Growing up in Woodbury, circa 1920s

The following account was provided by the Woodbury Historical Society: What was life like growing up on a farm in Woodbury in the 1920’s? An aunt of former Police Chief Ted Jones wrote an informal account of her life on the Jones Farm, always referred to as “The Farm.” Ila Jones Smith tells of the wonderful location of “the Farm” at the top of Ridge Road. Today we know that wonderful place as “Earl Reservoir,” a place to enjoy summer activities. Early records show that Henry Jones purchased the property in 1849. Later adjacent land was bought and eventually a marriage between the Jones and Earl families increased the size. It became the Jones Dairy Farm. Many of the local boys found work on this farm in their younger days and many families awakened each day to delivery of fresh milk to their metal milk boxes. Ila speaks of the Maglin family, longtime employees on the farm. Julia Maglin was a Girl Scout leader, very dedicated and hard working. Knowing how spread out in the community the girls were, she would borrow one of the open body farm trucks and travel through town picking up the girls (who loved to ride in the back), and then returned them home when the meeting was over. Ila and her sister walked the long road to the Highland Mills School in all kinds of weather. Seldom did their Mother drive them. When New York State passed a law that all drivers now had to have a license, Mrs. Jones, fearful that she could not pass the test, asked David Adams to teach her how to drive. (The Adams Garage was located where the Highland Mills Post Office is today). She passed so could drive the shiny big Buick (legally)! There were some families in town who had a difficult time supporting themselves. There were no food stamps or unemployment checks as we know today and many were too proud to discuss their circumstance. Allen Jones, who ran “The Farm,” seemed to know who was in need. He always delivered milk to these houses because “the children need milk to grow.” He never asked for or accepted money. Ila’s simple diary and her accounting of the town she grew up in, is a reminder of a different time in history, perhaps a simpler, slower paced way of life. The Gatehouse Learning Center’s 2011 exhibit attempts to capture the essence of that life. The Woodbury Historical Society’s Gatehouse Committee will host its monthly open house this Sunday, June 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. The year 2012 marks the 100 anniversary of the Gatehouse so initial discussions will commence to plan the centennial celebration. Sunday’s open house is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, call 928-6378 or 928-9249.