Cranberry Bog Police

[rmbutcher4]

Found this badge and IH yesterday in a local field. Couldn't find much about Durell Cranberry Co. online. The IH is in really good condition for being buried and 120+ years old.

 

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[CMDiamonddawg]

Great Durell badge indeed . I see you are from South Jersey . May I ask where you found this ?
I have some information but need a approximate location . A county is ok , town is even better .

CMD

 

[Ground Inspector]

Nice Indian!

 

[rmbutcher4]

CMD, without divulging too much information, I found it in Cape May Co.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Edward Hicks Durell
In 1890, after thirty-six years of service in the effective ranks of the ministry, he took a supernumerary relation, and five years later a retired relation. He then turned his attention to the cultivation of cranberries. When he was pastor at Tuckahoe Methodist Church , he planted his first bog at Weatherby Road , Cumberland County , which was the beginning of a business that grew to such proportions that he became one of the largest cranberry growers in the State of New Jersey. His son Thomas J was Cape May County Superintendent of Schools 1927 - 1929 and was co author with his brother Fletcher of New Day Arithmetic books for NY State and New Jersey Elem. Schools , used in all NY & NJ public schools till the late 1950's . Durell cranberry bogs produced tons of the finest berries . Many of the locals in Cape May County were employed by the Durell family until it's closing in the 1950's.
Durell Cranberry Co. packing plant was bought by the April Bros. after Fletcher Durell and Thomas J. passed on. It's ruins still exist near the lake at Weatherby Road . The Durell bogs are now owned by the State Dept of Recreation and Dept. Fish and Game .The circa 1890 to 1930 badge would be worn by the full time supervisors and certain employees at the packing plant . There were still Durell family members living in NYC in the 1980's . That's all my local historian friend has about the company . Nice local relic . . CMd

 

[jewelerguy]

that's cool. I like the history provided by CMDiamonddawg

 

[robbduffy]

John N. Durell Obituary: View John Durell's Obituary by Tulare County

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Thanks Rob .
John Durell led a Wonderful life .
An interesting life story of a remarkable man , as soldiers returning safe from War ,
John and his Commanding Officer and friend ,
George Bailey AKA Jimmy Stewart
who at this time 1946 , star of It's A Wonderful Life would return to Cape May County cranberry bog country to deer hunt.
Jimmy left the Army Air Corp as a Major General . Word is he had family in PA .

For the people of Bedford Falls and T Net , , the gifts that mean the most aren't available in any store.


CMD

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