at the farm by the long gone silo. It was 1964. I am writing a story about my childhood and that wild 88 acres of my childhood are central to it, and my future career in the environmental field.. My google blog is just my name if anyone would like to read it. Or just manduke stone end farm will get you to exerpts from my story.
It was a magical place then. It is no more but in my mind. Thank you for the site!.
Joe Manduke
See entries from:
- June 28, 2007
- May 6, 2008
- June 15, 2008
- January 17, 2010
Sunday, May 4, 2008 -- 04:45:31 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
Today is Sunday May 4th and as time goes by I think about the many places Dennis Mead and I have visited and enjoyed in Bucks County. Dennis will celebrate his birthday in Las Vegas on May 14th , it would have been nice to visit Peddler's Village and have an enjoyable lunch and walk around to take in the beautiful sites.
Friday, April 18, 2008 -- 06:43:40 (EDT)
Name: donna dudick -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: West Rockhill township, PA, United States
Does anyone know anything about the infamous Doan Brothers of Bucks County?
David's Reply:
A good website on the topic of the Doans can be found at the PeterPrints website. This is the link:
http://www.peterprints.com/doanes.htm
Thursday, April 17, 2008 -- 06:48:54 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , Pa., United States
On April 23rd 2008 it will be 11 years since I met Dennis Mead. Our love has grown since that first day and we have enjoyed many places in Bucks County. Dennis will be leaving for Carlisle this week, but I know in my heart we will never forget the first day we met.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 -- 06:38:53 (EDT)
Name: Emili Witzer
Location: , , United States
Hi David!
My mom was just browsing through some bucks county websites and found yours. Once she saw your photographs she showed me. I'm ecstatic! I've been to all those places, espcially the lumber mill on 4/13. I walk my dog there almost daily and was excited when I saw the picture of the cat. I adore that cat, I met him a few years ago and named him Pumpkin. He runs over to me (despite my dog) almost everytime I walk down there. He's friendly isn't he? Well I just wanted to let you know that I am very glad you took those photographs. It's comforting to know that other people see the same beauty in them as I do. I would love to be a photographer someday and too have taken pictures of those places, mostly the lumber mill.
take care.
p.s.
I will be graduating from C.B. East this year.
Thursday, March 20, 2008 -- 23:55:29 (EDT)
Name: Joanne R. Polner -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, United States
Thank you for that beautiful tour of Washington's Crossing, the subject of my mini-search tonight for information on the event. Your photos are especially beautiful of the nearby historic homes in the Autumn season.
I write to you to offer you a site that has information about the boat type that was supposed to have been used on that special winter day,the Durham Boat.
History of The Durham Boat, by the Durham Historical Society
This site has the information about what a particular person determines to be the actual originators of the boat type, which type may be confused with one called Batso, which again may not be the exact boat used by Washington and his men. The account indicates that Scandinavians built the boat and not an Englishman. I think that you will find these words very persuasive, with more weight to the truth than not.
If you are further interested, perhaps you will connect with the Durham Historical Society and then change your words under the picture of the boat in your "Tour." At least, perhaps you might indicate that the attribution to Durham has been challenged and the real contribution of other boat builders, the Scandinavians, may have a more rightful claim. Ninety years the Scandinavians had been on the Delaware already.
I am not Scandinavian, I am not a Durham native. I live in Bergen County, NJ, and I like to learn about historic places and objects. My husband and I were just reading from the New Yorker magazine of March 24, "Just the Facts, Ma'am," by Jill Lepore, p. 79, about the difference between history and fiction. We were having side thoughts about how true are novels and films about historic figures (such as John Adams, etc). We are up to the part in the article about how one feels about a subject and what one learns about a subject from either "historic fact" or via a novel: does it matter if you come out with the same concept about the subject (having traveled there by two different paths). You ask: Why is this New Yorker business relevant to my message about a boat? I will tell you after the next paragraph.
Well, in addition to the above, we were wondering if George Washington really stood up in the boat across the Delaware. Now, as we are in our mid-60s, we should have asked this question many years ago and tried to seek out an answer. It's good thing we didn't, because the search would have been ever so difficult. Where would we go for our source material? However, we are in the computer Google, etc., age: looking for information is a great adventure right here at home. We found the site above, we found you, we found one about What is wrong with this Painting? (excellent), we have the New Yorker delivered, and, we actually talk at dinner :-); we were having a good time trying to pull this all together tonight.
The answer to my question, why is the cited website and yours and the New Yorker article all important? Think: What does a history site tell us? What signage do we believe? What new thoughts prevail? How do we think about the boat now? Well, we are still in awe of the fact that the men all got across and the colonials won victories so necessary for their eventual freedom from England. Well and good. What are the facts of history, or history books from 1887, or thoughtful investigation and reports in the current century? How do we reconcile these new ideas? What are stories, what is fact?....
It gets late, I leave you to what I hope is a healthy curiosity to follow up my offer to check out the boat business, at any rate. :-)
Please write back to me if you wish. I'd love to hear from you.
Best regards, Joanne
Saturday, March 1, 2008 -- 00:49:22 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: , , United States
I would like to add that all of Pennsylvania has alot of beauty and historical sites and if anyone every comes in contact with Dennis Mead, please let him know that I love him and always will.
Thursday, February 28, 2008 -- 04:59:55 (EDT)
Name: Carol -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
David,
I was browsing the website for photos of Bucks County as Core Creek Park has always been a great place to visit and enjoy the scenery. Dennis and I used to frequent the park at lunch time for some peace and take in the beauty of the nature that surrounded us.
Thursday, February 28, 2008 -- 01:49:24 (EDT)
Name: maeve
Location: cooleagh, kilkenny, ireland
do you have tours of other countries?
Thursday, February 14, 2008 -- 09:44:39 (EDT)
Name: Kathy Gregg Hinton -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Wind Gap, Pa, United States
David: Having grew up from one end of Bucks County to the other (literally) I really enjoyed your website. I graduated from CB East in '76, from BCCC in '78. Got married immediately following graduation from BCCC. Not many relatives still in the area, however, after all these
yrs, I still think of Bucks County as my home. My brother,
Andy Gregg, was killed on Sweetbriar Rd in Bedminster Township on 9/1/1970 accidently by his friend while dove
hunting. While Bucks County is very dear to me, it also holds many (many) sad memories involving my brother's death.
I stumbled upon your website looking for the local doylestown newspaper. Glad I did. My siblings and I spent
many a day riding our bikes through the local covered bridges. I'm sure not many children do that anyone?? Thank you very much for your informative website. Kathy Gregg Hinton
Thursday, February 14, 2008 -- 08:34:05 (EDT)
Name: Bob Crosby -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Naples, Florida, United States
David:
I greatly appreciate the site depicting Bucks County's beauty and unique, albeit disappearing landscape. I am originally from Lower Bucks, (Langhorne), and now live in Naples, Florida. You may have heard how beautiful Naples is or have seen it yourself. Regardless, it cannot hold a candle to Bucks County. The suburban sprawl you write of is ferocious here, and worst, the town has no sense of place, as is absent in virtually all of SW Florida.
I visit central Bucks County twice each year, and hope to return to the area to live again. My children deserve more than a resort town can offer them here in Naples. You are fortunate to reside there ... trust me!
Bucks County may have lost some of its rolling vistas and wide open spaces, but in my opinion, it still is repleat with charm, timeless natural beauty and offers its residents the best of living between two mertopolitan cities plumb with diverse cultural, historical and educational opportunities.
The old saying, "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" rings true with this Pennsylvania boy. Thanks again for the great information on a truly wonderful part of the country.
Bob Crosby
p.s. I 'd love to help preserve the history and landscape of the county. Can you provide me with the organizations doing the most to that end in your opinion.
Thank you.
See related Personal Story
Sunday, January 27, 2008 -- 06:46:06
Name: Elizabeth Haldeman -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States
Hello, I am 47 years young and grew up in Hopewell NJ and remember Doylestown as a farm town.Or so I thought. I live in Willow Grove now . On visits ,just of late, to Doylestown, I did notice Edison. I am the type of person that drives along and wonders "what was there". And I did think to myself, "what is Edison". I will make a point to stop in. Thanks for the story.
Liz Haldeman
Willow Grove
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 -- 10:38:04 (EDT)
Name: Michael
Location: Langhorne, PA, United States
While I think you have an amazing knack at photography and I am 100% with you on preserving Bucks County's farms and open spaces, I do want to comment on the situation. Obviously, McMansions and developments with only three differnet styles of houses do not compare to the charm and beauty of old farmhouses and dutch colonials. However, look on the bright side. At least these homes are gorgeous compared to trailer parks, rowhomes, and apartment buildings. Suburban sprawl is inevitable as Philadelphia becomes increasingly dangerous. Taking a walk down Girard Avenue makes any development in Bucks County look rural. Hard-working middle to upper-middle class families that can afford these $700,000 development homes deserve to live in such a beautiful, historic area that will still have beauty even with these homes. Take Lower Bucks County for example. Levittown homes are just plain ugly, as are the many treeless and hill-less streets that these homes stand on. I am not disagreeing with you in the fact that land needs to be preserved in our county, I am just trying to point out that the problem really is not as bad as this website makes it seem. Clearly you were able to capture many beautiful pictures regardless of the sprawl that is occuring. These middle class families have to live somewhere, and with lower Bucks being so overpopulated already, it just seems natural that there would be a northward trend to Central and Upper Bucks County.
Monday, January 7, 2008 -- 10:39:53 (EDT)
Name: Meagan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Just wanted to drop in and say thank you, thank you, thank you for the Tour of Bucks County. I grew up in Doylestown and have since been trying to convince my friends that live elsewhere how wonderful it is. Not until I found this site and these beautiful photos was I able to. So, again, thank you for bringing back all of my wonderful memories, from the art fair to the Mercer Museum and even the covered bridges. I haven't been back in 12-13 years. I think its about time I planned for a visit home.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 -- 08:17:54 (EDT)
Name: William Stimson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Spokane, Washington, United States
I found a note in your guestbook that could be very important to a project of mine. Dee McGonigle wrote that she is married into the Howard Clemmer family of Spokane. A Spokane theater just renamed The Bing Crosby Theater was originally the Clemmer Theater and managed by Howard Clemmer. My organization (Advoctes for the Bing Crosby Theater) is anxious to gather informtion on this 1915 theater. Could you please tell me how to get in touch with Dee McGonigle? You may give her my e-mail address. Thank you!
Bill Stimson
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, Washington
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 --20:43:56
Name: Jay Rutan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
I am looking for a family from Bucks County Pa
Place: Lumberville, PA
Childs name Robert B. Lyons
Born 1825
Served in the 174th Pennsylvania during the Civil War from Bucks County
Married Rachel Ashton born in 1827
Had a son who was my Great Grandfather: George Washington Ashton Lyons.
1880 census has them living in Frenchtown, NJ
Want to know Robert B. Lyons mother and father and where they are from in Bucks County, PA even though we know Robert's last residents in PA was Lumberville, PA. Was he actually born there?
Any information would be a tremendous help to us.
Jay Rutan
P.S. Also looking for Rachel's mother and father who also came from Bucks County. No idea where however.
Saturday, November 17, 2007 --20:24:12
Name: Bill Kibbel -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
David,
In doing some research for a painting, I came across your excellent website. I'm planning a painting that subtly depicts the sadness as a result of the changes to Bucks County's character, due to suburban sprawl.
One of the "Personal Stories" pages has a photo that I would like to use for the basics of the painting. Specifically it is the photo right below the heading "Cold Spring Creamery Farm".
I would like to ask permission for use as a reference photo. If this image is the property of Lynn Maust, would you kindly forward this request to her.
I certainly appreciate the effort you put into your web site and I'm amazed at the results of the efforts in telling the story of Bucks County. I grew up just across the river and I've lived in Bucks now for over 25 years, working with folks that own or preserve historic buildings.
Thank you sincerely,
-Bill Kibbel
Saturday, November 17, 2007 -- 14:32:41
Name: Linda Anders -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
David,
I came across your web site and read a posting from someone related to me through Cuthbert Hayhurst. I could not find anything on your site about the Hayhursts but know that something must be there for her to make the posting. I would like to contact her, and also would like to know if you have a photo of Cuthbert Hayhurst.
Thank you for your time,
Linda Anders
(Researching Hayhurst, Geho, Bach, Blair, Sergent)
See entry from:
Tuesday, October 22, 2007 -- 12:25:51
Name: Jennifer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Hi David,
I was looking at the site and noticed information on Breadyville. I own the house that Margaret and Catherine lived in. Would it be possible to contact Cheryl Brady to see if she would like to correspond? I greatly appreciate it.
I'm not related to the Bready family but my husband and I have tried to do research on the two sisters that our home was built for. We love our house and want to maintain its history.
Jen
See entries from:
Saturday, October 13, 2007 -- 20:31:54
Name: Cheryl Brady -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
What a delightful site!
I am a descendant of the Bready's of Bucks County. They went much further back than Margaret and Catherine of Breadyville. The oldest burial in Neshaminy Churchyard is around 1749 or so. John Bready.
My daughter and her husband are living in Warminster, he is in the Navy. She had not been too keen on our old family history but her first temporary home there in Bucks County was on Bristol Road.
I wrote her the following, showing our line:
John Bready of Bristol Road,
Robert Bready,
William Bready, ( he later moved on to Ross Co. Ohio, land granted from the Rev. War)
Robert Bready, (served in the War of 1812, moved from OH on the Wisconsin. I have paperwork where his wife, Catherine, petitioned for her small pension from this short war)
Edwin Bready, (in this generation of four children, in our Family Bible, with the last son, the surname changes it's spelling to Brady.)
Finley Stallard Brady, (By this time in North Dakota)
Homer Brady, (He moved his younger part of the family on to WA.)
Rockwell Brady, (one of nine children, served in the Army, WW!!)
Myself, Cheryl Brady,
and my daughter, Jill Marie Martlock of Bristol Road, PA.
While visiting Jill, I went to the Neshaminy Churchyard and found our family plot.
I had the privilege of going to Ireland to search out our family. I found the old farm in Bready, Ireland. (Northern) No longer in our hands for this last five or six generations. I also located a very small, old and overgrown cemetery. There were all of our old family names. Bready, McRae, Scott, Cunnigham, Watson. It was a step back in time and a touch to the heart. These families left Ireland together, some of them left Bucks County together to go to OH. and some moved on from there together as well. They inter-married and were of the Presbyterian Faith.
Keep up the good work.
Cheryl Brady.
See entries from:
Tuesday, October 09, 2007 -- 08:14:17 (EDT)
Name: Colin -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 -- 08:14:17 (EDT)
Name: Joanne V. Fulcoly -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Buckingham, Pennsylvania, United States
I love your site about Bucks County. My husband and I moved here in 1950, and since he is a descendant of the McIntosh, Yates and Allen families we became interested in the history of the county. The photographs are lovely! Thanks for sharing them. joanne v fulcoly, Buckingham, Pa
Name: Joanne V. Fulcoly -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Buckingham, Pennsylvania, United States
I love your site about Bucks County. My husband and I moved here in 1950, and since he is a descendant of the McIntosh, Yates and Allen families we became interested in the history of the county. The photographs are lovely! Thanks for sharing them. joanne v fulcoly, Buckingham, Pa
Two things: Is it possible to get the email of the email sender I've copied form your website. It is listed above. I am attempting to research the Mcintosh family of Doylestown, PA and this woman seems to a descendant, or her husband. Also, do you have any other info on this family and any descendants still there. I am particularly interested in George and Elizabeth who were living there in 1887. Thanks,
Colin
See entry from:
Monday, October 01, 2007 -- 12:05:49 (EDT)
Name: Andrew Stroud -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Virginia City, NV, United States
Dave,
I was just browsing through the web and ran across your website entitled "David's Photographic Tour of Bucks County, Pennsylvania". Your photography is excellent, and I was wondering if you would grant permission to me to use one of your photographs in an article (with acknowlegement, of course) that I am writing on the Ringing Rocks. I need a photograph that shows the overall configuration of the boulder field and the contact with the surrounding forest. The article is for an obscure little newsletter called PhActum, and the object is to describe the location of some of the ringing rock fields in the Philadelphia area and provide a description of the geology.
Your description on the website of the Bridgeton Ringing Rocks Park is very good, and you are one of the few that did your research and got the facts correct. Very nicely done.
In your short paragraph you managed to pick out all of the important points that the professional geologists missed: the boulder field is out of place with no apparent mechanism for its creation; the odd weathering patterns in the rocks; and the relationship of the surrounding forest to the boulder field. Interestingly the picture that you took of the fresh coarse grained gabbro should have alerted someone that this is not the diabase basalt that is found elsewhere on the hill. (The gabbro formed as the heavy pyroxene and olivine crystals settled to the bottom of the diabase magma chamber while the rock was still molten.)
There is a good article that was written by a Rutgers geology professor in the 1960's (Gibbons, J., and Schlossman, S., 1970, Rock Music: Natural History, v. 79, p. 36-41) that descibes where sensitive foil strain gauges were attached to rock slices. Both ringing and non-ringing boulders were sliced, and then the gauges measured the 'relaxation' or how much the rock swelled. Non-ringing rocks had a very definite relaxation, where the non-ringing rocks did not. This indicates that the ringing rocks have a natural elastic stress, even though they are the same rock composition as the non-ringers. The problem is: how did the stresses develop in the those particular rocks? The theory that they presented concerning the slow weathering is nonsense, and does not explain the other features of the rocks or the boulder fields. My guess is that the slow weathering did not create the stresses, but rather preserved existing stresses. It seems that studying ringing rocks is akin to looking for extraterrestrials. This formation should have caught someone's serious attention years ago.
I was born in Easton while my father was finishing his Geology BS at Lafayette, but grew up in Pittsburgh. Went to the old Montana School of Mines in Butte, Montana, for Geological Engineering. While there I ran across an odd geologic formation that also has ringing rocks. I was going to finish a report on it for an MS, but went back to work instead. A few years ago I took a trip back to Easton to visit relatives, and decided to stop by the ringing rocks park in Bridgeton. What surprised me was that the rocks there were very similar to the Montana rocks (two pyroxene gabbro).
Below is a photograph of the Montana Ringing Rocks that I studied about twenty years ago. The rock is mineralogically very similar, and most of the same odd weathering patterns are there also. What I notice in both the Montana and Pennsylvania ringing rock boulder fields is that there are not any actual outcrops, only boulders. My theory is that the boulders in the fields have not been transported in from elsewhere, but rather the stressed rock outcrops expanded in place, much like gigantic popcorn. No seems to have verified how deep the boulders fields extend below the ground surface, but I suspect that they go down quite a ways. That is one of the several reasons that there is not any soil, it all washes downward. And yes, the ringing rock boulder fields are shrinking. They are not stable in the present setting, and are being consumed edgewise by the forest.
Ringing Rocks in Montana
Click to view larger image
Diabase ringing rock localities in and around Bucks County
Click to view larger image
Andrew
Friday, September 28, 2007 -- 17:45:00 (EDT)
Name: Madonna Pastelak -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States
We thoroughly enjoyed your Home page and all the photos etc. My daughter and I are looking for a quick trip from Pittsburgh, Pa. and you make this place look so inviting. My next door neighbor's daughter lives up there and they just love it. I have heard so much of Doylestown, etc. from her. We are going to plan a trip to your beautiful area soon. Your story was fascinating to read. Good Luck and Lots of Love in your life David. Thanks again, Madonna Pastelak
Thursday, August 09, 2007 -- 08:08:04 (EDT)
Name: Sandy Askey-Adams -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: PA, United States
Hello:
I JUST came upon your web site and I found it to be very informative. As a Bucks County Artist, and one who is always trying to find locations to paint, you help find those places.
