The Journal of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc. Beam www.njlhs.org THE LIGHT ON TURTLE ROCK Judi Kearney, courtesy of Lighthouse Digest, East Machias, Maine Philadelphia- City of Brothery Love, rich in the history and tradi- tourist attraction in the summer months. With all the new maritime tion that helped shape our country. Does it surprise you that Phila- activity drawing Philadelphians to the river bands, it is not surpris- delphia has its own lighthouse? ing that the Fairmount Park Commissioners recognized a need to provide security and safety for all citizens enjoying the river. Ideas Well, it surprised me-and I’ve lived in the Delaware Valley all my began to appear in the minutes of Commission meetings for a bea- life. Even after I yielded to the mystique that draws one to light- con light near Turtle Rock-a formation of rock above the boat- house history, and began making regular pilgrimages up and down houses, shaped like a giant tortoise shell. At a meeting of the Com- the Eastern coast of the US, I didn’t take notice the little lighthouse mittee on Plans and Improvements for the Fairmount Park Com- at the end of Boathouse Row until about a year ago. Driving on the mission in July, 1881, a request was made for $1,500, “for the Schuylkill Expressway, toward the safety of the suburbs, I noticed construction of a lighthouse at Turtle Rock on the river near the a beacon light, winking at me from its station on the river bank. I Boat Houses.” Classified as necessary, but not urgent, the project began my research into the history of the little lighthouse on the was delayed, and there’s no further mention of the lighthouse until Schuylkill. February 8, 1887, when Park Commission minutes acknowledge Just beyond the towering skyline of Philadelphia, lies Fairmont acceptance of a proposal for construction of a lighthouse at Turtle Park, or “Faire Mont” as it was originally named, encompassing Rock. The minutes of the June 14, 1887 meeting reveal that “the both shores of the Schuylkill River, the Wissahickon Creek, and Chief Engineer reported verbally on the beacon light and shelter wrapping its 8,700 acres around the City of Brotherly Love. As recently constructed by Frank Thurwanger.” The lighthouse was in city limits burgeoned in the early 19th century, wealthy families full operation by August, 1887-the total cost was $2,663.00. purchased land overlooking the river, and built summer homes- Originally surrounded by a wooden pavilion/shelter, it is currently stately mansions that provided an escape from bustling city streets, enclosed by the last clubhouse built in Fairmont Park. The Sedgeley cool river breezes for boating in the summer, and ice skating in the Club was granted permission to build adjacent to the lighthouse in winter. The early 1800’s brought a new appreciation of the river, 1902-03, ending development along the banks of the river. and boating clubs began to spring up along the river’s edge. Boat- house Row became an important center for the sport of sculling, As lighthouses go, it’s not large or and clubhouses for the rowers were built at the river’s edge. overpowering. The brick tower has 2 arched openings at different lev- The Schuylkill was also a working river. It was used by the els, which provide light to the stair- Schuylkill Navigation Company as part of an extensive canal sys- way. There is an 8-sided walkway tem, and for more than 75 years, brought anthracite coal from up- surrounding the 6-sided beacon light. state Carbon County to Philadelphia industry. It was originally constructed to house The Schuylkill a gas-lamp, but reconstruction in River underwent a Mike Boucher Photo 1990 provided electricity to the substantial change tower. in 1820, when the The lighthouse has been cared for by erection of the the members of the Sedgely Club, Mike Boucher Photo Fairmount Water- who celebrated the little light’s 100th works and Dam al- A close up of the light tower at birthday in October, 1987. In 1990, tered the river from Turtle Rock after successful fundraising efforts, a tidal stream to a the wooden balustrade and newel posts were replaced, the beacon long freshwater was electrified, and the crumbling brick was re-pointed. lake. The Water- A sculler goes up the Schuykill River in front of works helped to es- Although the beacon shines on social events only, its light is a Turtle Rock Lighthouse tablish a new trans- gentle reminder of the vision of early Park Commissioners, who portation system on the Schuylkill River-steamboats. Carrying tex- felt compelled to provide for the safety of all persons on the river. tiles downriver in the spring and fall, steamboats became a popular Continued on page 2 Number 70 The Beam December 2007 