What a wonderful post. My Dad taught me how to drive on the Lincoln and Wissahickon Drives and still use them to get in town, or to the Main Line. I can remember being enthralled with the sparkling water at Gustine Lake and felt the East Falls kids were lucky to have it. We lived in Oreland and didn't have our own lake. I am greatly saddened that it is gone. It seems that bit by bit, old Philadelphia and her heritage are disappearing. I love your blog. I, too, have many years of Catholic school under my belt -the former Melrose Academy on Old York Road in Melrose Park, which was once the home (named "Ellerslee") of Richard Dobbins, brother of man for whom Dobbins Tech was named. There used to be a lake on that property also, at the corner of Old York and Ashbourne, but the Sisters had it filled in and a synagogue now sits on that piece of land. After 13 years at Melrose, K-12, I went off to their college in Buffalo. Even Melrose and the college have changed, so sad. Pieces of history that can never be brought back. When Ellerslee was torn down, I was devastated. I truly mourn the loss of Philadelphia's special, not-so-well-known treasures, like Gustine Lake. Do you remember the Park Guard station at the corner of Gypsy Lane and the Drive? I hope that is still there. Is there anything as pretty as the winter sun shining on the icicles that form on thee rocks flanking the drive? Do you remember the little sign on the picnic area as you turn from the Lincoln Drive onto the Wissahickon? It said "Let no one say, and say it to your shame, that all was beauty here before you came" - an early anti-littering campaign. There is a small foot bridge across the creek, before you get to the Gustine Lake area. Where does that go, and where in Heaven's name could you stash your car to walk across it? Thanks for the trip back in time. I will toss a hug towards Gustine Lake as I pass on Tuesday on my way to a Bryn Mawr ortho surgeon. Have you explored the beautiful area off Bells Mill Road, where the little bridge crosses the Wissahickon?
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What a wonderful post. My Dad taught me how to drive on the Lincoln and Wissahickon Drives and still use them to get in town, or to the Main Line. I can remember being enthralled with the sparkling water at Gustine Lake and felt the East Falls kids were lucky to have it. We lived in Oreland and didn't have our own lake. I am greatly saddened that it is gone. It seems that bit by bit, old Philadelphia and her heritage are disappearing. I love your blog. I, too, have many years of Catholic school under my belt -the former Melrose Academy on Old York Road in Melrose Park, which was once the home (named "Ellerslee") of Richard Dobbins, brother of man for whom Dobbins Tech was named. There used to be a lake on that property also, at the corner of Old York and Ashbourne, but the Sisters had it filled in and a synagogue now sits on that piece of land. After 13 years at Melrose, K-12, I went off to their college in Buffalo. Even Melrose and the college have changed, so sad. Pieces of history that can never be brought back. When Ellerslee was torn down, I was devastated. I truly mourn the loss of Philadelphia's special, not-so-well-known treasures, like Gustine Lake. Do you remember the Park Guard station at the corner of Gypsy Lane and the Drive? I hope that is still there. Is there anything as pretty as the winter sun shining on the icicles that form on thee rocks flanking the drive? Do you remember the little sign on the picnic area as you turn from the Lincoln Drive onto the Wissahickon? It said "Let no one say, and say it to your shame, that all was beauty here before you came" - an early anti-littering campaign. There is a small foot bridge across the creek, before you get to the Gustine Lake area. Where does that go, and where in Heaven's name could you stash your car to walk across it? Thanks for the trip back in time. I will toss a hug towards Gustine Lake as I pass on Tuesday on my way to a Bryn Mawr ortho surgeon. Have you explored the beautiful area off Bells Mill Road, where the little bridge crosses the Wissahickon?
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