And I am certain, anyone who is unfamiliar with Bucks County and surrounding areas will be able to become more familiar through the offerings on your web site.
I hope you will be adding further updated information and photos to your web site about each town, in addition to adding towns that are not mentioned on your site....Southampton, Langhorne, Ivyland, beautiful historic Newtown, the gorgeous Tyler Park and the Neshaminy Creek running through (a favorite place of mine to paint), Sellersville, Hilltown and more. Perhaps also mentioning the many art galleries in the area and art associations to help on the cultural side.
Thank you so much.
Artfully and Sincerely,
Sandy
www.sandyaskeyadams.com
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 -- 10:29:17 (EDT)
Name: Jeanne Haeckel -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , PA, United States
Great website. You did a great job. Perhaps you should move back and practice medicine here in Bucks County. We are still battling the likes of Toll here in BC, but it is still beautiful.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 -- 03:00:30 (EDT)
Name: caroleann bready-lyons
Location: providence, ri, United States
My nee name is Bready. We have always been of the opinion the name is American (English); however, my great grandfather married in Ireland and sent all but one of his children to America to live. I wondered if there were Breadys in Breadyville. Do you know?
Caroleann
David's Reply:
Yes, there were Breadys in Breadyville. According to the book "Place Names in Bucks County" by George MacReynolds, Breadyville was a village that used to exist on Bristol Road between Warminster and Northampton Townships. It was later incorporated with Ivyland. Part of the Northeast Pennsylvania Railroad was opened at Breadyville in 1874 and the station carried the name of the village until 1891.
The book also states that "James Flack, later a contractor and builder in Doylestown, built most of the buildings in Breadyville between 1877 and 1880 for Margaret and Catherine Bready, elderly maiden ladies from whom the village took its name. They lived on a large farm with a capacious dwelling house, barn and other farm buildings. The business places in the village were a temperance house, store and dwelling combined, and a coal yard built by Isaac Parry."
See entries from:
Sunday, July 15, 2007 -- 11:06:17 (EST)
Name: Anita Ford -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Hi David
What a great web site!!! My husband and I are thinking of bringing our grandson to Ringing Rocks. But are wondering if there is a lot of walking to reach the area.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you
Anita
David's Reply:
The walk from the parking area to the boulder field is not very long. However, I would caution you that the boulder field could be dangerous for young children (getting feet and legs caught, etc.). You sometimes have to jump from one boulder to another.
Saturday, July 14, 2007 -- 20:00:38 (EST)
Name: Ed Golankiewicz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New Jersey, United States
David,
I enjoyed your tour of Bucks County especially the Covered Bridges. I live in New Jersey and I like to drive around Bucks County. Are there any maps available, or even better, tours you can load into your GPS System. Maps are hard to read while driving, especially the narrow roads.
Thanks,
Ed Golankiewicz
Saturday, July 7, 2007 -- 12:44:35 (EDT)
Name: David Richardson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
David,
Re: recollections and the [Pearl Buck] Welcome House - that was the farm's name. Just for your info, the fellow I spoke of with whom we played tennis and who lived across the road from Pearl, Bob Coltman, was married to Pearl's daughter, Natalie. Natalie for many years was the librarian at the then Delaware Valley Agricultural College in New Britain. I know it now operates under a newer name and has broadened its curriculum. My mother also worked there for many years in the Poultry Diagnostic Lab to help put me through college. Anyhow, Bob had two sons, Allen, and I seem to recall the older was Bob Jr. If anyone could locate either Allen or Bob Jr., it would provide a most interesting contact. Allen would be about my age - 66; Bob Jr around 70. Interesting not just because of their grandmother, but also one summer Bob Sr and Bob Jr spent a coulpe of months going down the spine of the Appalachians by car and interviewing "county folk" to record their music - mostly Bluegrass. Undoubtedly, Bob Jr probably still has those recordings. Both would likely have fabulous photos! More later on Pearl, the farm, and a small "summer stock" theater she ran in the barn which was either a circular one or octagonal in shape as I recall, much like the one that used (still?) to be on County Line Rd near the RR crossing and the old Link Belt plant. Unusual because of its design. I was in one of her productions: "Chicken Every Sunday" - thankfully for both myself and the audience, my only venture into theater.
Dave
See entry from:
Thursday, July 5, 2007 -- 12:37:02
Name: Ilene Rubin -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States
Hello.
I'd like to introduce myself.
My name is Ilene Rubin and I grew up in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks Counties.
I moved to California in 1994 and to Boulder Colorado in August of 2006.
My favorite place on the planet is still Bucks County.
I am a painter and whenever I am looking for photos of what makes my heart soar, in order to find the inspiration to paint it, it is a search of images of Bucks County that I always come back to.
Whenever I visit family I go on massive photo safaris to capture the vision of my heart.
I even wrote a novel that took place between Philly and Upper Black Eddy, Lambertville, Stockton, and Frenchtown.
Why am I tell you all this?
I found your site today. That was almost 3 hours ago. I have meandered all of your links and photos and you have filled me with a longing to return and the inspiration to paint these photos.
I am writing for permission to paint these photos.
Here is one that I've done recently. The photo came from my trip home last October but is similar to others of this bridge--it's so clickable!
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the photo tour of my favorite place. In case you haven't heard it enough or recently, these photos are spectacular and I appreciate them so much. It was like going home.
Here's my painting of the New Hope/Lambertville bridge--
Bye for now and best regards,
Ilene Rubin
Websites:
www.ilenerubin.com
Art in Bucks County
See entry from:
Saturday, June 30, 2007 -- 08:23:11 (EDT)
Name: Tom Jones -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Philadelphia, PA, United States
We're on our way! My son and I heard about the ringing rocks from some friends. I found your website on the internet and was able to hear and see first hand before I even got in the car.
I am heavily involved in Boy Scouts and will strongly urge that we bring the kids up here for a weekend!
Thank you for heping me with so much information.
Friday, June 29, 2007 -- 17:57:23 (EDT)
Name: David Richardson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
David,
First, FABULOUS WEB SITE AND PUT ME ON ANY CONTINUING MAILING LISTS.
I found Judy Martins piece particularly compelling partly because of Ted and also the fact her father was a farmer/caretaker for his farm - as you will read.
Bucks County, as you well know, was known for it's affiliation with and the affection with which it was held by many entertainment and other luminaries. Names like: Pearl Buck, James Michener, Oscar Hammerstein, etc. etc. come to mind just to start. Having been born and raised in Bucks, I was able to have had the pleasure of meeting some of them. My father was George Richardson and we lived in Chalfont. My dad served first as school board principal at Chalfont Elementary (four room school house having served grades K-6 (two per room). Later he served on the Central Bucks School Authority which initially built CB-West (from which I graduated in ' 59) and then Lenape Junior High. He also served as CB Board president and later gave up his "career business" to become the first Business Manager for the CB system until his retirement. I was also married to Justine Bodley, daughter of former DA, County Commissioner and later Judge John Justice Bodley.
My dad earlier had been a commuter into Philadelphia where he owned an industrial advertising firm and he frequently commuted with Bob Coltman whose son Alan was a classmate of mine at Chalfont Elementary. Bob's mother-in-law and Alan's grandmother was Pearl Buck. All of us were tennis players and courts were few and far between in those days, but Ms. Buck had one on her estate. I spent may weekend days at "Auntie Pearls" up in Dublin - long before I knew of her Pulitizer-prize fame. She made Alan and I peanut and butter sandwiches which we ate in her kitchen. Later, while at CB, John Bodley had been a Doylestown HS schoolmate of James Michener and while they were politically opponents (Michner a democrat; Jus a republican) they remained friends and I met Michener on several occassions at cocktail parties at Judge Bodley's "converted grainery mill" home adjoining the Doylestown Country Club. Incidentially, one of Michener's little known books is called "Report to the County Chairman" and tells of his ill-fated attempts at local Bucks County politics. I guess we never really appreciate what we had until we moved away and now have the benefit of hindsight. The culturre there then as more of friends, not position, title or fame. Which brings me to one last personal encounter that Judy would appreciate. Many may not know or remember that Paul Whiteman, the famous composer/conductor owned a farm south of Chalfont and north of County Line road. It also housed the Bucks County Shooting Association and was run by Eddie Plank as a farmer/operator. I worked several summers for Eddie raising phesants, ducks, pigeons and other game birds, mowing lawns and other maintanence projects. Eddie Plank, many may not know, was an ex-major league baseball player who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, I believe, or at least has some related career items permanently housed in Cooperstown. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Whiteman as well. And Ms. Whiteman was later a patient/resident of the same nursing home across from the Warrington airport with my mother until both passed. Strange how life keeps circling back to our roots. I wish I had pictures to contribute, but they exist only in my mind. Pass this on to Judy Martin if you wish.
David Richardson
See entry from:
Monday, June 28, 2007 -- 12:20:52 (EDT)
Name: Keith Lewis -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Woodstock, Georgia, United States
Hello David,
I stumbled onto your Bucks County website, and thoroughly enjoyed reading some of the history, and seeing the photos that you have posted.
Below are two photos of our family dairy farm that used to be located at 37 Curley Mill Rd. in Chalfont. The farm was named "Lockhart Farms", and was started in 1941 by my Grandfather Leidy H. Lewis. The farm was sold in the late 1980's, and is now a "house farm"...another victim of the suburban sprawl.
I would be happy to share more detailed history of this farm if you would be interested.
I no longer live in PA, I moved to the Atlanta area over 25 years ago.
I applaud your efforts in trying to restrain the over development of beautiful Bucks County.
Best regards,
Keith Lewis
Woodstock,GA
Lockhart Farms
Lake Galena can be seen in the distance
Lockhart Farms
See entries from:
- June 28, 2007
- May 06, 2008
- June 15, 2008
- January 17, 2010
Monday, June 25, 2007 -- 05:29:15 (EDT)
Name: Lenda Johnson
Location: , , United States
First of all let me say that I have spent many days enjoying your incredible website! My family and I moved to Mt Holly Springs, PA three years ago and we are in love with our new home state. The information provided on your website has prompted us to make a day trip to Ringing Rocks. Can you suggest a place where we can stop to pick up guides and maps of the surrounding areas and attractions? I would especially like to incorporate a trip home by way of the covered bridges in Bucks county.
Thanks again for the information and the beautiful pictures... I'm sure I will spend many more days enjoying your site!
Saturday, June 23, 2007 -- 21:52:44
Name: Polly Scully-Crawshaw -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Thank you for taking me back to the areas I rambled as a child but the areas I grew up in have a little bit of "old" left too. I was born in Richboro and spent many days with my mother the naturalist at Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve south of New Hope and later worked at the Thompson Neely House in the park. Please include some of these beautiful places in your next presentation. As past President of the Upper Makefield Historical Society I can point out some other beautiful spots in that area also.
Polly Scully-Crawshaw (formerly Polly Buckingham)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 -- 05:01:15 (EDT)
Name: Darwin Roseberry -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Sellersville, Pennsylvania, United States
Perhaps I read too quickly, but it appears that your arts and literature commentary fails to mention one of Bucks County's most famous sons--James Michener; although it does mention Oscar Hammerstein and the Broadway musical, South Pacific, which was based upon Michener's novel.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 -- 08:14:17 (EDT)
Name: Joanne V. Fulcoly -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Buckingham, Pennsylvania, United States
I love your site about Bucks County. My husband and I moved here in 1950, and since he is a descendant of the McIntosh, Yates and Allen families we became interested in the history of the county. The photographs are lovely!
Thanks for sharing them. joanne v fulcoly, Buckingham, Pa
See entry from:
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 -- 07:23:27 (EDT)
Name: Henry L. Miller Sr. -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Panama City, Florida, United States
I lived at 30 N. Main Street in 'downtown' Chalfont from 1939 to 1969. What a wonderful time and place to be raised (upbringing). Attended the big 4 room elementary school, inside plumbing, through 8th grade. Graduated in a class of 12 to attend the newly opening Central Bucks Joint Junior Senior Highschool.
Forest Park in Chalfont Boro & New Britain Township was still operating in the summer time. We boys still remember Pat's white one piece bathing suit. The Park was in decline, closing in 1964.
The Boro's were surrounded by Townships filled with family farms, most owned and operated by Centurys of Mennonite family's. Several farmer family's had vending stalls in the Reading Terminal on Market Street in downtown Philadelphia for many decades. A real farmer's market close to City Hall.
Chalfont was a "bedroom" community on a railroad spur line of the Reading Railroad system. Steam engines did daily frieght delivery. And they pulled the long line of excursion coaches (from 'the City')going to Forest Park, mentioned above.
Many winters the Neshaminy Creek roze solid enough to ice skate down to the Castle Valley Dam or upstream all the way into Lansdale; just a rivelet by then. With light traffic we could sled on most of the hilly roads; before the cinder trucks went by. Some teens used ski's on the roas, pulled by jeeps and tire chained, weighted down pickup trucks.
Summers also included haying and corn & tomato picking. Some grain thrashing crews still went from farm to farm. They were Mennonite teams that stopped work for tremenduous noon meals brought to the field by the farm lady's. "Say now Jakey, get to know what goot is!" Wow
We have kin buried from Carversville to Tinicum Township and Chalfont Lutheran Church to Whitemarsh Memorial Park. And 19th Century family in Philadelphia and Star Tannery,Virginia circling back to the BuxMont Counties.
Have a nice day if you wish to.
Henry (Hank) L. Miller Sr.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 -- 00:36:28 (EDT)
Name: Patti -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States
I posted a picture of a house we lived in earlier, in 1963. I have a question and it's really a long shot. But it's been a long time ago. Does anyone know of possibly a private school that would have existed around Bensalem in the mid-sixties, it would have brick if I remember right, at least two stories, possibly three. Honestly the most I remember about it was the lovely inground pool my mom took us to swim in. Otherwise I remember she took us upstairs to a huge closet filled with costumes. That's why I think it may have been a school, because it seemed to have something to do with drama. Like I said, it's a long shot but thanks anyhow.
Patti Brown
06/13/07
See entry from February 28, 2007.
Monday, June 11, 2007 -- 23:15:16
Name: Christine Craghill -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
Hello David
Just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed visiting your web site. I was in Bucks County during the last week of April and felt so at home there. I was doing historical research on Joseph Fell, an English Quaker, who settled with his family in Buckingham township, Bucks County in 1706. I had a meeting with Beth Lander at the Mercer Museum and she found some old maps for me and we have identified the original tract of land that Joseph purchased. This land was on the edge of Doylestown (obviously not there then) on the north side of rt 313, straddling Pooles Corner. I have just about completed a history of the English ancestry of Joseph Fell and wanted to add information, to that already known, on his landholdings in Bucks County as well as that of subsequent generations. A good excuse to visit and have a holiday!
Until a few years ago I lived very close to Joseph's English ancestral home, Low Longlands, in the parish of Uldale, in the northern Lake District of England, in the old county of Cumberland (it is now part of Cumbria). Several times a year I would get Americans coming to my door to ask about their ancestral home and I would always take them down to Longlands. Joseph left an account of his life, written shortly before he died in 1746. This has been a guiding light to many of his descendents over the years.
During my visit I was staying with friends in Orefield near Allentown but had two days away on my own to do the research in Doylestown and Buckingham. I treated myself to a night at the Doylestown Inn!! I just loved the whole area and found everyone so friendly. I found the Buckingham Quaker Meeting House and went in to meet some of the staff at the school - all so helpful. It was strange, but I really did feel at home in that area. Now I want to go back and do more landscape research.
I have a web site but it is woefully out of date, as I left Cumbria in Jan 2005 to move down to Essex to be near my daughter and granddaughters. I am now in the south east of England, in what is the driest part of the country but I do miss Cumbria and my friends up there.
What a shame all the old farmsteads in Bucks County are being torn down in the name of progress. I suppose the authorities will wake up when it is too late. All Joseph's land has been built on. What a wonderful history that area has, it is such a shame to be deleting so much of the tangible evidence.
All best wishes to you
Chris Craghill
www.thehistorystudio.co.uk
See entries from:
- July 28, 2011
- June 11, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007 -- 16:42:06 (EDT)
Name: Victoria Halliday -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Plumstead, PA, United States
David,
I am enjoying your web site. Would you mind telling me where you live in Bucks County? I live in Plumstead and have started a land preservation group. We are looking for members, and of course people like you as reflected in your work, are the type we are looking for.
One of our first projects is a fund raiser, awareness for Bucks County Open Space. This will a Polo Benefit Match September 29,2007, held at Tinicum Park. Tinicum Park is part of the BCOSProgam. We are looking for additional sponsors for this as well if you are interested.
Your site and you were recommended to me, by some friends who knew about your site. Would love to hear from you regarding the above.
Sincerely,
Victoria Halliday
David's Reply: I currently live about 600 miles from Bucks County, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 -- 06:17:54 (EDT)
Name: Wayne Siefert -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Chalfont, PA, United States
Hello David,
I don't know if you had heard, but Knecht's Covered Bridge in Springfield Township was the victim of another arson attempt last week. Fortunately, the person or persons who tried to set it on fire used wet bales of hay, and minimul damage resulted. The bridge, however, is closed to traffic until the repairs can be made. Our Bucks County Covered Bridges Festival is next weekend, and we hope to raise enough money to purchase fire suppression systems for all of the remaining covered bridges in Bucks County. Take care, David, and perhaps we will see you next weekend?
Wayne Siefert
Bucks County Covered Bridges Festival
Wednesay, April 11, 2007 -- 14:49:13 (EDT)
Name: Chuck Rudy -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Edison, PA, United States
David
I went for a bit of a ride today to grab a picture of the brilliant General Greene's headquarters during The Crossing. I've attached it and would also have had Sullivan's and Knox's HQs but Sullivan's is a private residence down a very long drive and Knox's had scaffolding around it as it appears someone is dumping money in it. I was able to find it by way of the tourist map in your guest book done several months ago. Feel free to use it in your site or pass along to the person inquiring about it.
The Merrick House
Headquarters of General Nathaniel Greene, December 1776.
Thursday, March 29, 2007 -- 10:25:47 (EDT)
Name: Jennifer Fischer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Perkasie, Pennsylvania, United States
Hi, David. A bunch of us were on your site while looking for directions to High Rocks. Awesome pics by the way!! Do you have directions from the perkasie area. We can get them to the other side of the park but can't find directions to this section you have pics of. Thanks so much!!
Jennifer
David's Reply:
The High Rocks section of Ralph Stover State Park is located on Tory Road, which can be reached from Wormansville or Cafferty Roads.
Monday, March 12, 2007 -- 21:27:17 (EDT)
Name: Judy McElderry -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Hazleton, Pennsylvania, United States
Dear David,
My congratulations on your interesting web-page regarding Bucks County. I lived in Doylestown area for 38 years, I remember going into old farmhouses in the area when a "farmhouse kitchen" as the builders refer to them today, consisted of a sink on legs, a free-standing stove on one wall, and a refrigerator on the other. The owners actually farmed the acreage, and the barns were filled with animals and were more than just property decorations. One of the hired hands homes around Pineville was still in use in 1967, a Del Val student and his young wife lived there then. There was no central heat, a fireplace heated the small stucco over stone building, the kitchen was as described above and the house consisted of 4 rooms, 2 down and 2 up with one bath squeezed into what used to be a small bedroom upstairs. Different world.
