08/28/2026
This month in history, we bring you our last installment about the Town Line annual picnic.
After holding the annual picnic at various sites for 26 years beginning in 1923, the department began to discuss a purchase of land in 1949. Three propositions were made for property from Fred Stoldt, Alfred Simme, and Charles Webster. A special meeting was held on April 22, 1949 and motions were made to purchase land located on Town Line Road north of Broadway from Fred Stoldt of 811 x 607’ for $3,000 and an additional three acres west of the school property adjoining the Stoldt property from Matt Kwitkowski for $300. The picnic committee and board of directors were authorized to lay out the new picnic grounds and see about a permanent location of a ball diamond. The picnic grounds property was officially purchased on June 28, 1949.
Looking to improve the property, 100 trees were requested the following spring from the Town of Lancaster Supervisor. Permanent bathrooms were researched as well and the department also discussed constructing a building on skids for use by the ladies auxiliary, installation of a 40’ x 60’ and 6” thick concrete slab at the picnic grounds for a dance floor, and installation of a ball diamond.
Further improvement plans were discussed starting in the spring of 1951, and later that year a special meeting of the board of directors was held and proposed plans were presented for a building of log or rustic design sized 18x24 to be erected on the picnic grounds. A motion was made that the labor be furnished by fire department members with outside help paid if necessary. On October 1951, the members voted to build the first permanent buildings on the site according to plans submitted by building chairman Al Thuman. Al reported he had a man who would erect the buildings at the picnic grounds and asked some of the men to help peel the bark off the logs that were on the picnic grounds. By peeling the logs, a better appearing building would result. The following year four more buildings were constructed
The following year brought more improvements and on May 16, 1952 a special meeting was held to consider building additional permanent buildings on the picnic grounds for use as stands. Chairman Al Thuman reported the cost of the 18’x24’ stand recently built would be approximately $385. He had a permit for five buildings on the grounds. A standing vote was held in favor of the building program. Ted Bierig moved that building plans be started with a $3,000 limitation with details to be worked out later. A discussion followed concerning which building would be erected first and it was decided a bar and bingo stand be built first. The bar would be 24’x60’. It was then decided the 24’x30’ chowder stand would be built third and the fourth building would be a bottled beer stand 18’x24’ in size. Charles Lewczyk Jr and Ray Weil were appointed to the building committee with Chairman Al Thuman. Additionally, a motion was made to have gas piped to the picnic grounds. The cost of labor and materials for the four additional picnic buildings was estimated at $4,700 to $4,800. The contractor also agreed to build frames and allow firemen to complete the work at a savings if desired. A motion was made and carried that each able-bodied member work eight hours on the picnic ground building project. If a member did not work, he would be assessed $5 to be applied to the building fund, however that decision was rescinded at the next meeting. A motion was made to appropriate enough money to build the picnic grounds money to a maximum of $4,800.
Rental of the picnic grounds was discussed and it was decided the department would have say in who rented. If rental was just the kitchen, the ladies auxiliary could rent and keep all money. If the entire grounds were rented the ladies would receive 10% if the kitchen was also rented. A motion was made and a standing vote carried a rental fee be set at $150.
The buildings were completed in 1953 and dedicated at the annual picnic later that year.
Plans for toilet facilities for the grounds were approved by the Department of Health in December 1953, and the following May a report was given on proposed construction of toilet facilities on the picnic grounds for $824 with all labor supplied by the department. After lengthy discussion, Paul Stephan moved the board of directors proceed with er****on of toilets not to exceed $1,000. Discussion was also had concerning the Ladies Auxiliary inquiry of er****on of a permanent building on the picnic grounds. A motion was made and carried the ladies be permitted to erect a permanent building subject to approval of the board of directors.
In February 1956, a motion was made that a mower be purchased for the picnic grounds but defeated. Elmer Chapman suggested before any mower be purchased, the grounds be put in condition so that they may be kept presentable. A motion was made that the entrance of the picnic grounds be leveled, seeded, landscaped, and a sign erected.
