The Polish Falcon Camp on the appropriately-named Falcon Road in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey can trace its roots back to the opening of the Polish-American Home on August 31, 1930, in Manville. More than 6,000 attendees enjoyed a parade, evening dance, and festivities celebrating Polish heritage.
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| Polish Falcon Camp, Hillsborough - postcard |
With such a tremendous turnout, it wasn't long before there was talk of organizing a local chapter of the Polish Falcons of America. The Polish Falcons - begun in 1863 with the first American "nest" forming in 1887 - is a fraternal organization with a strong emphasis on physical fitness.
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| 2 September 1930 Courier News |
William Mazur of South River, who had been connected with other Falcons chapters in New York and New Jersey, and was a physical fitness buff himself, pushed for a new Manville area chapter. The unit was finally organized in March 1932 with Edward Knitowski elected as the first president.
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| 1950s and 1960s ads for events at the Polish Falcon Camp |
Organizers immediately set about looking for land to build a camp where they could have swimming and other outdoor recreational activities necessary for their mission, while also providing buildings for indoor entertainment and meeting space. In 1933, 80 acres of farmland on Weston Road - soon to be renamed Falcon Road - was purchased and buildings were constructed.
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| Polish Falcon Camp, Hillsborough - postcard |
The camp was dedicated on Sunday, July 16, 1933, as Polish Falcon Camp, District 1. Stormy weather didn't prevent 2,000 people from attending the festivities. When the organization was incorporated the next month it was expressed that the aim of the club was, "social, athletic and civic in its scope of cementing love of their parent homeland in Polish Americans."
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| 1970s ads for events at the Polish Falcon Camp. |
The Polish Falcon Camp quickly turned into a popular entertainment destination for both members and non-members. For decades patrons could enjoy a night out with dancing and music by such notables as the Gaines Orchestra, the Kryger Brothers, Stan Skawinski, Jimmy Sturr, and Stanky and His Pennsylvania Coal Miners.
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| Polish Falcon Camp, Hillsborough - postcard |
Long-time area residents will remember the fire Christmas morning of 1966 which destroyed the main building of the camp. An overnight snowstorm left volunteer firefighters with the task of first digging out their cars before they could respond to the firehouses. A Somerset County snowplow proved to be one of the most valuable pieces of equipment on the scene.
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| Barbara Zukowski, Miss Falcon 1969 - and Lisa Formus, Miss Falcon 1991 |
A new community center was completed in May 1968 and the camp continued for another five decades with all of its regular activities, including the annual Miss Falcon contest.
By 2017, with interest in ethnic heritage organizations on the wane, the owners of the property, Polish Falcons of America, rebranded the camp as Falcon's Nest - a modern catering facility with meeting, dining, and activity rooms as well as an outdoor stage.
My parents loved to go dancing there! I believe there were Sunday afternoons? Where the kids could go and be on that dance floor too. :) Great memories.
ReplyDeleteSpent many days there, from a toddler through adult hood!! Really miss that place
ReplyDeleteMy mother Paulette Marshall took us there swimming in 1969
ReplyDeleteUsed to go there with my grandparents, aunts, and my cousins during the summers in the early 1970's and had a fantastic time. I remember there was this creek behind where we would eat and we'd attempt to jump across it time and time again. Great to be with family celebrating culture!
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