Colonial Crest
HISTORY

GARLAND'S COLONIAL CREST
Creation of a Community
by Emma Spence Garland

On May 10, 1945, the Garland family moved from an 'Elmer Ehler' brick home on Berkley Street (Colonial Park) to a white farmhouse on Colonial Road 2 1/2 miles north of Jonestown Road. It was surrounded by 140 grassy, fertile acres, 50 of which were blue grass pasture nestled in the heart of our domain. Sweeping barn, a wagon shed, corn crib, and chicken house - facing south (of course) directly across from the farmhouse. I vividly recall that memorable May day when Daddy, John L., drove us all to our country home. I carried a curly-haired, blonde one-year old, John Robert, while Carol, then 8, clung to her favorite doll and David, 7 clutched a miniature car.

Our move was prompted by a quest for a new way of life, a relief from the confinement of long hours in Garland's Pharmacy, uptown at 6th and Muench Streets. We weren't so young that we hadn't any qualms about a new venture, but necessity demanded, for health's sake, that we get out of the drugstore. We never contemplated what we'd be confronted with but “where there’s a will there’s a way”. We heartily agreed that we would have to search more diligently for that far m we had been seeking as a possible solution.

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Long before John and I found the Charles Look Farm, we had scanned the Sunday paper for a tract of land. We had entertained the idea of one day selling home-sites and homes, and quite often talked with a contractor and a professional engineer friend about our long-range plan. We had a vision of sharing our land with families who, likewise, enjoyed living in a clean countryside in the midst of natural beauty. It never occurred to us that we could be looked upon as pioneers, plunging pell-mell into an outlying development project. We caused quite a stir and wonderment, to put I mildly. Had we realized how “far out” we’d be considered in more ways than distance, our dream may never have materialized. The challenge of creating a community would have presented too many problems even before we acquired a piece of property.

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The Look’s “Farm For Sale” ad appeared at an opportune moment. We had a feeling it was “providential”. At our first trip out Colonial Road we thought we’d never get there. It was narrow and winding and, at that time, there was a rickety narrow bridge over Paxton Creek, near Goose Valley Road, at the bottom of a steep hill. We knew it would be treacherous on an icy or snowy winter’s day. There were several other hills to go up and down before we beheld the vast panorama of the Look farm atop one of these. As John and I looked back over that overwhelming sight of land, we shared an exuberance that defies description. As far as the eye could see were picturesque and breathtaking views of beautiful mountains and valleys. “Love at first sight” removed all doubts, hesitation, and resistance of being 21/2 miles from a bus line and no close neighbors. In those days, believe it or not, Penbrook was thought to be ‘way out in the country’ and Fishburn’s Woods, Locust Lane, Progress, well, that was wilderness!! Our almost instantaneous desire to possess the property we were destined to have, gave us a determination to work out a way - impossible as it appeared then and there. Those rolling hills with broad flat tops were as appealing as the existing extensive road frontage (narrow and winding as it was and to be widened for about 14 years). The original tract extended along Colonial Road, State Highway 22021 from a Township Road (now McIntosh Road) to the Gouldemond Farm and then north toward Linglestown Road.

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That first spring, shortly after we settled into our new environment, our faith was severely put to the test. We became acutely aware that unexpected post-war shortages would delay development and building far beyond the anticipated time. In fact, would make such an undertaking almost impossible. Whatever could we do to tide us over? Charlie Look had reassured us that the 50 acre Bluegrass pastureland with natural drainage had been rented every season for years. Luxuriant alfalfa and hay crops bolstered the family budget when we could trust the farmers to count our share of the bales accurately. A wheat crop contributed to the cause, except when a 4th of July severe thunderstorm with high winds and drenching rain ruined the harvest one season. The most profitable family project was the raising of little pigs from pure-bred Berkshire hogs we sold through the Middletown Press. This led to growing corn and gathering those ears by hand which the corn planter dropped. Raising baby chicks in the center of our tract, was more trouble than it was worth on a small scale. We conducted hayrides with John driving the Ford tractor that pulled the hay wagon. Afterward we had a wiener roast. These became popular but we had to discontinue it because of the time involved. We reaped the benefit of a vegetable garden and fruit ripening which we canned. We were further compensated by spending a great deal of time out-of-doors. We all felt better and were happier than we’d ever been. We hiked over the fields always conscious of the beauty all about us. We admired the long shadows and the exquisite sunsets. Sunrises glowing across wide open spaces were thrilling. It must have been in one of those quiet times of meditation and reflection that the name for our area was being formulated in our minds.

