The Columns honors the Irish - Honoring Dennis McLaughlin: builder of Columns

Milford — On Aug. 23, the Pike County Historical Society’s Museum, known as The Columns, will host a celebration in honor of the original man of this great white house on Broad Street. Dennis McLaughlin had the house built as a summer home for his family in 1904. He came to this country from Ireland as a small boy and grew up in Jersey City, N.J. He became a news-dealer in what was known as the “old Horseshoe district” of the town and later aspired to a career in politics, holding the offices of Alderman, County Clerk and Assemblyman. One of the better known Democratic Politicians in New Jersey in his time, Dennis was also known as one of the “Big Four.” This was the title given to the four owners of the then popular Guttenberg Racetrack. At one time McLaughlin was known as the “heaviest holder of real estate in Hudson County, NJ.” McLaughlin had four sons from his first marriage to Johanna Biggan, who passed away, and four children from a second marriage to Theresa Stack, who also died before McLaughlin. Strangely, both wives died on the same date of March 14, 20 years apart. In the spring of 1912 Mr. McLaughlin took ill with what was described in the local newspaper, the Dispatch, as “an attack of acute indigestion.” He was in residence at the Columns when the attack occurred, and promptly returned home to Jersey City where, a few days later, he died. Although McLaughlin’s time here in Milford was short, a mere 8 years, his home remains as one of the finest structures in Milford Borough. The “White Columns,” as the home was commonly referred to, was designed by architect Charles Fall of Jersey City. Built in the neo-classical style, reminiscent of Georgian structures in some ways, yet having combined elements that are non-Georgian. The interior plan follows the Queen Anne style. The beautiful stained glass windows of the Columns are an added feature, designed by Lewis Comfort Tiffany of New York. All these elements combined make for an interesting and magnificent home, which McLaughlin was quite pleased with. After McLaughlin died, his family maintained the home. In 1930, daughter Theresa McLaughlin was married in the music room of the Columns. McLaughlin’s son Edward built the house next to the Columns in the Southern Georgian style in 1923. After 1932 it seemed little interest remained among the existing family members to maintain the homes, they were eventually sold. The Columns has taken on many personas through time, a dance studio, boarding house, restaurant, night club, VFW, and private residence. In the 1980’s the Pike County Historical Society purchased it and made it the “official museum of Pike County.” In honor of the McLaughlin’s Irish roots, the Society will host a day in remembrance of Dennis and his family. A corned beef and cabbage dinner will be served in the Foundation Room of the Museum, followed by an evening performance by Celtic singer Celeste Triebeneck. This traditional music will be performed in the side yard of the museum, in a beer and wine garden atmosphere on a lovely summer evening. Ms. Triebeneck will be accompanied by Paul E. Mitchell on 12-string and classical guitar. The duo currently performs at theaters, cultural centers, pubs and galleries. Tickets for the evening are $25 per person. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 570-296-8126. For more information about the Pike County Historic Society, please call the number above or visit online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org .