Readers share memories of Burlington Island, the old Doylestown prison and Donner Pass

Carl LaVO
·4 min read

My history pieces on the old Bucks County prison in Doylestown, Burlington Island in the Delaware River and Donner Pass in California drew interest from many readers.

An account of my family visit to Burlington Island to investigate its history (“Mystery and murder on Burlington Island” published Dec. 20) elicited this memory from Kevin Schick of Robbinsville, N.J.:

“I too was drawn by the mysterious history of Burlington Island and kayaked over from Burlington City on Jan. 2, 2006.

Burlington Island: The mystery of Burlington Island and New Jersey's first capital crime | LaVO

“It was a cold day with some freezing rain and I still was picking ticks off one after another. Aside from the history you mention and the dredged out lake of 95 acres where the roller coaster used to be, I found the old amusement park picnic area with amazing tree carvings, some over 90 years old. I have inserted photos for you.

Carvings on this tree on Burlington Island date back to the 1930s.
Carvings on this tree on Burlington Island date back to the 1930s.

“The Charles Theobold carving is interesting in that he visited several different years and added the year each time. He also placed a street address in the carving and there are still descendants living in Bristol.”

Footnote: The uninhabited island got a bit of a facelift in 2019. According to Burlington City’s island managers, 100,000 pounds of debris and rotting infrastructure were removed. Walking trails were improved and lengthened. Information can be found on Facebook at “Friends of Burlington Island” and “Advocates of Burlington Island”. Also, check the web at burlingtonisland.org/

Crossing Donner Pass by train

My recollection of being stranded on Donner Pass in the Sierra Mountains with my bride (“How is Donner Pass connected to Bucks County” published Jan. 10) drew attention. The pass is where wagon train survivors in 1846 resorted to cannibalism to stay alive.

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Among the responses was this from Mike Grothman of Newtown:

“Carl, really enjoyed this piece. On our honeymoon we crossed Donner Pass on Amtrak's California Zephyr. Many years later we returned to the Lake Tahoe area on vacation and hiked in the area where the Lincoln Highway crosses on a beautiful arch bridge at the top of the grade west of Truckee, Calif. At that spot you can visit the famous Chinese Wall built by Chinese laborers for the Transcontinental Railroad.

“For most of the trip from Chicago to San Francisco the Lincoln Highway follows the route of the railroad. I have followed it in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Utah. In many places you can find the original road but much has been replaced by I-80.

“Thanks for a great article.”

Carl LaVO near a roadwide marker below Donner Pass in the 1970s.
Carl LaVO near a roadwide marker below Donner Pass in the 1970s.

A scary tour for the kids

My column about the county jail built in Doylestown in 1884 ( “How Bucks County’s jail became the Michener Art Museum” published Nov. 22) sparked this from Patricia Butler-Mccauley of Doylestown:

“I saw your article today on the Pine Street Hotel. Do you remember when they had an open house for the public after there were no more prisoners there but before they took down most of it to build the museum?

From 'Pine Street Hotel' to Michener Art Museum: The history of Bucks County's Doylestown jail

“I took my young children on a visit. I think if every child were to tour a prison like that, maybe the crime rate might be a little less. It was dark, dank, damp, dirty and adults had to bow down to God before entering these small scary cells. I flat out told my two young daughters, ages between 9 and 14, that if you break the law, this is the kind of place you will go and stay to serve your time. Today they remember hearing people in the crowds around us, a few talking about memories serving time in there.

“I am so glad I got to tour it and it will be a memory I will never forget.”

Foreboding, windowless cells line the corridor of the former Bucks County prions in Doylestown.
Foreboding, windowless cells line the corridor of the former Bucks County prions in Doylestown.

'History comes alive'

My look at interesting place names (“The true story behind Pennsylvania’s name” published Sept. 7) drew this from Sheryl Kirby of Middletown:

“Thank you for your interesting, fascinating, wonderful stories about Bucks County. You certainly make history come alive for me. I hated history classes in high school because it seemed to be just memorizing of names and dates, at least that is how I remember it.

What's in a name?: The true story behind Pennsylvania's name — and why Philadelphia is the city of sisterly love

“In college, I took the bare minimum of required history courses for the same reason. However, now that I am a senior citizen, I have found a new interest in history and I just love your columns. I have lived in Bucks my entire life and I have truly enjoyed learning about the area. Please keep writing!”

Pennsylvania was named after William Penn's father Sir William Penn as seen in this 1665 portrait.
Pennsylvania was named after William Penn's father Sir William Penn as seen in this 1665 portrait.

And this from Mike Wright on the same issue:

“Wow, thanks for the article. I knew William Penn was respected but his sons not so much, cheating the Indians and all. But I didn’t know the name of our state came from William’s dad, the British Navy hero. Maybe I will just forget ‘The Philadelphia Story’.”

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Carl LaVO can be reached at carllavo0@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Readers share memories of Burlington Island, Doylestown prison, Donner Pass