This Is The Park That The Ways Built

 

This is the Park That The Ways Built.

And these are the truths, buried by time, 

of the land that's the park that the Ways Built.

And this was the man, Robert Faries, we forgot

And tore down his castle, took over his lot

And made markers for others, but for Faries, naught.

And stamped another name in concrete on the spot

On the land that's the park that the Ways built.

Superintendent of the Canal, the Railroad, and more

Through the grounds of the hills his wisdom tore

Building Bridges, The Cemetery, Muncy Dam, for sure

Faries was an engineer to his very core

This man that we forgot, for the park that the Ways built

Fugitive slaves, they hid and they fled

Once they reached Faries, safely were led

Hidden, protected, a reprieve from the dread

His success rate unmarred, yet his accolades unread

Faries legacy forgotten, in the park that The Ways built

If that's not enough, you consider it naught, 

that during the war Faries tenants, not one of the lot

paid rent for their dwellings while the rebels they fought

For in all Faries buildings no rent was sought

by this man who once lived where there's now a park that the Ways built.

Only the good die young, it's true.

in 1864, Faries bid this earth Adieu

His castle was sold, to a family of White

Who took good care of this fabulous sight.

But when their reign ended, owned by that  family no more

Then rumors spread of odious plans in store

Possibly apartments, boarders, the lot

To Roman Way, what horror that idea brought

His coffers were full, his fortune a lot

So he bought the land for the park that The Ways built.

Out his window across the street

Way hatched a plan, oh what a feat!

Beneath the stucco, five layers of brick

Faries old castle so solid, so thick

It took several blows on each brick alone

To bring the abode to a mere pile of stone.

But soon all was clear, for the  park that The Ways built

The trumpets did sound, as cheers did abound

With glasses raised in a toast, to the man who had the most

As he donated to the city, the park that The Ways built.

But the gift to the town had conditions you see

No noise, no spectacle, no frivolity

The land was to be quiet, for rest and respite

Nothing at all that might  mar the sight

Lest any disturb the view in park that The Ways built.

Today there are statues, a fountain, a gate

And markers in memory of many a fate

But no mention of Faries, his Castle, his lore

only the name of the man who bought more, 

making the rules so he could be sure

to always enjoy the park that he built.

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Faries Castle

Read more of the history  - From The Faries Castle To Way's Garden

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/05/from-faries-castle-to-ways-garden-in.html

In April of 1913, the  Board Of Trade honored J. Roman Way  "Most Successful Function In Appreciation of Donor Of Ways Garden" Read the poem included in the write up of the event, here.

Replica of The Winged Victory Of Samothrace In Ways Garden

See the evolution of the J. Roman Way home, which sat across the street from Way's Garden, and later became the historical society, here. [This building was lost in a fire in 1960]

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Please note that I am well aware that in the time I wrote that verse, I could have filled out the forms for a historical marker.  I never claimed to use my time wisely.

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What prompted this?

Now please know that I'm thrilled we are honoring a female artist in Williamsport. I strongly agree that she should be recognized and remembered. However, do you all know about Robert Faries, who owned the land Ways garden is on? He built the castle there, that Roman Way later tore down to make Way's garden.

As a civil engineer, in 1833 Faries worked on the canal. His work with the canal, and railroad, helped make him a very successful conductor on the Underground Railroad. "Robert Faries, the Superintendent of the railroad, was a Williamsporter and an ardent abolitionist. He so skillfully handled the fugitives placed in his care that Williamsport could boast of never having lost a passenger and no slave was ever reclaimed after reaching safety by this route." [From a 1934 thesis on Lycoming County in the Civil War]

He also helped create Wildwood Cemetery, the placement of Muncy Dam, worked with the bridges in Lock Haven... the list goes on. And on. He was involved in pretty much everything.

When the Civil War broke out, Faries chose not to charge any of his tenants rent until the men came home, so that the men didn't have to worry about their families having a roof over their heads while they were off to war. The newspapers encouraged others to follow Faries example.

This is the historical marker that should be in the garden.

Fortunately, it's not too late, there's room for more than one.

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Just days before I made this complaint, I had referenced the complaint about the bridge closures, and admonished my facebook followers that if they were going to complain, to do so in style - providing as inspiration the poem written by Lucille Brown-Fillinger in 1926, about the Road the State Built. And so, this verse was born. Again, I never claimed to use my time wisely. :-)