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                                                     Friends of Historic Vineland 

A Ticket to Vineland

Vineland was started because of the determination and vision of one man, Charles K. Landis. It was he who drove a stake into a spot in the ground of the Glassboro-Millville railroad that was to become the center of a new town in the wilderness of New Jersey. He was determined to make it "an ideal town", and to accomplish this goal he set into motion a trend that was to achieve many firsts; for example, the widest street of any town in New Jersey, the largest land area of any city in the state, the Vineland Training School which became a world famous institution, and Durand glass which also became world famous.

These events were not by chance. The character of early Vineland bore the unmistakable mark of many of the ideals of Landis. It was obviously his hope that his ideals would live on in future generations. It is our hope that by fostering pride in Vineland and pride in self we can help motivate our youth to make his dream come true.

A group of interested and dedicated people of variable backgrounds but of similar mind, have set out to present the youth of Vineland some of the exciting and fascinating history of their town. They did so with the belief that the past history of Vineland provides a beacon for the future of Vineland, that the goals of excellence of the founder of Vineland have not been lost, and that the firm commitment of Landis to provide excellence in education give us the clear message that the greatest hope for the future of Vineland rests in the youth of Vineland.

The town was founded as a multinational haven. It was done so with the idea that under the proper circumstances, the disadvantaged of one nation can thrive in another if given the opportunity. Vineland continues to be such a haven and we are determined to provide the same opportunity that was provided in the past.

It is to this goal that this book is dedicated and it is to this goal that the authors and contributors aspire.

In The Beginning

At the present time, Vineland is the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is 69.5 square miles in size. It is both a rural and urban community. The population based on the 1990 census is 54,780. But the real history of Vineland begins about 12,000 years ago when the first inhabitants of the Vineland area appeared. It is known that a strip of land connected Asia and North America and it is assumed that people from Asia walked across this natural land bridge to North America. After thousands of years, these people had spread to almost all parts of North and South America and were here Columbus discovered America. He mistakenly thought that he had reached India and so called them "Indians."

When the English first settled the area, they sailed up the Atlantic Coast from Jamestown and found the large bay created by the river we now call the Delaware River. At the time, the governor of the English colony was Lord Del A Ware. They named the bay and the river after him. All the Indians living in the area were called "Delaware Indians." These were the Indians that dealt with the Dutch in New York and later with William Penn in Pennsylvania. The Indians, however, called themselves the Lenape. For obvious reasons, the Indians had to live near rivers and streams, which in this area means the Cohansey and Maurice Rivers. Projectile points, cutting tools, pottery, pendants, primitive drills and grinding pestles were some of the items found.

Two major Lenape trails crisscrossed Vineland. The first was the Cohansey, a path which could be followed south from Burlington to Bridgeton, then eastward, crossing the Maurice River just above Almond Road, and advancing a northeasterly course until it hit the corner of Brewster and Wheat Roads. There it continued along Wheat Road to Buena's Midway Inn, and finally met up with the Long-A-Coming Trail just south of Weymouth Furnace.  The second trail is today's Delsea Drive. In prehistory, it was called the Mollogo Trail, later Anglicized to the Malaga. Very early it became an important north and south thoroughfare, supporting much wagon traffic well before Vineland was established. Where the two native tracks crossed, there operated a log tavern known as the Old Gregory Place, later to become Coney's Tavern

During the 17th century Europeans from countries such as Finland, Holland, Sweden, and England settled in the Cumberland County area. One contribution the Finns and Swedes made toward life in the colonies was the building of log cabins which they had learned in their native lands. Tall, straight trees were cut down and the trunks were shaped into logs. Pieces were cut out of the ends of the logs to make notches. Then, the logs were set one on top of the other to make walls. Flat pieces of wood were used for the roof. Stones were used to make the fireplaces. Stones, mud and moss were used to fill in any uneven spaces. An original Swedish granary, dated around 1650, was found on a farm in Hopewell Township. It is now on display behind the Gibbon House in Greenwich.  Greenwich, was the first town to be settled in Cumberland County. It remains a quaint and historic town since it,s settlement in 1675.  In 1774, before the Revolutionary War, colonists in Greenwich burned tea to protest the taxes the King of England had imposed. A marker stands in the middle of the town to commemorate this event. Later, when the declaration of independence was signed, they ran a bell in Bridgeton to herald the event. The bell remains to this day in the Bridgeton courthouse.