In the Spring of 1956, Mr. Thuman suggested the er****on of a building on the picnic grounds 20’ x 20’. It was stated slabs for such a building were available at Strykersville. A motion was made by Paul Stephan and carried that the bingo stand be completed before any new construction was undertaken. President Weil instructed the secretary to contact the Alden Central School Board requesting permission to use the Town Line School and grounds next to our picnic grounds for our picnic.
That August, Milt Pautler suggested that the company keep its eyes open in regard to the present Town Line school with the possibility that the property might be acquired in the future.
In October 1958, the fire company voted to grant permission to the Town Line Businessmen's Group to erect a permanent Boy Scout Building on the picnic grounds. Ted Bierig reported on the proposed building to be built which would be 28’ x 30’ on a cement slab with a fireplace for heat. The sponsors had received two bids for concrete work. The lowest bid was $190 for footers for the building which would need to be three feet deep and a footer for the fireplace. The total cost of the building was estimated at $1,000. Ted explained that the building would be built by the Boy Scouts on a site proposed by the board of directors and the building would belong to the fire company. The sponsors wanted to have the building called the Boy Scout building and desired an agreement with the fire company whereby the Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts would have permission to use this building any time they might need it. Also, if the present troop should cease to exist, a troop that may be organized in the future would have permission to use this building. The sponsors explained that between $300 and $400 had been pledged for this building by the local businessmen and they wanted some financial help also from the fire company if possible. A motion was made and carried that the fire company go along with the Boy Scout Committee to erect a Boy Scout building on the picnic grounds. A motion was then made that the fire company donate $199 to the Boy Scout building fund. President Weil appointed the board of directors to work out the details of this building with the Boy Scout Committee as to lease, insurance, and other details. In December, Don Weisbeck reported that materials for the Boy Scout building totaled $1,508.33 with a possibility that more funds would be needed to complete the building. In March 1959, an agreement with the Town Line Businessmen’s Group in regards to the building was entered into. In September 1993, the joint board stated they would like to see the boy scout building on the picnic grounds burned down due to its deteriorating condition. It was burned down soon thereafter.
Discussions began in April 1961 regarding the board of directors looking into the possibility of buying the old Town Line School which bordered the picnic grounds to the south. Nothing came of this but the topic was brought up again in January 1971 when Paul Stephan was contacted and told the school property on Town Line Road was for sale. The property measured 420 ft road frontage and 311ft deep which was about 3 acres of land and was appraised at $47,000. The school district was asking $40,000. After discussion about land and building the board decided to hire a lawyer for advice. A special meeting was called later that month for the purpose of discussing the purchase of the property. After discussion of taxes, water, costs, and interest and if it would benefit the company, a motion was made and seconded to have the board look into the property in more detail. A few months later in April, a motion was made and carried to drop proposed plans to buy grounds and building.
In January of 1972, the school property was again brought up and no action was taken by the company. In October 6, 1972, Paul Stephan, who had purchased the property when the fire company voted to drop the plans to purchase, offered to sell the school property to the company but did not quote a price. Paul stated he would sell the property minus one lot with the condition he had first call on the rest of picnic grounds property if it was ever sold. A motion was made and carried the board of directors discuss the situation and report back to the company. In February, Director Offhaus presented an outline and details about the school property. There were several proposals presented and the board of directors recommended the company purchase the entire property from Mr. Stephan and Son. It was suggested to hold a special meeting to decide. A motion was made and carried to purchase the property at a special meeting on March 25th at 2PM with a vote of 23 for, 6 against, and 11 abstain. On March 25th, the company voted to approve the purchase of school building and property from Paul Stephan for $22,000 with a vote of 30 yes and 4 no.
In April 1976, a suggestion was made to use the old school as a club room and also possible development of the grounds for recreation. Don Frost reported that the old school could not be used in its present form for any project except a school, church, or medical facility unless the property was rezoned. Discussion followed in regard to procedure for rezoning and Don Frost stated the Alden Jaycees (Alden Junior Chamber of Commerce) were going to try and contact the Lancaster Jaycees to see if something could be done with this problem.
The picnic grounds were turned over to the benevolent association in 1976 and, ultimately, the school property was sold in March 1985. The rest of the land is still owned by the benevolent as of today.
Check back next week when we'll share another interesting piece of history from the past 106 years!
