History

The history of the South Mountain and its resort-era can be traced back to the last half of the 19th century.  Homes used as retreat by the wealthy, and several large mountain resorts were constructed on the mountain to take advantage of the curative water, the charming natural setting and clean, cool air.  The 600 acres currently owned by the South Mountain YMCA were primarily acquired and developed in two parcels.

Adolf Tafel became enamored with the mountain air, as it relieved the asthmatic condition he developed while serving in the Union forces during the Civil War.  On a 100-acre Cushion Peak parcel purchased in 1887, Mr. Tafel build a 16-room mountain retreat.  The magnificently furnished home stood on the foundation that is now the grassy field and high ropes course for the South Mountain YMCA Camps.  Mr. Tafel died in 1884.  From that time on, the retreat was abandoned by his family but lovingly tended by George Freeman, an honest and trusted head workman for the Tafel family. 

Mr. Freeman and his family lived in a splendid home of their own not far from the Tafel mansion.  The house, named Crossroads Cottage, still stands on camp property and is the home of our Summer Camps Director.  One of George Freeman's daughters, Elsie Freeman-Sheetz became a benefactor of the South Mountain YMCA.  Upon her death in 1983, part of her estate was made available to the YMCA for capital improvements and camper scholarships.

In 1888, John Tolbert of Philadelphia purchased the property.  It was used as a summer residence until his death in 1896.  For the next 2 years, the Luden Family of Reading used it as a summer home until the property was converted into a summer resort operated by the Tolbert heirs in 1898.

In 1905, Dr. Octavia Krum, a physician from Pottstown, purchased the property across Cushion Peak Road from the Tafel mansion, where George Freeman's home stood.  She operated the property as a small sanatorium until 1920.  Dr. Krum, a proud and independent woman beset by financial difficulties would not accept the help offered her by Mary Morton, a friend and former patient.  Miss Morton, the daughter of Levi Parsons Morton, became the recipient of a large inheritance when her famous father died in 1920.  Mary eventually succeeded in purchasing Dr. Krum's property through a third party, thus helping her friend recover her investment, as well as acquiring what would soon become known as Bynden Wood.

Miss Morton, attentive to the economic plight and social restraints imposed upon unmarried, professional women decided to operate the property as a resort where such women might vacation.  While she expected to lose money on the venture, she hired an expert manager, Mrs. Rightson, who did manage to make a resort for professional women a profitable enterprise.  During this era, Terrace and Roadside Cottages were built, as well as the Bynden Wood Lodge Tea House and gift shop.  All three of these building remain and are used by the South Mountain YMCA Camps today.

In 1947 the Wyomissing Foundation purchased the Bynden Wood Resort property and presented it to the Central YMCA in Reading to be used as a summer camp for boys.  In the years since, the Tafel Mansion and 300 acres that include Cushion Peak were acquired from the Cameron Family, and a beautiful 60 acre parcel which includes a pond was donated by Ms. Marilyn Martin.

In 1982, YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser became a co-ed program.  In 1983, the board of what is now the South Mountain YMCA purchased the camp and its property from the Reading Area YMCA.  It now operates as an independent camp and conference center chartered by the YMCA of the USA.

Information compiled by Mary Hebavny from resort brochures and "The Heidelberger" vol. 10-2, March 1986.