It’s unbelievable that two years have send it to us! This is YOUR newsletter, and we want to hear from From passed and eight issues of The Beam have you! been completed since that cold December Thank you, once again, to Mike Boucher who spends countless the day at Sandy Hook when I volunteered to hours designing each issue, and continuously comes up with new ’’’ be “temporary editor”. This has been quite Editor s ideas to keep this an interesting piece of reading material for you. Desk... a learning experience for all of us who have [email protected] been involved in getting this publication I wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season and I look forward to you. to hearing from you in 2008! Thank you to all of you who’ve contrib- LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT uted your stories and photos. Without your contributions, we would have nothing to send out! PLEASE keep What a weekend! them coming…give us something to work with! If you have one If there was ever a reason to feel proud of our Society, the 2007 photo that you want to share, send it to us…if you had a day or Challenge has accomplished that. While the figures are not tallied weekend trip to a lighthouse, write it up and share your yet, this was definitely the largest participation in the eight years experience…if you heard something or saw something in the news, that NJLHS has sponsored it. The Beam, the official journal of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc., is Congratulations to Doreen Berson and Laura Portée for the dili- published quarterly, March, June, September and December. Membership dues gence, resourcefulness and hours of work they put into planning are $20.00 single and $25.00 family, and are for the calendar year. Back issues are and preparing for the Challenge and to the volunteers who put so available free for members joining mid-year. All materials are copyrighted and many hours in to make it happen. The Challenge drew more par- cannot be borrowed or reproduced without permission of the New Jersey Lighthouse ticipants than ever before to New Jersey and its lighthouses. Thank Society. The NJLHS - New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc., is a non-profit you all! educational corporation (501c3). The original purpose of the Challenge was to bring people to the OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS New Jersey Lighthouses and to stimulate visitations and financial President Yvonne Miller Thies (609) 654-2585 assistance to each of them. We certainly have accomplished that. 1st Vice President Mary Beth Doherty (973) 966-5573 There is no fundraiser that the Society could run that would ben- 2nd Vice President Brett Franks (856) 256-0881 efit each lighthouse organization in the State as the Challenge does. Recording Secty. Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 The financial benefit to each one is evident in the donations and Corresponding Secty. Laura Portée (908) 222-0107 Treasurer Debbie Megonigal (609) 268-0779 merchandise sales that occur on the Challenge weekend. Let’s give Board Member Tom Laverty (732) 872-2966 ourselves a pat on the back and then prepare for next year’s Chal- Board Member Doreen Berson (732) 202-7420 lenge. Board Member Cindy Mitzen (908) 281-6879 By the time this issue of The Beam is published, it will be Decem- Board Member Jim Cope (609) 587-6266 Board Member Marion Hudspeth (609) 877-1393 ber, another holiday season and year end. I want to express my appreciation to the members of the Board, the Standing Committee COMMITTEES Chairpersons and the wonderful membership of the Society for Archivist Vacant their support to me as president. It has been a good year and I hope Challenge Co-Chair Doreen Berson (732) 202-7420 that next year continues to be better. To you and all of your fami- Challenge Co-Chair Laura Portée (908) 222-0107 lies, my family and I wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a Pros- Comm. Outreach Chair Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 perous New Year. Educational Outreach Bill Volpe (732) 846-2196 Historian Jack Slavin (856) 858-1956 Yvonne M. Thies Hospitality Chair Martha Brown (609) 877-0134 Membership Chair Mary Beth Doherty (973) 966-5573 Turtle Rock Preservation Chair Brett Franks (856) 256-0881 Continued from Page 1 Program Chair Vacant Publicity Chair Betty Smith (856) 546-7810 It is our mission now, as lighthouse devotees, to preserve the his- Sandy Hook Coord. Al Smith (856) 546-7810 tory and vision which formed the foundations of the light towers, The Beam Editor Mary Beth Doherty (973) 966-5573 and molded lives of dedication in the keepers and families who lit The Beam Designer Mike Boucher (845) 787-4807 the lights.