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Forlorn Hope: The Birth of a Brotherhood
In the heart of Lambertville, around the year 1840, a secret society thrived in the shadows. They called themselves Forlorn Hope, a name whispered in hushed tones among those who knew of their existence. Their purpose was known only to their members, men bound by a shared vision of fraternity and mutual aid.
By the time the society emerged into the public eye, it had transformed into something greater—the Lenni Lenape Lodge No. 15 of the International Order of Odd Fellows. No longer a secret, but still a brotherhood sworn to its cause, the lodge became a cornerstone of the growing community.
The Odd Fellows was an international fraternity that had originated in London in 1730. The American branch was founded in Baltimore in 1819. The name Odd Fellows may have come from the idea that the group was a “bunch of odd fellows” who behaved in an impractical and selfless way, dedicated to charity and goodwill rather than personal gain.
Its first officers—Daniel Skinner, Thomas B. Carr, Martin Coryell, Joseph B. Gray, and Samuel Lilly—stood as pillars of this new order. Together, they forged a legacy that would endure, shaping the town’s spirit of unity and service for generations to come.
In 1851, the Odd Fellows became the first national fraternity to welcome both men and women, further solidifying their reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking organization. What began in secrecy had blossomed into a movement—one that Lambertville would carry forward for years to come.
Forlorn Hope: The Birth of a Brotherhood
The Night Finkle’s Became a Rock Club
For 107 years, Finkle’s was the heart of Lambertville for all things hardware. If they didn’t have it, it probably hadn’t been invented yet. Generations relied on its creaky wooden floors and endless aisles of possibility. But on one unforgettable night, Finkle’s became something entirely different—a rock club for the ages.
Rachel Finkle and Sven Helmer wanted to give back to the community one last time before closing the doors on this family institution. And what better way to say thank you than with a party where everyone was invited? The invitation said 3 PM to 8 PM, but the energy in the air had other plans. By the time the dust settled, an estimated 800 to 1,000 people had filled the space—not to shop for tools, but to celebrate, dance, and raise a glass to a Lambertville legend.
The Inflexibles took the stage first, igniting the night with an electrifying set. The dance floor—once home to generations of hardware buyers—was packed. And then, The Shackers took over. For over three hours, they played their hearts out, shaking the very foundation of the historic store.
Finkle’s will always be remembered as a cornerstone of this town, but for those lucky enough to be there, it will also be known as the place that, for one night only, transformed into the greatest rock venue Lambertville never knew it needed.
The Story of The Beacon: Lambertville’s Historic Newspaper
Lambertville’s rich history of journalism began in 1845 when the telegraph first reached town from New York City. That same year, John R. Swallow published Lambertville’s first newspaper, aptly named The Telegraph. Ownership of the paper changed hands multiple times, evolving with each new publisher. G.C. Large and W.B. Hughes took over before selling it to Clark Pierson, who rebranded it as The Delaware Valley Diarist. In 1853, another change saw the paper renamed The Peoples’ Beacon, and when Pierson repurchased it in 1858, he simplified the name to The Beacon.
A major turning point came in 1869, when Phineas K. Hazen acquired the paper and renamed it The Lambertville Beacon, marking the beginning of the Hazen family’s long stewardship. Under the Hazens, The Beacon became a cornerstone of Lambertville’s identity, chronicling its growth, industry, and community life. The 1873 Atlas of Hunterdon County shows The Beacon operating at the southwest corner of Bridge and South Union Streets, a location it occupied until moving to 14 Bridge Street in late 1898.
For four generations, the Hazen family managed The Beacon, with Joseph N. Hazen serving as its final family publisher. In 1989, he sold the newspaper to Packet Media Group, remaining with the company as a managing editor and photographer until his passing in 1998. After 155 years of publication, The Beacon ceased operations in February 2015.
Though no longer in print, The Beacon lives on through a digitization project completed by the Lambertville Library. Thanks to this effort, over a century and a half of local history is now preserved in a searchable format, ensuring that The Beacon remains a guiding light in Lambertville’s story.
LOCAL SCENES
Summer is coming
Friends sharing the shade.
Early morning fog.
The perfect spot to share with friends.
The perfect path to explore