The Beacon

Most people associate the “Beacon” at the north intersection or Route 130 and Route 156 with the old Giovi’s Restaurant, because for so many years it held the Giovi sign. Many people think that Giovi’s used to be the Beacon, but in reality Giovi’s used to be the Yardville Bar and Grill, The Beacon was something totally different.

Before there was a Giovi’s restaurant at this point there was an establishment known as the Yardville Bar and Grill. Even today if you are driving south on Route 130, at Route 156, and look at the roof of the Old Giovi’s restaurant, now American Grill and Sushi, you will see the peak of an old “A” style roof. This was the Yardville Bar and Grill. When Giovi’s was constructed, it was built around the old establishment, so mainly it was most likely considered a renovation, rather than new construction. For years the bar area of the Yardville Bar and Grill, was the same bar area as Giovi’s.

When the Yardville Bar and Grill was at the point, between it and the Beacon was a Drive-In restaurant, I believe complete with “Car Hops”. The name of the drive in was “The Beacon” and they were the ones that originally erected the Beacon Sign.

At one time the beacon was lit with tall florescent bulbs arranged in a circle in the center of the Lantern and a yellow revolving light on top. The revolving light is still there but is no longer operating.

The “Beacon Drive-In” was still there in the mid 1960’s; I remember they had great steak sandwiches, foot long Hot Dogs, and fresh cut fries, along with all the other great drive-in food, including soft ice cream.

The history of the “Beacon” light goes way back before there was a drive-in restaurant at this intersection, it goes back before there was a Route 130 and Route 156. In fact the “Beacon” or “Lantern” is 94 years old. After a little searching here is what I found:

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The beacon or lantern as it was known was on a U S Coast Guard Light Ship. The light ship was built in 1892 in Bay City Michigan, by the J W Wheelan Co., at a cost of $53,325.00. She was one of four built at a cost of $213,300.00 for four ships.

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She had an Iron hull and was coal fired, steam powered, and was also rigged for sail if need be. Originally the ship had two lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps w/reflectors and a fog signal consisting of a 12" steam whistle and a hand operated 1000-lb bell.

In 1906 the Propulsion was changed from steam to a Murray-Tregurtha kerosene engine, a Submarine bell signal was placed in operation. In 1946 the ship was re-powered with a Superior diesel main engine, 151 HP, 310" propeller with a maximum speed of 8 knots.

In 1914 the Masts were replaced with a single large diameter lantern mast amidships, equipped with an acetylene lens lantern; a pilot house was added at the foot of mast and in 1930 the Lantern converted to electric operation.

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During the Lights lifetime it served many assignments:

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STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1892-1896: Frying Pan Shoal (NC)

1896-1906: Martins Industry (SC)

1906-1923: Relief (SC)

1924-1933: Charleston (SC)

1933 Relief (SC)

1934-1951: Stonehorse Shoal (MA)

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During the Lights lifetime it endured many harsh storms; in 1893 she safely rode out hurricanes in August and October although boats and the davits were carried away during the storms and deckhouse demolished. In 1936, During a severe winter storm, the ship was dragged several miles off station in a moving ice field, the ship regained her assigned station unassisted and then in 1948, While in route to Boston, became caught in heavy ice in Buzzards Bay; later broken out by a ships tender, “Spar”.

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The Lightship was retired from duty in 1951 at the age of 59.

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Decommissioned Jun 15, 1951 at Boston then towed to Cape May NJ for final disposition. The Ship was sold Sep 15, 1951. The lantern mast and large diameter lantern housing is located outside Giovi's Restaurant, Yardville, NJ.

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I have been told that after the sale at Cape May, the ship was towed to Doan’s Salvage Yard in Fieldsboro, NJ, to be scrapped; this is where the owners of The Beacon Drive-in purchased the Lightship’s Lantern.

