 Mount Tabor was founded as a Methodist
camp meeting ground, the site where a camp meeting was held
for 10 days or so each summer. The camp meeting itself
consisted of a heavy schedule of religious services, prayer
meetings, and uplifting lectures.
Shortly after its founding in 1869 it became evident that the early
participants in the community would not be content to spend only
the short period of the camp meeting here, and very quickly Mount
Tabor became a summer resort community.
Eventually the summer tents and cottages became year-round homes,
still within the dimensions of the original 25' x 16' tent
lots.
While walking through Mt. Tabor, one can see Victorian cottages,
complete with gingerbread, and several historic community
buildings. Trinity Park is still a busy and central focus of the
community. In addition to residences surrounding the park are three
octagon structures. The Mt. Tabor branch of the Parsippany library
occupies one of them, once known as the Ebenezer Pavilion. The
Bethel, a pavilion erected in 1873 and enclosed in 1886, is used as
a community meeting hall. Historic displays are featured in the
Bethel the day of the annual house tour. The Tabernacle, built in
1885, is used to host large community events, including concerts.
The fountain in Trinity Park is a close replica of the original
fountain erected in 1875.
Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, private cottages were built at a
rapid rate, while some summer residents stayed in tents. By the
turn of the 20th century, more than 200 cottages were built, making
Mt. Tabor a lively summer resort. The Depression and World War II
brought some changes to Mt. Tabor: during these times when families
could no longer afford two houses, the cottages were turned into
year-round dwellings.
Today, Mount Tabor is a very special community. It has an historic
heritage that is being proudly preserved. It is a community full of
good will and good neighbors. I hope you enjoy visiting Mount
Tabor.
If
you park at the designated coordinates you can see "C" gazebos in
the park.
|
Mount
Tabor Library
Tent: 1869
Pavilion erected: 1873
Pavilion enclosed: 1901
While the Ebenezer Pavilion and the Bethel Pavilion, across Trinity
Park, were virtually identical prior to enclosure, this one retains
more of its original character. Note the eave trim all the way
around the roof edge, the square cupola, and the board and batten
siding. Nineteenth century accounts of Mount Tabor tell us that at
one time there was a map of the Holy Lands worked in colored sand
on the dirt floor of the Ebenezer Pavilion. The flat roof portico
supported by four Tuscan columns dates to the enclosure of the
building in 1901. The building has served as the community library
since 1901, and is now a branch of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public
Library. |
|
You will see signs
pointing toward the Library. Follow
them. |
Trinity
Park
The Circle, the name commonly given to Trinity Park in the 19th
century, was the scene of large and enthusiastic camp meeting
services. In 1877 it was reported that "the Circle will seat 4,000
people and within hearing of the services 8,000 people can
congregate. There have been times in the past when no less than
12,000 people have been packed within this enclosure." Imagine rows
and rows of simple wooden benches as well as surrounding porches,
both upper and lower, filled with attentive worshippers. |
The Library borders Trinity Park.
The light poles in Trinity Park have dedications on
them.
You will find one dedicated by the Dickerson Family and one
dedicated by Margarette Lawless Drake.
In between those two is a third with a date on it. The date
is 19F3.
if you can not read the lamp post then you can look at the bricks
on the sidewalk. The brick from the Garden Club of Mt. Tabor also
has a year on it: 19F3. |
Continue
through The park until you find a cast iron object located on
the far side.
