Tier's Pond
 Tier’s Pond (undated vintage postcard on left) was known for winter skating and summer swimming, boating, and fishing. Formerly Boice’s Pond, it was created around 1853 by Phineas M. French who built a dam across the Green Brook. The pond was also the source of blocks of ice for refrigeration. An icehouse was constructed on the pond about 14 years later for the sale of ice.
John Tier, Sr., who had been making ice cream in his own home since 1859, built a pavilion in the 1870s that operated in connection with the icehouse. Moonlight skating parties were popular, and the skaters would end the evening with hot chocolate at the Tier’s Pavilion. The Daily Press reported that Tier was the first person to “peddle” ice and sell ice cream in Plainfield and that Tier’s cream had become famous throughout the country. It was also reported that Mrs. Tier served molasses cake to workmen there—twice daily.
In 1902, the Pond was drained temporarily for the purpose of catching and removing carp, which threatened the population of other fish. During the draining process, a hole was discovered in the dam. It was reported that if the hole had caused the dam to collapse, it would have had serious consequences for Plainfield. In 1903, a circular railway was built at the Pond on which people could take rides.
By 1914, the Pond had become a dumping ground. The Plainfield Daily Press reported that residents were discussing the possibility of cleaning it up to create a “pleasure resort.” In February 1917, after a lack of use for three years, the Tier’s Icehouse (no longer owned by the Tier family) was destroyed by fire and water hoses. In 1937, the last vestige of the Tier homestead was torn down to clear space for a parking lot. |
Tier's Pond, n.d.
Paul Revere Collier |
Tier's Dam, n.d.
Paul Revere Collier
|
Tier's Pavilion, late 1800s
Guillermo Thorn |
Tier's Dam, n.d.
Guillermo Thorn |
Tier's Dam, August 4, 1915.
Vail |
Tier's Pond, n.d.
Guillermo Thorn |
Tier's Pond, n.d.
Guillermo Thorn |
Tier's Dam, n.d.
Unknown photographer |
Tier's Dam, n.d.
Unknown photographer |
Tier's Dam, n.d.
Vail |
|
|