The population pressures combined with the influx of people who had no feeling, understanding or interest in the history of the county or it's amazing topographical nature made us decide to leave. The Bucks I knew was decimated by 2000, was sickened by the view of places changed and long gone, and constantly irritated by the Yuppie attitude of "keeping up with the Joneses". We bought a lot near Nuremberg PA on top of a mountain, built a log home and regained some of the peace and quiet I once knew in old Bucks County. I sigh every time we come back to visit our dear friends in New Britain, seeing the contemporary version of devastation to the landscape.
My 5th. great-grandmother was born in 1767 in Perkesy Manor, near today's Perkasie. Now the Rt. 309 bypass covers her home. What enormous losses came with the press of mankind.
Sincerely,
Judy McElderry
Monday, March 12, 2007 -- 08:14:58 (EDT)
Name: Linda Musgrave -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Whiteville, North Carolina, United States
David, your web site is wonderful! Interesting and informative,it also brings people together who share the love of the beautiful BUCKS COUNTY area. i highly recomend it to others that I help on my Genealogy sites,and other sites I visit, including Pa-Bucks and RAOGK.(random Acts of Genealogical Kindness).
Thanks for bringing the magic of Bucks to all.
I wonder if you know just how much you have effected peoples lives with your web site. I found another of my cousins had contacted you about me and didn't even know it was me. Maggie Beans had told me you helped her find me and now after reading your "comments section" I found my other cousin, Toni Martin-Williams, had written to you also.
You and your web site are both truly AMAZING!
Linda
Sunday, March 11, 2007 -- 20:56:11 (EDT)
Name: Linda Musgrave -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina United States
David!
I am so pleased! You did a wonderful job of "telling my story".
and the other people from Bucks County also. makes us seem like one big family almost. I truly like the concept! to me, Genealogy is fun and with the individual stories on the pictorial site, it makes it come alive!
By the way, through you, I was contacted by one of my close cousins, Maggie Beans, and now we are in contact daily and visit one another. I am planning to go to Bucks this spring to visit her when she moves back there. I thought you might enjoy knowing that. She told me she had found me through you and for that I thank you also.
Linda Musgrave
See entries from:
- September 14, 2010
- March 11, 2007
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 -- 08:48:55 (EDT)
Name: Patti Brown -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
You site is wonderful and your photos breathtaking. Thank you.
I wondered if you know of any books about Bucks County in the early to mid sixties? Also how would one go about searching the history of a house that has been demolished? I lived at 1515 Bristol Pike [Bensalem] in a wonderful old three story home probably built in the 1800s. I couldn't believe it when I found out they demolished it, as it looked like a home they might want to preserve [photo below]. Perhaps there are just so many wonderful old homes in Bucks County they can't save them all.
Thank you for your web site.
Update:
i also lived on bristol pike just north of the eddngton pres. church would be the 2800 block i think. did not have numbers in the 40's.....there is a very nice book on the history of bensalem put out by the bensalem twp ..historical society.
i remember your home as i went to the old Andalusia school for 6th grade sp passed it every day.....the two homes we lived in one on maple ave the other bristol pike were torn down for rt.95....
--walt dallas york pa.
(March 07, 2007)
See entries from:
Thursday, February 22, 2007 -- 14:36:17 (EDT)
Name: John Birks -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Wolverhampton, England
Dear Doctor David Hanauer,
I am mailing you from Wolverhampton, England. I hope you don't mind me bothering you but I chanced upon your web pages during research on my family history. My Grandfathers brothers Isaiah and James Birks emigrated to America about 1910 and settled and set up business's in Trenton NJ.
They had realty companies and their companies where known as Birks Realty Co and Greenwood Realty Co.
My enquiry is regarding Washington Crossing, our last family contact with Isaiah and James was in about 1948 and they both lived with their families at Hunters Hill Farm, Washington Crossing, PA.( Please see attached images.) I imagine the buildings may still there as they look historical and have been preserved and I was wondering if you have seen these buildings and if you have the address so that I could conntact the present owners.
Thank you for your attention,
Yours Sincerely,
John F Birks.
See entries from:
- April 25, 2010
- April 5, 2010
- February 22, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 -- 11:12:15 (EDT)
Name: Wayne Siefert -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA, United States
Hi David,
Again, I have been enjoying exploring various parts of your web site. I am finding the sprawl section fascinating and disturbing at the same time. As a life-long resident of Bucks County, I have enjoyed the beauty and splendor of the area and have been dismayed by the disregard of this beauty by developers, land owners and governments. I still enjoy the rich history and beautiful areas of Bucks County which still remain (mostly in Upper Bucks and along the river). I have often thought that if my father, who died 22 years ago were able to come back and stand on our front lawn and look across the street, he would not even recognize where he was, even though he lived there for 50 years!
Rather disturbing to see the pictures side by side of the way things used to look and how they look now in the same area. Living here, we seem to just take each new development in stride as it gobbles up a farm or open space. It sort of reminds me of an amusing story about "how to boil a frog". If you drop a frog in a pot boiling water, it will be able to jump out of it due to the immediate shock, but if you put a frog in cold water and slowly heat it up, the frog will boil to death before he realizes it or can do anything about it. Same with these developments as they slowly creep up everywhere in our area.
All the best,
Wayne
Sunday, February 18, 2007 -- 01:48:42 (EDT)
Name: Beverly Messer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Overland Park, KS, United States
I'm doing family history on George C Messer and read an article 6/11/2001 in the Bucks County Courier Times that referenced William J Levitt had local attorneys buy up land. On the map lot no 112 off Devon road was the Messer property.
I would love to obtain any information, photos, stories about this purchase and family for the family archives. I would also like information on Northeast High School and the Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.
I enjoyed your site very much. Thanks so much for your help!
Beverly Messer
Sunday, February 18, 2007 -- 07:08:34 (EDT)
Name: F. Stephen Masri -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: new york, ny, United States
Thank you for your efforts to preserve what little remains of what was once one of the most beautiful places on earth. This is not the narrow view of one who was raised in Bucks County but what was said by visitors from Europe, England and the rest of the USA. It is a pity that people will never see again what I remember from my boyhood, walking hand in hand with my grandfather on his farm or my great-grandfather's farm: Pheasant and deer and skunk running wild; seemingly endless vistas of gently undulating hills covered with woods and fields; small towns where everyone knew each other by first name, and interacted without pretension or prejudice, rich or poor, in the tradition of our Quaker neighbors
Thursday, February 15, 2007 -- 11:43:43 (EDT)
Name: Wayne Siefert -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA, United States
Hello David,
I very much enjoyed your web site, and photos of Bucks County. Of particular interest to me are the photos of the covered bridges. Your work is beautiful!
I wanted to make you aware of a covered bridge event that I am organizing and you may be interested in attending, or even selling your photographs.
The first annual Bucks County Covered Bridges Festival will take place on June 9-10, 2007 at Tinicum Park in Erwinna, PA.
You can visit our web site at www.buckscountycoveredbridgesfestival.org if you are interested in learning more about our event.
Sincerely,
Wayne Siefert
Bucks County Covered Bridges Festival
The Bucks County (PA) Covered Bridges Festival is a weekend-long celebration of the historic covered bridges of Bucks County. The Festival will take place on June 9 and 10, 2007 at Tinicum Park, River Road, Erwinna, PA 18920. The Festival will feature guided walking tours of 2 covered bridges, and trolley tours of 5 covered bridges. In addition, the Festival will feature hundreds of art and hand-made craft vendors, live entertainment, Timmy Kelly in concert on Saturday, Give and Take Jugglers (2 shows daily), The Magical Illusions of Kyle and Kelly (2 shows daily), The Daisy Jug Band, Jonathan Sprout's popular children's concerts (1 show daily), face painters, pony rides, petting zoo, hot air balloon rides, and lots of food, fun and activities for the entire family. Popular Philadelphia radio station B-101 FM will be broadcasting from the Festival.
The Festival will be a fun, exciting, educational, and interesting weekend full of activities for the whole family, but more importantly, proceeds from the Festival will help preserve the historic covered bridges of Bucks County. Bucks County was once home to 36 wooden covered bridges. Today, only 11 of these historic bridges remain standing. A twelfth bridge, The Mood's Covered Bridge in East Rockhill Township was destroyed by arsonists in 2004, and is slated to be re-built this year. Knecht's Bridge in Springfield Township was damaged by an attempted arson in the same year. One of the goals of the Festival is to have fire suppression systems and sprinklers installed in each of the remaining covered bridges in Bucks County.
Since their construction in the 1800's, the covered bridges of Bucks County have been a symbol of the quiet, rural life in our area. Sadly, since that time, these majestic windows into our past have been victims of neglect, floods, arson, vandalism, and progress. Proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, and The National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, among others.
The Festival is currently reaching out to the business community of Bucks County for sponsorships. Four different levels of sponsorships are available. For more information about ways in which your company can sponsor the Festival, please contact Wayne Siefert at 215-822-0552. We are also currently looking for qualified hand-made art and craft vendors.
A gala kick-off dinner will be held inside the South Perkasie Covered Bridge on Friday, June 8, 2007, and a family barbeque will be held at the South Perkasie Covered Bridge on Saturday, June 9, 2007. Discounted advance ticket purchases for the Festival and dinners are available on line at www.buckscountycoveredbridgesfestival.org for more information, please e-mail: info@buckscountycoveredbridgesfestival.org or call 215-822-0552.
Friday, February 23, 2007 -- 07:44:38 (EDT)
Name: F. Donna G. -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Dear David
I just wanted to say your website is great. I have really enjoyed finding out so much more about Bucks Co. My mom's ancestors are from there and Montgomery Co. Mom came to New York City in the late 1940 and went back maybe once or twice. My inlaws have a summer cabin in Haycock Co. so when Im able I go, but you put places out there I didnt know existed. By the way I recently did a focus group for diabetics and the subject was similar if not the same sort of idea. It was on whether as diabetics would be interested in using a program of sorts to better take care of diabetes through reminders and keeping tabs on glucose levels carbs etc. through a special cell phone that also took your glucose levels. Anyway just wanted to say I like your website.
Donna
Friday, February 9, 2007 -- 02:11:17 (EDT)
Name: Lee
Location: , TX, United States
I visited Hickory Run State Park (PA) on a family vacation back in the 60's and we had a grand time exploring "Boulder Field," a huge field of glacier-deposited rocks contained within the park.
Is your "Ringing Rocks Park" the same place? It looks very similar altho a bit smaller than I remember "Boulder Field."
Thank you!
David's Reply:
Hickory Run State Park, and its "Boulder Field", is located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania which is Northwest of Bucks County. While the Boulder Field of Carbon County is larger than the one in Bucks, the rocks do not ring.
Thursday, February 8, 2007 -- 07:03:11 (EDT)
Name: Greg McGarvey -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Levittown, PA, United States
Great site! I've linked to it at my MySpace (gregmcgarveymusic). Thanks for the work.
Monday, February 05, 2007 -- 20:50:08 (EDT)
Name: Walt Dallas -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: York, Pennsylvania, United States
looking at your web site saw an note from bob ulugt on the ne boys club camp stearn.....i was a councilor at that camp 1948 and 49...do you have mr alugt e mail address?
.......i spent my first 15 years in bucks county bridgewater to be exact....spent many of summers playing in moore's woods and cherry's boat dock along the neshamny creek....went to the two room school house in eddington and than of course bensalem high on bristol pike moved to phila summer of 48 and went to frankford high class of 1950.
See entries from:
Sunday, February 04, 2007 -- 14:29:09 (EDT)
Name: Shelby Taflin -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Philadelphia, PA, United States
Hi David,
I am hoping you can help me. I once visited the Gravity Hill when I was a teenager with some family and now that I am older I keep telling my kids about this place. Your website lists the Mt Gilead African Methodist Episcopal Church in Buckingham Mountain but I don't know how to find this Gravity Hill which is supposed to be 1/4 mile from the church. Do you know exactly where this hill is and can you please give me some idea of an exact location. We would like to visit there. I am coming from NE Philadelphia.
Thanks
Shelby
Monday, January 22, 2007 -- 23:14:21 (EDT)
Name: Mary Beth Hunnewell -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania, United States
Hi David:
I happened to send my daughter Madeline (U. of Michigan graduate 2006) some local pictures of my area taken by a friend several weeks ago. I moved to Pt. Pleasant just over two years ago from Monmouth Beach N.J. I miss the ocean but absolutely love living in this part of Bucks County.
I'm forwarding you her comments from Sidney, Australia. SHE found your site on the internet!
I really enjoyed your site. Very informative!
Mary Beth Hunnewell
Point Pleasant, Pa.
----- Original Message -----
From: Madeline Hunnewell
To: MaryBeth Hunnewell
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 10:06 PM
Hi Mom,
I was bored at work so I decided I'd like to find some pretty pictures of where you live. It's such an all-american area and has a real beauty to it that I miss here is Australia. ANyway, I came across this webite which has all littell historical facts and photos of the area. SOme if it's really interesting becuase it's such a historically profound area.
It also mentions the problem of urban sprawl in Bucks county (you know all the ugly housing developements). It's heart breaking to think that such a beautiful area could be ruined by more cookie-cutter houses and cul-de-sacs. You should join the cause.
Anyway, enjoy!
www.davidhanauer.com/buckscounty/index.html
Friday, January 12, 2007 -- 03:27:57 (EDT)
Name: Bob Vlugt -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Miami, Fla, United States
Years ago when I lived in Philadelphia and was a member of the NE boysclub we would spend our summers at a boys camp called Camp Stearn,it was in Bucks county near Doylestown and on a river,those day (1948,49) were a joy in my youth,I have often wondered what ever happenend to camp,is it still there or has the site turned into a countryclub,if anyone knows,please contact me,I would love to hear from you.
See entry from:
Friday, January 5, 2007 -- 11:09:24 (EDT)
Name: lynn maust -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: bedford, pa, United States
Just came upon your wonderful picture site. I moved from Doylestown almost 9 years ago...the 2000 scare...went West to more rural area. Sorry to have left in many ways....Central Bucks is the loveliest spot in Pa as far as I'm concerned....wonderful to take your photo tour....will soon venture back with my 8 year old grandson who expresses interest in seeing the area...can't wait! Happy New Year...
by the way...I have a photo collection of development destructions of farms that I took a number of years ago...probably 10...out on Cold Spring Creamery Rd...also my mother and step father bought Carversville Mill house in 1970 and lived there til moving to Nova Scotia in '79...Bucks was getting too congested even then for them!
Lynn
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 -- 06:03:26 (EDT)
Name: Patricia DeWald -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Quakertown, Pa, United States
I just read your description of Ringing Rocks and I think you have one item incorrect. Dr. Ott played "the rocks at Stony Garden in 1890 with the Pleasant Valley Band during the Buckwampun June meeting" The article about the meeting and playing of the rocks in June of 1890 is in a scrapbook at the Spruance Library. If you have another source of information please let me know I would be interested in reading it.
I live in Haycock Township and am interested in the history of the area.
Thank you.
David's Reply:
Thank you for the correction. I have updated the section on Ringing Rocks to include your input.
Saturday, December 23, 2006 -- 06:19:21 (EDT)
Name: Maureen -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Frostburg, MD, United States
I have Bucks County Roots as well. My family were Wright/Meade/Bustill. I have a family website on World Connect. If interested in the link, email me. My family eventually moved into Waterford, Loudoun, County VA then into Maryland.
Saturday, December 9, 2006 -- 06:09:06 (EDT)
Name: Andy Blanchard -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania, United States
Thanks for the great website. It is a truly voluminous work showcasing many facets of your life. I got to it by looking for architectural photos of Doylestown. I live in the borough now but being from Louisiana, and more recently New York City, I needed a way to give others an idea of the place I now live. And don't worry, I live in an older condominium NOT a new McMansion. You have some really remarkable photographs of all sorts and I learned a great deal about some of the more obscure yet very interesting history of the place. I hope you maintain and add to the site as you are able. I plan to return to it from time to time.
And I do agree with you and would go further by saying that if the developers were required by law to build the infrastructure needed for the influx of people they create with these new developments such as schools, libraries, road and bridge improvements, water and sewer treatment facilities -- you get the picture -- there would be a lot slower growth of this kind and MUCH less burden on the taxpayers. They are getting a free ride at taxpayer expense and I'm sure at least one of these words -- kickback, contribution, or donation can be used to describe the cozy relationship they enjoy with some of our "esteemed" representatives. In other words this kind of stuff rubs me the wrong way also. I wish you all the best.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 -- 05:39:10 (EDT)
Name: Cathy Schlager -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, PA, United States
David,
I was surfing for Bucks County painters who might be interested in donating a print for a fundraiser for CB Ambulance here in Doylestown...anyway I came across your webpage and was hooked. My daughter is a junior at Cornell so I sent her your link. Your photos are beautiful. Well, have to get back to fundraising, if you know anyone in the area who would be interested let me know...maybe we could use one of your photos.
Cathy
Thursday, November 23, 2006 -- 06:43:32 (EDT)
Name: tom leeson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: west chester, PA, United States
searching for information on a Christian or Samuel Clemmer/Clymer.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 -- 07:51:53 (EDT)
Name: John Gardiner -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: PA, United States
David,
Thanks for the great website. It allowed me to find Ringing Rocks state park. Another destination for my daughters (16) driving education. I had been there before but had no idea where it was. I think we went there on one of our college outings.
When entering River Rd from the North at Rt 611, be careful driving because half of the North bound lane (next to the River) has been washed away in the recent years due to flooding. The guard rail was moved into the road and now the road is essentially a single lane. Also, approximately a mile from Rt 611before the turn off for Ringing Rocks there is a small quaint restaurant/B&B that might be fun for lunch. Probably the safest and more challenging way to find Ringing Rocks is to "map it" on MSN.com or google and get a detailed street map of the area surrounding Ringing Rocks and River Rd. Then access the area from Rt 611 more from the SW. The streets in the area are well marked and the homes/farms are quite attractive.
You remind us of the how much doctors give of their lives to others, selflessly.Best regards,
John
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 -- 08:54:03 (EDT)
Name: Judi Wells -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Yardley, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, United States
You have a wonderful Web site! Have you ever thought of collecting old postcards of Bucks County? You should take a look at the postcard collection at the Spruance Library in the Mercer Museum in Doylestown. We don't really have a lot ourselves (too expensive for us), but we belong to a local postcard club and have seen some wonderful cards!
If you are interested, there is a new Arcadia book coming out (one of those small brown cover picture books). Go to www.arcadiapublishing.com and search the title "Bucks County" to read about it, or order it. It just came out in August. Each of these books is local/regional and there are several from Bucks County towns. Some are also topical.
My husband and I are interested in Morrisville. We live in Yardley right now, but are looking for a house in MV boro. Do you know where that is? Most people don't! We are writing a history of the family business--the Robertson Art Tile Company (1890-1982). My husband's grandfather and father were both president, but that is not the reason we are doing the research. It's an historic company and needs to be documented. We also collect postcards of Morrisville, but can't afford the really nice ones, which go for very high prices. Too much competition from the local collectors. We spend our money collecting tiles--we have over 250 so far! When we are done, we will donate our collection to the Mercer Museum.
Judi Wells
Yardley, PA
Bucks County
Friday, October 27, 2006 -- 06:16:41 (EDT)
Name: Laurie Sheffield -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Alamogordo, New Mexico, United States
Terrific site. Brought back memories of my childhood in Fallsington, Pa.......( Bucks County )......I know the area has grown considerably, but the beautiful area I knew as a child will stay with me forever....Thank you for sharing.....
