By David Kilby, Special Writer
Many people come to Springfield and Chesterfield to enjoy the countryside, but according to the local historic societies, there’s a lot of rich history in the area that is not as commonly known.
For example, the Helis Stock Farm, formerly known as the Rancocas Farm, is a local historic landmark in Jobstown.
The Rancocas Farm was an American thoroughbred horse racing stud farm and racing stable founded in the 1870s by wealthy tobacco manufacturer Pierre Lorillard IV. He built his stable into one of the premier thoroughbred breeding and training operations in the United States, explained Debbie Kelly, president of the Chesterfield Historic Society.
The 2,000-acre farm, purchased by William Helis in 1943, is operated today as the Helis Stock Farm. The property still includes a number of original Rancocas Farm-era buildings that can be seen from the road, including a training barn with 1,100 windows, enclosing a half-mile oblong indoor track.
Mr. Lorillard started Rancocas Stables in the mid-19th century as a retreat from his Manhattan home and developed “the most magnificent sporting estate in America,” according to an 1885 edition of Harper’s Weekly, said Richard Toone, president of the Springfield Historic Society.
The tobacco tycoon took thoroughbred racing in America to new heights of international competition. When he died in 1901, he left Rancocas Stables to a lady friend, Lilly Barnes Livingston, who took her herd to Canada and created Pontiac Farms.
”She dominated racing in Canada and then sold the property to Harry F. Sinclair in 1920, who produced the Kentucky Derby and other winners and went to jail for his involvement with the Tea Pot Dome scandal,” Mr. Toone said. “He later sold the property, which is now 2,500 acres, to William George Helis, evolving into the Helis Stock Farm.”
At the Springfield Township meeting March 7, Mr. Toone asked the Township Council if the society can place a plaque in the middle of Jobstown, indicating the significance of Helis Stock Farm, perhaps reading something like “Jobstown: Epicenter of Thoroughbred Horse Racing.”
He also asked to place similar signs in Jacksonville and Juliustown, explaining those hamlets used to be popular hubs in their own right.
For instance, Jacksonville was the location of a wagon works and a hotel, and Juliustown used to be the location of the popular Walker Gordon dairy farm.
The council approved of the idea, saying the cost should be modest.
”It would be good for people to know what their little town is,” Mr. Toone said, adding people traveling through the township’s towns will appreciate knowing what town they are entering.
Ms. Kelly supported the idea, saying it would be great if there were some kind of sign indicating the location of Helis Stock Farm and its significance.
She also mentioned how active her community’s historic society is. For instance, it hosts a children’s archeology workshop, now in its third year, led by Ian Burrow, of Hunter Research from Trenton.
In the workshop, children perform an archeological dig in the backyard of an old tavern and also go down to Crosswicks Creek. They find old artifacts, shards of antique glass, antique nails, pieces of antique plates and many pieces of coal.
”Ian teaches how to do the digs exactly the right way,” Ms. Kelly said. “It’s a good educational program for kids. It’s a nice day for the children. They really learn about the local history.”
The next dig will be April 27 for children in fourth to eighth grades at the society’s headquarters at 2 Front Street in Crosswicks.
The society also will host garden tours Saturday, May 18, in private gardens at people’s houses.
”Most of the gardens are at historic houses,” Ms. Kelly said. “The landscaping fits into the character of the historic town. It’s a way to have people come into town and have people see the local historic resources.”
The society also hosts many lectures on the historic significance of the area.
Learn more at www.chesterfieldtwphistoricalsoc.org, visit the Facebook page of Chesterfield Historic Society or call Ms. Kelly at 609-291-9351.