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The tremendous project we set out to accomplish suddenly had significance with deciding upon an appropriate name. We chose a name rather spontaneously from the natural terrain. Crest of the hill was the outstanding feature. Having frequently visited Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, we likened the crest of the hill to the crest of a wave. Colonial Road running north and south dividing the eastern and western portions of our tract; certainly contributed to the name. Likewise, did the established section of Colonial Park around the original Colonial Country Club and Golf Course. Didn’t we decide upon a beautiful, euphonious combination COLONIAL CREST? Heartened by our first major step forward, we concentrated on getting down to the business of a plan of lots along existing roads. We recorded these after approval by the Lower Paxton Board of Supervisors. For this professional study and survey, we were fortunate to be able to call upon our drugstore neighborhood friend, Elbridge W. Cowden, a Professional Engineer with the General State Authority. He was willing to come out Saturdays and holidays to tramp the fields with us prior to “putting down on paper” apportionment of land, trial lot division and a temporary road lay-out. We pictured homes on hillsides, nestling against woodlands and on the curvature of roads. Before roads could be made, profiles of them as well as road entrances onto state highways and township road had to be approved.

Finally, wonder of wonders, Mr. Cowden presented us with a preliminary blueprint of Sections “A”, “B”, & “C” of Colonial Crest. It showed 38 lots fronting on the west side of Colonial Road, the north side of McIntosh Road (we named it for the family living west of the farm) and sites backing up to these lots and facing Valleyview Road -

the first road we were obliged to open. The names of all the roads were derived primarily from land description and contour. Beyond Valleyview was Hillsdale and atop the Crest was Crestview. How’s that for a starter? One of the gigantic undertakings in preparation for building roads was the removal of topsoil. An interesting experience was when Caterpillar Tractor pictured our son, David, only 11 years old on one of their magazine covers. He was sitting big and bold on the tractor seat operating a hydraulic bucket lift. Slag had to be applied to the road to build up a firm base. It was many, many years before Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors approved our first plan enabling us to offer staked-in home sites on the hard roads. When we put the plan on record at the Dauphin County Courthouse, we were ‘bestirred’. At long last, our first goal had been attained. Decisions of our innumerable discussions on restrictions were officially revealed.

We had determined in the early stages of our thinking that the minimum lot would be 100’x200’ (1/2 acre), building set-back50’, side restriction 15’ - 25’ at corners. Naturally, restrictions played an important part in our planning at this time. Townships hadn’t adopted Planning and Zoning Ordinances which necessitated our setting forth rules and regulations which would appear in every deed. Foremost stipulation was that only an architecturally designed single one-family house and an attached or separate garage of brick, stone or frame construction (at required minimum cost) could be erected. John and I reserved the right to approve all plans and place houses on sites in relation to adjoining tracts. We also coordinated septic systems and wells for, at that time, cesspools were used. We had to approve any additions. From the beginning, design dominated our minds. We stressed Individual Homes of Distinction and Quality. Our ideal was to have every home different. The Ranch home was favored then. We offered choice of site, plan and builder in our ads which further emphasized the uniqueness of personal choice.

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It will be of interest to know that John and I had to take over and complete the first home started atop West Crestview Road on Colonial Road. This ranch was sold to the William VanSants in 1948. Later, in 1952, it was bought by Duane and Vi Shepard who are still here with us. A. Emerson Evans bought the first lot but did not build on it. Catherine and Nelson Miller were the first family to build on a site they purchased. In 1948 they chose a prime hilltop on Colonial Road “up to their waists in wheat” Catherine reminded me recently. It was between West Valleyview Road and McIntosh commanding a magnificent, panoramic view. We’re still proud to say that this fine family is also still living in the Crest. Colonial Crest must have something special to offer, wouldn't you say?

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John and I built about 35 stone and brick homes for lot owners. We wanted to establish the character of Colonial Crest to encourage the building of quality homes of individuality and distinction. Hugo and Fay Schutzenbach are still residing in the home we built for them on their West Crestview lot purchased in 1950. The first stone home (1951-52) was for Gorge Werner, retiring secretary of the Underwood Corporation in New York City. We were fortunate to know Frank Severino and accomplished stone mason whose artistry has been admired in all the stone homes we built. He also did the stone front, under our supervision, on Walter and Estelle Kuhn’s charming colonial home built in 1952-53. The Kuhns bought the first tract on the unopened East Crestview Road on October 23, 1950 - before we had the plan of lots in that section quite ready. They had so much faith in Garland integrity and good judgement that this enthusiastic couple relied upon us to lay out their site on a particular spot (mutually agreed upon) which determined somewhat the remainder of that northern tier of lots.

