The Old Court House

The following article on the 1st Gloucester County Court House in Woodbury appeared in the June 2013 Bulletin (Vol. 33 No. 8) of the Gloucester County Historical Society which is printed for their members. I'm going to also publish the article here but would like to urge you to check out all that the Historical Society offers and consider becoming a member. Their library and museum are wonderful for anyone remotely interested in the local history of Gloucester County and surrounding communities. Membership fees are very reasonable and are comparably little for all that they continue to do in the name of archiving and preserving our vanishing history. http://www.gchsnj.org

  

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As early as 1694, during America's Colonial period, the first permanent court house building in Gloucester County stood in Gloucester Town, now Gloucester City. A court house in one location or another managed to exist here for nearly a century. However, numerous fires seemed to plague the court house buildings in Gloucester Town and the final blow occurred on March 7th, 1786 when the court house along with its adjacent jail, stocks, and whipping posts were burnt to the ground; the conflagration having allegedly been started by a disgruntled horse thief. Afterwards some discussion occurred between county officials whether to rebuild the court house in Gloucester, where it had already been rebuilt a few times after the previous fires, or to relocate to a different town all together. It was eventually decided Freeholders petition legislature for a move of the county seat, and after permission granted, a vote in favor of Woodbury ruled. Shortly thereafter, at a meeting held in the Bulls Eye Tavern in Woodbury, county officials reached an agreement to purchase for erection of a court house 60 perch or rods of land from the Bispham family for £50; a plot originally a part of a two hundred acre plantation owned by Thomas Matthews. It was added in the agreement that a road was to be constructed along the edge of the property. This road by 1802 was known as the Lombardy Highway, but was later renamed Delaware Street.

Freeholder meetings were temporarily held in a public house then known as The Hessian Defeated at Red Bank (now Charlie Brown’s) until the new court house was finished in March, 1787. "The cost of the Court House and Gaol, as changed from pounds, shillings and pence to dollars and cents, seems to have been $12,286.10, as shown by memorandum made in Minute Book by John M. Saunders" (F. H. . Stewart (Ed.), 1917). The structure was built 35 by 40 feet in an Adamesque, AKA Federal, Colonial-style from red bricks burned on the nearby John B. Jessup farm. It stood two-stories tall with a grand portico entryway, paired chimneys, and classic keystone lintels over 9/9 and 9/6 paned, double-hung sash windows on the 1st and 2nd floors respectively. An impressively high clock tower steeple topped by a weathervane which at least doubled the building's height, was added in 1850 (at a cost of $741.81) to replace the original steeple which by then had decayed. In 1858 the only major alteration to the building was made when a portion of the rear or west wall was removed to encompass a semicircular recess for the better accommodation of the bench. Later, in 1862 the new steeple was struck by lightning and the arrester point was melted. Later still in 1884 an earthquake rocked the court house "like a cradle." Despite these near tragedies, Woodbury's Colonial-era court house faithfully served the public for many years, but not  completely without opposition. As early as 1850 many in the community began to voice their concern that the building had outgrown its usefulness. In 1881 Justice Parker deemed the building unsafe, but it was not until May, 1885 that it was officially decided to erect a new building. After a bidding process, construction began in October 1885 on a larger Hazlehurst and Huckel-designed Victorian-style Romanesque building. The "New Court House" was built behind the Civil War Soldiers' Monument (erected in 1867) adjacent to the now "Old Court House." Although the new building began construction in 1885 and was completed in 1886, the original court house was permitted to stand alongside until 1887, in order for it to reach its 100 year old mark.

