the sign at the entrance to Everhart Park

Reference Notes for
"West Chester's Everhart Park:
A Century of Recreation"

by Jim Jones, Ph.D. (West Chester, August 2004).

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  1. Two springs originate in the northeast corner of the park and unite to form a surface stream that flows across the park to its western edge. A third spring surfaces south of the park (near the west end of Dean Street) and feeds a stream that passes near the southwest corner of the park, then joins the first stream just west of the park to form Blackhorse Run. Blackhorse Run follows Miner Street (PA Rt.842) and joins the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek near the intersection of Allerton and Creek Roads.

  2. "The Town of West Chester in 1800" blueprint map in CCHS, map drawer M1.

  3. Emmor Trego to John Rankin, Chester County Deed Book E2 (June 10, 1790), 478.

  4. John Rankin to William Wollerton, Chester County Deed Book C3 (March 29, 1808), 109.

  5. Chester County Deed Book B4 (February 19, 1828), 135, in Chester County Archives. On Wollerton's land tenure, see Douglas Harper, West Chester to 1865: That Elegant & Notorious Place (West Chester: Chester County Historical Society, 1999), 174 & 308.

  6. J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, PA, with Genealogical and Bibliographical Sketches, (Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1881. Reprinted 1996 by Chester County Historical Society.), 544-545.

  7. William Darlington, Directory of the Borough of West Chester, for 1857: containing a complete history of the borough from its first settlement to the present time ... (West Chester, PA: Wood & James, Publishers, E.F. James, printer, 1857), 93.

  8. Daily Local News (November 21, 1905), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  9. "For Sale" in Village Record (December 31, 1867), in CCHS clippings files "West Chester Streets, Miner St., 1860-1869."

  10. The death dates of all five Everhart children appear in Chester County Deed Book B13 (August 23, 1905), 62.

  11. "Last Will & Testament of Benjamin M. Everhart," Chester County Will Book 34 (January 1904), 240, in Chester County Archives, will #30093. See also "Finished Appraisement" in Daily Local News (November 22, 1904) and "About Everhart Estate" in Daily Local News (November 23, 1904), both in CCHS clippings file "Everhart, Benjamin Matlack (5)."

  12. "The Everhart Family History" from www.everhart-museum.org/m-hist2.html. Accessed May 24, 2004.

  13. Provision 20 of Isaiah Everhart's will begins "My son, Edwin E. Everhart, having conducted himself in a manner which meets with my disapproval ..." Reprinted in "Dr. Everhart's Will Probated. Large Estate Will Be Distributed in a Variety of Ways-What It Sets Forth" in Daily Local News (June 1, 1911), in CCHS clippings files "Everhart, I."

  14. "The Everhart Family History" from www.everhart-museum.org/m-hist2.html. Accessed May 24, 2004.

  15. "An Account of the Administration of Dr. Isaiah F. Everhart, executor of Benjamin M. Everhart" in "Last will and testament of Benjamin M. Everhart" in Chester County Will Book 34, page 240, in Chester County Archives, will #30093.

  16. "Last will and testament of Isaiah F. Everhart" (February 14, 1905) in Chester County Archives, will #34142. See also "Dr. Everhart's Will Probated. Large Estate Will Be Distributed in a Variety of Ways-What It Sets Forth" in Daily Local News (June 1, 1911), in CCHS clippings files "Everhart, I."

  17. "ABOUT EVERHART'S ESTATE. Largest Ever Settled in Chester County. Some Interesting Details" in Daily Local News (November 24, 1904), in CCHS clippings file "Everhart, Benjamin M. (5)." Investor fears were also mentioned in Daily Local News (October 29, 1904), in the same clippings file.

  18. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, December 16, 1904), in CCHS letter 9257.

  19. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen (Scranton, November 26, 1905), in CCHS Letter 9293. Isaiah generally resisted Gheen's invitations to come to West Chester, and made Gheen come to Scranton to handle estate business.

  20. Charles H. Pennypacker (Chief Burgess of West Chester), letters to Isaiah F. Everhart (October 6, 1904; February 21, 1905; August 30, 1905), in CCHS letters 9347-9349.

  21. Charles H. Pennypacker (Chief Burgess of West Chester), letter to Isaiah F. Everhart (West Chester, February 21, 1905), in CCHS letter 9348.

  22. Charles H. Pennypacker, letter to Isaiah F. Everhart (February 21, 1905), CCHS letter 9348 and Everhart, letter to Gheen (Scranton, September 11, 1905), CCHS letter 9288.

  23. Bonfires are mentioned in "Everhart's Woods" in American Republican (August 25, 1857), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park." By inference, bonfires include wood scavenging. Picnics and walks are mentioned in many articles. There is no written source for boys' games, only the author's own experience.

