A HomeTown
is not just
the place you live-
it's the place
that lives
in your heart!

Enter the
NaturallySussex
MY HOMETOWN
photo contest.
FREE TO ENTER
Open to the public.

Entry deadline
May 1, 2012
email photos to
shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com

This month's
MY HOMETOWN
Click for Photo Contest Details
Prize package includes
an autographed copy of
this entertaining and informative autobiographical account of a life "behind the scenes" at Space Farms Zoo.

Naturally Sussex

New Jersey's northwest corner is home to one of the most beautiful counties in the Garden State. Rich in history, natural beauty and agricultural heritage-when you're looking for a great place to enjoy nature, agriculture and community look no further than
Sussex... Naturally!

My Home Town

The secret is out!

Sussex County IS one of NJ's best destinations!

My HomeTown invites you to explore the "Bounty of Sussex County"

Join us as we uncover all that Sussex County has to offer

Our rich history and heritage,

Our vibrant agriculture,

Our natural beauty

and great places to eat and shop!

Your Sussex County adventure begins on

NaturallySussex on Facebook

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No reference to Beemerville would be complete without a mention of Space Farms Zoo and Museum! And thanks to Fred and Lori Space, NaturallySussex has enjoyed an "insider's look" at the history and transitions of Beemerville, NJ through the story of the Space family, namely Ralph Space as told by Fred, his son. While the first portion of this book recounts the legend of Ralph Space, his adventures, vision and determination to walk to his own beat, the second portion of the book shares the folk lore and history of Beemerville. Fred offers his own recollections of growing up in Beemerville and creates, through the retelling of stories passed down the generations, a sense of being transported back to a different time-not that long ago. His stories paint a portrait of likable characters and neighbors and a simpler, but more challenging time that left us wishing we could experience life in Beemerville as it once was.

Here's a sample taken from the book:

"Beemerville in the mid 1800's was a busy community center with a general store and post office, cabinet shop, blacksmith shop, hotel, livery stable and Simonson's Tavern. There was also a wagon shop and wheelwright, where supposedly the cassion used in Washington D.C. for the funerals of President Lincoln and later President Kennedy was manufactured. There was a tannery, a rock crusher and a bit later, the Borden's Condensed Milk Creamery."... "Farms in the area were mostly known as "sustenance" farms with farmers working mainly to sustain their own families. Cash wasn't a necessity, but nice to have. Any method to turn their products into money was utilized...My dad, Ralph Space, told me that in the fall he and his siblings would wander in the forest collecting chestnuts. They would take them to Deckertown to the milk train and send them into the city for cash, $3.00 for a barrel (about 300 lbs) of chestnuts."

" As one left Beemerville proper and walked up Crigger Road past the ice pond now known as Ayer's Pond, the road went a bit to the left, switching back to lessen the uphill pull. Just above the pond was a log house known as the Simnsen's Tavern. There was always "homebrew" available, and Mr. Simonsens always made the "most desirable moonshine 'likker' in the area. A livery stable was across the road where a fresh team of horses could be hired to pull a load up the Kittatinny Ridge.... Upgrade about a quarter of a mile was the sloppy homestead of Jake Utter, better known as "Sloppy Jake's". Jake drove his team to Deckertown for "business", winding up at the Fountain Square Inn, a well known bar in the area. After a few hours Jake returned home. The next morning after sobering up, Jake discovered that his team of horses was missing from his barn. Word spread of the missing team, so everyone in the area was looking for the scoundrel that stole Jake's team. After a few days..."

You're sure to enjoy reading the end to this and other stories shared by Fred, like "The Ghost of Old Bill Black" as you retrace the steps of those neighbors and friends who once lived in Beemerville. Copies of this 82 page book are available through Space Farms, which will be opening in the beginning of April-but if you just can't wait, you can arrange a pick up at the zoo before opening day. The book is $10.00 -the stroll back in time is priceless!

*Thanks to Fred Space and Lori Day and to Tom Drake who provided the image files!