A rare glimpse inside the Colonial
courtroom in Woodbury

In February, 1887 the building was auctioned off with the requirement that it be removed within forty days. The winning bid at $225 was placed by Benajah W. Andrews, a Philadelphia merchant and residence of Woodbury who stated he wanted the lumber and stone for his own personal use. A public auction of furniture and architectural components was held and the items were promptly scattered throughout town. The following contains a description and, where possible, last known location of items from the court house purchased in the auction. Some of these architectural components can still be found in Woodbury today. W. A. Flanigan bought the stone door-sill which he used as a carriage stepping stone at his Euclid Street home. A blue-gray "1787" carved stepping stone was used in front of B. W. Andrews’ residence also on Euclid, but is now located in front of the Gloucester County Historical Society Library. Nearby is an iron foot scraper from the original court house which was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Blank of Media, PA in 1973. It is currently located in front of a side door at the Hunter/Lawrence/Jessup house, Gloucester County Historical Society's museum. B. W. Andrews had the original court house window lintels placed within the sidewalk on Hunter Street adjacent to his Euclid St. residence and they can still be found there to this day (Update they were removed in 2022 during a sidewalk repaving project). Gus Prehl purchased the portico, but where it wound up is a mystery. This is also the case for the clock mechanism which was removed and stored in a "dry place;" its location never again discovered. The original 1787 cornerstone was placed alongside its 1885 counterpart in the "New Court House." The weathervane was placed on top of the cupola of the Newton Hotel stables but was removed when R. Weaver sold the hotel and most likely with him it traveled. The bricks of the court house were reused in the Edison electric light station which once sat on Smallwood Place, a small thoroughfare behind the current high school. It has also been reported that the iron fencing around the court house, originally added in 1880 to replace the rustic fence of cedar posts and Lombardy poplars, wound up at the Mickle-Summerill house and grounds. If true, these can still be found around the property on the NE corner of Broad and Newton. The original bell which cost £30 at the time of hanging around 1792 was sold for $54 dollars in 1816 and another bell was ordered from Philadelphia bell maker Thomas W. Levering for the price of $359. It was later recommissioned as the fire bell for the Goodwill Fire Co. #2 in North Woodbury and in 2007, after Goodwill was shut down, the 1816 court house bell was refurbished and now sits in the Justice Complex on Hunter Street. According to a Gloucester County Times article the bell was restored by the McShane Bell Company of Baltimore, the same company that originally bid for the bell to be used as scrap 120 years earlier! Gladly they were outbid.

It is a pity this fine example of Colonial era architecture was not preserved for future generations to experience. The "Old Court House" building was not unlike Independence Hall, its contemporary in Philadelphia, in both architectural style and of local importance. Many letters were received and printed attesting the demolition in local papers. Alternate proposals such as the building to be used as a location for the public library were suggested, but none were taken seriously and the building was lost in the name of progress. One particularly poignant letter printed in the Constitution in 1886 reminisced, "How many anniversaries of American Independence have been celebrated within its time-honored walls? How many times has the old bell rang out its merry peals of greeting at the dawning of that "Natal Day?" While cannon and small arms, rockets and other fire works have illumined those windows from which hung beautiful banners, a sheen of glory reflected back upon the scene from roof and spire, kissed by the rising sun. [...] Flowers entwined with the "National Ensign" have graced and beautified its interiors, while soldiers with gay uniforms and nodding plumes have welcomed with martial music and the loud huzza, the arrival of many a patriot of the Revolution and the later wars." In 1935, the Honorable David O. Watkins, U.S. District Attorney, 38th Governor of N.J., and charter member of the Gloucester County Historical Society, regretfully stated that he "could have saved the venerable old building" had he realized the historical value at the time. Fortunately, as mentioned above, the few remaining physical remnants from the original Woodbury court house can still be found scattered throughout the city today and may serve to remind us of Woodbury's rich Colonial history. Why not visit these small pieces of history before they too are lost to the ages.

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Colonial vs. Victorian
A shot showing the court houses of two eras
that existed briefly side-by-side in 1886-1887

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Original 1787 cornerstone embedded in current court house.

1816 Thomas W. Levering of Philadelphia bell from original court house on display in the Gloucester County Justice Complex

reverse side of original court house bell

Original keystone lintels from the Colonial court house embedded on the corner sidewalk of Hunter and Euclid Streets

1787 stepping stone currently in front of GCHS Library

Original court house boot scraper currently at side door of GCHS Museum (Hunter/Lawrence/Jessup house)

2022 Update: the old court house lintels have been removed from the sidewalk during a recent repaving project - currently sitting in a vacant lot.

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Cushing, T., & Shepard, C. E. (1883). History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey : With biographical sketches of their prominent citizens.Woodbury, NJ: Gloucester County Historical Society.

