Falling Creek Ironworks Park

This stone and brick cottage is an example of the tourist courts that were popular along Route 1 in the early- to mid-20th century. During this time, Route 1 was the main highway running from Maine to Florida. In 1920, R.D. Moore built approximately 40 cottages at Moore's Lake, and the business remained in operation until 2002. It serves as a reminder of the time when Route 1 was the primary highway from Maine to Key West.

These cottages were considered luxury symbols, and Moore's was one of the premier lodging courts along Jefferson Davis Highway. The cottages were one-, two-or three-room units scattered randomly near the lake, which also included a beach, water slides, a dance pavilion and a restaurant.

George and Lena Crump later purchased the site and modernized the cottages by adding bathrooms. As tourists began to travel more after the Depression, additional cottages were built. The Crumps built their personal home on the site. In 1970, their son, Tommy, purchased the cottages and the restaurant, which he renamed Sylvester's.

During World War II, military families from Camp Lee stayed at the cottages.

Wives worked as waitresses in the restaurant and older children worked as dishwashers, gardeners and lifeguards.

The cottages thrived until construction of I-95 in 1958. With larger



accommodations along the interstate, the motor courts along Route 1 began a decline and eventually went out of business.

This cottage is one of the last remaining cottages and was moved to Falling Creek Ironworks Park in 2019 to help preserve the rich history of Historic Route 1.

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Historic Route 1 Historical
Falling Creek Iron Works
Historic Village of Bensley Historical
Historic Village of Bensley Historical
Falling Creek Stone Bridge Historical
Historic Route 1 Historical
Cultural History Historical
Natural History Historical
Natural History Historical
Cary's Mill Overlook Historical

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