By Jesse Klein
SWEDESBORO -- On the evening of March 6 Swedesboro lost
an historic landmark when the three story Victorian built by William Hewitt
Hannold was gutted by fire.
Thankfully no one seriously injured during the blaze that
broke out in late evening and raged throughout the night.
Swedesboro Mayor Tom Fromm said he considers Borough
Rental Inspector John Leech one of the many heroes who helped save people
lives that night because of his vigilant attention paid to the property by
Leech.
As part of the new rental ordinance, Leech had inspected
the six-unit apartment house building a number of times over the last six
months. Four months ago he returned to make certain that all the smoke
detectors had been installed and were in working order.
Fromm also commended the efforts of the fire departments,
EMS and the police department, and in particular Swedesboro Patrolman First
Class Ron Borden who was first on the scene and made sure all of the residents
were evacuated safely.
Fromm stated, “I am in awe of those men and women’s
bravery and skills.”
Fromm also thanked Mark and Toni Beltz of the Swedes Inn
and the owners of Mama Francesca’s and the China Wall for opening their doors
to the Red Cross as well as all the volunteers during the entire time the fire
was being fought.
But the real story that resulted from the tragic loss of
this once stately building was the overwhelming and immediate community
response. It was a groundswell of support as citizens from all over the area
mobilized to donate massive quantities of clothes and other necessities to
provide relief for the now homeless residents who had lost virtually
everything.
Immediately following the fire, Fromm announced that
borough hall would serve as the donation site for people from the surrounding
area that sought to help the victims left homeless by the fire.
Fromm said he was astounded by the outpouring of support
and completely unprepared for the response. “I don’t think that I have seen
anything that could match the philanthropy that I have witnessed as a result
of this tragedy. It really does reinforce the fact that we live in one of the
greatest communities in New Jersey and we should never let it change.”
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EVERYTHING from clothing to baby items
was stacked in the Swedesboro Council Chambers. Volunteers have been
coming in to sort all the donated items. The fire victims have come in
several times to get what they need. Leftover items will be donated to
other needy families.
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In fact, the donations came in so fast and furious that
within five days the mayor urgently reached out to find volunteers to help
sort through all the clothes, shoes, bedding, and household items that were
being dropped off at borough hall.
His plea for assistance was answered that very day as
help arrived in the form of Denise Kemp, Grace Leech, Jack McGuire, Meg
Westburg and Angela Steves. Joining them in the organizing effort were
Woolwich Township Mayor Joe Chila, his wife Peg and son Dominic, Dr. Michele
Blair, President of the local MOMS Club, her husband Brian and toddler Jake,
and other MOMS Club members Helene Horchuck, Patty Christine-Larsen, and Karen
McGowan.
These citizens, as well as other area residents, worked
tirelessly on a nearly daily basis throughout the last several weeks to sort
and categorize the massive quantities of clothes, bedding, and even toys.
McGowan also made efforts to get specific items that the victims needed.
Fromm commended the efforts of Borough Assistant Clerk
Tanya Goodwin for being the driving force in marshaling the volunteer effort
to organize and categorize all the donations.
These individuals and many more donated their personal
time over the course of the last several weeks to continually sort through and
categorize the vast amount of donations that have descended on borough hall
since the fire. Sorting items by category and clothes by size and male vs.
female allowed the displaced families to find what they needed for their
families in a clear and organized fashion.
The families victimized by the fire have been encouraged
to return as often as necessary as new donations come in daily.
Local resident Brett Boone arranged to have The First
Baptist Church open their garage space to accept donations of large items such
as furniture and sundries. The Swedesboro Woolwich Business Association in
their communication to members suggested purchasing gift cards at local stores
such as Kmart and ACME to help the families left homeless by the fire.
The response to the relief effort has been so
overwhelming that once the families victimized by the fire have gotten what
they need, anything remaining will be donated to other needy local residents.
Anyone who is still interested in donating items large or
small can contact borough hall at 467-0202.
HISTORIC VALUE
Built as a private residence back in 1890 the now destroyed Hannold home
was described as “a jeweled crown” gracing the heart of downtown Swedesboro
with a mansard roof and frontal tower, rich with appointments like shellwood
decorations and stain glass windows.
For the last two years Lois Stanley, President of the
Swedesboro Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, worked on submitting an
application to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Committee to have the
Hannold House placed on the list of 10 Most Endangered Historical Sites.”
Unfortunately, the ravages of fire have made the once majestic home a total
loss.
According to Stanley, the Hannold’s were one of the
oldest and best known families in New Jersey. They owned and operated a large
store right next door to the once handsome mansion.
The Hannold’s established their business in 1850, and
according to their advertisement from 1910 that appeared in Swedesboro
Yesterday and Today, W.H. Hannold and Sons were General House Furnishers
and special agents for phonographs and talking machines (yesterday’s versions
of Ipods and cell phones).
Though they started out as cabinetmakers, the Hannold’s
became one of the first full service funeral providers in South Jersey,
offering their expertise as undertakers funeral directors and embalmers.
They continued to diversify and became purveyors of
granite and marble and William Hannnold served as director for Lake Park
Cemetery.