Thursday, October 26, 2006 -- 10:01:00 (EDT)
Name: Al Hillmantel -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Florida, United States
Mr. Hanauer:
You cannot imagine how surprised I was when I accidentally stumbled upon your website about Ted Steele. Although I didn't know the Steeles I knew someone who lived on the farm. He was my age and his father was a hired hand. Their name, if I can spell it right was, Shefsick. I went to school with the boy at Center school which is just across the field from Ted Steels farm. My parents owned a farm whose property edge was next to the school. I spent 8 years at center school and it closed its doors the year I went to High School.
I just wanted to say thanks for heading me in the right direction when I came across the name of Judy Martin who attended the One Room School many years ago. I have gotten in touch with her and yes we did go to that little school at the same time. We compared some notes and it brought a smile to my face. It seems strange though, out of the 18 or so children there at that time, I cannot remember her face amongst them.
Maybe it's my age but I enjoy reading about the way things were way back then. I have for the past few years been compiling a book of my life, all things as detailed as I can remember and what I gleaned from others memories. My children are grown and have their own families in Pa. So in order that when its time for me to go to that big Machine Shop in the sky (I'm a Machinist/Toolmaker by trade) my children and their children's children will know who their uncle Willie was or why Aunt Meg moved to Toledo or what their great grandfather did for a living. These are records of the past that I do not have but they will.
Sincerely,
Al Hillmantel
See entry from:
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 -- 22:48:09 (EDT)
Name: William Merrick -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
Dave,
You don't happen to have a photo of the 'Merrick House' which I believe was headquarters to Gen Nathaniel Greene? I really enjoyed your photos, especially the one of the Thompson Neely house which was not far from the Merrick House.
I have a scan of what I believe is an old park guide. My copy appears to be a photo copy of a photo copy! It shows a drawing of the house and it's location on the map. My father took a photo of the house in the early eighties and it was pretty run down. I have not been able to find that photo although I remember seeing it at the time.
The story in my family is that the Merrick House was owned and/or built by Robert Merrick. The main 'claim to fame' is that Nathanael Greene used the house as his headquarters and that George Washington had dinner and meetings in the home sometime prior to crossing the Delaware. That General Greene used the house as his headquarters seems to be a factual matter. As for the rest of the story, I have not found anything to verify what has been passed down in our family.
mike
Click to view larger image
Update: A photograph has been made available.
See entry from April 11, 2007.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 -- 20:08:01 (EDT)
Name: Michael Golembesky -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Hubert, North Carolina Jersey, United States
I love your site, very cool. I grow up in lower makefield, Bucks Co. checkout my site below, take care
mike
http://www.attheriversbottom.com
Monday, October 9, 2006 -- 16:31:00 (EDT)
Name: Elaine Walters -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Waretown, New Jersey, United States
Yes, today I needed to see some "home town" pictures of one of my favorite places to be, Bucks County. Born and raised in Doylestown I long so many times to be there and I want to touch "home" more as I get older and have moved away, over 53 years ago. I have only fond memories of Bucks County, the schools where I attended, family and friends I have there, and so much more. Life brought me here but Bucks County will always be "home." I enjoy everything I can find about the area and cling to those memories. Keep up the good work. I am sad to see so much of those beautiful lands being taken over by developers. I know people need places to live and I often wonder what their lives would be like if they had not moved to Bucks or even what their lives are like because they moved there. I hope they take good care of the beautiful county and instill memories in their families of what a great place it is to raise their family. I am truly thankful for my memoires.
Sincerely, Elaine Walters, Waretown, NJ
Friday, October 6, 2006 -- 10:03:21 (EDT)
Name: Brenda -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Virginia, United States
Hello my name is Brenda I live in VA. I have just started looking for my family name Burgoyne. Was told to start in Bucks County. If you have heard of this name in your area please let me know. Thank you From Va.
Thursday, October 5, 2006 -- 10:23:36 (EDT)
Name: stephanie -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: houston, texas, United States
Hi David...wonderful photo's! I am requesting some from Gayman Farm....located on, of course, Gayman Road. I used to walk down to the "crick" and watch the fog roll in. Beautiful! I was able to live on the farm briefly and found so much beauty in the old place.
Keep up the great work!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 -- 08:46:28 (EDT)
Name: C.Cosentino
Location: , , United States
Hi David, I came across your website by chance. We just moved to Furlong from New England. I am from the North Shore area in MA. Thanks so much for the wealth of information regarding Bucks County and please continue to update!
Monday, September 25, 2006 -- 05:17:30 (EDT)
Name: James Hartman
Location: , Indiana, United States
Perhaps my Hartmanburg in Ladonia has some of the same type of rocks. Look it up on the internet. I was most pleased with this web page too.
Thursday, September 14, 2006 -- 11:00:31 (EDT)
Name: John P. Brunner -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Kintnersville, PA, United States
A fellow river rat led me to your website. Great stuff! Will keep me busy for awhile. I love Bucks County and the region surrounding the Delaware River. The river and canoeing are my passions. I keep a Delaware River Journal at blogspot:
http://delawareriverjournal-rivergeek.blogspot.com/
Sunday, August 13, 2006 -- 04:00:15 (EDT)
Name: Nicole -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Gouldsboro, PA, United States
Hello can anyone tell me where you can go to bang on the rocks and hear them sing. I hear it is in bucks county PA but I do not know where. YOu can email me at [Contact David Hanauer for this email address] if you know where this is. There was a story on it on tv when they were talking about mystical places.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006 -- 12:53:57 (EDT)
Name: David Mackey -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New Jersey, United States
Hello David,
What started out as a search for info about Ringing Rocks turned into a delightful trip through your fascinating life and ending with your superb photographs.
As a retired art teacher I have always had a keen interest in photography and you have "the eye". I used to tell my students about "the eye" when I taught at Princeton High School and now I still speak of "the eye" when guiding students through the galleries of the Princeton University Art Museum. The Eye, in my view, is the ability to see things that others miss or ignore. The snowy, misty scenes were of particular interest and, since I spent many happy years working on the New Hope and Ivyland, I enjoyed your shots of old Number 40.
Thank you and best wishes.
David Mackey
Sunday, August 06, 2006 -- 22:42:21 (EDT)
Name: Vicki -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: California, United States
I spent summers in Easton, PA with my uncle. I love the pictures of the things I remember about PA. I live in California where Urban Sprawl is KING! Preservationists weep over losing history that is 50-75 years old... I recall being so impressed by the commonplaceness of buildings from the late 1600's at every turn and wishing that California could be as historic. You are fighting the good fight. I hope you win.
Vicki
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 -- 06:01:36 (EDT)
Name: Louise Laukhuff -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Ephrata, Pa, United States
I am decended from the Waltons of Bensalem, Pa - there is a private walled Walton cemetery along a main street in Bensalem nearly across from the fire dept , near Drexel Convent. I can take my mother's side back to the 1500's in the Netherlands from the Walton side.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 -- 05:57:45 (EDT)
Name: louise laukhuff -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: ephrata, pa, United States
My cousin is Cynthia A Cowgill. On one website, a Cowgill married a Walton(my side) in 1700's in Bucks Co , Pa. They were both Quaker families then. She would love to talk to you about Cowgill's as she is researching her family name and her family has no interest in it!! I have been trying to find that entry again.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 -- 13:10:13 (EDT)
Name: Ivan Hild -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Virginia, United States
Dear David Hanauer... This is written to compliment you on your Bucks County, Pennsylvania website:
I have not, as of yet, completely digested your fine work and therefore such may explain my few questions. In the first place, are you a resident of the County? I read a bit of your home site and believe that you may have spent most of your life in the Chicago area. If so, it is all the more remarkable that you capture in camera and mind the essential beauty and struggle of Bucks County. I spent my formative years there, from about 1947 to about 1964. In those years, I got to know the culture of Bucks County and generally agree with about everything you say about it. Some additional notes, however, could be added. In the 1920s, Bucks County was a very divided place. Lower Bucks County had been little more than a summer colony for working-class Philadelphia Baptists who used the tiny towns of the region to escape the oppressive heat of summertime Philadelphia. Generally, they built their extremely modest summer cottages in a kind of informal square within which was usually cited a kind of religious "band shell" used to conduct summertime services. In the Depression 1930s, many of these summer cottages were winterized to serve as "economic escapes" from the riling unemployment of Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton. In the 1940s and beyond, many of these humble village cottages burnt to the ground, often casting spectacular fires in the midday sky. I clearly remember witnessing one of these conflagurations taking place on my way home from primary school in the village of Trevose back in about 1949. Trevose itself was perhaps characteristic of Lower Bucks County. A poor town with few paved roads until the early 1950s, it housed oldish families of extremely modest means. There was, however, one notable exception. Anne May Jones, a white-haired diminutive lady whose face was always powdered to a max and whose fancy summertime dresses always suggested she was heading right to a Vogue magazine shoot, had begun the only general store in the region (which, for some reason, she called Irvin's General Store), perhaps back in the early 1940s when she and her late husband, the famous vaudeville talent Billy Jones (of the Jones and Hare duo, popular on radio throughout the 1930s and before) had moved to Trevose. Of course, in those days I did not recognize the significance of Anne May Jones background though, even at the age of 10, did recognize that this lady (who lived directly across from her store in a tiny, charming cottage painted pink and white) was of some importance.
Further up-county the social circumstances changed. Langhorne and Newtown were essentially retirement towns for well-to-do Quaker farmers who had sold off their large farms to manipulative real estate developers, particularly in the years after 1953 when the U.S. Steel Corporation built the largest steel plant in the world -- the Fairless Works on the Delaware River -- causing the influx of huge numbers of working-class outsiders from Philadelphia and Northern Pennsylvania.
In the region around New Hope, as far back as the late 1920s there emerged a particularly interesting social phenomenon. From Broadway came some of the most important names of the theater -- truly glittering names like Oscar Hammerstein II, Moss Hart and his wife Kitty Carlisle, the notable radio personality Ezra ("Henry Aldrich") Stone, and others who shared their lovely gentlemen weekend farms with their friends and professional colleagues. (In the happy 1920s you could buy a one-hundred acre historic Bucks County farm, gorgeous main house, several out-buildings, and grand and ancient barn, for only $15,000.) Out of this arose an impetus to create the Bucks County Playhouse in the late 1930s. I recall, but I know nothing about, a lovely mysterious "village" about four miles north of New Hope embracing roughly six buildings of stone built to look like British Cornwall cottages. I often wonder if those buildings are still there and what was their social history. (Go north of New Hope four miles until you reach a sharp left turn in the road after which you cross over a trundly old wooden bridge. Look to the right of the road to see if these buildings still remain.) In the immediate post-World War II era, a famous Japanese artist took residence at New Hope and began the process of re-creating the town as a home for artsy-craftsy culture. In the early 1950s, the town's canal was improved and lots of charming restaurants and art stores were added. By the early 1960s, however, the pressure of a lower social culture coming from the outside seriously began to transform the town's atmosphere.
Most fondest memory of Bucks County comes from knowing Paul Whiteman, the famous 1920s-1930s society dance band leader. He had settled in retirement in Bucks County after many years in residence in a much larger farm in Hunterdon County, New Jersey not really too far away from Princeton. In those early 1950s, Paul Whiteman was still trying to salvage the musical culture of the nation, then in the feverish throes of rock and roll. As I recall, Whiteman spent his last years promoting a local Philadelphia ABC TV amateur hour show. In the years immediately after World War II, he was influential in promoting the British sports car craze. He was never far from his XK 120 Jaguar roadster.
In the 1960s and beyond Bucks County succumbed to an invasion of monied and uncouth outsiders from Philadelphia and New York who invested heavily in tasteless McMansions and a pretend-lifestyle of culture and refinement. As far as I know, the region is about the same today. But America itself is beginning to collapse from even worse influences so who can say, relatively speaking, that Bucks County has actually lost ground.
Many people, especially the new-rich from Wall Street and Walnut Street (down in Philadelphia) might logically take offense and I don't want to spend my time fending off their crudities. The real heros of Bucks County history are the Quakers, a people who wrestled with the poor soil of Bucks County to gain a measure of wealth over generations of back-breaking struggle. It was the Quakers, moreover, who taught their children to place education above everything else. And thus Quakers of the region built some of the finest colleges and universities in the land - the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, and, to an extent, Bryn Mawr College. Quaker moral intellectualism conflicted with the Establishment view of politics in the Spanish-American War (where Quakers properly thought that the motives for that war were American imperialism), World War I (where only the dominance of Anglo-Establishmentarism in American politics overcame a widespread national objection to fighting for England), World War II (where, as in the previous war, Quakers objected to demonizing the enemy as sub-human; and where non-combatants became the target of widespread area bombing which, in the end, proved to be largely ineffective in winning the war); Korea (a stupid war largely predicated on a typically-adolescent American reading of world politics); Vietnam (please refer to my remarks on World War I, II, and Korea), and endless other American military encounters worldwide that have done nothing but dissipate our national wealth (and redistribute it to the munitions manufacturers of the land).
Since I no longer live in Bucks County, I am ignorant of what Quaker activists are saying about our Iraq incursion (though I can imagine). I make these remarks, not as a Quaker, but as one who admires the long Quaker struggle made against American philistinism. Once upon a time we had (Bucks County) Quaker political activists like James Mitchner who became Chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Party in the early 1950s when a Democrat could never expect to be elected in this rock-ribbed Republican bastion. It was James Mitchner, nevertheless, who invited the sainted John F. Kennedy to a Bucks County rally in late October of 1960 as the long presidential campaign was coming to its close. There was Kennedy, bare-headed with a well-fitting top coat on in the late afternoon of a winterish Bucks County day. An astounding half million had showed up to greet Kennedy's motorcade as it wended its way through the packed streets of Northeast Philadelphia to Bucks County's Neshaminy High School campus. Countless thousands had waited patiently (and even reverently) through the long, cold day to catch a glimpse of their hero. It was only when the the last rays of light were glimmering in the blood red sky that Kennedy's motorcade finally made it to the High School grounds. The scene was electric -- never to be forgotten. Waves upon waves of spontaneous adoring applause peeled across the huge crowds as Kennedy tried to deliver a short speech. At first he merely smiled in appreciation. Then his impeccable delivery came forth as the crowd settled down. Thoughts were laced together as complex themes as no American president has ever done since. In minutes it was time for Kennedy to leave. Kennedy's motorcade inched its way through the adoring crowd.
It was a time to remember that few real Bucks Countians will forget.
Nor will they forget the artistry of Bucks County writer Pearl Buck whose themes pleaded for racial harmony. All that is past. In his later years, James Mitchner took up residence on Maryland's Eastern Shore, perhaps to escape the awful suburbanization that overwhelmed Bucks County in the 1960s and 1970s, and to write several more great novels before his passing.
Today the great names of the theater, politics, music, and fine art who gave Bucks County its real integrity are gone, replaced by an affluent mob of pot-smoking petty criminals whose lifestyles tax the capabilities of Bucks County's endlessly-larger police force. At one time, most of Bucks County had few police, depending mostly on the fine Pennsylvania State Police, often located as far away as fifty miles, to take care of the County's few law-enforcement problems. Today, as with most else of the United States, Bucks County has thousands upon thousands of local, township, and County police abetted by countless other federal officers, private police, undercover FBI agents, and God knows what else, all to keep the fine citizens of Bucks County in some semblence of line. You were right to train your Nikon lense on the rustic barns of Bucks County. Doing a careful study of the strange people who now inhabit this once Quaker bastion would be, at best, demoralizing.
Best wishes to you.
Thursday, June 1, 2006 -- 05:24:04 (EDT)
Name: Brittany -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
Get NEW pictures!!! THose def. dont do doylestown justice!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006 -- 08:51:30 (EDT)
Name: lori stultz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
I am related to the Doyle's who founded this town! I personally have not been there but i just read your site. Beautiful.I am currently researching to compile more information of our heitage and found this to be of much interest.Thank you for all your work.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006 -- 11:13:15 (EDT)
Name: Peter Goodwin -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Rockport, Massachusetts
Hi David...
I was looking for some material regarding the Presbyterian Church at Forest Grove when I came across your web site. I grew up in Solebury Township, and I was attracted to your "suburban sprawl" page.
When I was a kid, I lived off Pidcock Creek Road. At the time, it passed through farmland and woods. The last time I saw it, much of the farmland had been built upon. This is the other face of "sprawl" -- megahouses.
Enjoyed your pictures. My parents had a copy of "Place Names in Bucks Coounty"; I remember reading it.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006 -- 18:13:16 (EDT)
Name: Barbara Titus -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pennsylvania
Hi David!
I LOVE your website! I belong to a genealogy group and someone cited it for info on Forest Grove. I have an ancestor buried at Forest Grove Presbyterian Church. Your pictures and write-up are great! If it is convenient, would you be able to take pictures of the Forest Grove Pres. Church cemetery for me? My ancestor's name is Deborah Titus and she is buried next to another Titus ancestor.
I see that you are at the Univ. of Mich, how is it that you have done this website on Bucks Co? Do you live in the Bucks Co. area when not at the college?
Is there any chance that you would add Hatboro to your website? I have letters from my ggg-grandmother and ggg-aunts written from there.
Anyway, thanks for the great website. I loved the comment about "it's a nice place to VISIT"!
Thanks!
Barbara Titus
Tuesday, March 07, 2006 -- 09:13:21 (EDT)
Name: Marla -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Boston, MA
I've lived all my life in the boston area, but was reminded of my 6-month job outside the state in SE PA ten years ago - your Bucks County photos reminded me of how lovely and unique that area is. Thanks!
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 -- 01:36:48 (EDT)
Name: Pam -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Wigan, Lancashire, England
Brilliant site, filled me full of nostalgia for the time i visited Bucks County in September 2005.
I was inspired to visit the covered bridges by the film The Bridges of Maddison County. I loved everything i saw in Bucks and this site has given me constant reminders.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006 -- 13:22:50 (EDT)
Name: Dee McGonigle -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: United States
This is an interesting web page and the pictures are just beautiful. I have an ancestor who was born in Lumberville in 1806. I cannot find out anything more about him...Does Lumberville have a historical society or any place that kept old birth and death records? this family was well known and there were a lot of them but our family Bible records do not go beyond this one born in Lumberville...where do I look?
My husband's mother was Francis Egbert Clemmer of Spokane WA. Her parents were Blanch Erminna Watters and Dr. Howard Clemmer of Spokane WA and formerly of Beatrice Nebraska. Dr. Clemmer's parents were John Henry Clemmer and Sybilla of Couer D'Alene Idaho, Beatrice Nebraska and Polo, Ogle County IL. He was probably born in IL. His father was Samuel K. Clemmer/Clymer of Polo, Ogle County IL but who was born in Lumberville PA in 1806. His wife was Catherine Nyce. We have Bible records and pictures of all of these people but can go no further. Her family Bible says Samuel K Clymer and that he is a direct descendent of George Clymer Signer but does not give his parents names. My daughter and I feel he must be a grandson or great grandson if the connection is true. I have looked at many branches of this family on world connect board and many of the names are the same so feel there probably is a connection but so far can find very little on this family other than that of George Meredith Clymer...there were other sons but I can't seem to find the complete descendency. One has a Samuel Clemmer/Clymer whose father is a Christian Clymer who claims to be a grandson of George Clymer, Signer, but doesn't have any exact dates or backups. As you know many people on world connect claim to be descended from everybody famous and some really are not...I do not like to claim anything until I have some real backup sources. If you wish to post this you may as I would really like to solve this old mystery...Thanks...Dee
Friday, November 11, 2005 -- 04:18:49 (EDT)
Name: Linda -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New Hope, PA, United States
I loved your photos of the kayakers on Route 32 in Point Pleasant during the flood. Now that's not something you see every day. :-)
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 -- 18:16:38 (EDT)
Name: Michael Falkevitz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA, United States
Hello David,
I am a Real estate agent in Bucks County and also a life long resident. I to am appalled at the recent over development of our beautiful county and disregard for its history. Bucks County truly is a special place in this nation's history from its earliest beginnings. I have not had a confirmation of this tid bit but it was told to me that the kite Benjamin Franklin flew to discover lightening was in Bensalem.Although I am a real estate agent I do believe in a limit to new housing is in order to keep this county we call home picturesque or even to keep the most endearing qualities of this county intact. I am going to put a link to your site on my site and so that what you have put together over the years can be shared buy even more people.
