Shallcross Pond – More memories
This is Part II of Kenilworth’s Shallcross Pond located in Black Brook Park. It takes us back to the 1700s, the 1800s, and some firsthand memories from the 1900s.
Adjacent to the pond is what many call “The old Shallcross House” at 527 Springfield Rd. It was acquired by the Shallcross family not long after arriving here from PA in 1898 when that area of town was part of Union Twp. The Shallcross family purchased the home and farm once owned by the Sayre family. The house dates to the 1700s – the oldest in Kenilworth.
The pond was especially important to the Sayres. According to researcher Michael Yesenko, tradesman Daniel Sayre used water that flowed from the pond into the Black Brook to cure leather. He built the first section of the old house in 1710. Unfortunately, that section was torn down in the late 1900s. His grandson, Pvt. David Sayre, was a soldier during the American Revolution and likely made use of the pond, too. Research by Friends of Black Brook Park has made a potential link of the area to the Battle of Connecticut Farms in 1780.
Photo: Ken. Hist. Soc.
For generations the pond waters helped irrigate crops grown by Sayre and Shallcross families. Sometime prior to 1850 the first school house for local children was built near the pond. Called the Chestnut Grove School, it was erected by Union Twp. as that part of the future Borough of Kenilworth was still part of Union and remained so until 1907. The tiny building was located off Springfield Rd. almost where a home now stands at 441 N. 15th St. Spring-fed, the pond supplied water for school needs and was a source of water in the event of a school fire.
The pond was not without tragedy. In the 1948 a child drowned there and years earlier a bulldozer operator lost his life when the equipment he was operating overturned.
In 2014 two Shallcross sisters shared pond memories from their childhoods of the 1930s and 1940s. With a laugh Irma Shallcross George, born 1929, noted, “Grandfather built a boat which we launched. It was made of cement and sank immediately into the shallow pond with a couple of us in it.”
Sister Doris, 1933-2022, added, “As children, the pond was very much a part of our lives. During clement weather we rowed a boat on it which my grandfather, Joseph Shallcross, provided. The pond had beautiful lilies as I remember. In the winter it was a great place for ice skating, not only for our family and our numerous cousins who lived on Springfield Road and 15th Street, but also for other town kids from around the neighborhood. Adults joined us in the evenings.”
Debbie Muravsky Paras recently recalled taking part in the 1961 VFW Huck Finn fishing contest. “I won first prize for looking like Becky Finn, straw hat, freckles, braids, shorts and barefoot.” In the late 1980s derby sponsorship was taken over by the local PBA. Many local residents remember from years-gone-by leisurely fishing at the pond which continues to this day.
Kenilworth had three other ponds, all of which are gone. They will be featured in future articles in this newspaper.
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Historic Signs, Inc.
Appreciation is extended to Michael Naya for his assistance. Persons with inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200