Settlers found the land of southern Jersey rich in natural resources. This included good climate and excellent soil for farming, forests filled with timber, and rivers for transportation of people and products. Rivers, after they were damned to make lakes, also provided water power for factories and mills. Cumberland County was also rich in the type of sand needed to make glass.  As a result, agriculture prospered early in the history of New Jersey. In more recent times, after World War II, Seabrook Farms became the largest agricultural operation in the world. Today farming and food processing remain one of the largest industries in Cumberland County, with fresh produce and food products being shipped throughout the United States and the world.  The lumber industries prospered in the early Vineland area which was studded with saw mills and lakes from dammed up streams to produce water power. Glass manufacturing later developed in Bridgeton, Millville and, eventually, Vineland. These towns produced many talented glassblowers. In fact, the Flint Glass works of Victor Durand Jr. became world famous with his fancy glass division. The Wheaton Glass Museum in Millville has an outstanding collection of local glass and they detail the history of glass and the local importance of the industry.

Fishing and oystering were very important industries along the Cohansey and Maurice Rivers and in the Delaware Bay, and remain so today. Shipbuilding developed as well. At one time, the town of Greenwich was a port of entry.  At the same time that Millville, Greenwich and Bridgeton were prospering, the area that would eventually be Vineland was swampy and full of trees and shrubs. Very few people lived here and it was very difficult to travel into the area. But that changed with the laying of a railroad between Glassboro and Millville that had a stop at Forest Grove, and by appearance on the scene of a man by the name of Charles Kline Landis.  Charles K. Landis was born in Philadelphia in 1833. At the young age of 19 he became a lawyer. He began to work with real estate. After a successful partnership that saw the development of Hammonton, Mr. Landis began to dream of starting his own "ideal community." He imagined a city of factories, stores, schools, churches and recreation halls surrounded by miles and miles of orchards, farms and vineyards. After his dream came true, he later explained that, "intending to make it a vine country, I called it Vineland."

He wanted the location of his ideal city to have the best possible climate, resources, and access to a railroad to transport its goods. He learned that Richard Wood was the owner of a large tract of land that now was accessible by this new railroad to Millville. Mr. Landis went to see Mr. Wood and told him about his dream to build an ideal city. He had no money for a down payment, so it took a great effort to persuade Mr. Wood to seriously consider his offer.  One evening, Mr. Landis and Mr. Wood started from Philadelphia by railroad to see the land. They went as far as Glassboro by the West Jersey Railroad and then by a new railroad called the Millville and Glassboro Railroad. The next day, Mr. Wood drove Mr. Landis through the land from Millville to Forest Grove. Mr. Landis was now sure that the area was perfect for his idea community!

The land that Landis desired was swampy but he could see it,s potential value. The soil would grow fruit and vegetables and the forest could provide wood for homes and stores. The land was flat which was a great advantage, and the climate allowed a long planting season. The new railroad line would transport the produce from the to Philadelphia at a good profit.  Mr. Landis now had the difficult task to get Mr. Wood to sell the land to him. He visited Mr. Wood frequently to talk about his plan. The people who worked for Mr. Wood thought that Mr. Landis was crazy! What sane person would buy such land, and how could he ever develop it into a successful community?  After much persuasion, Mr. Wood agreed to sell him the land for only $7.00 an acre, no money down, and no interest for 3 years. In essence, Mr. Wood would be paid as the land was sold.  At the time that Landis built his city, very few people lived in the area. The only roads were Horse Bridge Road (Main Road), Souder's Mill Road (Lincoln Avenue) and Malaga Road (Delsea Drive). They were dirt roads and very difficult to traverse.

Mr. Landis had a three-part plan for getting his city started. First, he would clear the main roads. Next, he would set up a post office. Finally, he would advertise his plans to attract large numbers of settlers. In the center of the large tract of land that he owned, he planned a one square mile of intense development for factories, shops, homes, schools, churches and halls for recreation. Around this square mile with Landis Avenue in the center would be farms, gardens, orchards and vineyards. He wanted all the primary roads to be 100 feet wide which was quite exceptional in those days!  On a warm August day, in 1861, August the 8,th, his hired men drove a steak into a high spot on the railroad more or less in the center of his tract to start construction on his new, very wide, main road of the settlement Landis Avenue! As the work began, the few people that were there to watch thought that he was crazy and did not hesitate to say so!