  24. Daily Local News (August 26, 1904), in CCHS clippings file "Everhart, Benjamin Matlack (4)."

  25. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, August 13, 1905), in CCHS letter 9286.

  26. Isaiah F. Everhart to the Borough of West Chester, Chester County Deed Book B13 (August 23, 1905), 62.

  27. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen (Scranton, September 11, 1905), in CCHS Letter 9288.

  28. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, December 4, 1905), in CCHS letter 9294.

  29. Borough Council of West Chester, "Minutes of the Special Session" (November 17, 1905), in CCHS West Chester Borough Archives, RG2 S1 SSB Box 2 Volume 1899, 410.

  30. Ibid.

  31. Isaiah F. Everhart to John J. Gheen (Scranton, November 26, 1905), in CCHS Letter 9293.

  32. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen (Scranton, January 21, 1906), in CCHS Letter 9299.

  33. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, October 31, 1905), in CCHS letter 9292.

  34. For instance, a month after his cousin's death, Isaiah wrote "As for letters, I am getting them by the score. All want something." Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, October 7, 1904), in CCHS letter 9248.

  35. This was the period when Isaiah instructed Gheen to "stop his fuss." Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen (Scranton, September 11, 1905), in CCHS Letter 9288.

  36. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, April 5, 1906), in CCHS letter 9306.

  37. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, April 22, 1906), in CCHS letter 9307.

  38. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to Dr. Warren (Scranton, September 9, 1907), in CCHS letter 9327.

  39. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to John J. Gheen, Esq. (Scranton, September 25, 1907), in CCHS letter 9328.

  40. Daily Local News (June 30, 1906), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  41. Daily Local News (April 9, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  42. Isaiah F. Everhart, letter to Robert O. Jefferis (Scranton, July 19, 1909), in CCHS West Chester Borough Archives, RG2 S1 SSA Box 2, File 27 "7-8/1909."

  43. "Unfortunately, West Chester at this time, is not able to do all the committee desires, but Dr. Everhart should see that we are willing to do what we can--and let us hope he will see fit to further help us along and not turn us down as he is said to contemplate in Scranton's case." Daily Local News (April 16, 1908). "Dr. Everhart still takes an interest in this place and it is intimated that he has future plans regarding its improvement and adornment." Daily Local News (May 30, 1908). "The good and genial doctor has numerous friends and well-wishers in this place. It is hinted that he will yet remember West Chester in assisting to beautify the handsome old forest and park bearing the family name." Daily Local News (February 11, 1909). "Without presuming to insinuate that Dr. Everhart personally is in any way indebted to West Chester, or that the citizens of this place have any claim upon his liberality, it goes without saying that our people would be very grateful to him if he could see his way to erect the memorial gateway to Everhart Park at the Barnard Street entrance, as was at one time talked of and rather expected ... " Daily Local News (May 26, 1910). All of these items can be found in CCHS clippings file "Everhart, Isaiah F."

  44. "Dr. Everhart's Will Probated" in Daily Local News (June 1, 1911), in CCHS clippings file "Everhart, Isaiah F."

  45. West Chester Board of Trade, West Chester (West Chester, PA: F. S. Hickman, 1888), 39.

  46. Daily Local News (April 17, 1906), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  47. Nathan R. Rambo, County Surveyor, letter to Dr. Joseph Scattergood, Chairman of Park Committee (West Chaster, June 23, 1906), in Borough of West Chester, Borough Council Meeting Papers, pre-1960, located in CCHS "West Chester Borough collection" RG2 S1 SSA box 2, file 6.

  48. Joseph Scattergood, "Park Committee Report to Borough Council" (June 13, 1906) in Borough of West Chester, Borough Council Meeting Papers, pre-1960, located in CCHS "West Chester Borough collection" RG2 S1 SSA box 2, file 6.

  49. Joseph Scattergood and S. D. Ramsey, "Park Committee report to Borough Council" (August 8, 1906).

  50. "Gradually Being Made a Fine Resort, Has Many Natural Advantages" in Daily Local News (September 6, 1907), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  51. S. D. Ramsey and J. Scattergood, Parks Committee, report to Borough Council (West Chester, n.d.) in CCHS West Chester Borough Archives, RG2 S1 SSA Box 2, File 16 "1- 2/1908." On the baseball field and playground, see "At Everhart Grove" in Daily Local News (November 20, 1907), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  52. "Contract Awarded for Pavilion" in Daily Local News (April 24, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  53. "Pavilion Plans Ready" in Daily Local News (April 18, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  54. "Improvements Nearing Completion" in Daily Local News (May [n.d.], 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park." See also J. T. Harkness, Chairman of the Parks Committee, report to Borough Council (West Chester, n.d.) in CCHS West Chester Borough Archives, RG2 S1 SSA Box 2, File 18 "5/1908."

