Women Run Harvey's Lake

I. Introduction

On July 16, 1939, the Sunday Independent newspaper in Wilkes-Barre published an article titled "Women Run Harvey's Lake" with a sub-title, "Look for the Bosses of Most of the Stands and It's a 'Proprietress;' Nor Is This Anything New."

The 1939 article is reprinted in full below in standard type with a few editorial corrections. This web-editor has also interlaced in the text his additional contributions which are printed in bold italics.

The web-editor has also added additional material post-1939 regarding women who operated various businesses, or who were otherwise influential at the Lake.

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II. Sunday Independent 7/16/1939

"One of the best examples of feminine activity, apart from the usual household routine, is found at Harvey's Lake this summer, where many women are busily engaged operating some of the resort's main business establishments.

Scattered along the lake front in all the popular sections of Harvey's Lake, including Sunset, Warden Place, and Picnic Grounds, are many roadside stands, inns and recreation places which in recent years have commenced to show signs of improvement and prosperity, thanks to the ingenuity and untiring efforts of the female workers who are managers of these places.

 

Brought Roller Coaster

The beginning of women's business activity at Harvey's Lake dates back a number of years ago to the one-time proprietor and manager of the Harvey's Lake Picnic Grounds, Mrs. Nettie Wintersteen. It was this lady who brought the present roller coaster to the park and devised a number of novel recreational places now located there. Mrs. Wintersteen, who resides at 360 Reynolds Street, Kingston, spent a majority of her time at Harvey's Lake managing the Picnic Ground business. Several years ago, she retired and sold the entire grounds, concessions and all, to John Hanson, who is continuing the many improvements inaugurated by Mrs. Wintersteen."

Nettie Kresge Wintersteen (1879-1945) was a descendent of the Kresge clan which pioneered the settlement of Bald Mountain in Bear Creek Township. In May 1904, Nettie married Alfred Wintersteen (1974-1933), originally an orphan from Philadelphia, whose enterprise developed the Bald Mountain Milk Dairy. In late 1923 the Wintersteens leased the Harvey's Lake Picnic Ground and began its conversion to an amusement park. In May 1930 Nettie Wintersteen purchased the park in her name as her husband, Alfred, was now disabled. Nettie then retained John Hanson, a Kingston contractor, to partner in management of the park. In 1935, Nettie sold her interest in the park to John Hanson, but she retained ownership of the Dodgem ride and Merry-Go-Round. Her heirs inherited ownership of the rides.

 

The Sunset Section

"To the Sunset region of the lake falls the glory of possessing the greatest number of women proprietors and managers. Mrs. W. J. Hill, who with the aid of her family, operated a roadside stand at the junction of Carpenter Road and the lake thoroughfare, had been a familiar figure in affairs of the lake resort for more than forty years.

Mrs. Hill knew an earlier generation than her associates. She was once located adjacent to the old street car depot, atop Oneonta Hill, a number of years back.

Mrs. Hill is the "front" for the business. She knows most of her summer customers by name and enjoys a chat with them. But the Hills operate during the entire year. Mrs. Hill is head bookkeeper and cashier. She relies upon Mr. Hill [her son] to take care of diverse duties about the stand.

 

For Sunday Papers

Residents of Harvey's Lake depend upon women for their supply of Sunday papers. One of them is Mrs. Hill. Another is the veteran woman newsdealer, Mrs. H.W. Ketran, whose stand is located near the old steamboat landing at Sunset. She manages the business formerly operated for a number of years by Mr. Ketran.

Roadside stands of Mrs. John Edwards at the Picnic Grounds and Mrs. John Gerlott at Warden Place also distribute the Sunday Independent and other Sunday papers. One business woman at Sunset 'pulled one over' on a male associate early this season by advertising 12-inch hot dogs for 5c. Her enterprising idea netted an extra amount of customers - and "they're still selling - 12 inches for 5c," she reported last week."

Martha Hill (1841-1919) was born in Canada. In 1902 she and her son William J. Hill, Jr., erected Hill's Pavilion near the Sunset bridge. In 1903 the Shawanese post-office was transferred to Hill's. "Grandma Hill" was the central character of the Sunset area until her death in 1919. Hill's store and restaurant was famous for its salt-water taffy, refreshments, Lake souvenirs and post-cards. Hill's was later remodeled into Lake View restaurant.

