The Magical Land of Lahaway

[Ben Ruset]

My latest area of research has been Lahaway. Beck talks about it in "Forgotten Towns" and recalls the story of J. Turner Brakeley, the hermit of Lahaway who gave up a life of Bordendown society and education to become a recluse and one of New Jersey's first naturalists.

Much of the land in the area is now owned by Great Adventure. There is a private campground (with what I assume to be year-long residents) at the site where I believe J. Turner's home site to be. The rest of the land is part of the Coliers Mills WMA.

You can view my photo album from todays trip here. The really interesting thing about this area is that it's really hilly. One rise that I call "Brakeleys Hill" in honor of the man who devoted his life to the protection of this area is 223' above sea level.

John Fabiano, president of the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society, has been kind enough to allow me to reprint an article originally published in the Allentown Messenger in 1916 by R.P. Dow, friend to J. Turner, and secretary of the Brooklyn Entomological Society and member of the American Museum of Natural History. The article is in 10 parts, and I will publish a new part each day until they are all done. It's long, but it goes into greater detail and depth than Beck's chapter in Forgotten Towns does.

Look for the article on the front page.

 

[BEHR655]

Nice artical Ben and great pictures too. I was looking at the pictures earlier and now know what they are all about.

Steve

 

[Teegate]

Great photo's. That is a really interesting dam, and hill.

Can't wait to read all 10.

Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

The hill really is cool. IIRC it is higher than the FR Mountains.

 

[bobpbx]

Is that the area just north of 537 Ben? I think I have been to that bridge you parked your jeep by. There were a few appliances in the water when I was there, and I remember thinking how strong the flow of water was. Its more toward 539 than East, right?

 

[Ben Ruset]

Is that the area just north of 537 Ben? I think I have been to that bridge you parked your jeep by. There were a few appliances in the water when I was there, and I remember thinking how strong the flow of water was. Its more toward 539 than East, right?

It's actually South of 537. Right down Reed Road.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...w3gQ8o1HVIBEJZxpXlLMZIBx7My%2bwtHCgrxIA%3d%3d

Reed Road is weird. It goes into the woods as a dirt road, becomes paved, and then dirt again.

The water does flow pretty strong. The lake is up higher than the bridge. I believe that that "lake" was once a cranberry bog.

 

[Ben Ruset]

Part 2 is up.

 

[bobpbx]

Reading part 2 really grabbed my interest, especially this paragraph:

"To the east Mr. Brakeley bought a piece of wild land to give him the height whereon he built his lookout tower. To the north he bought a piece lest some lumberman cut timber, whereas the Master of Lahaway never allowed a stick to be felled. To the west he bought a very long narrow strip of land from twofold motive. The ladyslipper orchids grew on it, and he wished to prevent their being picked. Also his purchase would keep neighbors and highways away. To the south he bought land lest some one start a cranberry bog."

Why don't you arrange a road trip to all these spots Ben? I'd like to see 'em.

bob

 

[Ben Ruset]

I was thinking about it. Problem is, it's hard to tell what is what by the article, and Great Adventure owns a LOT of the land in the area. You actually have to go South of Lahaway to be on public land.

You and J. Turner would have gotten along well.

 

[Ben Ruset]

Part 3 is up.

 

[Teegate]

This is a really interesting article Ben. Thanks for posting them.


Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

Part 5 is up.

 

[bobpbx]

This is such a neat story Ben, I am surprised I never heard of it. It is easy, pleasurable reading, sort of like reading Beck, who I read just for pleasure, the hell with the inaccuracies everyone accuses him of.

I keep thinking of something I remember reading; "the hermit of la-ha-way". But I cannot remember where I read it.

???

 

[Teegate]

This is such a neat story Ben, I am surprised I never heard of it. It is easy, pleasurable reading, sort of like reading Beck, who I read just for pleasure, the hell with the inaccuracies everyone accuses him of.

I keep thinking of something I remember reading; "the hermit of la-ha-way". But I cannot remember where I read it.

???

That was in Forgotten Towns Bob, chapter 9.


Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

I dont mind Beck's innacuracies, except when I am trying to find something based on his descriptions. Then it can get frustrating!

I am going to try to find more articles like this one. I wish I could write as well.

 

[Ben Ruset]

Part 6 is up.

 

[bobpbx]

Part 6 is up.

"Oh, little Prospertown by the edge of the pinewoods! May thy prosperity be restored to thee? May thy mill wheels turn and thy four corners be again busy with profitable industry, thy roads carry many people, and thy citizens be both proud and contented!"

This guy would fit right in on my exploring trips!

 

[Teegate]

"Oh, little Prospertown by the edge of the pinewoods! May thy prosperity be restored to thee? May thy mill wheels turn and thy four corners be again busy with profitable industry, thy roads carry many people, and thy citizens be both proud and contented!"

This guy would fit right in on my exploring trips!

He could do the readings that you sometimes do! Yes...Bob does readings in the pines

Guy

 

[jokerman]

Hey I missed the earlier parts to the articles. Can I still access them?

 

[Teegate]

Hey I missed the earlier parts to the articles. Can I still access them?

They are all here.

http://njpinebarrens.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=68&Itemid=40

Thanks Ben for posting them. I finished reading it tonight.

Guy