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Roundtop - The Earliest Years
Roundtop - The Earliest Years
Native Americans used this area long before colonists arrived. I am not sure it's conclusive as to all the tribes which actually had settlements, but there is evidence that during the 1700s, the Chugnut tribe had settlements on both sides of this stretch of the Susquehanna River. Artifacts were found here in 1963 which resulted in the New York State Archeologist William A. RItchie and others to investigate in 1964. The State University of NY at Binghamton (now Binghamton University) would do additional excavations from 1965 to 1966, unearthing more artifacts.
Original Deeds
Original Deeds
Ownership of much of the future Broome County started with a court decision from February 11, 1790 which resulted in ownership of over thirty-thousand acres. Three men were looking for resolution on their claim to the land. These were: William Bingham, a very wealthy man; Robert Hooper from New Jersey, a colonel in the Revolutionary War; and Judge James Wilson, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Bingham and Wilson would be partners for a period of time. The resulting resolution was to split the land three ways. William Bingham got the most preferred section which was where the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers met and where the city of Binghamton is today. South of the Susquehanna and west of Bingham's section would go to Judge Wilson. Colonel Hooper would get land to the west of Bingham and north of the Susquehanna River, which would include the area know, at the time, as Round Hill.
Post Civil War
Post Civil War
It is believed that sometime after the US Civil War, because of the noteriety of Little Round Top in Gettysburg, that Round Hill started to be referred to as Roundtop. At the end of the Civil War, Philip L. Bartle owned the land that include Roundtop. Shortly after a John P. Mersereau would be owner, or co-owner. In this area the name Mersereau is well known and goes back to various members of the Mersereau family settling in the general area after the Revolutionary War. These are descendants of the Mersereaus of the Mersereau Spy Ring that help General Washington during the Revolutionary War. By 1900, a Frank Hobart owned the land.
Endicott Johnson Shoe Corporation
Endicott Johnson Shoe Corporation
In the 1920s, EJ Shoes, led by George F. Johnson, would purchase the Roundtop land. Though the purchase focus was for the many acres surrounding the hill. This was part of the vast vision George F. had for building Endicott and his corporation. Much of the land went to additional EJ homes (houses sold to employees at cost), factories, and recreational areas. As well, as other facilities, of most note was the Ideal Hospital and School of Nursing. A hospital that was free to EJ workers and families. There were picnic tables set up on Roundtop and land to the west would become a park, today known as Grippen Park, named after Earl Grippen the photographer for EJ.
Roundtop would also become a lovers' lane. One story talks of George F hearing of the police chasing people off at night and him interceding so that the love birds would be left alone to enjoy the view. During World War II, EJ Shoes also allowed workers to plant gardens in the area.
At the time, the view from Roundtop would have been good since much of the timber would have been taken by then. Prior to the explansion of Endicott, George F is said to have gone up there to envision the picture of the plans that had been drawn up. That is something I would have enjoyed talking to him about. One of the runs on the way up the hill is called Lillian Avenue, for his daughter.
Publicly Owned
Publicly Owned
The EJ Shoe business started a slow decline in the late 1960s. As a result, many of the facilities they owned and maintained were turned over to new owners. In 1965, the Village of Endicott would acquire Roundtop and Grippen with state and federal funds. Then in 1976, they would be deeded over to Broome County. The Endicott Rotary Club has been a key supporter of the area for decades. In 1984, work was done to include a picnic area, restrooms, and playground.
Historic Post Cards and Images
Historic Post Cards and Images
Here you see it reference as "Round Hill". This is from the Susquehanna River and makes the name "Round Hill" seem very fitting. Grippen Park would be to the left in this picture, with the river flowing from right to left.
A view from Roundtop looking east, up river on the Susquehanna. The iron bridge crosses from Endicott to Vestal, NY.
Another of the view up river to the east, years after the previous one as you see additional buildings. Including on lower left, part of Ideal Hospital which was built in 1927.
In this post card, we're looking northeast. The large building center is Ideal Hospital, the building to left of it, the School of Nursing, and you see factories in the distance.
An illustration of Lovers Lane, aka, Roundtop.
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