Charles Dempsey Estate

The Dempsey house, is also known as the Stone Cottage. Charles (C.J.) Dempsey and his wife selected the property by flying over the area. Frank VanVolkinburg and his sons; Dana & Carl started construction on March 26, 1938.

Frank VanVolkinburg’s Poem indicates two people; Brigham, and Wallrath.
Please let me know if you have any information regarding them. I would like to add it to the page. Thanks! dvalley@hughes.net

Poem wrote by Frank VanVolkinburg on March 26, 1938

The house is on the mountain road; not far from Cap Martin place. It is not a lonesome spot; as the winding road you trace,

It was on 26 of March, 1938;
we broke the frozen earth.
On the Charles Dempsey estate.

The ground it was very rocky;
so we soon had things in shape.
To build the mammoth cellar,
with material from the estate;

Dana built the forms,
which was so very true;
Carl mixed the cement,
which Frank could not do;

The Dempsey’s they arrived,
in due time you well know,
To see how things was looking,
and how we made it go;

Brigham drawed the stone,
so Frank could do his part;
Dana matched the wood,
so it will not come apart;

The mansion is built of native stone, and it’s kind are very few;
No doubt the house will stand the test, C.J. said no other kind would do;

Now the plumbing and the plastering, is waiting yet to do,
When Mrs. Dempsey gets her stove up, then we will have our old beef stew.

Now Wallrath is a German, Van Volkinburg German too,
Dempsey is a big Irishman,
so what in hell will we do;

Now when this house is completed, both inside and out;
It will be a good place for Dempsey, for he is big and stout;

Now we all like the bottle,
that is plain to see;
When we all had lunch,
under the old apple tree;

Very truly yours;

F.B.V

 

Back Row: Dana, Carl, --, Billy Mahoney, Charles Dempsey
Front Row: Frank, Ada holding Dot, Maud, & Gen VanVolkinburg, Mrs. Dempsey & Doris Mahoney