Landis then set upon to build a post office. The United States Government had to be persuaded to place a post office in an area that had so few people. His first application was turned down. The Postmaster General said it was silly to put a post office where there was yet to be a town. But, Landis would not give up! He spoke to Robert Tyler, the son of former President John Tyler, and asked him to intervene with the Postmaster General. They went to Washington and offered the argument that the town did exist it existed in the mind of Mr. Landis. The ruse worked, and the permit was granted at the cost of twenty dollars a year. Landis was appointed postmaster and so also became Vineland's first postmaster.

With the clearing of the land and the starting of his post office, Landis could now concentrate on the last part of his plan--the advertising of his new city. Vineland was to attract what he hoped would be large numbers of settlers. He advertised in his own paper, "The Vineland Rural" but also sent ads to the Boston Journal, the New York Herald, the Public Ledger, and Harper's Weekly . His ads told of a new settlement called Vineland, located only 34 miles from Philadelphia by train. They invited anyone interested in farm land to move to Vineland. Facts included in the ads told about the good soil and mild climate and long growing season for the successful farming of wheat, corn, grass, and fruits. He also said there were good business opportunities. He especially hoped to attract people from New England. One of his ads that ran in Harper's Weekly stated:

Lands " TO ALL WANTING FARMS " Large and thriving settlement, mild and healthful climate, 30 miles north of Philadelphia by railroad. Rich soil, produces large crops, which can be seen growing. Twenty and fifty acre tracts, at from $15 to $30 per acre, payable within four years. Good business opening for MANUFACTURERS AND OTHERS, churches, schools, and good society. It is now the most improving place, East or West. Hundreds are settling and building. The beauty with which the place is laid out is unsurpassed. Letters answered. Papers containing reports and giving full information will be sent free. Address CHARLES K. LANDIS, Vineland Post Office, Cumberland County, New Jersey.

From Reports of Solon Robinson, Agricultural Editor of the Tribune: It is one of the most extensive fertile tracts, in an almost level position and suitable condition for pleasant farming that we know of this side of the Western prairies.

The first house within the square mile of Vineland was built in 1862, at the corner of East Boulevard and Landis Avenue, by Chester P. Davis and Lester Richardson. This house is currently the property of the City of Vineland and can be seen next to the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian society on South 7th Street in Vineland. (Also nearby is an old railroad baggage cart that came from the train station in Hammonton, a town that Landis also started, and was rebuilt and donated to the Vineland Historical Society by Dr. Frank De Maio. It was donated upon the request of Mayor Joseph Romano.)

Mr. Landis believed that to attract settlers, and to build a successful community, his town should have hard working, educated and happy people. He paid the workers well, sold them land at a fair and reasonable price and made carpenters and timber available to build their houses. He was very much interested in the beauty of the town and insisted that homes be set back from the road, with trees placed in front for shade and beauty. Mr. Landis said, "Each person, in front of his or her homestead, should plant trees for shade at proper distances apart, within one year. My own engineer set the stakes for the trees. This was to turn the uniformity of straight lines and right angles in the roads to a feature of beauty as well as utility. The trees forming long vistas, in time would become surpassingly beautiful; they would also prevent droughts, and make a harbor for birds, which are necessary for a fruit country. As a protection to roads, and affording a grateful shade in summer, we regard their value.  Mr. Landis had other great ideas about the environment, such as saving resources and making proper use of the land. He used muck from the land he drained (as well as human wastes that were processed) for fertilizer. Roadsides were seeded with grass to prevent the spread of weeds to the farmland. Squares of land were donated as parks to be used for public recreation.  Charles Landis believed in education. When talking about Vineland, he said, "I designed that in Vineland it should be an advanced character; and that in time the place should become noted for its educational advantages."

In 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant spoke at the dedication of Vineland's first high school at 6th and Plum Streets. President Grant stated: "Ladies and Gentleman of Vineland, it gives me great pleasure to visit your thriving town of Vineland. It is one of the greatest places for industry and prosperity and intelligence.  Another reason many people came to Vineland was Mr. Landis, acceptance of people of all religious faiths. He wanted Vineland to include many different religious faiths and donated land and contributed money toward the building of churches. His only requirement was that the churches have a good style of architecture. As a result of this, Vineland today has many different places of worship.  Mr. Landis had very strong views on alcoholic beverages. He observed several other towns as they were beginning and concluded such towns were not successful because taverns and stores sold alcoholic with it,s attendant problems. Mr. Landis felt that people would be better citizens and workers if their minds were free from the influence of this drug. The early settlers agreed. Therefore, the selling of alcoholic beverages was forbidden. Mr. Landis insisted that each year the town would vote on this issue to reaffirm the importance of abstinence from alcohol.  Landis also encouraged the growth of professional and charitable organizations. He gave many prizes and awards to people of all ages for their accomplishments in a wide variety of areas such as education, agriculture, music and gymnastics.

