Monthly Archives: October 2016

Dingmans Falls & Silverthread Falls

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Fall Foliage

Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn

Dingmans Falls is second highest water fall in Pennsylvania, 130 feet. Located in Dingmans Ferry in Delaware Township, Pike County, northeastern Pennsylvania.

This easy to traverse flat boardwalk trail meanders gently through a pristine hemlock ravine. Almost immediately after starting the trail, Silverthread Falls drops 80 feet in a thin ribbon of water through a narrow geometric chute. The boardwalk winds through dense rhododendron shrubs, past tall hemlock with dense canopy, and the sound of a powerful waterfall just around the corner. The boardwalk ends at the base of Dingmans Falls. The final tenth of a mile is a staircase that leads to a birds-eye view from the upper falls.

One can’t help but notice the cool breeze and mist coming from these beautiful falls. There is a benches along way to sit and enjoy the beauty.

Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn, Olympus OM-D/E-M5 II OLYMPUS M.12-40mm F2.8 at 40 mm, ISO 200 Exposure: 2@f/8
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn, Olympus OM-D/E-M5 II OLYMPUS M.60mm F2.8 Macro at 60 mm, ISO 200 Exposure: 1@f/22
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Silverthread Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Silverthread Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hahn
Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, PA, © 2016 Bob Hah

Elisha Packer Wilbur Mansion

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Wilbur Mansion Library Fireplace
Wilbur Mansion Library Fireplace
Wilbur Mansion Fireplace
Wilbur Mansion Fireplace
Wilbur Mansion
Wilbur Mansion
Wilbur Mansion Staircase
Wilbur Mansion Staircase
Wilbur Mansion Masonic Temple
Wilbur Mansion Dinning Room
Wilbur Mansion
Wilbur Mansion
Lodge Room Masonic Temple
Lodge Room Masonic Temple, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania United States, © 2015 Bob Hahn, OM-D/E-M1 OLYMPUS 8mm Lens at 8 mm, ISO: ISO 400 Exposure: 1/25@f/6.3
Lodge Room Masonic Temple
Lodge Room Masonic Temple
Lodge Room Masonic Temple
Lodge Room Masonic Temple
Ballroom Masonic Temple
Ballroom Masonic Temple

Elisha P. Wilbur – Born circa 1833 he was the son of a sea captain and his mother was the sister of Asa Packer.

Wilbur chose to build his brick mansion on Wyandotte Street, probably because of the proximity to the Railroad line.

The tower on the mansion’s north side was built to permit Elisha to keep an eye on the passing trains of the Lehigh Valley were Railroad and to be sure they were on time.

Artists came from Italy to hand carve the teakwood in the library and dining room. Marble was purchase to build a fireplace for the living room and enough furniture for 18 really big rooms, including seven bedrooms and seven baths.

No records are available to learn how much money was spent to build the mansion, however the Masonic Society (then called the Masonic Building Corporation) bought the property in 1924 for $70,000.  The purchase was a real bargain.

One of the great mysteries of the mansion is who is buried in the old cemetery, now covered by the paved parking lot behind the mansion. Some say soldiers of the Continental Army.  Some say no, they are buried beneath the nearby spur route.  This is one mystery that may never be solved without an earthquake.