This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bjburdan Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.berks/10259.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: >From the Berks County Historical Society http://www.berkshistory.org/articles/southmountain.html South Mountain Resorts Bynden Wood The records of the building which we now know as Bynden Wood are sketchy. Perhaps some enterprising student of local history will be able to find some solid answers in detail. The same statement may be made concerning the other mountain homes which were not, primarily, health resorts. Among these there were Pomeroy's, Highland House (now known as Chit-Chat), Hillside, Park Mansion (later Indiandale), and other resorts in the WernersvilleVinemont area. Bynden Wood was originally constructed in 1869 by John B. Stetson, the founder of a world-famous hat company. He built it as a summer home. The structure, which he named Bynden Wood, overlooked areas in Berks and Lancaster counties. In 1888 the property was purchased by John Tolbert of Philadelphia. Mr. Tolbert used it as a summer home until his death in 1896. For the next two years it was used as a summer residence by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Luden of Reading. In 1898 the property was converted into a summer resort and operated by the Tolbert heirs. Around the turn of the century the Bynden Wood property was purchased by Doctor Octavia Krum, who operated the sanatorium until her death. Miss Mary Morton, daughter of Levi P. Morton, was the next owner of the property. During her ownership, the structure was used as a private summer home. From 1932 to 1947 it again became a summer resort. In 1947 the Wyomissing Foundation purchased the property and presented it to the Central Y.M.C.A. in Reading. It is currently being used as a cultural center. The South Mountain resorts, during their heyday, provided employment for many persons in western Berks. Their decline coincided, in time, with the rapid development of the textile industry in areas west of Reading. And most of those employees displaced by the closing of the sanatoriums found ready employment elsewhere. The rise, decline, and abandonment of the health resorts along South Mountain is history. The vestiges of their day of glory may still be seen and the leafy paths, cool springs, and grand views may still be enjoyed today. This article originally appeared in the Spring 1962 issue of The Historical Review of Berks County Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.