|
Tabernacle
Architect: John Post of Paterson
Builder: C. White of Paterson
Erected: 1885
A true Camp Meeting style structure, reminiscent of a large meeting
tent, the Tabernacle is an elongated octagon with corresponding
cupola and hip roof. The Preacher's Stand originally projected from
the park side of the building where there were four sets of double
doors. Note the board and batten siding, the large triple hung sash
with 6-paned windows, and the large double 4-panel doors with 12
pane transoms. The lower level of the building was designed for
four commercial spaces, and in the summer of 1885 was occupied by
the post office, a barbershop, a fancy goods bazaar, and a drug
store. The interior space was meant to accommodate up to 1200
persons for services and entertainments. The interior was
originally lit by gas fixtures with large glass globes. |
25 Trinity Place
Original owner: Honl. Peter Smith of Waterloo
Erected: 1870
One of the first cottages built in Mount Tabor, it was described as
plain but comfortable. In the mid-1870s it was remodeled into a
very neat and cozy cottage and architectural adornments
(gingerbread vergeboards and balustrades) were added. Note the sawn
vergeboard under the gable. |
27
Trinity Place
Original owner: Rev. C.S. Coit of Jersey City
Erected: early 1870s
In 1903 the front porch of this cottage was enlarged and an
addition put on the rear. Note the Italianate canopy over the door
to what was originally an upper porch, and the charming
cupola. |
29
Trinity Place
Original Owner: J.M. Tuttle
Erected: mid 1870s
In 1878 the kitchen was extended and the bay window added. Note the
pointed arch windows in the attic. |
|
East
Pass
At the left side of the Library visitors can see East Pass, one of
several footpaths which were part of the original layout of the
community. It extends three blocks to the east. |
 33 Trinity
Place
Original owner: Dr. J.P. Stickle of Newark
Erected: ca. 1870, with extensive remodeling in 1877
Although not much is known about the original appearance of this
cottage, we do know that it started as a small, simple and
unadorned residence and that the 1877 renovations included a bay
window, architectural detailing, and "tasteful fence." In 1882
readers were told that, "This residence has all modern
improvements, including bathtub, lavatories, etc, with hot water
attachments. The cottage is fitted with pipes and boiler and range,
but to avoid the generation of heat, they have never been
utilized." The cottage is Eastern Stick Style with projecting gable
roof and gingerbread trim. Note the combination of fish scale
siding and clapboard which gives rhythm and character to the
building. The arched 4/4 sash windows and arched double doors as
well as the double door entrance to the balcony lend visual
interest to the park facade. The house is little changed from its
late 19th century appearance. Early photographs (pre-1900) of the
house show simulated block siding with corner quoins and a
shallower porch with decorative striped awnings. This cottage, and
its neighbor number 35, were chosen by artist Lucille Hobbie in
1992 for portrayal in her "Historic Morris County" series of
lithographs.
|
35 Trinity Place
Original owner: M.S. Allison, ship-builder of Jersey City
Carpenter/builder: Samuel Cosgrove of Jersey City
Erected: 1877
A stunning survival today, this cottage was no less remarkable in
its infancy, when it was written, "This is perhaps the finest
single cottage upon the grounds, having recently been completed at
a cost of over $2000. It is in fact a substantial residence,
occupying two lots, built in a becoming order of architecture, and
with a view to comfort and convenience in its interior
arrangements. Upon the first floor are parlor, dining room, and
kitchen, and upon the second seven sleeping apartments." The
"becoming order of architecture" is Stick Style with hints of
Eastlake, highlighted by cutout patterns, pendants and medallions.
Don't overlook the small gable roof cupola, the knee braces which
support the projecting gable and its decorative stick
work. |
 37 Trinity
Place
Erected: mid 1870s
Note the Gothic pointed-arch tracery supporting the upper porch
roof. |
39 Trinity Place
This house is believed to be an enlargement of what was originally
a combination tent cottage (called "half tent-half cottage")
erected in the mid-1870s for Daniel R. Lowrie, D.D. of Bloomfield.
Dr. Lowrie called his tent-cottage "Sweet Home." It included a
parlor, study, dining room, modern kitchen, and sleeping rooms, and
had a miniature lawn and gardens around it. Dr. Lowrie was a
prominent leader of the campground - he served a president of the
Camp Meeting Association Board from 1887 to 1896 and during the
camp meeting itself ran the Young People's Services. |
37 Morris
Avenue
Original owner: Mrs. Osee Fitzgerald
Erected: 1877
Mrs. Fitzgerald and her son, the Rev. Fitzgerald, had this cottage
built. The Rev. Fitzgerald was later made a bishop of the Methodist
Church and also served as president of the Camp Meeting Association
of Ocean Grove from 1897 until his death in 1908. Mrs. Fitzgerald
was a very active leader in the church's Holiness Movement. Her
Holiness meetings were held in the lower level of her home until
her death in 1907. A plaque in the Tabernacle honors her
contribution to the religious life of early Mount Tabor. Note the
balcony on the park side of the house. Tradition has it that Bishop
Fitzgerald preached to listeners in the park from this spot (this
seems unlikely). Note the sawn wood ornament in the gable
ends.
|
 32-34
Trinity Place
Original owners: J. Smith Richardson of Jersey City
Dr. J.W. Cosad of Jersey City
Rev. Alexander Craig of Westfield
Erected: 1873
Mr. Richardson and Dr. Cosad joined resources to make the most of
three adjacent lots on Trinity Park. When the treble cottage was
completed Dr. Cosasd occupied the upper residence (left half of No.