Cordially,
Michael Falkevitz
Sunday, October 2, 2005 -- 08:04:02 (EDT)
Name: Deborah Bright Pierce -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Houston, TX, United States
I am from Phoenixville, Pa., and home in Birdsboro, Pa. The area is so pretty your way of Bucks Co., and other areas. I went to visit and the areas are building up so fast. I hope they leave Plumstead, Bucks Co., and other areas pretty lands alone. They don't need to commercialize every where they have homes going up.
A few of my ancestors were from East Vincent Twp., Plumstead Co., Pa. I am researching the Cowgill and Shillick names.
You have my vote leave pretty areas alone and just do one shopping center with everything and to preserve historial areas. We need to do this for generations to come. The age of the internet/computer should cut down on a lot of the stores.
I enjoy this web site.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005 -- 18:35:38 (EDT)
Name: Terry Jenkins -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bucks County, PA , United States
Spent part of Sunday with visitors (family, grandchildren and friends) and toured the cemetery on Buckingham Mountain, which is where we live.
Some of the gravestones are newer. One was along the lines of "Ruth Jones b 1939 - died 1999" and on the same stone is "John Jones born 1938 - died ______", (so he hasn't died yet). An adult commented, "He isn't dead yet." The kids went nuts!! WHY IS HE BURIED??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You've got some nice shots of the church that we enjoyed.
Saturday, August 6, 2005 -- 05:45:56 (EDT)
Name: tom in montgomery co. -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
I'll echo everyone elses praise. Great site. I came across it while looking up something else in Bucks Co. Its nice to recognize many of the locations.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005 -- 04:26:30 (EDT)
Name: Rick Patt -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , , United States
David - I came across your website simply by mistake, but -wow- what a great accomplishment. You should be very proud. I lived in NY and moved to Ottsville 4 years ago, and practice radiology at Doylestown Hospital while maintaining a consulting company ( directed a clinical development group in pharma while in NYC).
With some local colleages, I've started a group to fight rampant development in Upper Bucks - yes, it has spread like ebola. Your treatise on sprawl is hearfelt and beautifully written. Should you ever get back this way, I would enjoy meeting you in person. Best regards,
Rick
Saturday, July 2, 2005 -- 01:38:44 (EDT)
Name: Jin Sowle -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: NY, United States
Good evening. I was surfing and happened upon your web site. It is very sad to see the pictures you have shown. I am seeing a similar pattern here in Upstate NY. My husband's family has owned property in Providence NY. It is only a stones throw from Saratoga and the Great Sacandaga Lake. Every week we see a new house being built, a large parcel being subdivided. Land values are so high now that those who are originally from the area can no longer afford to live here. My family is hanging on to what little they have left of the country side. Zoning has change much in the last few years but it has not helped stop the development. Your story is terrifying because it is real. The lake not far from us had little camps scattered about. These were owned by hard working people in the area who were happy to have a vacation spot. Most of those camps are gone and have been replaced with huge homes built by out of town folk. I do not mind sharing the beauty of our area with others but now they seem to be taking that beauty away. If it keeps up there will be nothing left to enjoy. My husband and I took comfort in thinking the town I come from would be alright for a while. Not so it to is being threatened by sprawl. My town is seated only an hour from the capital Albany. This makes it a convenient place for people to live. It has started with a few homes. Now it is industrial parks, county facilities and shops. The city just a few short miles away is losing its economy and we are losing our small towns. Other than attending meetings and making our voices heard it seems there is nothing we can do. I hope in your part of the country things turn around and what is left can be saved before it is too late. I hope the same for my part of this nation.
Sincerely,
Jin Sowle
Friday, July 1, 2005 -- 06:10:43 (EDT)
Name: John Karpel -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Mount Joy, PA, United States
David, what a great site you have made here- can't immagine
the time and energy you have put in- Our family moved from
Wildwood NJ to Doylestown in the late 40s, and we lived in
the apartment at 304 N. Main St Doylestown. The 1rst floor
being Dr Amadon's Vetinary Hospital. The same house where
a rather well known writer by the name of James A Michener
lived about 25 years before we moved in. In his bio he tells of his uncle bringing fresh peaches to the house with
which to make ice-cream. The same room that we kept our
chest freezer in is where the rock salt was placed around
the wooden keg and the hand-churning began. Perfect speed
and perfect temperature so as not to form ice crystals in
the finished delight! It is a great connection for me as
I read Mr Michener's stomping grounds as a child are iden-
tical to mine. The house no longer exists- torn down for
the construction of a Dairy Queen. At the very least, the
site still has ice-cream! My parents had a place at the end
of Stump Road in Pipersville right next to Stover's Park, &
my grandparents were also on Stump Road on the other side
of Rt #611. One day my Dad was clearing the land by digging
around sawed stumps and yanking them out with the help of
a riding mower. A fellow in a car stopped to ask him where
Stump Road was, and Dad said "you see what I'm doing, don't
you?"
I saw a Roy Rogers Movie at the County Theater on State St
about the year 1952. You paid your quarter and got a news
reel, cartoon, and a feature film. The old Doylestown
Borough Elemtary School was loaded with fond memories for
me as I moved from there to the new Central Bucks High
School in 1954 as a 7th grader. I moved out of the area to
a growing Levittown PA in 1964, bought a home for $300 down
and mortgage payment of $89/month. Couldn't beat it !!
That was serious urban sprawl over 40 years ago - Thanx for the memories, David.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 -- 05:04:20 (EDT)
Name: Mike Rucker
Location: New York/Pipersville, ,
Thanks for a great site. I have family coming to visit soon, and this is a really great introduction to the area for them!
Thursday, April 21, 2005 -- 01:35:47 (EDT)
Name: Mike Burton -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Omaha, NE, United States
David,
I wanted to drop a few quick lines to thank you for your page. I grew up in Bucks County, Swamp Road in Furlong to be a little specific. I have since lived several places here and abroad due to being in the Air Force. It really took me back. I had a friend who used to live on top of Buckingham Mountain; he now lives in old Doylestown. I went to Our Lady of Mt.Carmel, Buckingham Elementary, Holicong, and then CB East. I graduated 1977. My friends and I used to go to "Jersey" all the time to enjoy the then lax drinking laws. I will always have a special place in my heart for that area. What I find sad is that the real-estate there has gone up astronomically. I would have to be making 100 grand a year minimum to live in a decent home there now. Some of my friends there have great homes they either bought a long time ago or had them passed down to them. Anyway I now reside in Omaha Ne. It is also growing rapidly here as well. Thanks again!
Thursday, March 17, 2005 -- 02:15:53 (EDT)
Name: Georgette Bannan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Hollywood, Florida, United States
Ah.....Bucks County. My home for more than 30 years. A beautiful and safe place to raise my children. New Hope and Doylestown is where we lived and worked as Realtors. We were blessed to live among some of the finest people on this planet in what was close to a perfect environment.
Bucks County...I knew ye well. I'll always love you.
Georgette
Tuesday, March 1, 2005 -- 06:32:40 (EDT)
Name: Jeff Marshall -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, PA, United States
This is a great site. I am working tonight on a presentation I have to give for the PA Land Trust Association annual meeting on April 9. Can I use some of your images?
Jeffrey L. Marshall
Vice President of Resource Conservancy
Heritage Conservancy
[Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Thursday, October 28, 2004 -- 01:14:17 (EDT)
Name: Chris B. -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: falls, , United States
hi everyone. i have only been in bucks county for a few years but i have learned to appreciate its rich history. i too am appauled by the sprawl in this once great land. pretty soon housing will devour all open land that is why we must do what we can to save the history for next generations. i try to do my part by taking part in digs for artifacts. i have mostly contained my field to old bottles and the like. with so many historical houses here i have a hard time reaching all the owners to request a dig. most of the bottles are found in old privys and what is found is always shared with the owner or in some cases it is auctioned and the proceeds go towards presevation. all that is required is a day or two or if we get lucky a few more days at the owners convienence and the permission do dig on their property. i am trying to get as many digs in as possible because before you know it, it will have been turned into age restricted housing. so if anyone should know an owner of a historic house or just an old property in general that would be interested in preserving some of the history of their land please let me know. also if anyone out there who reads this has similar interests please drop me an email! thanks
Saturday, September 25, 2004 -- 07:03:06 (EDT)
Name: John James -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Carlisle, MA, United States
I enjoyed your site. It brings back fond memories. I grew up in New Hope living in the Van Sandt house (oldest house in New Hope and the first picture on your New Hope page). I fell thru the ice approximately at the site of your two pictures of the Canal (about where the ducks are in the second picture). I used to walk along the canal on the way home from the school bus (Solebury School drop off was at the Bank in the center of town) and stopping at the Post Office on Bridge Street (When it was next to the State Store). I went to school for 1-2 grades in a school house which was located what is now the parking lot next to the Playhouse.
Friday, September 3, 2004 -- 07:43:52 (EDT)
Name: Chuck Rudy -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Edison, PA, United States
David.....I love the update and will in time send you a piece pertaining to living in Bucks. There are more villages to photo...Wycombe, Pineville, Point Pleasant, Center Bridge, Solebury, Mechanicsville, New Hope just to name a few. Here is a link to my hometown of Edison pertaining to history of artists in our town 100 years ago.
http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/roliver/eao/scumblers/
We've lived in Edison for 24 years now, having lived near Mechanicsville while growing up. I only wish I'd taken many more photographs of what the area looked like, but we were too busy working on the farm across the street. That farm is now 120 hideous McMansions with all their inherrent problems.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 -- 07:21:35 (EDT)
Name: Suzanne Lahman -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Easton, MD, United States
I CAME ACROSS YOUR SITE LOOKING FOR INFO ON THE SINGING ROCK STATE PARK. YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL SITE WITH LOTS OF INFO. MY HUSBAND AND I RIDE A HARLEY AND ENJOY SO MUCH COMING TO PA FOR THE WEEKENDS. WE LOVE THE OPEN ROADS AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE. YOU HAVE GIVEN ME MANY IDEAS FOR MANY WONDERFUL RIDES.
Thursday, May 27, 2004 -- 11:28:38 (EDT)
Name: Robert Ciervo -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , PA United States
I just wanted to commend you on your page concerning suburban sprawl in Bucks County. I grew up in Newtown, PA and I have watched with despair how the township has been built up over the years and now how developers like Toll Brothers and Jeff Orleans are extending sprawl throughout Wrightstown and Upper Makefield. The Bucks County Commisioners need to do more to preserve open space and should require all townships to develop growth boundaries and specific street maps for all developed and undeveloped land. I have been working with a group, the Dolington Action Committee, that is trying to prevent Toll Brothers from building another huge housing development on a piece of land right next to historic Dolington Village in Upper Makefield on Washington Crossing Road. I would greatly appreciate it if you could post the website of the group at the end of your page on sprawl. It is www.savehistoricdolington.com. The group is also trying to convince the federal government to buy the land from Toll Brothers and to place a federal Veterans Cemetery on this site. Considering how close the site is to the location where General Washington crossed the Delaware river, which changed the tide of the Revolutionary War, placing this cemetery there would link the fallen solidiers of the present to the fallen American solidiers of the past.
Sunday, May 23, 2004 -- 16:32:30 (EDT)
Name: Gwenn Gebhard -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Washington, DC United States
Thank you for the photos of Bowman's Tower. In a poem by Stanley Kunitz titled "River Road," the poet talks about swallows exploding from Bowman's Tower. I wondered where this was, along with Rossiter's woods. Your website supplied the answer and a photo. Thank you. It makes reading this poem just a bit richer. Best wishes, Gwenn
Friday, May 21, 2004 -- 09:48:33 (EDT)
Name: Erik -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Levitown, PA United States
I just wanted to thank you very much for your informative web page. I am a senior at pennsbury high school and have decided to do my graduation project on the history of bucks county. I have to say that your site was the most helpful to me in my research. If you have any helpful hints or any further information that you think would be helpful to me I would greatly appreciate it if you could e-mail them to me. Thanks agian for your useful in-depth look at bucks, your a life saver!
Sunday, May 16, 2004 -- 10:33:41 (EDT)
Name: G. Bodine -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Yardley, Pa. United States
For most of my life I've lived here in Bucks County. Over the years I noticed how the farmland and beautiful countryside was SLOWLY disappearing to big homes for the wealthy and housing developements, etc. I knew there was plenty of land and figured the Historical Society, and other groups, would not let things get too out of hand and preserve most of this beautiful place of great history. In '93 I had moved to the westcoast where I resided for ten years. When I returned to Bucks, last year, I was saddened to see all the "progress" (as some people have the nerve to call it) that has taken place. It looks as though the developers aren't going to stop till they conquer EVERY acre. Oh well, it appears, once again, that our history and beautiful land have been compromised and tweaked by big money. I at least can say, "I am grateful to have known the Old Bucks County before the "urban sprawl" and no money can take that memory away. It WAS beautiful!" GB
Wednesday, April 28, 2004 -- 11:21:59 (EDT)
Name: Dale Russell -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: San Antonio, TX United States
Great site, information and pictures! I've bookmarked you to come back later. I was trying to research the painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware. As a young boy, I lived and grew up in Lower Bucks County (Feasterville) and remember bicyling to a church in Washington Crossing where the painting hung. I'm returning to the area shortly and wanted to re-visit the location and the famous painting, but fear the painting has been moved??? Is the painting (or was it a reproduction) still in that church in Washington's Crossing? Help!
Sunday, April 11, 2004 -- 19:28:24 (EDT)
Name: Robert Kelly -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Seattle, United States
Thanks for the great photos. I am researching Irish emmigrant ancestors to New Hope (and NJ) in the 1850s and your site has some good leads.
Friday, April 09, 2004 -- 22:35:23 (EDT)
Name: Chuck Rudy -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Edison (we were cut in half by the bypass), PA United States
This is a most impressive page. The preciseness of the dates and the disgust of the ruination of the county were two values I appreciated. It will now become not only a bookmark, but a resource for dates and locations. Would you have any information on Bridgepoint, now Edison, just south of Doylestown? Thanks for all the hard work Dave!!
Friday, April 09, 2004 -- 00:09:38 (EDT)
Name: Mimi Mauro -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Baltimore, MD United States
Your website is wonderful! As a former resident of Central Bucks, I can say you represented the county very well. The history was very informative, (I learned some new info.), the photos are beautiful, and you covered most of the scenic places. (What about Lake Nockamixon and Peace Valley Park?)Plus your website is user friendly. It's too bad about the suburban sprawl, hopefully Upper Bucks will be spared.
Sunday, April 04, 2004 -- 09:39:30 (EDT)
Name: Elizabeth Becker -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Lewes, DE United States
Loved the pictures from Doylestown. My mother came over from Germany in the late 1920's with her sisters and worked as a domestic at the Doylestown Inn (which was owned by friends who came over before her). She and her sisters then lived in Newtown, where my aunt and uncle bought the Temperance House and sold it in 1965. My mother, Sophie, waitressed there until the 80's. I was born in Doylestown in 1937 but grew up in Newtown My daughter and family now live in Doylestown. Thank you for the beautiful pictures.
Elizabeth Becker Lewes, DE
Saturday, March 27, 2004 -- 21:13:33 (EST)
Name: heidi reider -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Ormond, FL United States
I grew up in Newtown from 1964 to 1975. I now reside in daytona beach fl. We lived in several diffrent homes around newtown but most of the time we spent in a house on Woodhill road. My parents use to take me to newhope and all the surrounding areas and my favorite place for icecream till this day is Goodnoes (spelling?). Florida is beautiful but the most beautiful place I ever lived is newtown. It was very exciting visiting there as an adult and taking my children for icecream. When ever we visit family members in Pensylvania I always make an apoint to see my child hood home. I loved looking at the facinating pictures and recalling seeing those building or homes as a child. Here in florida we live near an old city called Saint Agustine and its very beautiful also, but it still does not compare in my heart to newhope where we spent many sunday afternoons while i was growing up. Thank you for the memory's.
Friday, March 26, 2004 -- 12:55:00 (EST)
Name: Andrew Koo -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Westlake, OH United States
I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Bucks Country (Perkasie to be exact) for the first 21 years of my life. I have very fond memories growing up in Perkasie, its bucolic setting with the vast forests, gentle brooks, Lake Nockamixon, hills, fields and country life. It pains me to see Bucks County turned into your average run-of-the-mill suburb with developments and fast-food joints plastering the landscape without personality or charm. I wish I could do something. Thank you David for this gem of a site. It brings me back to the days when I was a kid, listening to the crickets chirp on summer nights, watching the fireflies dance about.
Sunday, March 14, 2004 -- 13:31:53 (EST)
Name: donna l. gillett -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: bloomville, new york United States
beautiful stuff,i love looking at old pictures.its as if i ;was there at that time,maybe i was,again very nice,i will have to visit there soon.thanks for sharing.
Sunday, February 29, 2004 -- 12:13:30 (EST)
Name: Gail Duckworth Claus
Location: , United States
We were out looking through old graveyards today to track down many of my ancestors. Every time I find an ancestor I feel I am touching them in some way. We need to encourage young people to have an interest in their past heritage. This information is the best inmheritance of all to pass on to your children.
Thursday, February 19, 2004 -- 02:06:30 (EST)
Name: P. J. McConkey F. -- Email: [contact David Hanauer for e-mail]
Location: Elk City, , Oklahoma United States
My cousin & her aunt did most of the research as I am new at this. I wanted to know more about my father as I knew very little as he talked very little about his family & I was too young to ask questions before he died when I was 15. I didn't even know his dads name, but did know they lived here at Elk City, OK as his baby sister was buried here. I found an obituitary at the library & it mentioned a Professor McConkey (my dad) so i knew i had found my grandfather as my dad was the only one (of 4 boys) to go to college. I knew my dad was born at Springfield Mo. It turned out that there was at least 1 McConkey to go to PA from Texas to join the Union forces in the Civil war & then traced it back to a William McConkey. They also found a family story handed down for several generations that a McConkey had crossed the Delaware with George Washington, which may beWilliam M. Do you know who owned that McConkey Ferry & Inn?. It may be his family. So you understand why I am so interested in this. I was told that my Grandmother came to the US from Ireland when she was 12 yo. I had thought that my granddad probably came over too, but that proved untrue though i bet an earlier one did come from Ireland or Scotland. I had no idea they were involved in so much history. We found 2 references where a William Mcconkey was paid $7 for a load of wood & a ton of straw & 2days service of a 2 horse team & 7 days service of yoke of oxen assisting the artillery move to Trenton NJ for the Penn Line on Sept. 28, 1782. This was after the fighting ended but before the treaty was signed. I looked up the Penn line & it turned out to be a slang term for the Mason-Dixon line which was also th PA boundary. My dad (& mother) taught school all over western OK and i have been told quite a few interesting things about him. I am a retired Medical Technologist.
{- - - - - - - - - - - - - -}
Monday, February 09, 2004 -- 00:37:38 (EST)
Name: Tina Sun -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Beijing, China P.R.C.
