Schumaker Lake
The name of the body of water east of Salisbury called SchumakerLake (or Pond as it has been called) is of mysterious origin. The pond itself began in the late 1800’s as a mill pond and was apparently first called Sumac Pond (pronounced SHUMAC) after the abundant sumac trees which lined the banks. It was a favorite swimming hole for the youth of the area and also witnessed several family reunions, picnics and other memorable events that took place on its banks.
A listing for it first showed up in 1905 in a U.S. geological survey. It was also listed as Sumac Pond in the 1930 tax assessments. Somewhere along the way the name was changed to Schumaker because someone pointed out that the sumac tree/bush was poisonous. They could also have been referring to a former owner of the pond. There was a Joseph Schoomaker living in Wicomico Hundred in 1727. The mills that received power generated by the dam created on the pond were owned by a Gustavus Schumaker who purchased it from Mary Pollitt, the widow of William Pollitt, sometime after 1877.
The City of Salisbury purchased Schumaker Lake in 1909, following the disastrous collapse of Humphrey’s Dam atSouth Division Street. This changed downtown Salisburyforever. It was at this time that engineers advised to city to purchase Schumaker Lake as a back-up in case the underground water supply for the city should fail or prove inadequate. The dam at Schumaker had been rebuilt and is there to this day and can be used to adjust the height of the water in Schumaker Lake. The water from Schumaker Lakeflows through the zoo and park and ends up in the WicomicoRiver.
The setting of Schumaker Lake has been enhanced over the years with the addition of many beautiful additions to its shores. On the north side, many private homes have been built. Along with some individual homes on the south side, the additions of the Ward Museum and Mallard Landing have added to the tranquility of the area. It is still a nice, quite community that reflects the true meaning of the Eastern Shore.
A listing for it first showed up in 1905 in a U.S. geological survey. It was also listed as Sumac Pond in the 1930 tax assessments. Somewhere along the way the name was changed to Schumaker because someone pointed out that the sumac tree/bush was poisonous. They could also have been referring to a former owner of the pond. There was a Joseph Schoomaker living in Wicomico Hundred in 1727. The mills that received power generated by the dam created on the pond were owned by a Gustavus Schumaker who purchased it from Mary Pollitt, the widow of William Pollitt, sometime after 1877.
The City of Salisbury purchased Schumaker Lake in 1909, following the disastrous collapse of Humphrey’s Dam atSouth Division Street. This changed downtown Salisburyforever. It was at this time that engineers advised to city to purchase Schumaker Lake as a back-up in case the underground water supply for the city should fail or prove inadequate. The dam at Schumaker had been rebuilt and is there to this day and can be used to adjust the height of the water in Schumaker Lake. The water from Schumaker Lakeflows through the zoo and park and ends up in the WicomicoRiver.
The setting of Schumaker Lake has been enhanced over the years with the addition of many beautiful additions to its shores. On the north side, many private homes have been built. Along with some individual homes on the south side, the additions of the Ward Museum and Mallard Landing have added to the tranquility of the area. It is still a nice, quite community that reflects the true meaning of the Eastern Shore.
I remember in the 1960 swimming there so much Fun lol
ReplyDeleteFull apparition ghosts are seen walking along the banks of what was Humphrey's Pond routinely.My suspicion is that they possibly died during the dam collapse because their clothes appear to be turn of the century style.Several vehicle accidents have been caused when drivers would swerve to miss one or more of them standing in what is now a roadway (but was not then).My hope is that someday someone will write a book entitled "The Ghosts Of Humphrey's Pond" or something like that.
ReplyDeleteI remember in the 80's swimming there. It was all roped off and had lifeguards and a diving board. Unfortunately it constantly closed due to contamination and perhaps this is why no one swims there anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember as a child, people talking about snakes in the water at Schumaker Pond. That kept me from ever sticking my toe in it.
ReplyDeleteI swam there as a teenager and the last time I swam there I was chased out of the water by a snake. I also went there afterwards and just wouldn't get in the water, it was kind of a "social place" I guess, but I saw another snake in the water after that and that was the end of Shumaker Pond for me.
ReplyDeleteMy mothers generation went there often to swim in the 1960's.I recall having a beach day there in the late 80's but none of the local ponds that used to be beaches are clean enough now to swim in.
ReplyDeleteWhat street has the ghosts been seen on?
ReplyDelete