IBM Glen History

Foreward

It's difficult to separate the IBM Glen history from the history of the surrounding area, especially during the period in which IBM owned different parts of the land and expanded different areas. The peak IBM footprint goes far beyong the Glen itself.

Chronology 

You can find much of this at the Kiosk at the IBM Glen, I've added to it as I've learned new information, well new to me.

1828-1918: The land was part of a 350-acre farm purchased by Arthur Gray. On his land, a hillside rising 1,300 feet above sea level harbored already famous for its sylvan thickets and tranquil beauty. During Gray ownership, visitors continued to be welcome at "Grays Glen".

By World War I: Ownership of the property had passed to Hiram Mintz. He not only permitted picknicking on the hill, but allowed the public to cultivate the farmland for war gardens.

1919: Eliot Spalding*, the treasurer of Endicott-Johnson Corporation, purchased the entire parcel. Editorials in the newspapers raised "grave concerns" about the preservation of Grays Glen and the timber tracts that included some of the finest pine, hemlock, hickory, and butternut trees to be found anywhere around. The uproar subsided when Spalding constructed a lavish mansion on the crest of the hillside and kept the surrounding lands intact. The mansion was home to Mr. Spalding, his wife, Beatrice, and daughter, Elizabeth Rosalie.

1925: The Masonic Fraternity purchased the estate for $100,000 and operated it as the Kalurah Country Club. They built the original 9-hole golf course and turned the mansion into the Masonic Clubhouse.

1935: The declining economy of the Great Depression compelled foreclosure proceedings by the early 1930s, and was acquired by IBM. The 18-hole golf course was designed and constructed by golf architect, John Van Kleek in 1937. IBM built the IBM Country Club around the former Crocker House. The mansion became "The Homestead". 

Since the 1930s, the glen has been known locally as "The IBM Glen". It is a small ravine surrounded by forest north of the Homestead. The IBM Glen is the finest glen in Broome County. 

1940s: In the glen, a carefully-built trail with natural stone steps and bridges, including two stone arch bridges, was built in the 1930s or 1940s as was a blacktop road. Stone fireplaces and picnic tables were placed along the road at frequent intervals. The road follows the rim of the glen all of the way around and back through a mature forest of maples and huge, dark green hemlocks interspersed with tall oaks, and occassional white pines three feet in diameter that tower over all. The forest close to the stream is classified as an old growth forest. It is important for people in this area to see these old trees. There are many  oaks, maples, beech, and other trees in the surrounding forest. The IBM Hundred Precent Club meetings were held at the IBM Homestead with attendees staying in "Tent City", which doubled in size for the 1941 event to be made of 500 two-man tents along with a dozen service tents. Running water and electricity were provided. In 1942, Thomas and Jeanette Watson direct the construction of the stone bridges and hiking trails in the IBM Glen.

1950s: At the Country Club a new addition added a field house, dedicated May 5, 1951 and on June 30, 1954 a new pool is added. Meanwhile at the Homestead, construction of an expansion is started in 1957. IBM also built a log cabin in, I believe 1950, to serve as a pre-school for children of IBM employees. This functioned as a school until closed in 1996. It can still be seen, but sits outside the IBM Glen (off Waterman property). Rumor has it Santa has some elves working in the cabin now. At least that's what I tell children when hiking.

1960s: On June 17, 1960, a flash flood destroyed most of the bridges and trails along the stream.

1980s: IBM closed the gates to the IBM Glen to prohibit vehicular traffic. This increased the attractiveness of the area for hiking and cross-country skiing. 

1990s: IBM changed the name of the country club to the Heritage Country Club and began allowing non-IBMers to join. The IBM Homestead closed as a training facility in 1995. 

2000: In July 2000, IBM announced their intention to log the glen. Due to public outcry, the plan was cancelled in December 2000. 

2004: In 2004, the Homestead facility was purchased from IBM by the Homestead Development Group, a local group, and renamed "Traditions at the Glen". The sale specified that 205 acres including the glen be donated to a group to be designated by IBM.

August 2004: IBM Glen was donated to the Fred L. Waterman Conservation Education Center in Apalachin. The donation did not include the forest to the east of the glen. There is concern that this land could be developed and we hope it will be preserved. 

2005: Watson Industries purchased the IBM Country Club building including the red-brick Crocker house.

2006: June 28 flood damages the lower part of Hemlock Lane. In Grays Creek, a wall and path were washed out.

Chenago Land Trust 2006 Land Stewardship Award given to the Friends of the IBM Glen.

November 15 flash flood changes Grays Creek.

Parking lot constructed with help of Bill Walsh and many volunteers.

2009: Two culverts replaced by Dan Carlin.

2023: October work begins to clear land to expand the parking area. Volunteers clear trees and prepped for work based on design from Delta Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors. The original parking lot will be paved and open year-round. When complete, the expansion will be open outside of the winter months.

2024: The original parking lot is paved and the new parking lot is open. The new lot is designed to be permeable, allowing water to seep into the ground rather than run off as the water would on a normal parking surface. 

Maps

Below are some maps that may be of historical interest.

IBM Homestead & Park Brochure (~ Before 1950)

I found someone selling this brochure online. It doesn't have a date on it, but it does have an IBM "form number" (20-5621-0 - seen on back cover)! But since the expansion to the Country Club isn't shown, nor the Log Cabin, I'm assuming it's prior to 1950. You'll also note that here, the IBM Glen is called the "IBM Park" which is the first time I've seen it referenced that way. The brochure when unfolded to reveal a map on one side and some pictures on the other is 11" x 19.5". 

Tent City

I provide here some additional information and pictures about Tent City. This impromptu city had two phases. The first, in 1940, was a smaller configuration of 250 tents that was located more to the east and northeast of the Homestead (Traditions Hotel & Spa today). This Tent City was used to house the IBM Hundred Percent Club of salesmen that had met and exceeded their quota. As that Hundred Percent Club grew, the Tent City was moved in 1941 to an area northwest of the Homestead building and was expanded to 500 platform tents to support the 1000 people. (Other sources quote 750 tents, 1500 people.) There were also a dozen service tents. Running water and electricity were provided. One large tent was used for the main sessions where everyone was present. At modern conferences, you sometimes hear the expression "Main Tent Session", well now you know one of the places it is rumored to have originated.

Even though they were living in tents, suits and white shirts were still required. Because of being there in summer, it was recommended that each man bring two shirts for each day so they could change into a clean shirt mid-day if need be. The attendees

Later in the 1950s, IBM and the Hundred Percent Club had grown and some people didn't think a week in August in Endicott, in a tent was an appropriate reward for top sales people. And so the meetings moved to hotels and resorts. Some of the platform tents were donated to Boy Scout troops and camps. The tents themselves were made by Rapid Deployable Systems (RDS) but better know at the time by brand name Eureka!.