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3. Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania: Toward the Preservation of a Significant Historical Landscape
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3 Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania: Toward the Preservation of a significant Historical landscape Joseph R. Blondino Introduction Known as the “Cornerstone of Pennsylvania,” the borough of Marcus Hook has a long and fascinating history. Beginning with the arrival of the first colonists in the mid-seventeenth century and continuing through the early twentieth century, “the Hook” was one of the most economically and strategically important locations in the lower Delaware Valley—its importance in some ways rivaling even that of Philadelphia in the early colonial period. However, with the destruction of many of the town’s early historic buildings and the establishment of two major oil refineries there, the historical significance of this small Delaware County town was largely forgotten by the end of the twentieth century. fortunately, the efforts of a few dedicated local citizens have begun to change that, and there has been a recent resurgence of interest in the rich history of this small town along the Delaware River. The spark that ignited this renewed interest in the history of the borough was struck in the spring of 2004, when Marcus Hook residents Michael and Pat Manerchia purchased a small house at the corner of Market street and Market lane (figure 3.1). no longer having children at home, the Manerchias were simply looking to downsize from the house they lived in at the time. The little house at 221 Market street seemed perfect—it was just the right size for two people and had been in Pat’s family for years. As the property was threatened by development, they could not pass up the opportunity to purchase and save the property. The house needed some work, but Mike was up to the task. At the time, Michael and Pat had no way of knowing just how much work they were about to take on. The Manerchias knew quite well that the little house was old. in fact, it was known to Marcus Hook residents as the oldest house in town. As such, it was of course also reputed to be haunted. in fact, many Hook residents still regale one another with ghost stories related to the house, and some will even tell you that as children they would cross to the other side of the street rather than walk directly in front of it. Additionally, local legend had it that a mistress of the notorious pirate Blackbeard had lived in the house and that the famed sea-robber himself stayed there frequently when in the area. 76 Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania Reports of the house’s great age seemed to have been confirmed when the Manerchias began to do work on the structure. While beginning some remodeling work in the kitchen one day, Mike fell through the floor when some rotted floorboards gave way beneath him. Beneath the floorboards, he found what appeared to be an original dirt floor and, after removing the remaining flooring, began to recover artifacts from it. Although Mike had no background in archaeology, he reasoned that the artifacts he was finding must pre-date the wooden floorboards, which he recognized as dating at least to the nineteenth century by the cut nails used to fasten them. Mike then contacted a local historian, who promptly showed up with a couple of amateur preservationists and proceeded to cut a hole in one of the walls. This exploratory hole through the drywall and plaster revealed the original plank log construction of the home. it was then that the Manerchias began to realize what an architectural and historical treasure they had on their hands. They soon contacted local archaeologists and architectural historians, and Dr. David Orr and i, both archaeologists in Temple University’s Department of Anthropology, soon became involved. The local chapter of the society for Pennsylvania Archaeology was also contacted, and this group began excavations under the direction of chapter president Dr. Catherine spohn. in the same year, the Manerchias established the Marcus Hook Plank log Cabin Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of the house, and they donated the house and lot to the organization. The association has as its goal not only the study of this structure, but, as worded in its mission statefigure 3.1. The Marcus Hook Plank log House in a late-nineteenth-century photograph. Only the bay with the porch remains today. [3.19.31.73] Project MUSE (2024-04-17 21:40 GMT) Joseph R. Blondino 77 ment, “the interpretation. . . of significant historical...