Glen Summit Springs, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Glen Summit Springs
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Historic residential neighborhood
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 Glen Summit Springs
Location in Pennsylvania
Glen Summit Springs
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Luzerne |
| Township | Fairview |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Glen Summit Springs is a special private community in Northeastern Pennsylvania, USA. It's nestled on the side of Nescopeck Mountain, where it meets Penobscot Mountain. This area is famous for its natural mountain springs. Today, over 450 acres of beautiful, untouched forest protect these springs and the community. Long ago, it was a popular summer spot for important families from the Wyoming Valley.
This community is part of Fairview Township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It's located just east of Mountain Top.
Contents
Early History of Glen Summit Springs
Who Lived Here First?
One of the first people to settle in the Glen Summit Springs area was John Conety. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, he owned about 25 acres of land. This land included what we now call Indian Springs and Glen Summit Springs. John Conety had a simple log cabin there. He also ran a small inn for travelers going between the Wyoming Valley, New York City, and Philadelphia.
After John Conety passed away, his son, Richard Conety, Sr., took over the land. In 1880, Richard sold the land and a house he had built to Mr. H. H. Derr from Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Derr bought the property because he loved to fish and hunt. A few years later, Mr. Derr sold the land to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.
How the Community Began
In 1882, the Lehigh Valley Railroad teamed up with J.E. Patterson. They created the Glen Summit Hotel and Land Company. They bought more land next to the property they got from Mr. Derr. Here, they started building a large hotel. At that time, the land was mostly covered in small trees, which offered amazing views of the valley. Over time, more trees grew, blocking some views but making the area even more beautiful.
Founding and Early Homes
The Vision of J.E. Patterson
J.E. Patterson was a successful businessman from Wilkes-Barre. He was the founder of the Glen Summit Hotel and Land Company. Later, he also started the Glen Summit Springs Company. Mr. Patterson wanted to buy land in the Glen Summit area. He hoped the fresh mountain air would help him with his insomnia (trouble sleeping). He bought about 500 acres, knowing there were excellent springs on the land.
Mr. Patterson talked with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He suggested building a grand hotel. This hotel would be a fancy place for train travelers to rest and eat. The railroad liked his idea. In 1882, they started building the amazing hotel, with Mr. Patterson as the main builder.
The First Victorian Cottages
When Mr. Patterson sold land to the Lehigh Valley Railroad, he kept about 200 acres. This part had the best springs. In 1884, he began bottling pure spring water from these springs. This business later became the Glen Summit Springs Company.
The Glen Summit Hotel and the pretty Victorian-style cottages built nearby became a popular spot. Wealthy people from places like New York and Philadelphia would gather there. From 1880 to 1915, 43 Victorian and Cottage-style homes were built. These homes were for people who came to vacation at the Glen Summit Hotel. J.E. Patterson built the first one, and F.M. Kirby built the last. Some of these homes even had special names, like "Stony Croft," "Breezy Top," and "Graystone Terrace." Many of these original 43 homes are still standing today!
The Glen Summit Hotel
A Grand Mountain Resort
Construction on the Glen Summit Hotel started in 1883. It opened on February 21, 1884. The hotel was first built as a clean and comfortable place for train passengers to enjoy their meals. A brochure for the hotel described it as a "sanitarium of Nature's own building." It called the hotel "the most famous mountain resort in the highlands of the Keystone State." It was said to be "perched like an eagle's eyrie high upon the mountain's crest." The hotel looked very impressive, like an Alpine castle.
The hotel was three stories tall and could host up to 250 guests. It had many fun things to do nearby, and some are still around today. What residents now call the "Casino" was originally part of the hotel. This building had a bowling alley, billiards tables, and shuffleboard rooms. Further into the neighborhood, there were tennis courts. There was also a nearby lake for fishing and boating. Both the tennis courts and the lake are still used today.
The Hotel's Later Years
Soon after the hotel was built, Pullman cars became popular for train travel. These cars had dining areas, so passengers didn't need to stop at the hotel for meals anymore. However, people still visited the hotel because of its beautiful location and fun activities. In the 1890s, guests would often see the president of the Lehigh Valley Railroad enjoying a weekend at the hotel.
Over time, fewer people visited. The smaller, quieter train engines of the 1880s were replaced by bigger, louder ones. During World War I, the hotel became a busy meeting place. People used it to prepare supplies for the Red Cross. It was also a place for Glen Summit residents to hold teas, luncheons, and dinners. In 1909, the owners of the nearby cottages bought the hotel and formed a new company called the Glen Summit Company. In 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt even visited the hotel! But even famous visitors couldn't stop the decline. After a few more years, the grand hotel was torn down.
Glen Summit Chapel
In 1888, the people living in and visiting Glen Summit helped pay for a chapel. They built a rustic building that fit well with the mountain area. Things like the organ and chairs were given as gifts by visitors. At first, there were twelve church services each summer. By 1932, this number was reduced to nine, and eventually to just one. The chapel is still used for a yearly service today. It's also a popular place for weddings for both residents and people from outside the community. The nearby "Casino" building often serves as the reception hall for these events.
Fun Features of Glen Summit Springs
Glen Summit Springs has many special features for its residents:
- Fountain Lake: This is a freshwater lake perfect for summer fun. Residents can go swimming, fishing, and camping here.
- Glen Summit Tennis Courts: These courts are unique! They are made of red clay, which is rare in the United States. Only residents can use them.
- Hiking Trails: There are 100 to 200 acres of trails. These are great for hiking, mountain biking, and just enjoying nature. They are only for residents.
- The Glen Summit Casino: This building hosts many community events. It's used for parties and wedding receptions, especially in the summer.
- The Twin Springs: These are natural spring water sources. Two small gazebos cover them. The water bubbles up through the sand. This area is on private land and is only open to residents.
