Name/Title
April 24, 1934 Greenville Turnpike Gatehouse near Port Jervis, NYEntry/Object ID
000464Tags
Greenville Turnpike HouseScope and Content
Century Old Gatehouse Damaged April 24, 1934 [Handwritten]
OLD GATEHOUSE ON GREENVILLE PIKE DAMAGED
Mother and Three-Months-Old Child Flee From Flames; Fire Truck Mired
PORT JERVIS-The original toll gate house on Greenville Turnpike, said to have been built more than a hundred years ago, was damaged by fire yesterday afternoon. The blaze of undetermined origin, started in a coal shed adjoining the frame structure and the flames followed a stair case to the upper floor and the roof.
For eight years the house has been owned by Carson Hinaman of the State Hill Road and occupied by James McCormick. Mrs. McCormick discovered the fire shortly before three p. m. and with her three-months-old baby left the house to seek assistance of neighbors. William Schultz notified Police Headquarters here and a chief's call was sounded. Tri-States Engine Company and Engine Company two responded. When firemen arrived they had taken a considerable amount of furniture from the blazing building.
Fire Truck Mired
Water was pumped from Hinaman's pond and the fire was under control within fifteen minutes after firemen arrived. One side of the house, the staircase, roof and two bedrooms on the second floor were destroyed by flames and three rooms on the first floor were damaged by water. Mr. Hinaman said last night that damage would exceed $1,000.
Mr. and Mrs. McCormick spent the afternoon at the home of a neighbor and went to the home of relatives in Port Jervis last night.
Tri-States firetruck had to be towed from a field near the pond where the wheels became lodged in mud after the fire was extinguished.
Residents who gathered at the scene recalled the time when Greenville turnpike was one of two roads leading across the Shawangunk range to Carpenter's Point now called Tri-States. The second road led from Coleville, N. J., through a toll gate at Fiddler's Elbow. At that time no one could enter or leave Port Jervis in that direction without paying toll. The road was owned by the Greenville Turnpike Corporation.
The toll gatekeeper lived in the doorway to collect fees from the frequent travelers. The gate itself consisted of nothing more than a chain across the road but was strong enough to prevent any horse and wagon from passing without paying the toll charge. A driver of a horse and wagon in the days before cars were in use was charged five cents to pass the gate into Port Jervis, and who returned at night were given a special rate of nine cents for a round trip.
The toll gatehouse was in use until about 1906. At that time a new quarters was built at the entrance to the turnpike used the route six road which was then completed. It was only in use for a short time when the toll was discontinued because traffic used the route six highway. The building was later destroyed by fire.
Structure on the Greenville Turnpike, near Port Jervis, which was built as a toll gate house a hundred years ago which was damaged by fire yesterday.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Greenville Turnpike House