In 1984, Robert and Linda Duck purchased a 13-acre farm outside of Quakertown, Pa. At first they were hesitant, because it was "too far from our family". Also, the house wasn't quite what they were looking for. But they came to like the place and were soon settled in.
The knew nothing about the history of the farm and it seemed like an ordinary piece of property, so the couple lived in the house, blind to what they had just purchased.
But when they talked to the neighbors, they learned the history of their "ordinary" farm. Only 20 years before, it had been the country-western capital of the East Coast, attracting many top-name stars, and thousands of fans, every weekend.
In 1929, the Newman brothers, "Uncle" Elmer and "Pancake" Pete won first prize in an amateur contest doing a hillbilly duet. They were invited to sing on a "barndance show" on a Philadelphia radio station. They were a hit, and sang on the show for four years.
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, the Murray sisters, Sophie and Julie, were singing "cowgirl sisters". They were on a rival radio station to the Newman brothers.
The Newmans invited the Murray sisters to join their act, which the women promptly turned down.
Shortly the Murrays went to a radio station in Shenandoah, Iowa. Julie, being a "big city girl", soon became bored with their new town. When the Newman brothers extended a second invitation to join them in Philadelphia, Julie insisted they accept the invitation.
As they performed together over the coming years, the four became well-known country singers. They also became very close. So close that Pete Newman and Sophie Murray married in June of 1936. They married on a stage in Skippack, Montgomery Co. Julie remarked "People paid admission to see the wedding!"
A year later, Elmer and Julie married in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
The four of them bought a house on 23 acres just outside of Quakertown, Pa., and moved in. The four had a dream of running a country western entertainment park. so they began to build one on their property.
Then on May 4, 1940, they opened Sleepy Hollow Ranch.
The opening show starred the Georgia Crackers.
The park was usually open on Sundays and holidays. It offered a variety of activities; games, pony rides, food stands, a rodeo, square dancing. But the main attraction was the country music.
The ranch promoted good clean fun. It was a good place for family entertainment. "The Newmans ran a respectable place," said a neighbor, "They didn't even allow cuss words on the stage, and there was never any fighting."
The foursome of Elmer and Julie Newman, and Pete and Sophie Newman became known as the Sleepy Hollow Gang. Over the years, Floyd "Li'l Abner" Petersdorf, Monty Rosci and Hank Harrigan, a comedian, would join the group. Just Plain John and Slim West were resident performers.
Major stars were attracted to Sleepy Hollow. Eddie Arnold, Roy Rogers, Sally Starr, Minnie Pearl, and Jimmy Dean were only a few who would entertain. Of course, Roy Rogers brought his horse, Trigger, along with him.
Gene Autry, Roy Acuff, the Mills Brothers, Jimmy Dean, Wayne Newton, Cisco Kid and his sidekick Dopey Duncan, Frankie Avalon, Carl Perkins and his blue suede shoes, Tommy Sands, Bill Haley and the Comets, Whitey Ford, Smiley Burnette, The Carter Family, Sunset Carson and his horse, The Ink Spots and Shorty Long were some of the others.
On a typical weekend, about 1,000 people would attend, with attendance rising to 8,000 when big-name stars performed.
Rodeos were a popular event during the Sleepy Hollow Ranch's heydays and bull-riding always brought the spectators to their feet. Phil States rode his horse, Comanche, in the rodeo competition.
Tragedy struck the ranch on Nov. 3, 1963. Fire destroyed the main building, which contained the auditorium, dance hall and restaurant, and many concession stands. People speculated that cigarette butts were carelessly discarded.
"I got up about 5 a.m. and the whole sky was lit up," said a neighbor. "I couldn't believe it."
"We were horrified," said Julie Newman. "We lost our business ... we were in a state of shock."
The damage was estimated at $80,000. But insufficient insurance money prevented the Newmans from rebuilding the ranch. "When we built in the 40s, it was a lot cheaper to build."
After 23 years, the era of Sleepy Hollow Ranch was now over.
On Aug 17, 1986, the Milford Township Historical Society, held a Sleepy Hollow revival, on the Duck's property. The stages and concession stands were rebuilt by volunteers. A neighbor offered his land for parking.
The old Sleepy Hollow gang led the show, along with some of the stars from the Sleepy Hollow Ranch.
The revival included Willis Myers, fiddler Ralph Spohn, Duane Angstadt and the Country Rhythm Band, Tex Carson's Country Western Band and New Creation, who supplyed gospel music.
Despite the rain, the bands played their hearts out during two performances to more than 3,700 people, who were given a taste of the country and western songs long played in the Upper Bucks community.
Adding to the hoedown were rodeo events and square dancing. Volunteers operated games and food stands.
It was special day for Julie Newman. She told the Ducks that it was one of the best days she ever had. "She was the star that day, singing for the crowd, mingling with the people and signing autographs," said Linda Duck.
The Ducks appreciated that the crowd of about 3,700 respected their property and each other. They used the trash barrels and made aisles so others could move around, they said.
"And I will always remember Sally Starr's performance." said Bob Duck. "Even though it was raining, she entertained for three hours."
Sleepy Hollow Ranch was located on the old Rte 663 (now Sleepy Hollow Rd), about 6 miles west of Quakertown. Though now the private home of the Duck family, two signs still proclaim it the "Sleepy Hollow Ranch."