The same year that saw the founding of Vineland saw the beginning of the Civil War. A major cause of that war was the issue of slavery. Slavery had existed in Cumberland County during the early years, and the slaves were used in agriculture, the fishing industry, and as domestic workers. Quakers in the area were very active in speaking out against slavery and by 1860, there were no more slaves in Cumberland County. When Vineland was started in 1861, there was no longer the possibility of slavery in the area as the practice had been banned by state law although 16 slaves still existed in the state waiting for the termination of their slavery. Vineland of course was pro Union and the majority of the early settlers of Vineland were violently opposed to slavery.

The people who wanted to put an end to slavery were called abolitionists. Some actually helped slaves escape, using secret routes called the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad involved a group of travel routes with safe resting stops for those who escaped slavery in the south and went north to freedom. Some of these paths passed through New Jersey. Springtown (Greenwich Township) was established in 1800 by slaves who had been freed or escaped. The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church in Springtown was one of the stations on the Underground Railroad of our county.

One famous Vineland resident Henry C. Work, was a composer who wrote songs of freedom during the Civil War era. A very popular one during the war was "Marching Through Georgia." Many of his songs were inspired by his father Alanson Work, who had gone to prison for helping about 4,000 slaves escape to Illinois via the Underground Railroad. His most famous song was not about war but rather "My Grandfather's Clock." This song has been sung by many many school children throughout the years.  During the early days of Vineland, women did not enjoy freedom equal to that of men. For example, they could not vote and if they worked, their salaries belonged to their husbands or fathers. Women were not free to dress as they pleased. Women who fought for their right to vote were called "suffragettes." In 1867, nationally known suffragette Lucy Stone addressed a Women's Suffrage Convention in Vineland. A very famous suffragette, Susan B. Anthony, lectured at Plum Street Hall on September 5, 1868 and February 6, 1870.

On Election Day, November 18, 1868, 172 women cast protest votes in Vineland, even though they could be fined or put in prison. But despite all the efforts of women's rights leaders across the country, women did not get the right to vote until the 19th Amendment to the United States constitution was passed in 1920.

The book Past and Present: Lives of New Jersey Women honors four famous Vineland women:

• Susan P. Fowler was a suffragette, tax protestor and dress reformer;
• Mary E. Tillotson was an important writer on dress reform. She once spent a night in jail for wearing trousers!
• Mrs. Mary Treat was born in New York state, but after marrying Dr. Joseph Treat, she moved to May's Landing. In search of more cultural exchange, they moved to Vineland in 1868. She lectured to a number of ladies, clubs in the Vineland area, and was active in the teaching of Vineland school children in the use of the microscope and the exploration of the microscopic world. She was also very interested in the development of additional rights for women. She wrote numerous scientific articles for a variety of magazines, and corresponded with the famous English scientist, Charles Darwin, who virtually created the field of evolutionary science. Darwin wrote a number of scientific papers on insects and made use of the data collected by Mary Treat in his publications.
• Sarah Strickland was a lecturer on female rights and a Vinelander who held a patent on an improved clothes dryer in the mid 1800,s.

In 1917 the United States entered World War 1 against Germany. Many Vineland residents served their country in the military. Others volunteered to help in the war effort. Vineland's glass industry was called upon to help our country during the war. Victor Durand was asked to design an x-ray bulb and thermos bottle which were needed by the armed services. Germany supplied much of the scientific glass to America prior to the war, but during the war America had to develop it,s own industries in those areas. The clothing factories were also contracted to sew uniforms. Vineland's Training School helped as well. The first mass intelligence test in America's history was used on the United States Army. The test was used to find out what service jobs each person could best perform.  During the dynamic and growing years of America after the Civil War, there was a great need for laborers which encouraged immigration and some eventually came to cities like Vineland. Most were looking for freedom and greater economic opportunities. Many of the immigrants were disadvantaged in one way or another. They had heard that good farmland could be found, as well as better jobs. Obviously any immigrant that came from Europe had to come by way of the sea in ships. The ships were packed as tightly as possible and the immigrants were allowed to take with them only the bare necessities of life. Most jammed trunks or suitcases with special items from their homes. Hence, when they came to Vineland, they often had virtually only the clothes on their backs! The immigrants came from a variety of countries:

