
	Pre Colonial
	Early development
	Shreveville
	Smith Era
	Burlington County Parks System

Kayak Fundraiser

June 14 - Oct. 18, 2009

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The Smith Mansion

Built some 25 years before H.B. Smith's arrival in Burlington County , the Greek Revival mansion symbolizes in its buildings and gardens the complexity of its most famous owner.

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The Smithville-Mt. Holly Bicycle Railway

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Parks System

SMITHVILLE AFTER H.B. SMITH’S DEATH

1887 – December 28 – Smith Family files legal challenge to H.B. Smith’s will in Burlington Co. Court

1891 – Smith Co. enters into agreement with Arthur Hotchkiss regarding experimental Bicycle Railway

1892 – September 13 – Bicycle Railway from Smithville to Mt. Holly opens for Mt. Holly Fair

1893 – Chicago Columbian World Exhibition – Smith Co. exhibits win highest award in machinery dept.

1897 – February 21 – Eveline Verona Smith died at her home in Woodstock, Vt

1897 – March 2 – End of 9 years of litigation over Smith’s Will with ruling in favor of the Family

1897 – March 4 – Ella A. Fuller, Smith’s daughter dies

1898 – July - Demise of the Bicycle Railway after only six years of operation

1899 – Elton Smith, 49, takes over Smithville with wife, Mary, and their seven children

1917 – February – Elton Smith dies at the age of 68. Two months later Mary dies at 53.

1948 – The Mechanics House (Rancocas Inn) demolished.

1949 – Row of houses on Back Street (Maple Ave.) demolished along with 5 of 8 houses on Forest St.

1952 – H.B. Smith’s tower demolished (along with Gristmill, Stables, Bandstand) Foundry disassembled

1962 – Post Office closed; Mansion sold to Louis and Grace Thomas

1962 – Elton’s daughters Verona Pie and Hilda Smith move to #1 Park Avenue

1969 – Machine Shop buildings reduced to one story

1970 – Hilda Smith died; Eveline Verona Smith Pie’ moved to Mt. Holly

1973 – Verona Pie’ dies

1975 – The County of Burlington purchases the property, creating the County’s first Park

Burlington County Parks System

In 1975, the County of Burlington purchased the decaying Village of Smithville and the surrounding farms and wooded areas in order to create the county's first public park. Since that time the property has undergone several transformations, most recently a major streetscape restoration.

 