"For the past several decades Mrs. Estelle Bennethum has been closely identified with the business life of Sunset. She is in charge of the 'La Casa,' located directly across the bridge at Crystal Beach and operates a real estate agency."

Estelle Bennethum (1888-1952) was the spouse of George W. Bennethum (1877-1927), from Reading, who created the Lake Improvement Company at Sunset in late 1921. The company has a massive recreational and beach complex along Sunset's beach front. It actually eclipsed the Lake's amusement park in features and summer offerings to visitors.

George Bennethum eventually owned nearly 30 theatres in the Reading and Pottsville area which concentrated his energy. His spouse, Estelle, was more rooted at the Lake and quite business savvy. When George died prematurely in April 1927, Estelle assumed management of the Lake Improvement Company. In August 1929 the company's holdings along the Lake front were almost entirely destroyed by a historic fire.

The Lake Improvement Company was reconstructed by Estelle with the beach front renamed Crystal Beach Park. The Lake View restaurant was remodeled as the famous La Casa night club which Estelle managed in 1935. On August 31, 1952, she died suddenly while playing Bingo at Sunset.

A full history of the Lake Improvement Company and the Bennethums can be found on this website under Recent Additions (2023).

 

Mrs. Devlin's Casino and Sophie Osko's Grotto

"A Harvey's Lake landmark, the Casino, facing Crystal Beach and overlooking the water is owned by Mrs. Frank Devlin. Mrs. Devlin is a year-round resident of Harvey's Lake, and because of extra activity during the past several years, she has been forced to lease the Casino to a private corporation for this season.

Opposite the Casino, two brightly painted stands are operated by Mrs. Jane La France and Mrs. Willilam Andrews. Everything in the small establishments is spic and span.

Part-ownership in the Grotto, a Sunset cafe, has been retained this year by Mrs. Sophia Osko. She is recognized throughout the Wyoming Valley and the lake region as a shrewd business woman. She laughed when a reporter asked her why she liked to continue at the lake. "I like it here, and here's where all my friends can find me,' she said."

Combining business and maternal strategy is the difficult task which daily confronts the women who operate "Pennyland." As you can guess, it's the haven for hundreds of youngsters who expect far more than a penny's worth for a single copper. The two young ladies (they'd care not to have their names mentioned) are kept busy from noon until late evening."

The Casino was built in 1924 next to the Sunset bridge by Frank Devlin who also owned the Family Theatre on South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. The theatre site is now a Wilkes University parkade. The Casino had the region's largest bowling alley, pool tables, restaurant, other amenities, and a second-floor dance hall. Devlin died in October 1938 and his widow, Lydia Shronk Devlin, managed the Casino and the Family Theatre. She died at the Lake in mid-September 1940. The Casino was demolished in 1980.

In 1922 partners Sophia Osko, Stella E. Starr, and Helen Ambrose opened the Grotto Cote D'Asur restaurant at Sunset. In 1924 Sophia and Stella opened the New Grotto restaurant next to the Casino. Sophia married Oliver Burke, Jr., in 1939 and opened Burke's at Sunset (now Jonathon's restaurant). Starr left the Grotto enterprise early. Osko and Burke sold the New Grotto in 1945. But the Grotto name was so ingrained in Sunset's history that it was later adopted by Joseph Paglianite's pizza enterprises as Grotto Pizza.

 

Gas Station, Corn, Milk

The most unique business at the lake is in the charge of Mrs. Lawrence Lansbury. She operates the only gas station at Sunset. What's more, she was the first person in the lake region to hit upon the idea of selling "corn on the cob" and she has run an excellent business of it ever since. Latest development under the direction of Mrs. Lansbury was the opening of a stand selling "from dairy-to-you" milk. Her trio of business establishments is located in a direct line between State Avenue and Carpenter Road.

Where Harvey's Lake's most spacious hostelry, "The Oneonta," was one located, three separate restaurants are situated at present and the women are in direct charge there too. Mae Gill started one many years back, then came Mrs. Elizabeth Buckley, who remodeled an old dwelling nearby as a restaurant. Followed later was another eatery run by Mrs. James Kearney. She brought the first big nickel hot dog to the lower side of the lake."