Ernest , J. A., & Zimmerman, M. O. (1963, Sep). The court houses of old Gloucester county. Bulletin of the Gloucester County Historical Society

Ernest , J. A., & Zimmerman, M. O. (1963, Dec). The colonial court house. Bulletin of the Gloucester County Historical Society

Hoelle, E. (1973, Dec). Library dedication. Bulletin of the Gloucester County Historical Society

McCarthy, P. (2007, May 27). County’s old bell makes a move. Gloucester County Times 

(1917). F. H. Stewart (Ed.), Notes on old Gloucester county: New Jersey (Vol. 1). Camden, NJ: Sinnickson Chew & Sons Company

(1924). A. Heston (Ed.), South Jersey: A history 1664-1924 (Vol. 1). New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company.

Simpson, H. B. (Ed.). (1965). Under four flags: Old Gloucester county, 1686-1964. Camden, NJ: Sinnickson Chew & Sons Co.

The old court house. (1886, Nov 10). Constitution

Top Illustration: 1868 edition of Barber and Howe's Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey

Gone but Not Forgotten: Peppermint Hill

This beautiful Victorian era residence that once stood on the NE corner of Cooper and Maple was built by Doctor J. Foster Flagg circa 1877. G. G. Green's son Harry Brown Green later owned and occupied the house. At one point the property as evidenced by the map below stretched from Cooper Street to Hunter Street, before the creation of Holroyd Place. According to a hand written inscription attached to a photo (see below) from Green family collection at the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, the house may have been known, at least informally, as Hillcrest, but was most commonly referred to as Peppermint Hill. It sat directly across the street from G.G. Green's mansion Gray Towers, creating a pleasing view from both residences, not to mention passersby! Later on this grand building was the home of the William Stokes Bonsal Post, no. 133, America Legion and practice place for the Bonsal Blues Band.

Illustration from the 1889 Green's August Flower Almanac
showing back of Gray Towers and front of Peppermint Hill in background

Peppermint Hill on the left from 1886 Woodbury map

another view of Peppermint Hill bottom left from 1886 Woodbury map

View of Hillcrest/Peppermint Hill from porch of Gray Towers dated 1917
photo courtesy: Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum

1876 Map of Woodbury showing extent of the Flagg property

1903 Woodbury Daily Times Death Notice for Dr. Flagg

Peppermint Hill today, Lakefront condos and apartments

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Sands, R. W. (2006). Woodbury: Images of America. (p. 128). Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing

Gone but Not Forgotten: Speakman House

This fine Second Empire Victorian era residence once stood on the SW corner of Euclid and Hunter. It was the home of the Woodbury Country Club president, William E. Speakman and his family. It was unfortunately lost to fire in the 1990's after it had been previously converted into apartments, and is now the site of yet another parking lot.

historic view

....as it appeared in 1984

 

... and now.

Woodbury (N.J.). (1971). Century of progress: Woodbury, N.J., 1871-1971. Woodbury, N.J: The Committee.

Preservation Potentials: 220 Hunter St.

NOVEMBER 2012 UPDATE: CURRENTLY OFF MARKET

Attention: Victorian House Lovers, Steampunks, Anglophiles, and fellow appreciators of all things antique! I'm not sure old-house hunters outside the immediate area realize the unique architectural offerings Woodbury, NJ has in store. In some cases these houses will require a little creativity to restore them to their former glory, but most will have retained a large semblance of the magnificent days of English-inspired American architecture, for a fraction of the cost found in other areas.

Our Preservation Potentials feature this time around is the lovely and seemingly immaculate 220 Hunter Street, a 2083 square foot Victorian abounding with original exterior and interior details! Our last post highlighted Woodbury's wonderful lake system and now here's your chance to live right across from it! The photos speak for themselves, but the listing goes on to mention: Wonderful Covered Front Porch Greets You First, Then Enter The Front Parlor With Its Wood Flooring,Elegant Staircase And High Ceilings. Walk Through Into The Second Parlor Again With High Ceilings And Wood Floor And Trim, Complete With Quaint Window Alcove. The Large Diningroom Has A Side Porch Adding Yet Another Victorian Touch. The Eat In Kitchen Has Two Ceiling Fans, Stainless Stove And Built-In Microwave . The Large Wooden Deck Is Just Out The Kitchen Door, Ready To Entertain And Enjoy The Views From The Lake That Is Within A Few Steps of This Home. The Second Floor Holds Three Generous Sized Bedrooms With Ample Closets And A Full Bath With Claw Footed Tub And Pedestal Sink. The Third Floor Offers The Master Bedroom With Separate Sitting Room That Overlooks The Fenced Back Yard. You Can Walk Downtown, To The Schools At Either End of The Street Or Just Meander Around The Beautiful Lakeside Areas Just Steps Away. Just recently put on the market for $185,000, check the full listing HERE.