  55. Daily Local News (May 24, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  56. Daily Local News (April 24, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  57. "Trouble at Everhart Park" in Daily Local News (July 29, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  58. Daily Local News (May 29, 1909), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  59. "Gold Fish for Park" in Daily Local News (October 13, 1909), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  60. George B. McCormick, "Everhart Fountain Episode" letter to the editor of the Daily Local News (August 28, 1947), in CCHS clippings file "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park." See also numerous clippings in the file "West Chester Streets, Market Street."

  61. "How Many Trees in Everhart Grove?" in Daily Local News (October 27, 1908), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park." The practice of appointing a "park superintendent" was already in use at Marshall Square Park and in 1907, Farra was appointed superintendent of Everhart Park. Ellsworth Farra, application for reappointment as the caretaker at Everhart Park (March 11, 1908), in CCHS "West Chester Borough collection" RG2 S1 SSA box 2/13. Before Farra, George Sharpless, owner of the wheelwright's shop in Everhart Grove, was appointed a "special officer" in the park in 1905 or 1906 after he sued to prevent the Borough from evicting him. See Daily Local News (February 2, 1905) and "Trouble at Everhart Park" in Daily Local News (July 29, 1908), both in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park" and "Removal of Everhart Park Tenant" in Daily Local News (March [day not given] 1906), in CCHS clippings files "West Chester Streets, Miner St., 1900-1909 (2)."

  62. Daily Local News (June 28, 1917), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  63. Daily Local News (July 18, 1917), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  64. Joseph Scattergood, D. T. Sharples and S. D. Ramsey, "Park Committee report to Borough Council" (April 11, 1906), in CCHS "West Chester Borough collection" RG2 S1 SSA box 2/5 and Daily Local News (April 17, 1906), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park." See also Daily Local News (May 26, 1910), in CCHS clippings file "Everhart, Isaiah F."

  65. See for example, Chester County Deed Book P15 (April 9, 1920), 400, which conveyed the Grove Hotel (605 W. Miner Street) from the Provident Life & Trust Company to Patrick H. Corcoran, a local builder. Gheen lived even longer -- his obituary appeared in the Coatesville Times on November 29, 1924 (see CCHS clippings file "Gheen, J.").

  66. Rev. Samuel C. Hodge, "Inquiries As To The Future of Everhart Grove," letter to the editor of the Daily Local News (June 24, 1944), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  67. Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (August 8, 1951) in CCHS RG2 S1 SSB Box 3/11.

  68. Daily Local News (March 29, 1956), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  69. In 1943, Park Committee chair R. S. Himelright informed Council that "another child had fallen into the pond at Everhart Park." Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (June 9, 1943) in CCHS RG2 S1 SSB Box 3/11.

  70. Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (July 8? 1943) in CCHS RG2 S1 SSB Box 3/11.

  71. Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (March 11, 1953). On citizen efforts to preserve the fountain, see "Soroptomists Protest Proposed Removal of Fountain at Everhart" in Daily Local News (March 16, 1939), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park"; Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (August 11, 1943) in CCHS RG2 S1 SSB Box 3/11; Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (August 8, 1951) in CCHS RG2 S1 SSB Box 3/11 and "If Dr. Everhart Could See It" in Daily Local News (April 16, 1953), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  72. Photo in Daily Local News (May 1, 1952), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  73. Borough Council of West Chester, regular meeting minutes (May 12, 1954), in "Borough Council Meeting Minutes, 1953-1961," in West Chester Borough Hall.

  74. Borough of West Chester, "Minutes of the Regular Meeting" (May 13, 1970).

  75. Dawn L'heureux (member, Friends of Everhart Park, interviewed March 15, 2004); Bob Wilpizeski (Director of Public Works, interviewed March 18, 2004) by Jim Jones. See also Borough of West Chester, "Minutes of the Regular Meeting" (March 29, 1989).

  76. Daily Local News (July 24, 1943), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  77. Rev. Samuel C. Hodge, "Inquiries As To The Future of Everhart Grove," letter to the editor of the Daily Local News (June 24, 1944), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  78. Daily Local News (December 27, 1923), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park"; Borough Council of West Chester, meeting minutes (May 11, 1938) in CCHS RG2 S1 SSB Box 3/11; and Daily Local News (May 6, 1944), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Streets, Everhart Park."

  79. Each February, Borough Council hires a private contractor to cut the grass in all of its parks. See for example, West Chester Borough Council, "Minutes of the Regular Meeting" (February 17, 1993).

  80. See, for example, the Borough Council of West Chester, "Minutes of the Regular Session" (February 20, 2002), which mentions special event applications for both the May Day Arts Festival and the Turks Head Music Festival.

  81. Jim Jones, personal observation (July 26, 2004).

  82. West Chester Borough Council, "Minutes of the Regular Meeting" (June 18, 1997).

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Copyright 2010 by Dr. James A. Jones