The French:

The first immigrants that came to Vineland from Europe came from Germany, and France. The first French residents of Vineland came accidentally when their ship landed on a sandbar off the coast of Sea Isle City. On their way to Philadelphia, they passed through Vineland just when the main roads in Vineland were being built. They were attracted to the developing city and stayed. Later, other immigrants arrived to work in the rapidly developing glass industry. A famous glass manufacturing family, the Durands from Baccarat, France, started the Flint Glass Works in Vineland in 1895 that later would became world famous.  Many French farmers had unequaled skill and knowledge of soil conditioning and grafting. On their Vineland farms, they produced some of the finest grapes in America. They also made contributions in manufacturing, the professional fields, and in the arts.

The Germans:

Another group that were experts in the growing of grape were the Germans. Most left Germany for political reasons. At first they settled in New England, but later a good number of them came to Vineland such as Louis Laubsch and his wife who were attracted to Vineland because of the climate. They wrote home to family and friends in New England that Vineland had good soil and climate and was a great place to live. Soon a migration of these Germans began around 1869. They settled in the area of what is now Mill, Orchard, Chestnut, and Walnut roads. The area became known as Germantown.  The Germans were hard working farmers. Like many immigrant families, even the children had jobs. In some families, the children had to work all day in the fields and peddle milk to their neighbors barefoot. They grew berries and other crops in Vineland's sandy soil, but their best and most well known crop was grapes. Eventually, the Germans went into wine making and became locally famous for their product. Germantown no longer exists today in Vineland, but it did contribute to the growth of the city.

The Jews:

In 1882 the Russian "May Laws" were enacted which restricted them to towns and cities. At the same time there were widespread anti-Jewish riots or "pogroms" with the destruction of property and death of Jews.  These events resulted in the migration of several million Jews to the United States. An organization in Paris with a branch in New York by the name of Alliance Israelite Universelle helped some of them settle in a place near Vineland which was called Alliance in honor of the organization that helped them. In a short time, other communities such as Brotmanville and Rosenhayne followed. The first Jewish Cooperative farm settlement in America was started in Alliance in 1882.

From the nearby Jewish settlements, Jews soon began to immigrate to Vineland. They brought with them a close-knit kinship, a desire for education and excellence, and a flair for business. Soon, Vineland had many stores on Landis Ave. and many professionals that were Jewish. In addition, the settlements produced Joseph Perskie, the first Jewish member of the New Jersey Supreme Court, Dr. Arthur D. Goldhaft who became famous for his work with poultry vaccines, Gilbert Seldes, the first dean of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Penn., and the Bayuk family, the makers of the "Phillies" brand of Cigars.

A variety of groups helped to set up many of the Jewish immigrants with their own poultry farms. These new families helped Vineland become the Egg Capital of the East! Vineland had a large egg production early in it,s history, but it was not until 1931 that the Egg Auction was started to sell and distribute . New technology which forced the lowering of egg prices resulted in the decline and eventual ending of the poultry business in Vineland. Abandoned chicken coops can still be found around the area.  Vineland's research, and egg-laying contests helped farmers to improve the eggs and chickens. Dr. Arthur Goldhaft, the son of Russian Jews, with the help of Dr. Edward R. Johnstone, director of the Training School, and State Senator Ferman Reeves raised funds to establish a poultry laboratory in Vineland. Their research helped cure many chicken diseases.

The Italians:

Unfortunately for him, most New England farmers were interested in moving west, not south to Vineland. So, Mr. Landis developed another plan to bring more people to his town. He would attempt to bring immigrants from other countries looking for a better life.  There may have been great admiration for the cultural achievements of the Italians in Italy during the 1880,s but this sentiment did not extend to the Italian immigrants in America.

Fortunately for Vineland and the Italians, Landis was not of this sentiment. He attempted to have American authorities divert the increasing stream of Italian immigrants to rural districts where they could pursue the vocation they knew best farming. Landis purchased additional land and called it "New Italy." The streets were given names such as Dante, Venezia, Trento, and Piacenza in order to offer encouragement to the new Italian immigrants  After years of foreign domination and virtual serfdom, the average Italian of Southern Italy could barely feed himself despite hours of back-breaking work. Many could not read and write. The opportunities offered to them in America and especially in Vineland was like a dream. And so they came individuals, couples, entire families, and in some cases, whole towns!!

