THE LOUD SPEAKER
A Message From The Mayor...
Traditionally the Ivyland mayor has been an honorary position representing our borough at various functions, meetings and other events while also assisting with public safety by coordinating with the borough police and the fire company. For the past seven years it has been my personal honor to be the Mayor of our wonderful little town. Some of you may know that I have a passion for history, particularly of Ivyland borough, and have been happy to follow in the footsteps of the original founders of the Ivyland Heritage Association whose mission was to preserve and celebrate the rich history and heritage of the borough. As Ivyland approaches the significant milestone of 150 years since its founding, I can think of no other place I’d rather be. I look forward to an amazing celebration event and continuing to represent Ivyland, our residents and everything we have to offer.
– Mayor Anthony Judice |
Celebrating a Century and a Half
ivylandmayor@ivylandborough.org
Contact me to get on my borough information email list.
On June 24th, 1873, Edwin Lacey purchased a parcel of land to the northwest of Jacksonville Road envisioning a carefully planned village with wide tree-lined streets, beautiful Victorian homes all expanding out in a neat pattern from his majestic centerpiece - the Temperance House hotel. He sought to take advantage of the upcoming Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and the knowledge that the North Penn Railroad would soon be expanding their tracks to Bristol Road and then eventually to New Hope. His town would be strategically located for travelers and the hotel would be a perfect accommodation. Through a series of various circumstances, including a several year depression and inevitable construction delays, Lacey's hotel dream never came to fruition. Yet his vision of a lovely, planned community adorned in ivy not only took hold, but grew and thrived. Most of the structures Lacey and his associates originally built still exist today.
Now 150 years later from Lacey’s founding, we prepare to celebrate his legacy and our legacy for the town he named Ivyland. For the past year, members of the Ivyland Heritage Association, borough council and other community members have been working hard to plan the festivities for honoring Ivyland’s 150th birthday. This isn’t a first-time celebration for Ivyland as its residents have had big events for the previous significant milestones. In fact, many current residents were present for the 100th anniversary back in 1973, the 125th in 1998 and the 140th in 2013 (which was essentially “a practice run” for this 150th event). So there are some big shoes to fill and we hope we’ve lived up to the task.
As any Ivylander knows, there is an emotional and nostalgic connection that residents and people who’ve lived and grown up in Ivyland have with the borough. It's hard to explain, but you can just feel it when you talk to people who are or were part of the community. Even though we are a relatively young borough compared to some of the other Bucks County towns, we have a rich and interesting history and have developed traditions that continued throughout the years - all of which make Ivyland unique and special. Our 150th Anniversary event acknowledges this sentiment, and we look forward to getting together as a community to celebrate our beloved borough of Ivyland. We welcome all to join us.
The Hobensack Mill and Legacy
You don't have to dig far into Ivyland's history before coming across the Hobensack name. It belongs to a family that has played a critical role in our borough's history.
Its most prominent legacy is the Hobensack Mill, which acts as a sort of gateway to town if you're entering Ivyland by "the back way," via Ivyland Road. The original coal yard and feed house, built in 1874 by J. Montgomery Carr, was sold to William and B. Frank Hobensack in 1890. In 1898, the Hobensacks added a 3-story Cider Mill building to the complex. The business grew offering lumber, flour grinding, feed, fertilizer and agricultural implements. It thrived for many decades becoming a prominent community landmark.
After nearly a century in business, the mill buildings were purchased by the Cosentino family for their patio furniture and wood stove business. The main mill building is now under new ownership and currently undergoing much needed restoration work.
But the family’s influence extends far beyond this landmark building.
B. Frank Hobensack was born in Southampton Township on September 30, 1864. In his youth he attended a common school, a popular form of public education at the time that stressed moral and spiritual development as well as “the Three Rs.” After working for a period as a printer, in 1886 he married Miss Catherine Cornell and followed his father into farming, then joined his brother William to form the Hobensack Brothers firm. In 1890, the brothers purchased the mill, which had been built by J. Montgomery Carr in 1874 and sold it to William and Harvey J. Barton five years later. Under their guidance, the mill – and the community – prospered.
B. Frank continued in the family business until 1899, when he was elected sheriff of Bucks County, holding that office for many years. He later became involved in a stone crushing business in Quakertown, as well as real estate and trading. He later sold his shares in the
family enterprise to William. Later, William Hobensack bought and managed the Ivyland Country Store, passing it down to his son Cornell Hobensack, who in turn passed it down to his son, also named William.
The Hobensacks didn’t just do business in Ivyland – they were also closely involved in the borough’s civic life. B. Frank Hobensack was mayor for thirty years, from 1924 to 1953. He was followed by his son, George S., who served in the office from 1954 to 1970. One of B. Frank and William’s brothers, Albert C. Hobensack, was Ivyland’s first town treasurer between 1905 and 1913. He was followed by B. Frank Hobensack Sr., who served during 1913, then between 1917 and 1927. George S. was also on Ivyland Borough Council from 1918 to 1953. In the early part of the 20th century, several Hobensacks also served on the school board, and for a time Miss Emma Hobensack taught grammar at Ivyland School at its original location on Chase Ave. One of Ivyland’s defining characteristics is its strong civic pride and respect for its social institutions. The Hobensacks deserve a great degree of credit for building that sense of community. That, even more than the mill, is the family’s legacy.
Be Part Of History!
The Ivyland Heritage Association, invites everyone who loves the history of this old town and who cares about its future to join us. This is our only requirement for membership. And with our borough's 150th Anniversary approaching, we need you!
