July 10, 2014
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
July 10, 2014
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.
Speaker: John Layton, “DL&W Railroad and the Resorts of the Poconos”
Attendance: 98
The meeting was called to order by Rick Bodenschatz. John Kaltenthaler led the Pledge of Allegiance. 98 members and guests were in attendance.
Announcements: Rick announced that HATT will have a postcard table at the Community Day event. He also noted that the fire department will be having a fireworks display at dusk. He reminded those in attendance that he is need of volunteers to catalog the archives onto a computer. Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact Rick or Fred Lehrer. The board of directors is working on securing a list of nominees for officers for next year. Elections will be held at the September meeting. Committee chairpersons are also needed and anyone interested should contact Rick.
The board has also reviewed and suggested some changes to the by-laws. One change is that we have our annual meeting changed to September when more members are in attendance. Another recommendation is that we combine the HATT board to include the three directors, four officers, and the immediate past president. Also in the future there will be only one class of membership.
If an officer is not able to complete his term with more than six months remaining, a nominating committee will be used to fill the slot. If less than six months remains, the president will appoint a replacement. An activities committee will be formed and co-chairs will be in charge of monthly meetings.
A quorum for meetings is 25 and for board meetings will be five. Copies of all these changes to the by-laws will be emailed/snail mailed to the membership.
Upcoming Events: Fred Lehrer reminded those in attendance of the upcoming events.
Bruce Denlinger will give a talk on Benjamin Franklin on July 17 and July 22 at 5:30 p.m.
On August 14 will be our annual picnic, which will include a short talk on Boy Scouting. (If you plan to attend the picnic, if your last name begins with the letters A-L please bring a salad to share. If your name begins with the letters M-Z please bring a dessert.)
On August 21 and August 26, Fred Lehrer will talk about the Wright Brothers and the Flight of History.
Speaker: The speaker for the evening, John Layton, gave an informative talk on the DL&W Railroad and how it related to the resorts in the Poconos.”
In the early 1900s, the railroads were built to transport coal, ice, and timber to the cities. However, because the railroads were also in locations with clean air, fresh vegetables, and tranquility, the Quakers and others began coming to the Poconos from New York and Philadelphia to enjoy the benefits of rural living in the summer.
The Delaware Water Gap became the gateway to the Poconos. The train traveled west through Stroudsburg, Henryville, Buck Hill, and other villages until a final stop at Pocono Summit. At each of the train stops, many resorts were built to accommodate the guests. The popularity of the resorts lasted until the end of World War II, when roads were built and people with their own cars became more mobile.
Sadly, most of the resorts were destroyed by fire due to the large fireplaces used to heat them.
Following a question- and-answer period, Fred Lehrer presented John with a plaque of appreciation for his presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. by Rick Bodenschatz.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Dyer, HATT Secretary