I get into your site when I am searching for Tour information all the world. I think I will come again. Thanks very much for your good made site page.
Monday, January 19, 2004 -- 14:18:06 (EST)
Name: Dave Stiles
Location: Olympia, WA United States
Love the site, kudos to the memories it brought back of being raised in Warminster. Some of the many things I miss that are long gone include the Aircraft Displays that were at both Johnsville and Willow Grove. Many unique planes were displayed there. Then there was the old log cabin, on Street Road at Horsham Road. I barely remember the old Willow Grove Amusement Park, it was only a shell of a mountain visible from the road. Oh, yeah, did you know that Johnsville NAS had the centerfuge that was used in the space program with our first astronauts? Or at least it used to...
Thursday, January 15, 2004 -- 04:33:44 (EST)
Name: Steve Van Sandt -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: deurne, Antwerpen Belguim
I've got the same name!!!!!!
This is in reference to the Van Sandt Covered Bridge.
Sunday, January 11, 2004 -- 13:26:11 (EST)
Name: Gwen F.
Location: , United States
thank you very much your site helped me alot with my geography project i only wish that you would have a map of bucks county with just the townships and borders and not any roads. thanks again
Tuesday, December 23, 2003 -- 20:33:39 (EST)
Name: Patty Gaudette -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Carlisle, PA United States
What a wonderful opportunity to once again see Bucks county at its best. I miss it terribly and wish we still lived in the area. You have done a great job in capturing the lovely sights and areas. Thank you for a job well done.
Monday, December 08, 2003 -- 16:18:57 (EST)
Name: Anthony Morelli -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Warminster, PA United States
Very interesting site, David. Great, and yet, very sad information. As someone previously wrote, we are all "guilty." Someone is always moving into the area, and everyone who does... is "guilty." For everyone who had a need or a desire to live in the area, something had to be developed, a home had to be built. Imagine the struggle within ourselves as we "selfishly" (and probably righteously, if not rightfully) work to try to preserve the greatness of Bucks County or what's left of it. My family moved here in the 1970s, and the struggle was the same then as it is now, though with the housing market's recent boom, the acceleration and extravagance of the development has been quite breathtaking.
The struggle has been the same since the beginning of time, and the dramatic, sweeping changes that I've witnessed since 1976 are probably no more dramatic for me as they were for those who witnessed changes over the course of 30-years prior to my family's arrival.
The U.S. is built upon the almighty dollar and boy, the cash cow upon which the developers feast is SO huge the task seems almost insurmountable with the short-sightedness of most.
If nothing else, your wonderful site tells the story and preserves (in pictures) a lot of that which people will not see 30 years from now.
Just wait until such time as local governments... perhaps not in our lifetimes, but you can bet it will happen... will need to find SOME source of income to cover budgetary shortfalls... and when the taxpayer has just been squeezed to the nth-degree, at least in their minds, you can bet today's preserved farms will go back up for development because it will be a quick and easy way to generate revenue.
Thanks for the insight.
Monday, November 17, 2003 -- 20:18:01 (EST)
Name: Judy Phillips -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , New Hampshire United States
Great tour of a very lovely place on the planet. I was born and raised in Bucks and miss the area. It is a great place to live work and worship!
Sunday, November 09, 2003 -- 10:29:10 (EST)
Name: Susan
Location: , Germany
Oh, your pictures are making me homesick!
We're spending two years in Germany, and I searched the web to help my daughter find info about Doylestown for a school project here, where the students in her International School share information about their home cultures. Your site was absolutely perfect to help with this! While some European cities are older, Doylestown is definately just as nice as most of them; we just need to work on our ability to preserve our cities and countryside as well as is done here in Europe.
Thanks for a wonderful tour; I'm sure I'll be back next time I get homesick!
Sunday, November 02, 2003 -- 12:20:53 (EST)
Name: Ann
Location: Doylestown, PA United States
What an outstanding job you've done with your website! I've enjoyed it tremendously and plan to come back for more. Your viewpoints on the over-development of the area are well worth reading. My family and I moved here just two years ago because we were sick of the unending sprawl and congestion of Long Island, NY, and longed for more open spaces. We found it here in Bucks County (and not in new construction, thank you!) but are constantly reminded that LI used to have a lot of open spaces, too. The corn field around the corner, when we moved here, is now a construction site, as are so many other nearby areas throughout the township and county. Hopefully we'll start to see more areas protected and fewer developed. Long Island was once a beautiful area of open spaces and gorgeous beaches, and now the open spaces are gone and so much of what made LI beautiful is also gone, developed over and now over-crowded beyond belief. Let's hope the same can't be said about Bucks County down the road!!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 -- 19:21:25 (EST)
Name: Lynne Moskol -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , United States
David: Great web site! I would love to link it to my site--purely for information purposes for my clients and friends.
I am a Realtor in Bucks County that rarely deals with new construction and virtually never deals with developers. In fact, one of my reasons for getting involved in real estate 20 years ago was to find a way to halt the pillaging.
Where are you located? Solebury area would be my guess.
My site is BucksCountyAreaHomes.com.
Thanks.
Lynne Moskol
David's Reply:
I'm actually located considerably north of Solebury. I currently live in Boston, Massachusetts.
Sunday, October 12, 2003 -- 23:03:09 (EDT)
Name: Beverly Cole -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: East Windsor, NJ United States
I was visiting my mother today and asking her questions about our ancestors as my grandson is working on a project for a family tree. I asked about her grandmother on her mother's side. All I knew was I had heard her referred to as Grandmom Neely. As she was filling in the gaps, she mentioned that Grandmom Neely lived in a house in Bucks County, Pa. and that is called the Thompson-Neely house. I decided to look it up when I got home to see if there was any mention on the Internet. After seeing this article, I am now inspired to have my Mom tell me more details when I next see her. I am restoring some old photos for my Mom and among them is a photo of Grandmom Neely. It's all so fascinating.
Thursday, October 09, 2003 -- 16:51:27 (EDT)
Name: Sharyn Alice Murray -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Washington Crossing, PA United States
Thanks for your tour. I just moved here and now know some places to visit.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003 -- 17:03:26 (EDT)
Name: Carl Clauss -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Souderton , PA United States
Well done. I enjoyed your history of sprawl and its negative impact on Bucks County. The carpetbaggers
(i.e. Developers) are destroying our landscape, history and quality of life. All we are left with are more houses, asphalt, highway grid-lock and higher taxes to pay as the infrastructure grows to keep up with all the additional sprawl. It's a crime.
Monday, October 06, 2003 -- 05:59:53 (EDT)
Name: Anwara Ullah -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: London, UK
Hello David
Just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to visit Bucks County again through your photographs. I love the mix of photography, art and history contained in your website - very educational.
I was particularly concerned to see the potential devastation of the "suburban sprawl" and hope that you have ways of lobbying against this, or at least the modern monstrosity's they erect in the name of "progress". Some of these developments are neither in keeping with the character of the area nor respectful of the land.
I look forward to more pictures!
Friday, October 03, 2003 -- 15:38:35 (EDT)
Name: Bob George -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , United States
Very nice site, great information, I'll be back to visit again in the future.
Sunday, September 21, 2003 -- 21:50:45 (EDT)
Name: Lisa Filer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Perkasie, PA United States
I live in an old house in Perkasie PA that used to have an icecream shop in the basement and a hamburger place on the main floor-I guess the owners lived on the upper floor. The house has a lot of character and we would love to find pictures of what it used to look like back then-any ideas? We live right across from the Perkasie Historical Society and my husband couldn't find anything. Thanks!
Tuesday, September 09, 2003 -- 10:58:51 (EDT)
Name: judi -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , n.j. United States
wonderful site my family the Magills were a old quaker family fron solebury meeting.I enjoy reading anything about the New Hope area.Any Magills get in touch.
Monday, September 08, 2003 -- 17:45:54 (EDT)
Name: Rick Turner -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Birmingham, Alabma United States
I lived in Doylestown for a very short three years and it was good to go back through pictures and remember the friends that I grew up with there at Holincong and CB East..
Wednesday, August 20, 2003 -- 11:38:11 (EDT)
Name: Bob Magneson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , United States
I am looking for the Impressionist painters that worked in New Hope and Bucks County from about 1900 to the 1920's. I would think they would be an important part of the areas history.
Sunday, August 17, 2003 -- 11:47:15 (EDT)
Name: Valerie-Anne Lutz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Philadelphia, PA United States
Hi, Dave...
Thanks for including such great and varied stuff on your site...everything from covered bridges to pages for towns such as New Hope, Buckingham, Doylestown, Forest Grove...I'll pass the site along to others...Val
Friday, August 15, 2003 -- 10:02:07 (EDT)
Name: Joerg Radtke -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Edingen - Neckarhausen/ near Heidelberg, Germany
Hello ,
i have to speak out an hughe compliment . A nice town , very good photos.
For it is interesting , which restaurants you have in and outside your beautiful town .
Waiting for your reply , and thanks in advance
J?rg Radtke
Wednesday, August 13, 2003 -- 01:37:08 (EDT)
Name: jennifer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: seattle, wa United States
Hello- Very interesting site here- Our family includes mr Emanuel Coryell born in cortyells' ferry. Left approx. 1800 - if you have any info on any coryell's please let us know. Thanks for your time. Jennifer Dahl
Monday, August 11, 2003 -- 21:15:19 (EDT)
Name: Helen E. Hanna -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Southampton, New Jersey United States
My mother was born in Southampton. Went to one room school
house. Her grandfather William D. Bubeck build houses in
Northampton and Southampton. Some are still there.
Thursday, July 31, 2003 -- 10:01:01 (EDT)
Name: A Local Resident
Location: Warwick, PA United States
Your photos are gorgeous. However, I an curious as to why you extoll the virtues of Peddler's Village when after all, it is as much of a big-money-making venture as that of any developer and is very much responsible for bringing numerous people to Bucks County. In fact, the owner of Peddler's Village is just as much of a developer as C&M or Toll, since he puts up new buildings all the time on previously undeveloped land.
David's Reply:
You do raise a good point that I am being somewhat hypocritical. I should state that although it may not be clear from what is on my website, I do not think that all development is bad. But there is a limit to how much one area can tolerate before development becomes less like an improvement for the area and more like a cancerous growth. Development can't continue forever, and we are fast approaching the time when all undeveloped land will be either preserved or built upon. Construction for Peddler's Village began in the 1960's, and although it has been added to over time, it now occupies a little over 40 acres--a rather small piece of land compared to many of the developments that are now swallowing up the few remaining farms. At the time it was originally built, I think development was a much more palatable option in the area. Now development has increased to the point where I believe enough is enough. I would also say that I feel that the unique complex of buildings and gardens is rather tastefully laid out and designed and fits in well with the feel of the area, which can't be said for most of the construction now going on including the "McMansion" houses, the "Big Box" retail chains, and the strip malls, all of which have no personality and are more eyesore than anything. If the owners of Peddler's Village have been involved in putting up any of these latter types of buildings, I am not aware of it. You are also right that Peddler's Village is responsible for bringing many people to the area. In fact, the traffic on the surrounding rounds can be horrible on weekends. The problem has become much worse as the new building boom as filled the area with more people than the roads can handle. I can't proclaim to know what the perfect balance is between construction and preservation, but my gut feeling is that Peddler's Village is on the acceptable side of development.
Thursday, July 17, 2003 -- 11:23:45 (EDT)
Name: Yvonne
Location: , United States
Wonderful and informative site. I recently moved to the North-East PA area along 611 and is delightful to know that there are so many wonderful areas closeby to enjoy. Thanks for the time you have devoted to your efforts which is well cherished.
Oh geeze JWB, while we cannot necessary change the past, we or at least one person can point out the uglyness we have to look at (those man-made strawberry fields aka montrous housing developments). It's not too late, perhaps, one farm will be saved. Try driving on a street with developments on both sides and a farm 5 minutes down the same road. Experience the feeling of inner freedom while you pass the farm as oppose to your tightly clenched inner feeling when you pass the cramped-together houses. It's never too late!
Monday, June 30, 2003 -- 03:03:13 (EDT)
Name: B. Price -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Sugar Land, TX United States
Thank you, Dave!!! I moved from upper Bucks almost five years ago to be closer to family here in Texas. I miss Bucks County and the beautiful rolling countryside. I miss the quiet of living in the country, and although I now live in an area that is considered "in the country", it sure looks like city to me!! The people here didn't appreciate what they had either and the "progress" has brought them more pollution, traffic, out of control taxes, and people. They have just about lost the ability to even see the stars at night and there is no such thing as silence. And the developers continue their rape of the land and the people are so busy making their own money they don't even care. You are one of the good guys who notices and cares, and I am so glad I happened upon your websight last year and kept it in my favorites. I lectured at the Mercer during the 6o's and 70's. Thank God Henry Mercer cared too, or we wouldn't even have that wonderful museum and what it has to offer. You have done such a service to Bucks County with your websight and all the links. Congratulations! I will return again and again. B. Price
Wednesday, June 04, 2003 -- 01:01:41 (EDT)
Name: Toni L. Martin-Williams -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Naples, Florida United States
I am a Bucks County native. I grew up there and I still love it although I am saddened to hear how it is being developed. I want to mention that the USDA has programs that work with local governments and preserve farmland and forestland. In some states they even get the local governments to decrease or get rid of property taxes altogether. In addition the Feds will pay you 50 to 75% of the value of your land in acreages over 20 acres if you keep it in its original state. Look under USDA? I will try to find some articles on it that I printed out during the winter for a research paper. I also would like to get a hold of the researcher for the Beans family history as I am descended from them through my grandmother Eleanor Beans.
Thanks
Toni
Thursday, May 29, 2003 -- 21:07:44 (EDT)
Name: Denis Anderson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Lake Delton, WI United States
I was just given a tour of your area by a friend of mine that I will be visiting in a short while. She took me to your web site to show me what I have to look forward to. It was a very impressive tour and cannot wait to get there to see it in person. Thank you very much for putting together this very enlightening site.
Thursday, May 29, 2003 -- 21:04:14 (EDT)
Name: Ivy Peters -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Chalfont, PA United States
I enjoyed your site very much. I have company coming for a visit and wanted to share some of what I hope to show them. This was a perfect picture tour to wet the appitite for our area.
Thanks for the effort,
Ivy
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 -- 09:49:16 (EDT)
Name: Lawrence J Whelan Jr -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Penns Park, PA United States
Very nice site Dave. We have such wonderful assets in our backyards. And yes, many of us hate the thought of such rapid growth. I would like our future generations to be able to enjoy it also. Once it's gone it's gone forever.
There are alternatives. I would like to help. Preseve.
Saturday, May 24, 2003 -- 09:00:43 (EDT)
Name: Blaine Gray -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Red Bank, NJ United States
Dave
Great site. I find Bucks County is a fun place to play tourist. There are lots of interesting places to visit and learn more about. Your web site highlights the places to go.
Blaine
Thursday, May 22, 2003 -- 18:53:00 (EDT)
Name: Bert Pierce -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio United States
I enjoyed your website, especially since I was surfing for Ringing Rocks Park. I visited that approx 55 years ago, when I was about 8 yrs old. I am just reminiscing, since I moved from Perkasie to Ohio in 1958. Thank you for the memories.
Thursday, May 22, 2003 -- 17:08:27 (EDT)
Name: Larry Hillpot -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Lincoln Park, NJ United States
Hi Dave, Loved your site. I to have an interest in Bucks County, families and old photos. Please keep publishing them. I will bookmark your page and hope to visit often. Larry Hillpot
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 -- 12:46:04 (EDT)
Name: Tiffany Kennedy -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Apopka, Florida United States
I lived in Allentown/ Quakertown for ten years of my life and suddenly my parents moved me to Florida where I have spent 9 years here. Just today I was sitting in my Web Designing class and started typing away for Allentown Elementary schools since I went to Pfaff. Nothing here. But then I started messing around and typed in Ringing Rocks. Blah, blah and found your site. I remember a long time ago my grandfather took me there and I loved it, one of my most favorite things I have ever done in my entire life. I loved Pennsylvania so much and can?t wait until I can move back. It was unbelievable how much I can actually remember about Pennsy for such a long time ago. One of the barns you put in there: Tinicum County Park, barn is actually called Glaziers Mustang Barn where my father worked. Its wonderful how I ran across this I?m feeling better in spirits that I came across this website. Wonderful job. Can?t wait until I move back up to Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003 -- 05:52:05 (EDT)
Name: beth Nuse -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Cochranville Chester County, PENNSYLVANIA United States
Hey this a great site and i Wish that all the Developers around here would look at it and if they did they would know how much history they are killing that's why my neighbor put all of his land in the land trust of Pennsylvania.
Friday, April 18, 2003 -- 10:41:53 (EDT)
Name: Bruce Templeton -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Sarasota, FL. United States
Very nice website. The pictures of Doylestown brought back many fond memories from my teen years. Enjoyed the stroll down nastalgia way! Thanks
Saturday, March 29, 2003 -- 19:11:17 (EST)
Name: G R
Location: , United States
A Map and a little more info on Ringing Rocks Park would have been helpful. Even the Bucks County website is a disappointment when trying to find info on how, when, where to visit the park!
Thursday, March 06, 2003 -- 21:54:07 (EST)
Name: Debbie Sabori -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Warwick, PA United States
Enjoyed your web site. I am new to this area and recently purchased a David Cutler home. Your description of the avarice of the builders is apt. It is beyond greed. We moved here because of my husband's job. I would have been happy to buy a house already built and not increase the profits of David Cutler. Unfortunately, very little was available. The few available houses had something major wrong with them. I, too, am sorry that the farmland is disappearing, even though I am partly the cause of it. I just heard that Cutler just bought the llama farm right next to our development. What a pity! Is there anything in the works to try to limit the development of this area? The traffic is horrendous and the streets need much improvement to handle the cars already on them.
David's Reply:
There are efforts throughout Bucks County to try to preserve land. Warwick township, in fact, did try to buy the llama farm that you mention, but lost it to a developer, even though that land was "identified in the town's open space plan as having significant natural value," according to a report in the Daily Intelligencer newspaper.
Still, there are things that can be done:
(1) Vote. Current laws to prevent sprawl are either nonexistent or weak and easiliy circumvented. Let lawmakers know that this is an important issue.
(2) Contact any of the multiple organizations in Bucks County that try to preserve open space.
(3) Make money available to buy open space. People can donate land, development rights, and even money to help buy properties. Increased taxes can also go a long way to buy land. Sadly, once the money issue is brought into the picture, people become a lot less interested, even though an investment now will save in the long run. Most people won't sacrafice now for future benefits--they'd rather benfit now regardless of future cost. Unfortunately, this is a key point since the developers do have money to buy land. If preservationist don't buy it, they will.
(4) Spread the word and educate others. If more people were aware of the true situation and the options, then more might be accomplished. Education about these complex issue is very important. The fact that my website (and I don't even live in Bucks County anymore) probably has more information about the Bucks County sprawl situation than any other site suggests that there is a lot more that could be done to educate the public at the local level. But if we always rely on others to do the job for us instead of taking control ourselves then, unfortunately, little will be accomplished.