As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, our mission is to serve the community while preserving the history, traditions and stories of our borough past and present. By building up our membership, it gives us all the opportunity to expand our various activities to enhance our residents' Ivyland experience and give back to worthwhile needs of the borough and surrounding area.
Contact us anytime at ajudice@ivylandborough.org
Be Another Brick In Our Walk
Add your name and legacy to our new brick walkway. Visit ivylandfireco.org for more details.
Join The IFC!
If you are interested in joining our Ivyland Fire Company family please email us at ifco62@gmail.com or stop by the fire station any Monday evening between 7-9 p.m. and meet the crew.
The Fire House Is A Great Place For Events
Your celebration or event is our fundraiser. We have hosted birthdays, graduations, and cast parties. Please contact ifcoevents@gmail.com for more information.
Old Thyme Religion
Sunday, June 25th 10a.m. We welcome you to an hour of Olde Tyme Religion at worship. We begin at 10am and we hope you'll join us as we continue the historical celebrations of our borough.
Vacation Bible School
Monday- Friday, June 26-30 is a week of Vacation Bible School. We welcome kids from elementary school through early middle school to a week of Bible lessons, crafts, games and fun! We will be collecting items for a local food pantry, the Warminster Food Bank. All are welcome. Our volunteers have clearances. Registration forms are available in the church office.
ivylandpresbyterian.org
Coin Drop Fundraiser
Sat. June 10th 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
(Rain date Jun. 11th)
Bristol & Jacksonville Roads
Concert In The Gazebo
Fri. June 23rd
Food 6:30 p.m. | Music 7 p.m.
Ivyland Village Gazebo Park
Weathering the Storm
New Guide For Residents
Check out our new Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Maintenance. This easy-to-read illustrated document explains the basics of what stormwater is and what homeowners should do to reduce any unnecessary impact on the environment. We thank the Borough’s engineering firm Carroll Engineering for providing this information.
Ivyland 150th Celebration
Sat. June 24th 11:30 a.m - 8:30 p.m.
See Ivyland150th.org for details
Ivyland 5k
Sat. August 19th
ivyland5k.org
Borough Biz Bites
Ivyland Road Bridge Closure
Repairs will be made to the small culvert bridge on Ivyland Road near Reliable Equipment. As a result, Ivyland Road will be closed in that area while the repair work is underway. Unfortunately that means cars and truck traffic to the affected businesses such as Milton Roy and others will be using Wilson Avenue. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin July 10th and last for approximately 2 weeks. The Ivyland Public Safety team is prepared for the impact to the borough and residents should note that this unavoidable increase in traffic volume will only be temporary. Check in on the Borough website and Facebook page for further updates. We appreciate your patience.
Be Down With The Dumps
Scan
www.ivylandborough.org/stormwater
Borough waste removal partner Leck Waste Services notes that this is the season for home improvement. If you are doing a project and expect a large amount of construction debris, please do not pile it up next to your regular trash. Contact Leck at 215-675-8000 about larger waste container options that make the disposal cleaner and easier for everyone.
Student Spotlight: Nikki Alden
Our Student Spotlight shines on Nikki Alden whose myriad of accomplishments is no surprise for someone born and raised in Ivyland. She was a 4-year varsity letter softball athlete at William Tennent High School and a 3-year letter varsity basketball player. Nikki then attended and graduated Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in Comprehensive Sciences while also a Division 1 Softball player for the school. She achieved a combined .355 batting average and was the 2017 Big East Batting Champion with a .385 batting average! Nikki recently graduated from Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry Class of 2023 and was #1 in her class 3 of 4 years. She will be starting a graduate residency in July at St. Luke's – Bethlehem. Proud parents Scott and Maria Alden say she is dedicated to anything she attempts with quiet determination while still being humble. Congratulations to Nikki and the Alden family on these truly stellar achievements.
Founding Sponsor
Check Out Everything We've Lined Up For You!
Friday June 23rd, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Special Concert in the Gazebo
Ivyland Village Park
Featuring Go Ham Band Free Goodnoes Ice Cream, Rita's, Pizza and Hotdogs while they last
Saturday June 24th, 2023
11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ivyland Commons Park and Surrounding Streets
Welcome Ceremony
12 Noon
Main Stage Ivyland Commons Park
Music
Low Totem – Rock
Noggin Hill – Bluegrass
Doylestown Heat – Jazz
Lolly Hopwood - Kids Music & Fun
Ring the Rafters - Barbershop
Joe & Krista Acoustic – Pop
Ring the Rafters - Barbershop
Finale – a sunset concert with the Warminster Symphony Orchestra
Food
Various Local Food Trucks
Goodnoe’s Ice Cream and Rita's Trucks
Ivyland Country Store
Strawberry Festival at the IPC Activities
Borough and Local Historical Displays
IFC Old Pumper Demonstration
Kids Activities including:
• 60ft Inflated Obstacle Course
• Balloon Twisters
• Face Painting
• Kids Music & Fun
Ivyland Art Show
PA Wheelmen Antique Bike Riders
Antique and Classic Autos
Borough Walking Tour
Horse-pulled Wagon Rides
Revolutionary War Encampment
Blacksmith Forge Demonstration
Tractors and Equipment at the Mill
IVYLAND BOROUGH
1873
Bucks County,PA
The Borough of Ivyland 991 Pennsylvania Avenue
Ivyland, PA 18974
Find out more about the 150th Celebration online at at Ivyland150th.org or Facebook.com/groups/ivyland150th
for the latest updates and announcements.
Publisher: Group G Marketing Partners, Ivyland, PA
Editor: Geff Rapp | Writer & Editorial: Taylor Brady | Design: Group G Marketing Partners Additional Story Contribution: Gavin and William McCoy