The "Piney Paddlers" - July 14, 2008

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a Group known as “The Piney Paddlers”. They were having a canoe trip from the Delaware River, at Bordentown, up the Crosswicks Creek to Groveville, on the tide and would be having lunch at Anchor Thread Park and returning with the tide. They travel rivers and streams all over the state and enjoy hearing about the places they pass.

They had read my web site and asked me if I would be interested in meeting them at Anchor Thread Park and speaking to their group about Groveville, its history and the part played by the creek in developing the mills and the town. I have never done this before and I explained to them that I was just someone that grew up in Groveville and enjoyed its history, not a public speaker (hoping to get out of it), they said, “Perfect, just what we are looking for”.

Four days before their run two of the group did a scouting run of the creek with chain saws to clear the creek of fallen trees and debris, this not only helps the canoers, but is something that benefits everyone that lives along the creek, this promotes a better flow and in times of heavy rains and floods the creek and the surrounding land drains more readily, as the creek is less susceptible to blockage.

On the day of their trip about twelve or fifteen paddlers made their way up the creek to Groveville, arriving about 1:00 PM. They pulled their boats up the canoe ramp and every one gathered in the Gazebo with their lunch they all sat around I began telling them about Groveville. My little talk lasted almost forty five minutes, with questions it was an hour.

They were a very nice group of people, very concerned about the environment and the well being of the creek. They enjoy each others company and share a common hobby, but they do a lot of good work also.

About 2:15 PM they put back in the creek, we wished each other well and they paddled off.

I was very flattered that they would even consider asking me, but I am glad they did.

The Piney Paddlers are associated with the “Friends for the Marsh”, another environmental group, concerned with the well being and the history of the Hamilton - Trenton – Bordentown Marsh, and in turn associated with the Sierra Club Central Jersey Group.

I have a link on the right column to both of these groups and if you are looking for some fascinating reading and information click on these links and just “Surf” through some very interesting facts and photos. They even have photos of my little talk in the park.

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It was a very nice experience, meeting some very nice people. Its seems that no mater how old we get is it always nice to meet people we can learn from, and I learned from them, and got the chance to pass on a little "Groveville History".

John (Jack) Coffey

The top photo is my Uncle Jack Coffey with two other Hamilton Township Police officers; Uncle Jack was one the first Police Officers in Hamilton Township.

The bottom photo is my Uncle Jack and his wife Annabelle Coffey on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. I remember when they lived on Church Street, in the long apartment like house that was built for the workers of the Grist and Saw Mills.

When the highway bypass of Yardville was built, now known as Route 130, the house was torn down. It was then they moved to Crosswicks, on the Crosswicks – Hamilton Square Road, just around the corner from Ocker’s Barrel.

After Uncle Jack passed away I can still remember Aunt Bella (as I knew her), coming to church driving either a late 1940’s or early 1950’s faded blue four door Plymouth.

These photos were sent to me by Jack and Annabelle’s Great Granddaughter.

One of the last recollections of Uncle Jack was after his retirement he was the watchman when the development know as Groveville Gardens was built, in the 1950’s. As kids we would cut through the growing development to get to one of our favorite swimming spots on the Crosswicks Creek, known as Cold Spring. Somtimes Uncle Jack would see us and yell "Hey where are you kids going", then laugh because he knew where we were going.

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Cold Spring, at this point the creek made a turn and this caused it to have a nice Gravel bottom, coming in at this point there was a very cold and clear spring feeding the creek, hence the name, “Cold Spring”.

There were times we would sit in the icy water of the spring, just to see who could sit in it the longest, the water flowed icy cold even in the summer.

Cold Spring had a high bank on the Groveville side, perfect for jumping off into the creek. Back then you never had to worry about cutting your self on a bottle or can in the water, soda only came in glass bottles, there were no canned soda and the bottles were returned to the store for five cents for a large bottle and two cents for a small, no one would waste that kind of money by breaking it in the creek in the 1950’s. Besides, if anyone was caught breaking a bottle in the creek the punishment would be severe, from the other kids that swam there.