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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Visiting Harrisville's Ruins

Two of my history buddies, Steve Eichinger from Bridgeport and Budd Wilson from Green Bank are currently working on a research project involving evaluating 1880's field notes from surveyor Samuel Downs origional field notebooks. It appears, at a quick glance, that the notes give the location of buildings at Harrisville and neighboring Martha. The measurements are in chains and links and are difficult to decipher but, if anyone can make sense out of the old field book scribblings it would be Steve and Budd. Both know a lot about Harrisville and old Martha.

We are hoping that an analysis of Downs' field book will yield some heretofore unknown buildings and/or reveal some new location information. Hopefully, Steve and Budd will be able to draw maps of Harrisville and old Martha from Downs' notes that will reveal some unexpected historical tidbits. Stay tuned for more information as the project progresses.

Last night I got to thinking about the old Harrisville ruins. The little that is left is hidden among the Pine Barrens vegetation and is fenced off making it unaccessible to interested visitors. Such was not always the case, as the ruins were a favorite sport for family outings and visits by young lovers from the local area.

Following are some photos from our Harrisville collection showing New Gretna and other local residents enjoying the ruins at Harrisville. They should bring back many pleasant memories for many of the old timers out in the Blog-O-Sphere who also visited the old Harrisville ruins. Anyone with any photos of locals at the Harrisville ruins are encouraged to email the photos to the Blog. We'll post any that we receive. Also, let's hear from you if you have any memories about visiting the Harrisville ruins.


Bob Mathis


Elaine Weber Mathis


Sabrina Downs


Tom Newell -1946


Len Sooy with grandsons, Steve (l) and Paul Potter.



Alice Adams Weber (r) at the Harrisville artisan well - 1953



Horace and Harriet Cramer - 1933


Joe and Sadie Ware from Greenbank.


Joe Ware (r) by the Harrisville dam



Harry Headley with sons, John and Harry at the Harrisville dam - 1950


David (l) and John Headley



Steve Eichinger experiencing the wonder of Harrisville - 2007


Pete S

5 comments:

  1. My heart goes out to Harrisville & Martha. Sam & I knew them well. My favorite places!!!
    Phyllis

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  3. I wonder if you were able to draw the map of where the buildings stood in Harrisville.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my goodness I’m related to so many of them. Amazing to see these pictures!

    ReplyDelete