It is my opinion that reviving a once grand city is a community effort that largely starts at home. Vested homeowners that value the history and heritage of their house and who treat their home as an extension of the family and not just some place to crash, can and do make a difference. Preserve the past, to better the future!

Frank H. Stewart & Woodbury's Lake System

a section of Hunter St. Lake historically known as Hester's Branch

Having done some research for a recent request from a Gloucester County Times columnist regarding some background for Woodbury's lovely Stewart Lake and who it was named after, I thought I'd also post here what I've learned. The man-made system of lakes lying east of the city, known as Stewart Memorial Lake and Park, and the Hunter Street Lake and Sanctuary, exist today thanks to Frank H. Stewart, a former Woodbury resident, Philadelphia-based electrician, historian, and avid fisherman. After his death in 1948, his will provided for a trust fund for the preservation of land adjacent to water for public parks and wildlife preservation areas. This trust fund has been used to purchase much of the open space in Gloucester County, as well as land in Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem and Cape May Counties.

Ye Olde Mint with Frank H.
Stewart Electric Co. on right

Frank H. Stewart, born in 1873, spent a greater part of his life on the forefront of historic preservation. However this particular interest of his had a rocky start. At some point in the early 20th century Stewart acquired the lands which housed the first US mint located at 7th and Filbert, Philadelphia; the first Federal building erected by the U.S. Government under the Constitution in 1792. The Frank H. Stewart Electric Co. was operated out of a building adjacent to the old mint. Stewart pleaded with the government to have the mint restored or relocated, but this never happened and Stewart finally demolished the structures himself. Whole books alone have been written on why he did this. One can speculate the action, perhaps, to illustrate the importance of setting up historic preservation programs or to serve as a wake-up-call of sorts. He did however save many artifacts and had many works of art commissioned to commemorate "Ye Olde Mint" before and after its demolition.

He went on to amend his early action by such acts as becoming the president of the Gloucester County Historical Society, the establishment of a room and vault for county historic records known as Room 202 in the Gloucester County Courthouse, and the purchase of the Hunter-Lawrence-Jessup house to serve as the Gloucester County Historical Society's museum. He also published many historic books on Woodbury and the surrounding area, such as "A brief account of Woodbury Creek Dam" in 1919. He had his home, the beautiful Georgian Revival at 510 Cooper St., Woodbury, built in 1914. It was designed by local architect Charles R. Peddle who was also responsible for 275 Cooper (Judge Starr home), the harmonious west wing addition to the City Hall building, the Gloucester County Building (across from Friendship Firehouse), the high school and many other early 20th century structures around town. It was originally named "Rugby Pines" but is now commonly referred to as the "Rowan House" as it was purchased by Rowan University in 2000 for the their president to live in. UPDATE: This house is currently for sale for $699,000. UPDATE January 2014: The house has been purchased by the Diocese of Camden for the new Bishop's residence. Frank Stewart willed most of his private collection to the university when he died, where their library retains a special collections room in his name to this day.

"Rugby Pines" 510 Cooper Street

a section of old Hester's Branch

Hunter Street Lake and Bird Sanctuary

Before the establishment of the lake system, Woodbury's waterways were defined by the natural formation of the various runoffs from the main Woodbury Creek tributary of the Delware River, such as Hester's Branch (see Hopkins, 1877 map below.) In 1959 Trustees of the estate of the late Frank Stewart donated approximately 20 acres of undeveloped land along E. Red Bank Ave to the City. They also donated north from Hunter St. to the railroad bridge, a section of Hester's Branch, for a game refuge and bird sanctuary in 1962. This area beside natural growth was landscaped previously by a Conservancy group with white and red dogwoods, willows, oaks, maples, birches, hawthorns, hemlocks, Douglas fir, cedars, cypress, Franklina, white pine, Austrian pine, hollys, and other varieties of trees and shrubs. The Frank H. Stewart Memorial Lake and Park project was finished in 1964. Stewart was also responsible for the later care and replanting of the infamous Lover's Lane, near "Rugby Pines." This particular lane was popular with the local couples as it provided a romantic and shady place to step out. The image (see below) was reproduced often on postcards of the day.

a section of an 1877 map of Woodbury
showing natural creek formation
before lake system development (Hopkins, 1877)

trying to make sense of it all... (Woodbury, 2012)
the small lake below the Cooper Street marker was historically
known as Green's Lake.