32), and the center unit was purchased by Rev. Craig, Presiding
Elder of the Jersey City District of the Methodist Church.
"Architecturally this treble cottage is one of the prettiest
buildings on the grounds, and its very appearance denotes taste and
refinement. It is ornamented by a French roof, bay windows, and
plate glass door, and is in every essential a beautiful place of
residence." (1877) Note the large plate glass windows across the
front of the building-an unusually striking feature for its time.
The house originally had a second story porch on the front and
decorative vergeboards under the eaves. The middle and upper
cottages were converted to a single residence in the 1950s. No. 32
Trinity Park is the only cottage in Mount Tabor which has never
been sold. It is owned and occupied by a descendant of J. Smith
Richardson. Note the distinctive mansard ("Second Empire") roof
with a pattern worked in multi-colored slate. At the back of the
structure, from Wesley Place, can be seen original detailing in
brackets, post supports and remaining sleeping porch. |
West Pass
West Pass is seen at the left of the Bethel and extends 3 blocks to
the west. |
 The
Bethel
Tent pavilion: 1869
Pavilion erected: 1873
Pavilion enclosed: 1886
This building was initially erected as an open-sided prayer
pavilion for religious services and meetings. The one-story octagon
is topped with a low pitched octagonal hip roof and square cupola.
The eave trim, now missing, would once have duplicated that seen on
the Library, across Trinity Park. Note the large double hung 6/6
sash windows. The original exterior siding was board and batten.
After enclosure it was known as the "Children's Pavilion" and
during the Camp Meeting children's services were held here everyday
from 4 to 5 PM. The shed roof vestibule was added to the front
entrance in the 1940s. |
 26
Trinity Place
Original owner: David Campbell, Esq. of Jersey City
Erected: 1870/71
In 1877 this was described as a double cottage, running through
from Trinity Place to Wesley Place, with a front on either street.
The Wesley Place cottage was used for culinary and other household
work. Note the pointed arch window frames on the second floor and
the pierced ornamental pediment above the doorway. David Campbell
served as president of the Camp Meeting Association board from 1877
to 1887 and guided the new community through its formative
years
|
 24 Trinity
Place
Original owner: C.A. Wambaugh
Erected: ca. 1870
In the 1870s and 1880s this cottage, described as "a neat appearing
structure, in perfect keeping with its elegant surroundings," was
owned by Lucy C. Young of Belvidere. In the basement of the cottage
was the Mount Tabor Book and Stationery Store, originally run by
Rev. Mr. Cronce. Note the pointed arch windows on the 2nd and 3rd
floors of the Trinity Park facade. The double porches would have
made this an ideal spot for listening to the camp meeting
speakers. |
Fountain
A cast iron fountain was put in place at the top of Trinity Park or
"The Circle" in 1875 at a cost of $225. This fountain, a replica of
the original, was purchased with funds donated by the community and
erected in 1992.
|
Golden
Stairway.
Between the fountain and the next street up the hill their are
several sets of stairs beweeen the fountain and Hedding
Place.
Recently
reconstructed, there are now "A" sets of 5 stairs between the
fountain and Hedding Place. |
Golden
Stairway. (Part 2)
Between the Hedding Place and
St. James Park there are "B" sets of stiars. The last set of
stairs has 4
steps. There are
"D" steps in the first and second set of stairs
combined |
When you
walk up the Golden Stairway you will reach St. James Park. in
the center of the park is an
object
The object
is the answer to letter
E.
0. A small
pond
1 A
statue of a male figure on a
cross
2 A
statue of a little boy on a tree
stump
3. A
painting of priest holding up one
hand
4. A
painting of maiden in a water
garden
|
St. James
Park
5 A statue of mother holding her
son.
6 A
statue of a man holding a book and
reading.
7. A
fountain with three boys playing in
water
8.
A baptismal
fountain.
9.
A plaque dedicated to the ocal golf
course. |