Well, I thought I had seen the last snow of this winter at Goshen Pond a couple of weeks ago, but yesterday, walking at the Timber Creek Dog Park, the snow fell again, however it only lasted in the air and never covered the ground. So far, I have been unable to find any history on Slim's Ranch, which is what stood on this property before it became Timber Creek Park, though I found a web site with lovely photographs of Timber Creek Park and an interesting detail in regard to the name "Slim" which, according to the web site, the link for which I will add at the end of this paragraph, is the title for a livestock worker on a farm. https://yummygal.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/timber-creek-park/
If, like me, you were a child, a girl child in particular, of the 1950's, you probably remember Sally Star. She passed away in January and her funeral arrangements were held in Berlin, NJ. Sally Starr had been inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame. I saw Sally Star speak at a Paulsdale event a couple of years ago and I can attest that she was still sharp witted and beautiful in her late eighty's, though she seemed tired and she was forced to use a wheelchair to get around. When I was growing up, you didn't see many women in the popular entertainment of the day, plenty of cowboys, but few cowgirls, you'd have thought taming the Wild West was an all male event. There was, of course, Dale Evans, and these feisty women were an inspiration for me as a little girl.
It seems as though New Jersey has a little bit of everything, but the cowboy history is an interesting mystery. I'm afraid I haven't been to Cowtown yet, so I can't speak on that, but I know there were many horse farms and riding was a great recreation through the 1960's, according to my friends, many of whom remember learning how to ride horseback in their teens in that time. I was unable to find any history on Slim's Ranch and if anyone out there knows anything, I'd be interested to hear about it. wrightj45@yahoo.com. Meanwhile, I'll contact some friends and see if I can find out more. See you on the trails! Jo Ann
I was just looking to see if Slim's Ranch was still around and Google lead me to your post. I rode horses at Slim's Ranch on two separate occasions in the mid and late 90s. I wish I could direct you to some more information on the ranch. I remember it being a large oasis in the middle of a well developed area where they let you ride a horse all on your own. It was great. I'll never forget what one of the ranch hands told me when I had a somewhat stubborn horse. I had the horse aimed away from the stable (and food), but it was actually walking backwards. Well the ranch hand says to me "Who's riding who?" That's when I decided it was OK to dig my heels into the animal. And we had a great ride. Good memories. If I find anything else on Slim's I will post here.
ReplyDeleteThere were two Slim's ranches. One in Chews Landing that I think is still there and the other in Sicklerville, which I worked at when I was 13. The horse that walked backward if she sensed unease in the saddle was a light grayish horse and I remember the top hand on the ranch saying exactly that to many a rider.
ReplyDeleteI boarded a horse at Slim's Ranch. Frank"Slim" Decicco owned it and ran it along with his wife Barb. They had a daughter Jeanie. Barb was as sweet as could be. Slim was ornery and a little mean...but then again, I was 13-17 at the time...LOL
ReplyDeleteI boarded a horse at Slim's Ranch. Frank"Slim" Decicco owned it and ran it along with his wife Barb. They had a daughter Jeanie. Barb was as sweet as could be. Slim was ornery and a little mean...but then again, I was 13-17 at the time...LOL
ReplyDeleteI visited there once and I never returned. My father, who used to break horses into getting used to riders years ago, and I went to Slim's, and we both had stubborn horses. My father also said that those horses looked tired. Later, a friend of mine said the same. What finally made me decide to never return was when my uncle, who boarded horses at his own farm and worked for a veterinarian, confirmed what my father said. He also reported this ranch to the Humane Society. I have since ridden at better horse ranches during that time in the 1960s and '70s.
ReplyDeleteI used to ride at Benny & Sammy Mills, ranch in the late 40's and early 50's. Long before they sold out to Slim's. I bought my horses from them and boarded them there also....Great memories, good times. Stan Pearl
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot, this was the one in Chews Landing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 10 my family purchased Casino and Scout, then Mr. Jody Britches. We boarded our horses for several years at Slim's before moving to Columbus. Slim's is where I fell in love with horses. I worked with Barb doing pony walks at several events. ( my first job)
ReplyDeleteSlim's ranch was originally the blacksmith in colonial Chews Landing. Chew built the first bridge across Timber Creek at a time when the Timber Creek was deep enough to sail Schooners. These ships were built in Chews Landing. The only other way to cross the creek was by following the old Indian trail that is now Laurel Rd. Another bridge was built at Clements bridge in Deptford during the colonial period, which the Hessians used to march to their fate at Red Bank.
ReplyDeleteThere is a man made earth work that starts on the side of the park (Slims ranch) and goes out most of the way across the creek pointing towards a white house. The white house is the old Bee's farm house, but earlier, had been a house for the keeper of the flood gate. The earth work that juts out is what remains of the old flood gate.
Also, where Somerdale Rd. crosses the creek, is a place called buttonball that was the swimming hole back in the day. In that place, you will find the foundation of a bridge that has collapsed into the creek. This was a bridge built for the Irish Rd. during the colonial times (curved up past Peter Davies Tavern, and followed 5th steet). Records show that the construction of the bridge was considered shoddy, and that ultimately led to its failure.
I assume that one of the reasons why Chew chose the location that he did to settle was because this was an area that had been occupied by Indians for millennia. A lot of the forest would have been cleared by them for their crops before European man ventured into the area.
My father James Calhoun boarded two horse at Slims Ranch off Chews Landing Rd. I rhink it was Blackwood, NJ area. I use to ride Goldie and eventually my father let me ride Daddy's Boy, Boy for short!!! I LOVED MY DAD'S HORSE BOY!!! SO sweet and I remember Barb and her husband! 8 use to do pony walks at some ofcthe events with my cousin Penny!!! I Loved those memories!!!! Goldie through me off her and my father told me GET YOUR ASS BACK ON! I was more scared of my father then the horse! Lol
ReplyDeleteI remember JoAnne and Rocky were a couple at the Slims Ranch.
I thought Judy was Barbs daughter, maybe she was one of them. I think they had two daughter's, Jeannie and Judy! Im Laura Calhoun! James Calhoun's daughter!!
I MISS SLIMS RANCH!! Last time I was therewas in the early 80's to mid 80's!!! My father had his horses boarded at Slims Ranch nack in the early 70's!!! Those me.ories still linger! 🙂😊
ReplyDeleteAngelofhrtandsol1@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLaura Calhoun
Slim did not own the ranch. A bronc rider named Tony (Pizatella?) owned it but told me "Who ever heard of a ranch called Tony's?)
ReplyDelete