The Italians brought a number of characteristics with them. Many of them came to America with no education and no skills essential in a modern nation but they had been exposed to some of the greatest art, construction, and music in the world. Often without knowing it, they brought their love for those elements with them to America. They also brought with them a strong attachment to their families, their homes, their land, religion and good cooking.  In 1915, an Italian by the name of L. Cinacaglini wrote a book in Italian. The translation of the title was "A National Gift of the Italians of Vineland and Surrounding Areas." He referred to Vineland as an Italian Colony and took great pride in the strides that the Italians had made in the development of this area.

Today, those people that were once outsiders are accepted in exclusive clubs. Italian culture, art, music, food and styles are highly appreciated. Pizza has become the most popular food in America. Everyone knows and loves music by Italian singers such as Pavarotti and Buccelli.  Landis and the Vinelanders gave the Italians immigrants an unparalleled opportunity to develop and grow and assimilate that was not always granted in other parts of the country. Landis and the Vinelanders had faith in the Italians and did not let them down and in return, the Italians of Vineland did not let them down.  Among the various regional Italian dishes, dandelion salad is popular. Dandelion, a tasty "weed", is one of Vineland's first crops to go to market in the spring. Farmers grow it under plastic in January and February. It can grow in the open fields in March and April. Area restaurants offer dandelion salad and other dishes at the Annual Dandelion Dinner Festival. The first National Dandelion Festival was proclaimed by Cumberland County Freeholder, Charles Scarani, in 1973. In later years, former Mayor Patrick Fiorelli created a great deal of publicity by proclaiming Vineland the Dandelion Capital of the World.

The Russians:

Russians and Ukrainians came to Cumberland County at different times to escape poverty and persecution under the government of the former Soviet Union. Many were taken as prisoners during World War II and forced to work in Germany. Rather than return to Russia where they faced certain severe punishment, then left Europe and many came to this area. Today there is a strong community of Ukrainians in the Millville area, and of Russians in the Vineland area. Both cultures have their own churches and beliefs, yet they share in common certain folk art customs. One is the intricate painting of eggs for the Easter season and another is the matrioshka doll.  Matrioshka dolls are a favorite toy of Ukrainian and Russian children. Usually, the dolls are made of brightly painted wood. Some sets contain as many as 20 dolls nested together. When the top part of the doll is removed, a second doll is found. Removing the head of the second doll reveals a third doll. This goes on until the last doll is found.

The Greeks

An important addition to Vineland's population was the hard-working and independent Greeks. This ethnic group came to America at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Like most immigrants they would have preferred to stay in their homeland, but their country was suffering from poverty and political unrest. They came to America with the hope of making money and returning to their homes as soon as possible. Many young men came, found jobs, and sent as much money home to their families as they could. The jobs were so low paying that they could not afford to return home, and later decided to stay. With the passage of time, the Greeks developed industries in glass making, syrup production and retail stores. More recently they have become involved in restaurants.  A unifying force among the Greeks has always been the Greek Orthodox church, and it remains the center of Greek social life. They celebrate their culture with festivals and dancing and each year the Greeks have a festival which is widely attended.

Afro-Americans:

Three years before the founding of Vineland, Lewis Collins and Zachariah Murray founded a church in what would be East Vineland called Mount Pisgah AME Church. There was a cemetery connected with the church.  When Landis started Vineland, African Americans were among the workers who helped clear the forest to create Landis Ave. Based on our best research, a Mr. Iah Arthur, was one of the original workers for Landis when he constructed Landis Ave.  By 1887 there were 126 African Americans in Vineland. The great African American leader Frederick Douglas was the guest in Vineland of one of Landis's agents Cornelius Bowman Campbell. He lived near the Still family that moved to Vineland from Atlantic City in 1874 and built a house on 3rd Street near Park Avenue. Their youngest son, Joseph, sold coal, cut trees and lit lamps on Landis Avenue.

The Hispanics:

There was a great need for farm workers during world War II. Puerto Ricans, from the town of Utuado, came to Vineland in the 1940,s, in search of such work opportunity. Some worked as farm hands on the poultry and vegetable farms. Others went to work in the Clothing factories. After the war, many of them came back to live with their families. Since then, other Hispanic people have immigrated to Vineland from Spain, Mexico, Cuba and countries in South and Central America. Today Hispanics make up the largest single ethnic group in Vineland.

