Jones-Neely Log House

The year was 1800. Out of the wilderness a rugged frontiersman, William Jones, sweated and toiled to build the first log cabin in the area now known as Franklin Park. Little could he have imagined that his cabin would last for 200 years. Furthermore, it would have been difficult for Mr. Jones to believe that 200 years in the future, a growing community would want to salvage his log cabin which measured 14 feet by 20 feet.

William Scott, a local builder, agreed to donate the cabin to the Borough. He also agreed to contribute $2,000 toward the preservation effort. Mr. Scott was granted a use variance by the Zoning Hearing Board for the lot on which the cabin sits. The cabin was scheduled to be demolished, and new townhouses were planned for the site.

Preservation

The Historical Preservation Committee recommended to Borough Council that the cabin be preserved. In August 2000 Council approved the project. Most of the work was done in-house by the Public Works Department. The first step was to catalogue the timbers and other portions of the cabin.

This historic log house is now completed, and will be utilized as an educational museum/nature center. A few antiques have been collected and/or donated for display in the cabin. We still need many old artifacts (arrowheads, spear points, Indian Tools, etc.) or antiques of any type (tools, furniture, cooking and cleaning items, etc.) that you would be willing to lend or donate for use in the log cabin. We could also use any old pictures that you may have of the Borough. We will make copies of these and return the originals to you.

Donations

Anyone wishing to donate to this cause should make their checks payable to Franklin Park Borough and forward them to the Accounts Receivable Office at the Municipal Building.

Hopefully, our residents will enjoy the restored cabin for another 200 years!