Sunday, March 02, 2003 -- 10:11:31 (EST)
Name: Diane van Roden -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Media , Pa United States
While staying in the New Hope area last year, we chanced upon the Cuttalossa Farm, a place of such beauty and tranquility that we are returning to the 1740 House soon to mainly visit this site. Your photographs are lovely and the text answers a number of questions we had. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 19, 2003 -- 14:10:37 (EST)
Name: william grayeski -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: penndel, pa United States
hello i changed my e mail it is now willi19047@aol.com and i need to know about the same question i askd for before thank you again
Tuesday, February 18, 2003 -- 22:08:58 (EST)
Name: Martha Lott Raby -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Mesa, Az United States
Dear Mr. Hanauer ~It was a pleasure, then a pain, to see your site. I left Lambertville-New Hope in the mid-1950s for Penna. school, then moved to Hollywood, Florida, with my parents. I too fondly recall New Hope, Solebury, Lahas-ka & Lambertville, & was appalled on a visit to my mother (1968 post-surgery)to see only one sub-division after another from Newark nearly to Lambertville. I'm heading for your Preservation link for sure. Blessings, Martha Raby
Sunday, February 16, 2003 -- 08:05:28 (EST)
Name: Woody Mather -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Richmond, VA United States
I was born in Abington Memorial Hopital and grew up in Langhorne. My grandfather was mayor of Langhorne for 30+ years. At one time there were 14 Mather's living in Langhorne and 7 more in Penndel. I grew up at 154 N. Bellevue, and eventually purchased 151 N Bellevue (it now has a historical marker on it). My grandmother & grandfather (George & Anna Mather) lived in one of the older houses in Langhorne diagonally across from the old library and my Uncle Clem and Aunt Laura lived across the street from the Library. I love that area and am upset that much of it is being destroyed, if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. Regards, F. M. (Woody) Mather, Jr.
Sunday, December 29, 2002 -- 15:30:01 (EST)
Name: Beverly Messer -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Overland Park, KS United States
I'm doing family history on George C Messer and read an article 6/11/2001 in the Bucks County Courier Times that referenced William J Levitt had local attorneys buy up land. On the map lot no 112 off Devon road was the Messer property.
I would love to obtain any information, photos, stories about this purchase and family for the family archives.
I enjoyed your site very much. Thanks so much for your help!
Beverly Messer
Thursday, December 19, 2002 -- 10:44:13 (EST)
Name: Henry Starliper -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Edgewater, Fl United States
as a former resident of penns park i enjoyed your site very much.
Monday, December 16, 2002 -- 11:44:09 (EST)
Name: Joanne Speak -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , MA United States
I love Bucks county too. My parents moved there from Montgomery County (where I grew up) when they retired. I fell in love with it (especially Doylestown) on my visits to them. I live in Massachusetts now and the sprawl debate rages on here as well. One thing that surprises me though is the amount of hypocrisy you see in people regarding this subject. I know of many folks here in MA who grouse about protecting open space and yet they themselves have bought new construction homes. Their attitude seems to be, "well, I got mine but I don't want anyone else to have theirs." I feel strongly that anyone who is serious about preserving the environment and slowing down sprawl MUST recycle and buy an older home. You can't buy a Toll house and then complain that the farms and forests are disappearing.
Friday, November 29, 2002 -- 20:14:08 (EST)
Name: Linda Musgrave -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina United States
Thank you David.
I really enjoy your web site.
Linda
Saturday, November 23, 2002 -- 17:01:54 (EST)
Name: Violet A. Ayers -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Morrisville, PA United States
My Father-in-law Frederick William Wulfing 2ed. was A Surveyor for Levittown NY and then moved here to Levittown Pa. as a Surveyor,He lived in the Stonybrook section, Then He moved to Sicklerville NJ.with Levit and Son's.
Thank You,
Violet A. Ayers
Friday, November 22, 2002 -- 12:49:53 (EST)
Name: Tecknoret
Location: , United States
Interesting place, that Ringing Rocks Park as is your website.
Saturday, November 09, 2002 -- 13:58:19 (EST)
Name: Kent Baird
Location: Bucks County, United States
Way to keep it alive Dave. My door is always open if ever you need anything. ---Kent Baird, Coordinator, Bucks County Open Space Program.
Friday, November 01, 2002 -- 19:24:22 (EST)
Name: Wayne Quinby -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Great Falls, MT United States
Being from Bucks County,but living in the great state Montana it is hard to imagine what has taken place in the county. It was nice to see some pictures of the Bucks County I remember. I was last there in 1995 and could not believe the changes. Seemed like everywhere you looked there was another housing area going up. I really missed being able to see the rolling hills with all the trees, through all the big houses. I hope that Montana never gets that way. This is just to beautiful a place. My Mom still lives in Danboro and I have many relatives scattered throughout Bucks County, mainly in Doylestown. My uncle owns Quinby's Gun Shop in Perkasie.
Friday, November 01, 2002 -- 12:37:28 (EST)
Name: Jesse
Location: castro valley, ca United States
I realy enjoyed your pictures of washingtons crossing. i havesome picures of it up on my site from my recent visit if anyone would like to have a look.
http://www.jessehand.com
Saturday, September 28, 2002 -- 16:07:36 (EDT)
Name: Linda Musgrave -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Whiteville, NC United States
I enjoyed your site very much! I am a decedent of the Beans family of Bucks County and have much information on "Indian Springs farm" that had been in the Beans family since Matthew Beans' time,until my mother's cousin Warren Beans,sold it in 1927. (Mechanicsville Road and Indian Springs Rd. Bucks County)
It is registered with the Pennsylvania Historical Society. ( and has been crowded out by "new" homes all around it!). Also Benjamin Barnes (employee of Dr. Mercer)was my mother's first cousin and I have a news paper article on him andth the Pennsylvania Historical Society. ( and has been crowded out by "new" homes all around it!). Also Benjamin Barnes (employee of Dr. Mercer)was my mother's first cousin and I have a news paper article on him and the pottery,that you might find interesting. What I don't have, is a scanner,so it will be necessary to send me a mailing address,if you would like copies of this information.
also,there is a mystery in the Beans family that perhaps you as a resident of New York, could help solve. Henry and Elizabeth Beans (my great grandparents),had a son named Warren that for some reason went to New York and changed his name to Warren Murrey. His wife was Beatrice, and they had a dog named "Muldoon". Also a daughter named Irene. I can find no information on them, They lived in Binghamton,N.Y
I do have a family Photo that includes my own grandparents,but no record of Warren and his family,before or after the move to N.Y. I also have a web site with Photos taken in Bucks County and Trenton, N.J that you might enjoy looking at or adding to your links. It is http://www.no1rosemom.com
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 -- 13:18:34 (EDT)
Name: Agnes Carbrey -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: langhorne, United States
It is a relief to find out that some residents of the area value what they still have left of the beautiful Bucks County! Developers are currently after our 20 acreas of old homestead. Taxes are too high for us now, we must do something, butI am seeking alternatives to selling, bulldozing and building a high density multi-unit development where at the moment a wooded habitat is still sustaining owls and many other birds and animals. Can anyone help me?
Saturday, September 14, 2002 -- 21:50:40 (EDT)
Name: Gayle Hollins -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Washington Crossing, PA United States
While looking for a site that might give me some detailed information about George Washington's Encampments here in Washington Cossing back in 1776, I came across this site....I think it is brilliant. I have forwarded it to many friends in England so they can see the BEAUTIFUL place where I now live! I couldn't have asked for better pictures....now then do you have any ideas where I might find information/maps about Washington's Camp sites in the OLD Taylorsville???? :)
Wednesday, September 04, 2002 -- 07:28:26 (EDT)
Name: Denise
Location: , United States
I live in Bucks County, so you know I enjoyed visiting your website. The photographs and the history on how an historic landmark was created are much appreciated. I hope you reach many people via your website. Keep going after your dreams!
P.S.: Stop in and visit me online!
Blessings,
Denise
Wednesday, August 28, 2002 -- 00:08:38 (EDT)
Name: James Hartman (Hartmann) -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , United States
It looks a whole lot like my Hartmanburg in Skaneland i.e. LADONIA. I found your web page and thought it was outstanding.
Wednesday, August 07, 2002 -- 22:43:40 (EDT)
Name: Diane M. Shultz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: West Norriton, PA United States
Just reviewing your tour of Bucks County brings back many wonderful memories. I grew up in Huntington Valley. So Bucks County was one of my stomping grounds. I enjoyed your tour very much to the point I shall try to visit many of these places again. It has been many years.
Thank you again, Diane
Sunday, July 28, 2002 -- 11:26:41 (EDT)
Name: Priscilla Stone Sharp -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Phoenix, AZ United States
I am delighted to announce the publication of my novel, LANGHORN AND MARY, based on the true story of Langhorn H. and Mary (Stone) Wellings of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Langhorn, an African-American, and Mary, German-American, were married from 1835 to 1865. Common, working-class folks, yet they were inextricably caught in the maelstrom of significant events and issues in those days--slavery, abolition, Underground Railroad, prejudice and racism, Civil War, religion and health. After 30 years of marriage and following Mary's death from apoplexy (stroke), Langhorn's life comes to an intense climax with his arrest and trial charged with murdering her by poison.
One reviewer has written: "The book, LANGHORN AND MARY, is a wonderful, exciting narrative about real people and their lives in the 1800s.... The characters in the book were real people ... and you have given an insight into their lives and their struggles in situations that actually happened in that small part of the country known as Bucks County. I consider this a romance novel and a love story, but also filled with action and adventure and historical information that affected the lives of the people during those decades of time...." [David Fell, Portsmouth, VA]
Another says, "I really enjoyed the book.... [O]nce I got into it, I was engrossed.... I enjoyed the characters, especially Mary and Lang. You did a good job describing them and their affection for each other.... These lives were worth writing about. So glad you put it down on paper. This book is a very good read!" [Virginia Dindy, Sun City, AZ]
And another, "WOW! I just finished [the] book and I am very excited. I have thoroughly enjoyed [it]. I was impressed from the moment I began the introduction." [Rev. Kyra Hines Baehr, Phoenix, AZ]
LANGHORN AND MARY [ISBN 0-595-22770-8], 12 chapters, 528 pp., soft cover, is available at Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com) at the special introductory price of $19.56, 30% off the regular price of $27.95.
I hope you will enjoy LANGHORN AND MARY.
Priscilla Stone Sharp
Tuesday, July 09, 2002 -- 16:51:46 (EDT)
Name: H gordon Johnson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Waverly, , Ohio United States
I am a direct decendent of Rut and Garrut Johnson (1700's)and I am writing a book on the Johnson Family History. I am looking for information to clarify exactly what structures in the Washington Crossing vicinity belonged and/or were built by them. (McKonkeys Ferry. Johnsons Ferry House, Nelson House) ????? any information, unusual items or tid bits would certainly be helpful and appreciated. Thank you
Thursday, May 30, 2002 -- 12:56:47 (EDT)
Name: Renee Blackburn Freeman -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Belews Creek, NC United States
David, Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures. We moved away from Doylestown when I was in the 4th grade(I'm 38 now) and have only returned once (actully when I was in the 6th grade we came back for the visit). I have many memories (some good and some bad-personal) from living there and would love to return some day soon to visit and see all the changes that have taken place. And just to see some of my past.
I do have one question, on one of your pictures there is a bridge on 611. A stone bridge. Do you remember where this was taken? I lived in a trailer park off 611 called Valley View Trailer Park. I was wondering...could this be near there. I hope so, so very much. I used to play under a bridge that looked just like that one. And that is one of my best memories.
I have bookmarked your web site and hope that you will add additional photos so that until I can return in person I can remember the wonderful parts of living in Doylestown. Just to let you know some of my favorite places. I went to school at Gayman Elem. (found their website) and there used to be a shopping center - if I can remember correctly- just past Burger King (now this was some time ago, BK may be closed now)It had a grocery store, a bakery (best elephant ears in the world) and back then there was a Grants (clothing store) And they built a Big Dipper ice cream stand just past it.
Forgive me for rambling on. But again, there are some wonderful memories from being there and your pictures have helped me a great deal.
Renee in NC
Saturday, May 25, 2002 -- 22:19:55 (EDT)
Name: Wayne Labs
Location: Doylestown, PA United States
I grew up on a farm in Mechanicsville, PA in central Buckingham Township, Bucks County, and my uncle Bill Labs was the foreman on the Mercer Museum construction project, which was comissioned by Henry Mercer. I'm happy to see the effort that you've put into this site. It reminds me of happier days before thousands of housing units were added to Buckingham Township--before countless historic buildings were torn down in Doylestown to make way for the new. And all we have left are photographs to remind us of these bucolic days.
Friday, May 17, 2002 -- 04:37:29 (EDT)
Name: Firewife -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New Hope, PA United States
I have placed a link to you on my local site. I hope you are okay with it, please don't hesitate to tell me if you wish to reword it. Thank you very much for so much information, history and work. It is obviously a labor of love. I miss the way things were, truly a time gone by which we will never get back. What a frightful shame so few people will ever again see a real Bucks County farm or smell the pure, intoxicating country air that has long since drifted into our memories.
Monday, May 13, 2002 -- 20:55:26 (EDT)
Name: Susan E. Leinhauser -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Prospect Park , PA United States
I saw your piece on the discovery channel and thought it was unique. I myself live in Delaware County and would love to visit the park.. My father was the great great grandson to Ralph Stover. I have been to Stover park. My father was named Charles Stover Leinhauser. Would love to have more info on ringing rocks park. directions etc. Thanx Susan
David's Reply:
(1) If you check out the guestbook entry dated March 12, 2002 you will find some maps that will help locate Ringing Rocks Park.
(2) The guestbook entry from Sunday, September 17,2000 is from someone else who may be able to trace their ancestry back to the Stovers of Bucks County. Perhaps you should contact them!
Thursday, May 02, 2002 -- 01:07:15 (EDT)
Name: joanne schmidt -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , alaska United States
HEY DAVE LIKED THE PICTURES.I AM ORIGNALLY FROM WARRINGTON.I GREW UP THERE TILL I WAS 20 YRS OLD.I HAVE NOT BEEN HOME IN 16 YRS. DO YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES? I USED TO LIVE IN THE VALLEY THATS WHAT IT WAS CALLED BACK THEN.ITS RIGHT DOWN THE FROM THE COLONIAL APARTMENTS.HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF WARRINGTON AVE OR NESHIMANY AVE.YOU MIGHT OF KNOWN SOMEBODY THAT LIVED THERE ONCE.THANKS FOR THE PICTURES OF HOME. THANKS FROM ALASKA.
Thursday, April 11, 2002 -- 21:21:05 (EDT)
Name: Lisa Stacy -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Taylor, Michigan United States
Just visiting some spots on the web that might give me some clues about my Mead family research. Looks like we started out right here in Bucks County!
Wednesday, March 20, 2002 -- 22:24:34 (EST)
Name: Suzanne Lowe
Location: Lumberville, PA United States
Dear David, You have a very nice site, but as owner of Cuttalossa Farm I feel I must point out that your facts about the mill are incorrect. The mill you show was placed on the farm a few years ago by my husband in tribute to the 5 mills that were along the Cuttalossa Creek. The actual mill that was on Cuttalossa Farm is now a residence and is separate from the farm. You might want to check out your facts. The sheep shed pictured was built by Daniel Garber, the renowned New Hope painter who lived on the farm from 1907 until his death in 1954. He brought the sheep to the farm to clear the hills of poison ivy.
David's Reply: Thank you for all of the corrections. I apologize for making the errors and I hope that I have fixed all of them on my tour.
Tuesday, March 12, 2002 -- 20:12:41 (EST)
Name: Amanda Connor -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bear, DE United States
We are coming from Deleware and would be driving up 95N would you please give us the directions to the Ringing Rocks Park.
Thank You
David's Reply: Thank you for your question. I don't have specific directions to the park, but I have placed a few maps (at different scales) here to get an idea about where the park is located. Click on each of the three thumbnail images to see a larger version of each map. I obtained them from Yahoo Maps.
Click to enlarge
Name: JWB
Location:, United States
You are truely blessed with stupidity as your guiding force for this web site. Bucks County is this way because people like you wait until after the fact to profess their concern and want for a previous era. You should have told your parents to do something. If you complain that you were not old enough to be aware at the time, then shame on them. You must understand that to achieve or return to what once was is not possible. We must understand that like our way of life, our housing needs are driven by money. If you find that unbelievable or unacceptable than you my friend are living in the world of make believe. What is right and what is economically workable are always going to be at odds. Your Web Site is a wonderful look at Bucks County, but it is unfortunately years to late. JWB
Saturday, February 23, 2002 -- 00:35:41 (EST)
Name: Kyla Goodberry -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , Canada
New Hope is a beautiful place. I visited there in the summer of 2001 with my boyfrined who lives in NJ. We also went to Bowman's Tower as well and it was quite breathtaking. America is certainly a beautiful country to be in and I am sure a wonderful place to live.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002 -- 09:34:22 (EST)
Name: C. Graydus
Location: , United States
Kudos to you on a fantastic website. It's the same thing here in Lancaster County. It's awful the way people are just in it to make a 'buck'. Thanks for an informative tour!
Friday, February 08, 2002 -- 14:17:05 (EST)
Name: Joy Ervin Albertson
Location: , United States
I am a former resident of Wycombe and the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad runs through the proerty that my parents once owned (between the 30s to the 70s). I remember when Peddler's Village was built and my parents are buried in the Friends' cemetery. I enjoyed your site very much and I especially liked your pictures.
Tuesday, January 22, 2002 -- 16:39:26 (EST)
Name: Corrin Neumeister -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania United States
I was born in Doylestown and grew up in Lower Bucks County. I am a student now living in Chester County. While there are many beautiful sites out here - Bucks County will always hold a sweet spot in my heart. It is so sad to see what land development can take away from such a historic, naturally beautiful place. Memories of camping at Tinicum and fishing on the Delaware though, can never be taken away. Thank you for creating this website - maybe together there is something we can do!
Friday, January 04, 2002 -- 16:33:45 (EST)
Name: Mark -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Long Beach, California United States
Hey David, I stumbled onto your web site while researching Society of Friends meeting houses. Thank-you for including the Buckingham Meeting House on your page, however, the photographs are labled as the school house. I attended BFS from 1973 to 1977 and can assure you that it would be worth your effort to obtain photos of the (upper) school building and add them to your site. The school house is one of the most beautiful structures in Bucks County!
Thursday, December 27, 2001 -- 19:35:14 (EST)
Name: William Grayeski -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: PHILIDELPIA, United States
INTRISTING WEB SITE. NEEDED INFO ABOUT HISTORIC EDEN, PA
AND SOME AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OR MAPS 1840 TO PRESENT IF
POSSIBLE
THANK YOU
BILL
Monday, December 17, 2001 -- 14:12:37 (EST)
Name: Dr. Elaine J. Miller -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Morrisville(Bucks County), PA United States
Dear David,
Just loved your site.You have done a great service to Bucks County!!
I was trying to find current info on this years Crossing schedule and events. I was dismayed that you didn't include Historic Morrisville- Summerseat which was Washington's headquarters while they surveyed the enemy troops across the Delaware River in Trenton.Mr Barclays's house, Mr. Clymer and of course, the venture capitalist, Robert Morris.
I'm sure you will add the other historic sites in our area soon. Historic Yardley, Fallsington, Langhorne, Bristol and Pennsbury. Thanks for the fine site. Dr. Elaine J. Miller
Saturday, December 15, 2001 -- 14:34:40 (EST)
Name: al -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: doylestown, pa United States
Greetings from Doylestown, Just moved here (State and Main St to be exact). Just surfing on the site, thought I'd say hi
Al
Friday, December 14, 2001 -- 07:29:06 (EST)
Name: David King -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: San Antonio, Texas United States
My GGG Grandmother, Mary Jackson, daughter of William Jackson & Margret Wilson, was born in Bucks County sometime around 1755. I have no information to indicate exactly where they lived. The did migrate to Guilford County, North Carolina around 1772. She married my GGG Grandfater James "Joseph" Summers on August 2, 1774...