Frank H. Stewart room . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rowan.edu/mars/library/policies_services/special_collections/stewart.htm

Hopkins, G. M. (1877). City of Woodbury: Gloucester county [map]. In G. M. Hopkins, Atlas of Philadelpia and environs. Philadelphia: F. Bourquin steam lithographic press. (pgs. 48-49).

Woodbury, NJ. (1963). Woodbury, New Jersey annual report: Lakes, parks and recreation. Woodbury, NJ.

Woodbury, NJ. (29 Apr. 2012). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved from http://maps.google.com/maps?q=stewart+lake+woodbury,+nj&hl=en&ll=39.841166,-75.141764&spn=0.033479,0.079823&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.357014,81.738281&t=h&hnear=Stewart+Lake&z=14

Preservation Potentials: 108 Euclid & 78 Hunter

Attention: Victorian House Lovers, Steampunks, Anglophiles, and fellow appreciators of all things antique! I'm not sure old-house hunters outside the immediate area realize the unique architectural offerings Woodbury, NJ has in store. In some cases these houses will require a little creativity to restore them to their former glory, but most will have retained a large semblance of the magnificent days of English-inspired American architecture, for a fraction of the cost found in other areas.

Today we feature two historic houses right next to each other, both for sale. These particular buildings are listed at a higher cost than what we usually feature here for the Preservation Potentials posts, but it is not often you find restored turn-key Queen Anne Victorian houses side-by-side offered for sale. These two buildings were last used as professional offices, but both feature ample living space as well. They are located at the NE corner of Hunter St. and Euclid St., adjacent to the Gloucester County Justice Complex. As of June 30, 2013 the Gloucester County Jail has closed. No inmates of any kind are held in the Justice Complex center, making these houses even more attractive.

 

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The Albert Dell House located at 78 Hunter is a magnificent circa 1890, 3 story Queen Anne with unique corner tower and lots of original features. In its current setup, the building contains 2 large conference rooms, reception and waiting area, kitchen and powder room on main floor; 3 large offices with plenty of closet space, copy area, and full bath on second floor; and 3 or 4 additional office spaces on third floor. Ample file storage in basement. Beautiful and original woodwork throughout. Dual staircase in front and rear of interior leading to second floor. Parking lot attached for off street parking. Nicely landscaped with sprinkler system. Security system in place. Listed HERE for $375,000 $345,000 $295,000!!

 

 

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108 Euclid is a lovely 3 story Queen Anne building featuring original woodwork, inlay flooring, windows, etc throughout, with several gas and faux fireplaces. Set up as professional office, it features a large reception area, several large conference rooms and 8+ offices. There is a kitchen on the main floor and 2 kitchenettes on the second and third, with a bathroom on every level. Handicap access and modifications present. Large basement with ample file storage. Listed HERE for $550,000 $460,000 $395,000!!

 

 

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It is my opinion that reviving a once grand city is a community effort that largely starts at home. Vested homeowners that value the history and heritage of their house and who treat their home as an extension of the family and not just some place to crash, can and do make a difference. Preserve the past, to better the future!

Bird's Eye View 1886 style

Below is a small excerpt from the amazingly detailed historic panoramic map of the City of Woodbury created by O.H. Bailey and Co. in 1886. One can clearly see how navigable and important Woodbury Creek was in those days and how many businesses used the watery thoroughfare to their advantage. I would personally love to see some kind of ferry service to Philadelphia restored, but not sure to what extent the creek has changed over the many years to allow such travel.

click image for larger version

Other points of interest on the map are the original covered bridge on Broad Street over the creek and the trellis bridge on Hunter over the railroad tracks. Note Newton Avenue, a prominent Victorian street parallel and between Hunter and Cooper streets, was not yet created. The view is towards the East. What else do you see? Feel free to comment!

The full version of the map is freely available from the inimitable Library of Congress HERE.