The New Jersey Memorial Home for Disabled Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Their Wives and Widows

This building was originally constructed in 1868. It was constructed from Georgia yellow pine which was floated up the Cohansey River and carried by caisson to the building site on North West Boulevard. In 1898 the property was purchased by the State of New Jersey for a veteran's home. It has rebuilt over the years, and the original building is no longer standing. The Memorial Home has provided residential and long term nursing care to New Jersey veterans of every war since 1812.

Welch's Grape Juice:

Dr. Welch first studied to become a minister. But, having trouble with his voice, he decided to become a doctor. After two years of working as a doctor, he felt it was too difficult so he became a dentist. He practiced in Minnesota then moved back to New York and finally in 1865 he came to Vineland. In Vineland, as mentioned above, there was a law against the sale of liquor and there were many churches. Many of the churches needed wine for their religious ceremonies. Dr. Welch solved the problem by coming up with the idea of preserving grape juice without fermenting it hence alcohol free. He first had to convince the Vineland churches to use it, but it eventually became so successful that it,s use spread across America and he was above to give up the practice of dentistry. Eventually his need for grape became so great that he moved his factory to New York state where grape production was greater than New Jersey.

The Palace Depression:

In 1929, many people lost their fortunes with the crash of the stock market. George Daynor, after having lost most of his money, claimed an angel led him to Vineland. Daynor said the angel guided him to build the Palace of Depression. He bought 4 acres of swamp land at a dollar an acre on South Mill Road north of Landis Avenue and made his "Palace" out of old auto parts, junk, and mud. The Palace of Depression became world famous. Daynor gave tours through his "palace" for the price of a quarter.

The Vineland Training School

Newcomb Medical Center

One short year after the end of World War II the good people of Vineland decided that it was time for a new and modern hospital. In 1919, a campaign was begun to raise money for a new Vineland Hospital. An article was published by the Hospital Association indicating how crowded their hospital was and how many people they were treating. In fact, they indicated that on occasion two patients had to be placed in one bed because of the lack of facilities.

A campaign was planned and then completed in a lightening series of meetings at Stanisics, Hall. The campaign was now in full force and money was collected by various teams from just about everybody in Vineland and surrounding areas. What the newspaper referred to was the dramatic way that Mr. Newton announced that he would donate 70,000 dollars for the hospital and an additional 30,000 dollars for an endowment fund. He first announced that he had induced a man by the name of Mr. Nicholas Ward Smith to make the donation, then with tongue in cheek announced that the translation of the name "Smith" from the Greek was really Leverett Newcomb.  Mr. Newcomb was as good as his word, and in addition went on to donate two city blocks of land upon which to build the hospital, paid for the landscaping, and left a considerable about of additional money to keep the hospital going. The Vineland Hospital became the Newcomb Hospital.

Newcomb Hospital was opened to the public December 30, 1923. Ten thousand people came to inspect the new hospital. The first patient was accepted January 2, 1924.  n 1926 Leverett Newcomb died at the age of 87 while taking his daily walk in Ocean City. He was cremated, and his ashes were buried under a boulder from his home state of Connecticut beneath the beech tree which he had planted on the hospital grounds in honor of his good friend and first medical director of Newcomb Hospital, Dr. Hatch.

Siloam Cemetery:

Vineland Industries:

By 1890, there were 14 industries making glass object, bricks, buttons, shoes, clothing, fruit canning, hat, pocketbooks, and box making. During the early years, factories and houses in Vineland were lit by gaslight or oil lamps. When Vineland was just 38 years old, the city decided to produce its own electricity because no private firm would take the risk of building power lines and supplying electricity for a struggling new community. Today the Vineland Electric Utility is the largest city owned power plant in New Jersey, and Vineland is the only city that generates its own electricity.

The Vineland Produce Auction

The Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society

From almost the time of Vineland's birth, the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society was in place. Established in 1864, it was the first volunteer historical society in the state New Jersey. It moved into its present location on the corner of Elmer and 7th Street in 1910. You can take a trip there today to see some exciting artifacts.

Summary of famous and near famous Vinelanders:

Vineland has had a number of famous men and women who added to the wealth of our country. Although some are mentioned above, below is a list of some of them that have made an impact on the rest of the United States and the world:

Linus T. Dexter -  created the Angel Food Cake.

John Portius Gage - developed The Gage Self-adjusting Plane.

Joseph F. Simpson - patented the "Skee Ball".

Adam Weber - patented the "Eureka Sprayer" for bugs.

Truman Mabbet - invented a cultivator and shipping crates.

William Dagget - patented and manufactured the Daggett Roasting Pan.

