Sunday walk in the park pics

[Ralphie ★]

The park is built on the site of an old race track from the 50s. They used to have a lot of plaques like these but this is fittingly the only one left. They originally raced bikes, then stock cars. 

The tree lost a lot in compression. It has weird little leafy bloomy things. 

[AirwickWithCheese]

Quite nice, thank you.   

People steal those plaques for the history. Wrong but they look great in mancaves and are one of a kind items.  

[Ralphie ★]

In the 1888 George Washing Carr purchased 192 acres of land (including what was known as Wyne’s Mill Pond) and with his brother, Dr. Henry H. Carr formed a partnership to run what would become Alcyon Park… He gave the name “Alcyon” to the Lake and Park, [He dropped the “h” from the word “halycon” because it was easier to pronounce] when it was opened in 1892. Over time Alcyon Lake and Park included a lake for fishing and boating, a boardwalk, bath house, merry-go-round, bowling alleys, casino, roller-skating rink, and other amusement rides. In July 1905, a sham naval battle, “The Fall of Port Arthur,” was performed on Alcyon Lake by the “cottagers.” Grange Fairs were also held at this location in the 1920’s which included endurance auto driving. Horse racing was held here in the 1930’s. During the 1930’s attendance dropped. On July 7, 1945 the Park which had been taken over for tax liens, was sold at public auction for $5,200. ~ Pitman History – njrootsweb

The track expanded over the years, from the original 1/3 of a mile track (for bikes) to a 1/2 mile so that horses could race as well (and eventually, cars).  This is the size track so clearly seen on the topo map above with our hiking track.  After WWII, the track was a racing mecca of sorts for lots of talented drivers.  If you want to read stories of those days, there is a great site called 3 Wide’s Picture Vault that collects folks pictures and memories of the track from the 1940s and 50s.

Anyway, we had no idea of the history when we started our walk.  We started at the boat launch at the lake, parking in the small lot nearest to that point.

[AirwickWithCheese]

bump

[Airehead]

I love local history blurbs like this.