Ghost stories arise and readers remember Tohickon
My recent column about spooky goings on at the centuries old inn in Newtown evoked encounters by readers elsewhere in Bucks County. Here’s a sampling.
'The woman in white at the Washington Crossing Inn'
“Love your column,” said Joan Dragolic of Lower Makefield. “The latest one about the Temperance House reminded me of happenings when I worked at the Washington Crossing Inn. There were lots of sightings, mostly a woman in a white dress on the back stairs. My late husband saw her and he had been a skeptic.
“In the then bar, now used for dining, several times the stools, which I had straightened, turned to different angles when I left. Eventually I stopped straightening them. I only worked there about 15 or 18 months as a hostess at lunch, and my husband and I ate there many times. It was disconcerting. I don’t know who owns the place now but I would imagine they know of these stories. Might be worth a visit. If nothing else, you can have a great meal.”
'Ghost of my father'
Philanthropist Gene Epstein told of a very convincing experience in Wrightstown.
“I witnessed my father’s ghost and his message to me. It was 2 a.m. here at home, I woke up and at the foot of my bed was my father who died in 1950 to tell me, ‘Don’t worry. I will take care of Eva’ who was his sister-in-law.
“My wife lying next to me was waken and then I thought I was dreaming.
“Later at 9:30 a.m. I received a call from my Uncle Joe to tell me that she passed away at 2 a.m.”
Gene, known for his philanthropic causes in Bucks County, lives by the motto, “Never worry that you are doing too much to help others. You are doing too little if you can do more.”
'Remembering a place we boat over'
My recent column about Tohickon Village beneath the waves of Lake Nockamixon also drew comment. I heard again from Jeffry Mill who grew up near the lake in Upper Bucks.
“What a surprise I found this morning when I read the Intelligencer article about Lake Nockamixon you wrote recently! You captured the essence of the history and the loss of a historic village and the impact to local famlies. Yet, the addition of the lake has allowed new memories to be formed, especially from today’s youngster. Thank you, personally, for including my memories and personal connection to the lake area – this was very special for me. My father’s sister, who lives in Perkasie, several cousins, and my three brothers will read your article with fondness.
“Your article remembered an area that we boat over, hike through and drive around, all without knowing, or possibly remembering, those that came before us, and gave up their homes
and land. You brought new information to light that I was not aware of, including the source of the state prisoners (and the sign that still stands). I still remember bulldozers pushing trees over while my parents drove by.
“I’m so glad you included your grandchild to emphasize the importance of handing down the history to the next generation. And my mother was tearing up when she read the mention of her and her family and their memories of family.”
'Plinking off the stone bridge' at Tohickon Creek
Dan Kell of Hilltown shared with me his childhood memories of life in 200-year-old Tohickon Village before it was covered by Lake Nockamixon behind a massive earthen dam in the early 1970s.
“ My daughter sent me your latest article about the dam. It was a nostalgic read for me as I spent many days in and on Tohickon Creek fishing for small mouth bass and chain pickerel. We ‘plinked’ off the village stone bridge and always stopped at Mary Malack’s for ice cream floats.
“I worked on the dam project from the keyway to the top out while attending college and after. Plenty of stories. Marsh Creek Dam after that. Different design, same intent, both had gutted buildings left below water level to serve as fish habitat. I live a mile from the Hilltown Glider Port. Thanks for the memories.”
'Just a friendly garden'
I also heard from David Jabs who lives in Dublin with his wife and kids.
“My dad and his brothers grew up in an old farm house across the street from Judy's Friendly Garden restaurant in Ottsville. I grew up there also and heard stories about how the lake was built and how my dad and his brothers helped. They were heavy equipment operators. It's great to hear the stories about our history. There is so much really cool history in our area. Thank you, thank you!”
Carl LaVO recalls bicycling with his junior high pals to an abandoned cement plant in the Sierra foothills outside Merced, California. It was dusk and we all saw a ghost facing us in the moonlight atop a cement silo. We rode like the dickens back to town.
You can reach Carl at carllavo0@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Remembering Tohickon Village before Lake Nockamixon was built over it