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About this time we were faced with the genuine worriment of a commercial enterprise or something undesirable to our residential area, encroaching upon our southern border. To protect our investment and the interests of those who bought with confidence, we felt impelled to annex the Harry H. Boyanowski tract which was bounded on the east by 20-acre entrance tract. Situated on the East Side of Colonial Road, down to Goose Valley Road, it extended from Macintosh Road across Colonial Road (now known as Meadowcrest Road) intersecting the Lakeview Loop and 26.38 acres on the West Side of Colonial Road - developed as the Woodcrest section. For restriction’s sake, and to be in the center of our tract, we bought the Boyanowski white farmhouse with the quaint bell on the Colonial Road curve, on September 7, 1951. If it sounds like a lot of goings-on, it was!

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We reeled when we heard the 8.5 acres adjacent to our newly annexed tract was being offered for sale and a Nudist Colony was actually considering it. WOW! Visions of tippy-toes splashing in the creek for the Colonial Crest Road passer-by to view, moved us promptly to contact the owner saying we were interested in buying the property. HOW, we hadn't the faintest idea!

We phoned a number of neighbors, some of whom offered novenae, I was told. To make a long story short, Mr. And Mrs. H.E. Brinkerhoff, parents of Ray across the road, were about to build on their lot elsewhere. They came out immediately in response to our call. That May morning in 1951, the smell of spring, with violets and daffodils all over the hillside made the site even more attractive. In a few days they decided to buy the land and build their home. Three years later we added the John S. Brenize property. It consisted of about 12 acres adjoining East Crestview Road continuing to Goose Valley Road and known as the Crestmont Section. We now had more than 200 acres to join together with the Koon's woodland tract north of West Crestview Road which we had

acquired on December 2, 1950.

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At the suggestion of our daughter, Carol, GARLAND LAKE was created for beautification, fire protection and recreation. In the basin of the Bluegrass pastureland, it was fed by natural meadow springs. We called upon the Dauphin County Agricultural Extension Association State Department of Forest and Waters and Penn State experts to assist with engineering the project. Ted Bensinger of Gannett, Flemming, Correy and Carpenter, who opened many of our Crest Roads, operated the huge excavating equipment. We had the lake stocked with sunnies and bass which has afforded fishing pleasure. Ice skating has been enjoyed and a number of Colonial Crest picnics have been held by the lake. The Association has planted additional trees and shrubs and a road made off Brookdale Road to the water’s edge for better access. In December, 1956 we deeded the lake area and the tennis courts/playground area to the Crest Association.

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For the record, the first president of the Colonial Crest Association (and re-elected to serve a second term) was Walter F. Kuhn, Jr. I like to call him “Kuhnsie”, occasionally. On an approximate 10 acres, overlooking Garland Lake, is Faith Presbyterian Church. Ground was broken on September 18, 1960; cornerstone laid January 1, 1961. The Reverend William A. Shaffer was the organizing minister. Many of our families and those from neighboring communities attend Faith Church. Space does not permit elaboration of the early beginnings, but you should know that a number of Colonial Crest residents and faithful folks from surrounding areas expended a great deal of time and effort to further its development. A small group of inspired advocates for a church hereabouts, began to meet regularly in the Fall of 1956. For several years they met in the Kuhn’s home to talk and pray about ways and means. Worthy of mention are the names of the nucleus group of less than twelve families: Walter and Estelle (Petie) Kuhn, John and Emma Garland, Robert and Josephine Cornelius, Jack and Monette Redslob, Dorothy and Clinton Brookhart, Russell and Martha Roddy, Phyllis and Howard Hopwood, Dr. Wayde Kelly, M. Harvey Taylor II, John A. Stricker, and Donald and Dorothy Stabler. If I’ve overlooked anyone, please make it known.

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Commendation is also due an impressive number of Charter Members (50-100) for their contribution to the organization of Faith Church. Without the aid of the Presbytery of Carlisle and the Board of National Missions, we could not have accomplished our mission. The Linglestown Fire Hall provided a meeting place as we grew. And

Central Dauphin School District granted us permission to use the Linglestown Elementary School for services until the church was built. The first service of worship and church school was held on April 13, 1958. As you are all aware, the Northwood Nursery School uses the church building. Scout troups, and community groups (including our Association) take advantage of available rooms, particularly the Fellowship Hall. Community spirit should be flourishing with all that has been provided for your enjoyment.

I sincerely hope you will all do your part to support organization officers and to co-operate fully by assuming responsibility when called upon. Your community is and will ever be what you make it. No More - No Less!! Be people with a purpose! Realize we have a strong voice to be recognized and reckoned with. To all who had the confidence in Colonial Crest to build or buy in this prestigious community of character and charm which we created, we wish to express our deep appreciation. Without you it couldn’t have existed and continued to be a highly desirable place in which to live. John and I hope you have enjoyed the rare natural beauty that has constantly enthralled and captivated us. We hope you will continue to find happiness here for many years to come. To Elbridge W. Cowden our Professional Engineer, friend and associate for whom we named Elbridge Road (in the Crestmont Section), we express our everlasting gratitude.

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