History of Port Jervis, New York, USA

1854 - Port Jervis
Port Jervis, a thriving post-village of Orange county, New York, on the New York and Erie railroad, 97 miles from New York city. Named in honor of John B. Jervis, engineer of the Hudson and Delaware canal, which passes through this place. It contains several churches, a bank, and large railroad depots.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1868 - The boiler of a locomotive exploded at Port Jervis, N. Y., on the 17th, instantly killing the engineer, Fred Hardenburg.
The fireman was in front of the engine and escaped unharmed. Hardenburg was carried over the top of trees near by, and was found 150 feet from the engine, his body horribly mangled and wedged in between two stumps. The dome of the engine went through the roof of a house 200 feet distant, passing through a bedroom, fortunately unoccupied, landing in the kitchen below.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 28, 1868

1869 - The employes of the Erie Railroad work shops in Buffalo and Port Jervis were on a strike on the 18th.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
October 23, 1869

1869 - Locomotive Explosions
July 18. Explosion of locomotive No. 294, on the Erie Railway, at Port Jervis, New York. The engine house was partly blown down, the dome of the engine weighing several hundred pounds was thrown 200 feet into the air, landing in front of a hotel. No person injured...

September 10. Explosion of locomotive No. 239, Erie Railway, near Port Jervis, New York. Portions of boiler thrown 1500 feet. Locomotive a total wreck. Four men killed - their bodies were thrown several hundred feet...

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 6, 1869

1875 - Neversink House Fire
The Neversink House, a Summer hotel at Port Jervis Depot, N. Y., owned by F. Mertz caught fire from the explosion of a lamp last evening, and was totally destroyed. The loss is about $10,000; insured for $4,000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
September 27, 1875

1876 - Christmas
THE POST OFFICE ON CHRISTMAS.
The postoffice will be opened on Christmas day from 9 to 10 a.m. and 12 to 1 p.m.

...Many of our villagers were busily engaged in removing the snow and ice from their sidewalks this morning.

...The snow fell all Friday afternoon and until late in the evening. The quantity is sufficient to make good sleighing, and every owner of a pair of runners and a piece of horse flesh is improving the file sleighing.

...Evergreens are in good demand for decoration purposes.

...If you want to make your wife a nice Christmas present go to Nearpass & Brother and buy one of the Singer Sewing Machines.

...Christmas makes a skip of one day this year. Last year it came on Saturday, but this being leap year, it gently glides over Sunday and occurs on Monday.

...Isn't it about time you commenced to draft the resolutions you will put in force in the forenoon of New Year's day and throw to the winds in the afternoon?

...The display of Holiday goods in... Read MORE...

1885 - A Port Jervis man has concluded that if there can be a scarecrow there can also be a scarebug.
So he stuck a little stake in the middle of his cucumber hills on which he has attached a small white rag. He says that the little bugs which were destroying his cucumber plants are scared by the flopping of the rags and vacate the premises. - N. Y. Tribune.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
August 15, 1885

1895 - Port Jervis
Port Jer'vis, a post-town in Deer Park township, Orange co., N.Y., on the Delaware River, 3 mile above the mouth of the Neversink River, 88 miles N.W. of New York, and 21 miles W.S.W. of Middletown. It is on the Erie Railroad, at the junction of its Monticello Branch, and on the Delaware & Hudson Canal, and is surrounded by attractive scenery. It contains 7 churches, a union school, 2 national banks, a savings-bank, extensive workshops and round-houses of the railroad, an iron-foundry, and several factories. One daily, one tri-weekly, and 2 weekly news papers are published here. Pop. in 1890, 9327.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1902 - FIRE AT PORT JERVIS, N.Y. DELAWARE HOUSE BURNED AND SEVENTEEN HORSES PERISH - LOSS ESTIMATED AT $75,000, WITH $20,000 INSURANCE.
Port Jervis, N.Y., Aug. 30. - A fire started from spontaneous combustion in the hayloft of Liveryman W. J. COLLIER, on Railroad Avenue, about 3 o'clock this morning, and before the flames were subdued they had reduced three-quarters of a block to ashes and entailed an estimated loss of $75,000, covered by $20,000 insurance.
Twenty-two horses were in the barn under the hayloft, and seventeen perished. Forty wagons were destroyed. COLLIER'S undertaking shop was burned, and next the flames destroyed the residence of MRS. MICHAEL DALEY. Then the barn of ANDREW CUFF was consumed, and in quick succession the undertaking office and barn of THOMAS CARRIGAN. MR. COLLIER'S handsome residence was badly damaged.

The fire extended to the stables of PATRICK J. DONAHUE. His horses and wagons were saved.

The grocery store and residence of THOMAS FALLON were the next to go, and afterward the flames were communicated to the paint shops of WILLIS MILLSPAUGH and FLOYD BARLOW, causing a terrific... Read MORE...

1906
Port Jervis, a post-village and summer-resort of Orange co., N.Y., on the Delaware River, J mile above the mouth of the Neversink River, 88 miles NW. of New York, on the Erie and the Port Jervis, Monticello and New York Rs. It is surrounded by attractive scenery. It contains extensive railroad workshops, iron-foundries, glass-works, glove- and shoe-factories, silk-mills, silver-plating works, etc. Pop. in 1900, 9385.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1947 - Officially the largest local soapbox derby in the world began in Port Jervis.

orangetourism.org

1955 - Hurricane Diane - NINE DEATHS REPORTED IN EASTERN PA. 650 YOUNGSTERS MAROONED; RAIN REACHES 9 INCHES.
...While Pennsylvania was hardest hit by what was left by Hurricane DIANE, there were floods throughout a wide area of the northeast United States.

Southeastern New York state, bordering on Pennsylvania, was inundated and children from a number of summer camps were evacuated to higher ground. Port Jervis, a city of 10,000, was put under a state of emergency by Mayor JAMES E. COLE as more than 7 inches of rain in 24 hours swelled the Delaware River...

...Stewart AFB and West Point each sent an amphibious "duck" to the Port Jervis area.

Children were evacuated to higher ground from a number of summer camps. Some children were marooned in others, and boats were sent to their rescue.

Many roads were impassible, bridges were washed out and phone service was disrupted in places.

Mayor JAMES E. COLE declared a state of emergency in this city of 10,000 population at 2 a.m. Civil defense forces were ordered out...

...Streets were flooded in Port Jervis, a railroad center,... Read MORE...

2023 - Port Jervis, nestled in the scenic Hudson Valley, offers a variety of activities and places to explore. Here's a list:
Port Jervis Scenic Train Trips: Start your visit with a ride on the historic Port Jervis Line. The train offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, especially during the fall when the foliage is at its peak.

Tri-States Rock: Just outside of Port Jervis, you can visit the famous Tri-States Rock, which marks the point where New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet. It's a unique photo opportunity.

Elks-Brox Memorial Park: This beautiful park along the Delaware River provides a lovely spot for picnicking, fishing, and relaxing by the water. It's also a great place to catch a sunset.

Delaware River Tours: Explore the Delaware River with a guided kayak or canoe tour. You'll have a chance to witness the area's abundant wildlife and tranquil waters.

Fort Decker Museum: Learn about the town's history and the American Revolution at this small but informative museum. The adjacent Minisink Valley Historical Society offers further insights into the region's past.

Grey... Read MORE...