Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
Upper Delaware➤
The National Park Service oversees approximately 73 miles of the Delaware River, spanning from Hancock to Sparrowbush, New York, as part of the Wild and Scenic River System. This section, known as the Upper Delaware, offers recreational opportunities and is characterized by its managed water flow, distinguishing it as Scenic rather than Wild.
I joined the National Park Travelers Club for a ranger-led tour of the area. Following an interesting tour of Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct led by the ranger, our group proceeded to the Zane Grey Museum. The historic building is located just a quarter-mile from the bridge on the Pennsylvania side of the river.
Zane Grey➤
Zane Grey was originally named Pearl Zane Grey due to his mother’s fascination with the British Royals. Pearl Grey was the designated mourning color in England that year. Grey dropped the “Pearl” as an adult and earned recognition as the Father of the Western Novel.
As a youth, Grey played baseball, earning a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania’s dentistry school. Despite establishing a dental practice in NYC in 1899, his passion for fly-fishing and the support of his wife Dolly propelled him to relocate to his farmhouse in Lackawaxen, PA, where he embraced writing as his vocation.
A prolific writer, he wrote over 100 novels in his lifetime. His most noted work was Riders of the Purple Sage, published in 1912. His travels to the Western states heavily influenced his writing, the first trip having been his honeymoon to the Grand Canyon.
Grey moved his family to California in 1918, where he worked with the developing motion picture industry. Many early films were based on his novels and birthed the Western movie genre.
After Zane Grey’s death, his wife sold the Lackawaxen home to a family friend.
For 25 years, she ran it as the Zane Grey Inn and then later converted it to a museum showcasing Zane Grey memorabilia.
In 1989, the museum was purchased by the NPS and included in the Upper Delaware unit.
Location: Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania
Designation: National Scenic & Recreational River
Date designated/established: 1978
Date of my visit: July 18, 2018
Zane also had a fishing / writing cabin on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon – which we’ve visited several times. His passion there was fishing for salmon.
Cool! Looked to see if we’d be anywhere near that when we visit the pnw, but don’t think we will see it.
Dear Theresa,
I had never heard of this museum. I will have to check it out when it gets warmer. If you have never been before, you should also check out Washington’s Crossing Museum and Park when they have the reenactment.
Sincerely,
Justin Watrel, Blogger
MywalkinManhattan.com/VisitingaMuseum.com
Hi Justin,
Yes I have been there, but not for the re-enactment. December is such a busy month
Someplace I really ought to visit sometime. He’s a cousin of mine and his earliest novels were based on our Zane family relations.
How cool is that ?!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I don’t believe his cabin is accessible except by boat or trail.