THE HISTORY OF GRASSMERE PARK These Roots Run Deep
Article by: Linda Sones & Stacey Geffken
Nestled in the hills of Northern Columbia County and along Fishing Creek is a camping resort loaded with history. You may have been a part of a family gath- ering, or perhaps roller-skated there in days past, or perhaps have just heard the name in passing if you are local to. This historic park is Grassmere Park, and its roots go back to the 1790s. In the 1790s, as this region was first becoming inhabited, John J. Godhard, an Englishman from Delaware, and his family settled a section of land near today’s village of Central, along State Route 118. Mr. Godhard, along with his son-in- law, William Hess, and the husbands of four granddaughters, purchased a large section of land in what is now known as Sugarloaf Township for an average price of two dollars an acre. The husbands of the four granddaughters were Philip Fritz, Christian Laubaugh, John Kile, and Ezekiel Cole (you may remember Eze- kiel from the article on St. Gabriel’s in the Pines in our January - March 2023 edi- tion of this magazine). All these names are common in the northern part of this county, and their descendants still reside in the area today. These men farmed the land through the 1800s. One of William’s sons, Andrew, operated a large farm from this settlement and willed it to his son, T. Wesley Hess around 1885. Then in 1889, Wesley opened part of this farm as Hess’ Grove, where folks could enjoy a day along the creek fishing, picnicking, and relaxing. It is not likely a coincidence that just prior to opening Hess’ Grove, the Blooms- burg & Sullivan Railroad (B&S), who received a charter in 1883, had completed a line into northern Columbia County in 1888. Men were arriving in the area to work logging efforts and were based out of Jamison City, a little farther up the line. The rail not only provided a way for men to get into Jamison City to work but also gave people from out of the region a way to get to the park. With people now having a way into the region, Wesley built a tabernacle, eating stand, and other buildings for public use. He would host Evangelical Church Camp meet- ings as well as Negro Camp meetings.
A train ticket from Grassmere to Jamison City, circa 1907.
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