Dr. Thomas B. Welch - developed a way to preserve non-alcoholic grape juice and formed the Welch grape juice factory.

Richard 0. Bidwell - invented a machine to dig up to 300 tons of sand a day.

John L. Mason - invented the "Mason Jar" for preserving foods (however, it was  patented in 1858, 3 years before the founding of Vineland)

Mary-Adelia Treat - was a botanist and an entomologist who corresponded with Charles Darwin.

Max Leuchter - was one of a number of men who started his own newspaper in Vineland. His sons Ben and Joel who continued his journalistic excellence were very prominent in national Jewish organizations.

Dr. Arthur Goldhaft - developed and improved vaccines for chicken viruses.

Reverend . .. from Millville moved to Vineland and started the world famous Training School.

Miles Lehman - was very much involved in the creation of the Holocaust Museum in Washington.

Charles Durand Jr. - started the famous Durand Flint Glass Factory and the Artistic Division that produced the famous Durand Art Glass of Vineland.

Commander Marlene De Maio, M.D. - who operated upon President Clinton when he injured his knee.

VINELAND'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Barse School: The original Orchard Road School was built in the early 1870,s in the Germantown section of Vineland. It was destroyed by fire in 1941. A new five room school was built in 1951. In 1962, the school was expanded and renamed Dane Barse Elementary School after Mr. Dane Barse, a clothing manufacturer, a civic leader and School Board President and member for many years. Another addition to the school was made in 1966. The school is located at 240 South Orchard Road.

Mennies School: The original Mennies School was built in 1899 and located at third and Elmer Streets. It was named for Dr. William Mennies, a long time Board of Education President and member. He was also an important community leader. It was destroyed by fire in 1976. A new Mennies School was built in 1979, located at 361 East Grant Avenue.

Cunningham School: Cunningham School, originally named the East Avenue School, was built in 1918. In 1938 it was named for Dr. George Cunningham, a much loved Vineland doctor who cared for many patients even if they did not pay and donated money to community activities. An addition to the school was made in 1962. Cunningham School is located at 315 South East Avenue.

Max Leuchter School: The Leuchter School is named for Max Leuchter, a long-time editor of the Vineland Times Journal. He as also was an important civic leader. It opened in 1956 and is located at 519 North west Avenue.

Johnstone School: The Johnstone School was opened in 1957. It was named for Edward R. Johnstone who, as Superintendent of the Vineland Training School, dedicated his life to educating the mentally challenged and their teachers. The address is 165 South Brewster Road.

Winslow School: Magnolia Elementary School, located at 1335 Magnolia Road, was built in 1966. It was renamed after Dr. John H. Winslow, a medical doctor and civic leader who also was a Board of Education President and member. This was the district's first school that housed a built-in-library, and was considered one of the most modern elementary schools in the state.

Durand School: Durand School opened in 1973 as an open-space school (no walls between the different classes). It was named for Marie D. Durand, contributor to many community programs, and wife of the founder of Durand Glass Company. It is located at 317 West Forest Grove Road.  Since its founding in 1861, Vineland has remained both urban and rural, just as Landis had planned. He had attracted people from places in the United States, and all over the world. Vineland today is a multicultural community that continues to change.

Landis faced enormous problems when he decided to create a city in a wilderness. Things did not always go well for him, and he faced many obstacles in life. He did not always make the right decisions. But he kept to his dream. He said: "I fully appreciated the magnitude of the work before me, the clearing of miles upon miles of wild land, the draining of miles of swamps, the building of many miles of roads, the organizing of churches, schools, societies, and industries; in short, planting in the dark and forbidding wilderness, the industries, the arts, and even the elegance's of civilization, and doing it at once. It never entered my head to be long about it, but yet to stick to it, whether for a short or long time, until it was done."  Landis was the son of Michael G. Landis and Mary Lewis Quinn Landis. On October 14, 1868 he married Clara F. Meade, daughter of Captain Richard W. Meade, brother of General George Gordon Meade, the general in charge of the Union forces during the battle of Gettysburg. They had four children " all boys: Henry Meigs, who died in infancy; Charles Kline Landis, Jr.; Richard Worsen Meade Landis; and James Montevert Landis. Landis died in Vineland on June 1 1900 and was buried in Siloam Cemetery on Valley Avenue.

Vineland has had a great past! It,s future of course depends upon its young people and their determination to help Vineland continue to prosper and excel. We hope to see them live up to that challenge!

The End

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