Cambridge Springs

Before 1884, geography had everything to do with the settlement and development of intelligent people. At the present site of Cambridge Springs, even the Indians found it necessary to cross French Creek to travel North to get to the nearest shores of Lake Erie, particularly the land locked in protective waters of Presque. But the Indians found the ice of winter and the canoes of summer swimming strokes sufficient for their needs and perspective.

Not so with the white man, he found in traveling North that French Creek swings in a wide right angle at the present site of Cambridge Springs, carrying him out of his way unless he crosses. It required little imagination since no record is found to see him ferrying, perhaps using nothing more than a crude raft at first. Here was a fertile valley pleasant and beautiful to man's eyes and an abundance of water, and regular seasons. Those who passed in their travels must have wished to remain.

More than one traveler reaching the crossing in the late afternoon or nightfall decided to stop and would pay something, if only a little salt, for lodging. At first, they must have rested with the Indians.

According to the known records, two came in 1801 and decided to stay. Then, Jobe Van Court and his son made a deal with the Holland Land Company for 100 acres.

They built the first log cabin, supposedly at the present site of Cambridge Springs, on the spot now occupied by the Park View Inn. Whether their life was pleasant was not known; there are unfounded reports of domestic problems. They were not prosperous since the fact that it is recorded that they lost their land. There can be little doubt of the authenticity of the records that Jobe has buried close to Venango Avenue on the right-hand side while traveling north, as today's tourists come down the borough side of Doctors Hill next to the south limit of the borough.

At any rate, about 10 years ago, the Boy Scout Troops led the citizens in half holiday. The objective of which was to mark the first settlers' grave for all posterity. All those who enjoyed the toboggan slide in the winter sports of the past winters pass close to it on every ride. Ben, the son, appears to have left no tracks for posterity to moralize on. Just the same Jobe and Ben Van Court started something which has touched the lives of millions of people in all parts of the world.

But mostly in America, for their log cabins or, more properly speaking, their example grew into a settlement, a town, a borough, and one of the most noticed Spas in the United States.