98 Barren Rd

This home is not only a corner stone in the community, but a historical figure in the area. The living area of the home started out life as a 1 room school house. The Halterman family, Price family, and other well known names in the area all had family members in attendance here. When the Poconos became a major tourist attraction and not just a weekend getaway for second home owners, this quaint schoolhouse was no longer fit to suit the family that owned it. In 1955 when this house was turning into a larger home, East Stroudsburg had experienced a flood. A local beer distributor was friends with the owner who had a large inventory of bottled beer which had been submerged in flood waters. Not wanting to throw it all out, the business owner came to his friend on Barren Rd who had a root cellar built into the hillside along Wooddale Rd. This root cellar, which is still visible today in the homes back yard, became home to a large stock of brews rescued from the flood! As the family grew, and time became available they built on a kitchen / dining area and upgraded to modern facilities abandoning the outhouse in the back. A 4 bedroom wing was added later still, to accommodate all the children. The owner being a talented individual also build a multi car garage with attached workshop to have a nice big space to work on crafts and hobbies. This new home had a sign posted "Three Oaks" which was quite aptly named for (3) 100+ year old Oak trees which stood on the property. Although 1 has succumb to gravity, in the subsequent years several more young trees have matured and now become prominent features in the landscape of this home. One stands on the corner of Barred & Wooddale Rd. If trees could talk, this one would have quite a story to tell. From all who may have climbed it, enjoyed lunch under it, or were dropped off by horse and buggy near it at the main entrance to the original schoolhouse. The original stone walkway buried in the front yard leading to the road, which the current owner recently located, carefully excavated and is in the process of resetting, will to bring back even more of the homes original rustic charm. This area is known for an abundance of stones, rocks, and boulders. For some this may be challenging, other may see it as a challenge, such as the ambitious current owner. When life gives you lemons.. you make lemonade. This is apparent surrounding the entire property from the hand laid stone wall around the new side yard, to the ponds and waterfalls alongside a peaceful fire-pit in the back all built mostly from rocks gathered in the woods surrounding the property.