Mae C. Gill operated a restaurant at Kingston Corners and later opened the Oneonta restaurant at Sunset. At the Oneonta restaurant, she offered a daily chicken dinner for one dollar. In 1927 she lost her Kingston apartment in a fire. In late June 1928 Gill's Restaurant, now named the Bridge Restaurant, was destroyed by fire. Mae Gill died in January 1955.

 

Late Mrs. Schworm a Leader

"Regretted by her associates was the passing of Mrs. R. W. Schworm several months ago. She was the owner of Lakeside Inn, located at Warden Place. Her reputation for serving wholesome, tasty dinners spread to all corners of the State.

'Link's Tavern' has all the aspects of a male-bossed business.

But believe it or not, a woman also directs the destinies of the concern. She is Mrs. Margaret Link, a resident of the lake for the past several years. The tavern is at Warden Place.

Martha Condaras has been singled out by many lake visitors for her novel roadside stand on the Noxen road near the Picnic Grounds. She is the youngest business woman at the lake."

For decades the Lakeside Hotel was the most significant landmark at Warden Place. It was built by Martha James in 1914. Martha was an established Plymouth caterer.

Later in 1914, Martha married Lewis Schworm, from Long Island. For 23 years Martha and Lewis operated the 30-room hotel, which was always advertised with Martha as the owner. The hotel was full all-summer and its restaurant was famous for Martha's chicken dinners. She died in May 1937. Lewis sold the hotel in 1946. The Lakeside was destroyed in a 1978 fire.

A 50-year staple at Warden Place was Link's Tavern. It began with Margaret (Maggie) "Blackjack" Link in 1920 as a summer bar, and by 1924 a year-around bar. Her son, Jack C. Link, Jr., joined his mother in operating the bar after his service with the U.S. Army in WWII. Link's was also enlarged after the War and remodeled again in 1960. The Lakeside Bar and Grille was sold in 1978 and later demolished.

Martha Higgins Condaras was born and raised at Harvey's Lake. The Higgins family were early settlers in the Lake area. She was married to George Condaras. Her father, Frank Higgins, 77, was killed in May 1940 by an automobile while walking at night on the road near the Picnic Ground. For many year,s Martha operated concessions at the Lake's amusement park or along Noxen Road.

 

This Is Advertising

"One business woman who believes in advertising and intends to make a good job of it, recently opened a stand which is visible as one leaves Harvey's Lake in the direction of Dallas.

The building is painted white and the roof is covered with bright red shingles. Printed on the roof in huge white letters is this title: "Mary's Barbecue."

Like her many female associates at Harvey's Lake, she is kept busy every hour of the day managing financial matters and satisfying the resort's army of customers."

Sunday Independent, July 16, 1939.

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III. Other Women Establishments 1920s-1930s

The 1939 article largely reviewed business women at the Lake around that year. But other women were active at the Lake in this period too. A comprehensive list is not practical here. But some examples will be noted.

Women, single or married, were active in operating boarding houses and especially seasonal restaurants. In 1923 alone, Mrs. D.A. Smith had the Inlet Boarding House, located at the rear of the Sunset bowling alley, and open year-around. The Clover Inn on Second Street, Warden Place, was supervised by Mrs. T.P. Dougherty. The Davis Boarding House near the Picnic Ground was operated by Mrs. Alice Shultz. On the main road to the Lake (the Old Lake Road) was the boarding house Whispering Pines run by Miss M. E. Grey. On First Street, Warden Place, was Aunt Mary's Boarding House. Next to the Oneonta Pavilion dance hall at Sunset was Mildred Dunn's Belmont Restaurant and Store.

The Tabard Inn, which also offered boarding services, opened in 1909. It was operated by Mrs. John Merical until it was sold to William Mann in 1921. John Merical died in August 1947 and was married to Isabelle Clark Merical for 70 years. Isabella died in 1948.

Mr. William Mann managed the Tabard Inn. He was also an engineer for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, and died at age 50 in 1937. His widow, Elizabeth Mann (Evans) died in an automobile accident in July 1947. The inn was later known as the Wa Hoo Inn and then as the Harvey's Lake Hotel. It still stands within an extensive remodeling and enlargement into an apartment building near the intersection of Lakeside Drive and the Noxen Road.

