×

The many names of Farmington Township

Times Observer photo by Dave Ferry The old school bell from Lander High School called Farmington students to school from 1907-1963. When the new school was built, the bell was placed on display out front where it remains to this day.

Humans are inherently creative beings.

There’s evidence of this in our proclivity for naming people, places, and things. It’s not always so easy to come up with a name that sticks, but we all do it.

As children, we have no choice to take the already established names for granted. Mom, dad, teachers, pets, towns.

The origin of the name of Farmington Township is pretty much self-explanatory. If you’ve ever been there, it doesn’t take much to figure out the agricultural implications the name implies.

If the intersection of Miller Hill, South Main and Route 957 was lined with coffee shops and shopping malls, that might require an explanation. But it remains to this day equal parts mountains majesty and waves of hay and corn.

The way Farmington came to be is more interesting than the name itself. Once a part of Pine Grove Township, the citizens petitioned to form their own after a disagreement over funding for a covered bridge over the Conewango River in Russell. As agriculture began to replace timber as the primary industry, the residents of the future Farmington weren’t interested in contributing to something they didn’t feel served a purpose for them.

Thus, Farmington was born. They called the little village in the center Farmington at first before learning there was already a Farmington, Pa.

Lander was named for Union General Frederick William Lander, a transcontinental explorer. Which is pretty appropriate for that area. Take one step in any direction and you might think you’re in uncharted territory.

It was at one time a bustling community with a town pump, store, post-office, and a hotel.

The original Methodist church is still there, but there was a Baptist church at one time as well.

Photo courtesy of Warren County Historical Society The Lander High School existed from 1907 until it was torn down and replaced with Lander Elementary in 1963. Lander Elementary has since been converted to a homeless shelter for veterans.

Long before Eisenhower High School was built, There was a Lander High School in place from 1907-1963. When the new elementary school was built in 1963, the old school bell was placed on display in front of the school where it still resides in front of the Liberty’s Way Church of Christ, a shelter for homeless veterans.

Records indicate enrollment at Lander Elementary reached more than 200 students. While the population has obviously dropped some since then, Farmington Township will probably always be there to welcome new people home.

Photo courtesy of Warren County Historical Society The town pump and the D J. Mahan store at the intersection in Lander. Signboard advertises Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Hardware.

Photo courtesy of Warren County Historical Society Undated postcard of the Hitchcock Hotel. Note the gazebo also appears in the photo of the D.J. Mahan store.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today