Burke Glen was constructed on both sides of Old William Penn near Elliot Road in
1926. This parcel of land had been part of the land grant to John McKee in 1784.
On April 20, 1816 John Thompson Sr. bought 141 acres of it for $564. The land
was mostly virgin timber, but Thompson and his sons James and John cleared an
area for their log cabin. The older Thompson lived to be 102 and is the oldest
person to be buried in Crossroads Cemetery. His original homestead was willed to
John Jr. and then to Colonel Elmer E. Thompson. After 109 years the land passed
from the ownership of the Thompsons when Col. Thompson sold it to the four Burke
brothers, who were all plumbers, on Nov. 4, 1925. The Burkes build an amusement
park and called it "Burke Glen". This soon became a favorite recreation place
because it contained a roller coaster called the Speed Hound, a fun hous, other
amusements, a swimming pool and a picnic grove. The local schools held annual
picnics there until the 1930's. At the dance hall Slim Bryant and his
"Wildcats" were featured.
"Hamlets to Highways"