The origin of Lumberland began with the formation of a town, territorial boundaries, and government on March 16, 1798. Early occupations included farming, lumbering, and quarrying. Much of the land was rough and unimproved until the late 1860s, when Singer Machine Vice President George Ross Mackenzie established his country estate in South Lebanon, which included major advancements known to mankind.

As years progressed, Mr. Mackenzie enhanced his 3,000 acre estate with the addition of a school (now Lumberland Town Hall), a church, orphanage, and cemetery. The addition of elaborate buildings designed and crafted by artisans became evident. By the 1880s, Mr. Mackenzie's paradise in South Lebanon became known on the map as "Glen Spey", N.Y., an area reminiscent of Mr. Mackenzie's homeland in Scotland. Upon his death in 1892, seven of his children built elaborate summer mansions in Glen Spey, with his youngest daughter inheriting "The Homestead."

Today, more than a century later, three of the Mackenzie estates remain, hosting "Verkhovynia," a Ukrainian summer camp, Knights of Pythians Camp, and Mike Fraysee's Sports Resort, the restored Margaret Mackenzie Elkin mansion.

Lumberland includes five hamlets: Glen Spey, Hillside, Mohican Lake, Mongaup, and Pond Eddy. Also included are several stores, numerous churches, businesses, summer camps, private dwellings, restaurants, and a new elementary school in Glen Spey which opened in 1995, on a portion of the former Mackenzie Golf Course-Town Park, donated by the Town of Lumberland.

A variety of recreational activities include boating, fishing, cycling, hiking, and sightseeing, with the addition of cultural events, concerts, and the museum at the Town Hall can be enjoyed by all. Lumberland is a wonderful place to visit and a fine place to call home.

Source:
Frank V. Schwarz, Historian
Lumberland: A Gem with Many Facets
Bicentennial Pamphlet, 1998