Monday, December 03, 2001 -- 20:34:21 (EST)
Name: Sharon
Location: , United States
I have found your site very interesting, having recently visited Doylestown. I'm glad that the people of Doylestown have preserved so much of the town. I was there as a child - not knowing it was Doylestown - and was able to recognize the old movie theater. I had a photo of myself taken in front of the fountainhouse years ago. The buildings in the background are the same today as they were years ago.
Saturday, December 01, 2001 -- 13:25:46 (EST)
Name: Jan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Casa Grande, Arizona United States
Hello David, I am a decendant of Cuthbert and Mary Rudd Hayhurst from Bucks Co. I appreciate being able to visit this place, via your web site. I'm looking for more pictures of places that the Hayhurst's may have lived, or walked. Thanks for the great history documentation and of course the wonderful pictures. It is all GREATLY! appreciated.
See entry from:
Friday, November 23, 2001 -- 21:03:12 (EST)
Name: Spencer Garrison -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Yardley, PA United States
I was quite gripped by your depressing section on suburban sprawl. It is certainly sad to see so much (if not eventually all) of this county's farmland being rapidly mutated into a vast cluster of houses and markets. I constantly ride by remaining farmland where I notice how real the problem is. I see the far end of the farmland cleared and replaced with a crowded bunch of houses. And I've seen these neighborhoods curiously expand further and further into the quiet fields of corn, like some sort of virus. I guess, to a point, this sprawl is necessary to compensate for an ever increasing population. But still, it's depressing, the way it's so inevitable. And it's not just Bucks. I've seen this in the quiet little southern villages, too. Well anyway, thanks for acknoledging the issue. Great site.
Sunday, November 18, 2001 -- 13:44:44 (EST)
Name: Kay H. Ginder -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Richlandtown, PA United States
Your pictures are beautiful.
My father Harry E. Arnold used to have grandparents who lived close to the Ringing Rock's and as a teenager he would camp at the Rock's and take people on tour's and explain the rock's to visitor's. That would have been in about 1918 on as he was born in 1906. He and his grandmother Fine used to walk down to the canal with a cart and trade veg's and eggs for what ever they needed. Barefooted lot's of times. His aunt Lillian (nee Fine) Lichleiter lived in the house last, her soon Perry Leichleiter lived at the end of her lane. He is now in Florida. Harry Leichleiter her brother in law I understand is still alive and living in that area.
I hope you find this of interest.
Sincerely,
Kay H. Ginder
Friday, November 16, 2001 -- 21:36:25 (EST)
Name: Gina Buonfiglio -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Boca raton, FLA United States
I was Born and raised in bucks county, i have been in fl for many years and being very homesick this site is wonderful, my father took me to ringing rocks all the time. being able to tour my home from so far away is wonderful.
Friday, November 02, 2001 -- 20:58:07 (EST)
Name: Hank Miller Sr -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Panama City, Fl United States
Class of '56 Central Bucks H.S., Chalfont Elementary class of '52. 8 grades in 4 rooms but one of the bigger schools in the area - inside plumbing!
Returned this summer for 45th H.S. reunion. Visited from downtown Chalfont to Lumberville to Haycock Mountain, Quakertown and in between. The place sure has become populated but the spirit of the people is still there. Thanks Hank.
Thursday, October 25, 2001 -- 20:11:48 (EDT)
Name: jim wooley -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: levittown, pa United States
I love my Home BUCKS how can I help.
Monday, October 08, 2001 -- 23:24:28 (EDT)
Name: Brian Mills -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Haddonfield (from wrightstown, living here temp), NJ United States
Good page!!!! I would like to see some coverage of newtown and wrightstown. there are some especially interesting sights there. for example, the walking purchase memorial. thanks
Tuesday, October 02, 2001 -- 10:01:26 (EDT)
Name: Pearl
Location: , MN United States
Very interesting and waiting to see more pictures. You have a good eye for the camera.
Wednesday, September 26, 2001 -- 11:31:52 (EDT)
Name: Bonnie Ryan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bensalem, PA United States
Awesome page! Thanx for all the info!
Bonnie and Family!
Tuesday, September 25, 2001 -- 13:59:37 (EDT)
Name: Gilda Kessner -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Dallas, Texas United States
Thanks!
Monday, August 20, 2001 -- 16:43:43 (EDT)
Name: David April -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, PA United States
Dear David:
Thank you for including the Mercer Museum, Fonthill Musuem, and the Tile Works on your website. Bucks County is fortunate to have wonderful and unique museums.
There are a few minor factual errors which I wanted to bring to your attention.
1. Henry Mercer studied art and history at Harvard, not archaeology.
2. Mercer attended the Univ. of Pennsylvania, but was never a professor.
3. Mercer did not acquire the vampire killing kit, it was acquired more recently in in 1989.
4. Mercer began experimenting with tile making in 1898, well before he built the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.
5. All three buildings are National Historic Landmarks in addition to being on the National Register.
6. Fonthill should be spelled as one word.
Thank you for the link to our sites, and again, thank you for including the museums on your site.
David's Reply: Thank you for pointing out the errors. I have tried to correct them all.
Thursday, July 26, 2001 -- 14:49:56 (EDT)
Name: Carol
Location: Greeley, United States
I've been researching my husband's family history--the Haworth's. I ran across the Michener family name in this history. Was the writer, Michener a Quaker descendant whose family originated from this area?
David's Reply: According to several web sites about James Michener, he was adopted by Mabel Michener who was indeed Quaker. Whether or not they are related to you is another question that I am unable to answer.
Saturday, June 30, 2001 -- 07:09:26 (EDT)
Name: LARRY PARASH -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA United States
I GREW UP IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. I GET BACK TO ENJOY AND EXPORE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS, I HAVE FAMILY THAT STILL LIVE BACK THERE. FYI I GET THE DELAWARE VALLEY NEWS AND THAT IS WHERE I FOUND THIS GREAT AND INTERSTING SITE. KEEP THE GOOD WORK
Saturday, June 23, 2001 -- 08:21:15 (EDT)
Name: Shawn Marie Baker -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, Pa United States
David,
We moved to Doylestown three years ago and love this historic town. I found your site while looking to get further connected into the community. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this informative site together.
Sincerely,
Shawn Baker
Sunday, June 17, 2001 -- 12:34:01 (EDT)
Name: William L. Heaton -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Florence, Alabama United States
Enjoyed this site. Wanted to check this area out. Was suprised to learn recently that my ancestors came from this area.
Saturday, June 16, 2001 -- 18:12:21 (EDT)
Name: Joyce Daugherty
Location: , Texas United States
I just wanted to say thank you for the history! I am coming to your area in June and wanted to find out some history. Your site was wonderful. I spent a lot of time at your web site picking out things I wanted to see. Thank you for preserving history!
Saturday, June 16, 2001 -- 13:22:02 (EDT)
Name: mary woodruff
Location: middleburg, VA United States
Thanks so much for assembling all the Bucks County information. I thoroughly enjoyed planning my visit there using your web site.
Thursday, June 07, 2001 -- 14:16:18 (EDT)
Name: Karen Corrigan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: New York, New York United States
Dear Dave,
Thanks for the lovely tour of your hometown, I feel like I lived there my whole life already. Steph,Mimi and I feel like we are lost in this big city after that long tour through Buck's County. Where do find the time for this we are all amazed and more importantly help those of us who are computer illiterate-you are talented Dave,Love karen,Steph and Mimi
Saturday, May 12, 2001 -- 07:50:59 (EDT)
Name: Shawn McCreary -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Plumstead Twp, Bucks County, PA United States
Great compilation of Bucks County photographs. I appreciate the effort you put into making this site. I find your site to be one of the best I can find regarding Bucks County. This is a great source for anyone who's never been to Bucks County because the site really provides a great feel for the area. It's great that your maintaining, and updating, the site in your spare time away from the hospital life.
Thank you very much !!!!!
Friday, April 20, 2001 -- 16:01:57 (EDT)
Name: Nicole
Location: , United States
You need to list the New Hope train schudule
David's Reply: I have now added a link to the official website of the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad which contains the train schedule. I hope this helps!
Monday, April 16, 2001 -- 14:24:13 (EDT)
Name: Reid M. Paxson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Plainfield, Illinois United States
My ancestor,James Paxson,arrived in Buck's County in 1682 and died in 1722. In a very small way it is nice to be part of your wonderful heritage.
Wednesday, April 11, 2001 -- 21:42:52 (EDT)
Name: fred delia -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: lansdowne, pa United States
I BUILT A COVERED BRIDGE IN ALBANY TWP PA 30 FT LONG 22 FT UNDER ROOF FINISHED IT JAN 1 2000 AT 12AM I NAMED IT AFTER MY LATE WIFE THE HELEN B DELIA MEMORIAL COVERED BRIDGE BRADFORD CTY PA THANK YOU FRED
Saturday, April 07, 2001 -- 06:53:43 (EDT)
Name: Ken Clark -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: 31 Pocono Heights Drive, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania United States
I am a travel writer interested in doing a column on Ringing Rocks Park, as well as Doylestown and New Hope this summer. I have heard folk tales that witches settled near Ringing Rocks in the early days and that there actually may have been a witch-burning or two there. Can you confirm this and fill me in on that aspect of the park's history? I love your website and comments in your guestbook are almost as good as the information it offers. Any material you can send me at e-mail dafken@enter.net will be deeply appreciated. Many thanks. Ken Clark.
Tuesday, April 03, 2001 -- 15:54:38 (EDT)
Name: Nikki
Location: Spijkenisse, holland
I think it's a thing (I'm not real good with computer terms)
and I used some of the tings you wrote for my paper and I got a B so thanks! And I think it's funny you signed your own guestbook -XXX- Nikki
Saturday, March 31, 2001 -- 15:51:34 (EST)
Name: Jim Hudson -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Wayne, NJ United States
Very nicely put together. Photos and text are interesting and informative. This must go on our "To See" list. Thank you for your efforts in creating the presentation.
Friday, March 30, 2001 -- 11:21:05 (EST)
Name: marcel kneppers -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: almere (next by amsterdam), holland (the netherlands-europe)
hello this is marcel from holland
i speak almost everyday white a woman from bucks county
this coming summer i want to visit here
so i know looking for a hotel and want to know what i have to do there as a tourist. is almost for sure that i come this summer to youre bucks county hahah maybe i sal see you there
you have a great side for somebody as me
thanks you and good luck whit you side and youre live
Thursday, March 15, 2001 -- 15:53:57 (EST)
Name: Gerald J Drake -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Belleville, New Jersey United States
I just saw the episodeof fear on MTV about the Bucks Inn Hotel and was just curios to see it does exist and the possibility of a tour there.I would like to find out anything possible about the Bucks Inn Hotel.
Thank You.
Jerry Drake
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 -- 06:03:09 (EST)
Name: john dietz -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: langhorne, pa, United States
Just checking out Bucks. Nice presentation!!
Monday, February 26, 2001 -- 22:04:47 (EST)
Name: Kevin O'Keefe -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA United States
I like Dave. I like his hometown of Doylestown, PA. Heck, my wife Jill and our five kids may even move there from Seattle -- and that's knowing that Dave doesn't live there anymore.
Monday, February 19, 2001 -- 22:10:35 (EST)
Name: Jonathan Cameron -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Holland, Pa. United States
I desperately need history on all 12 covered bridges in Bucks County. If you could do anything for me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thursday, February 08, 2001 -- 18:21:42 (EST)
Name: vilma demille
Location: nazareth,pa, United States
would like to visit the area
Sunday, January 07, 2001 -- 16:07:47 (EST)
Name: Leslie
Location: Huntington Beach, CA United States
Beautiful. I think I need to visit your gorgeous County!
Sunday, December 31, 2000 -- 09:02:26 (EST)
Name: Paul Barci -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Portland, Oregon United States
I recently relocated here to Portland from Warminster,Bucks County. I was a long time resident of Bucks County and I will always miss it. I speak very frequently to people here about the beauty and richness of history in Bucks County and I'm glad that this page exists so that I'm able to show some of my friends here a little of what my former home is like. The west coast perception of the east coast is that of a very industrialized asphalt and concrete covered existence, which of course we know better. The Portland area is much closer to that than you might imagine. Oregon has it's good points, but could never come close to the overall beauty of Pennsylvania, Bucks County in particular.
Saturday, December 23, 2000 -- 18:12:43 (EST)
Name: Dona Duncan -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, Pa. United States
Just a note to tell you how happy it makes me to see that you share my love for the Bucks County, area. I live in a Fell, house at present. It was once given to Mr. FEll, by William Penn. I have been riding around during the snow storm and taking photos of the area which I one day hope to paint. I have few sheep and a few pigmy goats and a horse and four dogs and a parrot! They are so dear and love being in the country. Only one thing happening in the area is disturbing, and that is the selling of the beautiful land that once housed the deer and the birds, all being ruined and turned into stucco palaces. So, keep up the good work!
Tuesday, December 19, 2000 -- 14:07:20 (EST)
Name: Priscilla Stone Sharp -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Phoenix, AZ United States
Hi, David!
Thank you for this wonderful site! I have been researching the Stone/Stein and related families of Bucks Co. for about 15 years and enjoy going there as often as I can to use the incredibly rich Spruance Library. I find myself getting "homesick" for Bucks Co. often, and now I can pull up your website and beautiful pictures for just a little taste until I can get back there again.
I am also researching and writing an historical novel about Bucks Co. in the mid-1800s so your history and background information was very helpful, too.
Wednesday, December 06, 2000 -- 20:10:55 (EST)
Name: Jay MacAniff
Location: San Francisco, CA United States
I grew up in Bucks County and presently live in San Francisco. It's great to have this site available.
Friday, December 01, 2000 -- 12:15:01 (EST)
Name: Pat
Location: North Cape May, United States
Thanks for your sight well done!
Since we moved from the Doylestown area after living there many years.It was a pleasure to visual look at some memories.
Thanks again for the work & time you spent putting this together.
Thursday, November 30, 2000 -- 08:37:50 (EST)
Name: ed herbs -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: ny, United States
i'm new to bucks county and found your site to be very informative and interesting. you have done a great job. thanks for the tour.
Friday, November 03, 2000 -- 22:31:26 (EST)
Name: Laura -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: , Missouri USA
Great Page....Makes me miss home...I grew up in the Doylestown area
Friday, November 03, 2000 -- 16:24:09 (EST)
Name: Cheryl Bready/Brady Sharples -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Greene, ME United States
I am linked to the Bready family who lived in Bucks County as far back as the 1700s. Breadyville is referred to in the History of Bucks County. I do know that it was located on Bristol Rd. The Bready's were affiliated with the old Neshaminy Presbyterian Church and quite a few Bready's are buried there. I am wondering if any of the old buildings still remain that were referred to "Breadyville". I am taking a college course in Meetings and Conferences and would love to do my class project on a mock reunion in the Bucks County area with references to as much of our history as possible. Any help you may be able to give me would be appreciated.
See entries from:
Monday, October 09, 2000 --
Name: Sue Jones a Doylestown REALTOR -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Doylestown, PA United States
Very informative. I will advise my clients of this page. Thank You.
Sunday, September 17, 2000 -- 20:59:33 (EDT)
Name: pat stover -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: lebanon, tn United States
enjoyed your website....my husband is thomas ralph stover..always wondered if there was any connection ....???..he is from Aliquippa, Pa...grandfather is also Thomas Ralph Stover...any information is appreciated...thanks...Pat Stover
Sunday, September 17, 2000 -- 17:56:29 (EDT)
Name: al shrophire -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Nashville, Tn United States
Thanks David for a nostalgic journey into the past.I lived in Doylestown from 1970 until i moved in 1989.Your photos have brought back many fond memories of a place i STILL call home.
Friday, September 08, 2000 -- 20:56:40 (EDT)
Name: Mary Lee Chittick -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Pipersville, PA United States
Dave, I really enjoyed your site. Although I grew up and still live in the Doylestown area I learned many new and interesting facts. I am particularly interested in the history of Doylestown's architecture since we sell wooden replicas (Cat's Meow Village) here at our business. We have over 35 buildings and I am always looking for additions or facts about certain buildings which is how I found your website. Thanks so much for beautiful photos and history!
Thursday, August 24, 2000 -- 19:11:57 (EDT)
Name: jackie browne -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: fremont / prev. London, Ca / United States / England
I loved the history behind the places I visited and the buildings, bridges etc. I saw
Thanks
Monday, August 07, 2000 -- 00:16:20 (EDT)
Name: Gregg Polites -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: San Diego, CA United States
Thanks for a great tour. I grew up in Doylestown and I'm hoping to visit this year for the first time since '83. I especially liked the picture of the old Girard Bank. I remember the day I saw my very first ATM there!
Saturday, July 29, 2000 -- 15:53:16 (EDT)
Name: Pat Carter -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Naperville, Illinois United States
What a wonderful discovery to find Doylestown on the Web - I am new to the internet and what a wealth of information is has! We lived in Doylestown from 1972-1979 - we've been in Naperville 21 yrs now but we get back east frequently to visit our children and grandchildren. I have fond memories of Doylestown having worked at Doylestown Federal S&L for about 7 yrs. I would love to hear from anyone who reads this and would like to e-mail me.
Tuesday, July 25, 2000 -- 15:30:48 (EDT)
Name: Courtney Bannan Strader -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida United States
I grew up in New Hope and Doylestown.I wish I could express to you the emotional response I had to your photos. You gave me a taste of my life I've yearned for for years. I grew up on Stoney Hill Road in the big gray converted barn. I romped in the creeks and ran through those covered bridges barefoot and performed at the Playhouse most of my life. I have not been back since I graduated college in 1990 and I hear I would be sad to see the loss of the rolling greens hills I explored on horseback and the quiet spots on the toe-path where we used to make-out with boys. Someday I want to come back and buy a summer home, but I hear that the urban sprawl will have eaten most of that chance. Your photographs have at least preserved the true essence of Bucks County...thank you.
Tuesday, July 18, 2000 -- 21:59:14 (EDT)
Name: Judy Corvinelli
Location: Staten Island, New York United States
Hi,
Just to let you know that I enjoyed your web page very much.
My heart goes out to you and everyone in New Hope. I know
how it feels to have your land distroyed by developers.
That is why we are planning to move to Pennsylvania, to a
small town, with rivers and trees. Staten Island is becoming just like Manhatten.
Please keep updating your web page and keep fighting for
New Hope, which we will be visiting tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Judy Corvinelli
Thursday, June 22, 2000 -- 03:55:56 (EDT)
Name: M Christman
Location: Eton, Berkshire United Kingdom
Thanks for a wonderful page, I moved to Doylestown in 1960 at the age of 12... and have lived in Bucks County until recently. England is lovely and breathes history... which is wonderful.. but there really is no place like home...
Friday, May 26, 2000 -- 12:31:47 (EDT)
Name: cynthia -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: Princeton Jct., NJ United States
What a wonderful surprise to find your site via a friend. Living in Lahaska I can't tell you what a delight it was to see the pictures of the sheep farm. I pass this many times on bicycle trips. I certainly intend to keep intouch via your web site...Thank you for the enjoyable few minutes I sat and enjoyed the pictures...
Wednesday, May 03, 2000 -- 00:32:12 (EDT)
Name: jan riley carroll -- Email: [Contact David Hanauer for this email address]
Location: kirkland, wa United States
Thank you David. I've really enjoyed all your pictures of Bucks County. Though I haven't been in Bucks County in many years, I think it is one of the greatest places to live and I still miss it. I'm going to see if I can find some cheap fares from Seattle to Philadelphia. Thanks again. Jan