Not noted in the 1939 article was the Jenkins Beauty Shop at the Outlet. Boris and Sophie Jenkins owned the well-established Jenkins Beauty Shop at 28 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, for 30 years. Sophie opened the Harvey's Lake branch in June 1934 and ran it through the end of the decade. Marion Maceiko, who died in 1987, operated another beauty shop at the Lake for 27 years.

In 1935 there were 22 restaurants licensed in Lake Township, nearly all at the Lake, with 10 registered to women. In the same year there were 75 establishments with retail licenses, with some overlap with the restaurant licenses. Among the 75 were 15 women with general retail licenses.

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IV. Post Script

There are numerous examples of other women who were significant figures at the Lake. A few will be noted here.

The Avon Inn was jointly owned by Dora and Noah Raskin. It was opened along Barnum Place in 1912. Dora died in April 1929 and Noah sold it in 1936 when it became the Pine Grove Lodge.

Helen Ambrose had considerable interests at Sunset including the Cotton Club (1930-1949). In modern times the site is the now vacant Strive Multi-Sports facility.

Helen Sgarlet acquired the Cotton Club in 1965 and renamed it Scarlet's Inn. She later acquired Sandy Beach in 1973, but its Sand Bar was lost to fire in May 1974 and Sandy Beach closed.

For 25 years Ann's Cafe along Old Lake Road, was operated by Ann Ziminski Mickalus, and it is now Bill's Cafe.

Margaret Puterbaugh operated a grocery store near the Sunset bridge for years, and her daughter, Mable Eleanor Puterbaugh, continued with the store and her services as the Shawanese post-mistress for 26 years.

James and May Brennan had a bar at the Stone House, Sandy Beach. James died in 1944, and May continued the business until 1947. In 1949 May opened a new bar opposite Sandy Beach. May Brennan retired in 1970, and the bar eventually became Rich and Charlotte's (Williams).

In July 1978 the late sisters, Lilly Sacco and Jeanne DeWees, opened Villa Roma, generally an Italian restaurant at Sunset. The venture was formerly the Nothoff bar. In 1993-2001 the sisters also operated the Villa Roma Pizza and Pasta House at the adjacent site of the old Cotton Club. The Villa Roma close during the COVID crisis in 2021-22.

There are also examples of married couples which were effectively business partners at the Lake. John and Helen Hanson both managed the Picnic Ground, and when John Hanson died in 1966, Helen Hanson continued to operate the park with her sons, Robert and Donald Hanson. Later, Donald and his spouse, Shirley, then operated Hanson's Amusement. When Donald Hanson died in 1990, Shirley and family members operated the park.

Sandy Beach was operated by Sam and Alice Slomovitz from 1948 to 1973 when they sold it to Scarlet Enterprises. A May 1974 fire closed Sandy Beach.

Javers Store at Alderson was operated by Bill and Shirley Javers for 43 years, from 1972 to 2015. The store was earlier operated by Tony Javer, Bill's father. The building was razed after the store closed.

Marion S. Rood was the wife of Benjamin S. Rood. Marion was once a teacher at the Loyalville school, and was a teacher at both Dallas and Laketon. The Roods owned Rood's campground and the Martha Washington Inn opposite Sandy Beach. She jointly managed these operations with Ben.

The Carpenter Hotel was converted from an old tavern at Sunset. In 1936 Tony Burnett and his wife, Ruth Johnson Burnett, converted the hotel into a night-club called "Tony's." The club was closed during WWII while Tony was in service. It was reopened as Sloppy Tony's in 1948. On Christmas Day 1950 Tony and Ruth died at home when they were overcome by gas fumes in their south Wilkes-Barre home.

Old Sandy Bottom was developed by Joseph and Margaret McCaffrey in 1954, and later owned by James and Carlene McCaffrey. Both jointly operated Old Sandy Bottom until it closed after the 1984 season.

Jay's Motel, Bar and Grill at Sunset was owned by Nick and Julie Arnone. Opened in 1955 the 6-unit motel also rented boats and offered speed-boat rides. Opposite the motel, along Old Lake Road, was Jay's Bar and Grill, now a vacant building. Built in 1947 and once known as the Sunset Inn, the motel was converted to apartments in 1975.

 

Copyright December 2023 F. Charles Petrillo