Charles K. Landis

Charles Kline Landis (March 16, 1833 – June 12, 1900) was a property developer in South Jersey, who was the founder and developer of Vineland and Sea Isle City.

Career

His first foray as a developer began with the development of the tiny town of Colville in the 1850s, which is known today as Elwood. After that venture failed, Landis became partners with a Philadelphia banker named Richard Byrnes, and began to develop the town of Hammonton. They purchased of land along the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, connecting Camden and Atlantic City. By 1860, Hammonton had over 2,000 inhabitants, and was a successful agricultural community.

When they began to disagree over the future of Hammonton, Landis decided to sell his share of their real estate business to Byrnes and moved on to develop the town that would eventually become known as Vineland. He purchased of land in 1861, near Millville, New Jersey, and along an existing railroad line with service to Philadelphia. The first houses were built in 1862, and train service was established to Philadelphia and New York City, with the population reaching 5,500 by 1865. The main street today is called Landis Avenue.

Landis also had a hand in establishing other small towns, including Landisville. He planned to make it county seat of a new county called Landis County, which would incorporate land from the surrounding counties. However, the locals were against this, and began calling him "King Landis". Landisville has never eclipsed Vineland in importance.

Personal life

Landis was born in Philadelphia to Michael G. and Mary L. Landis and was educated as a lawyer. Charles Landis died on June 12, 1900, at the age of 67 and is buried in Siloam Cemetery in Vineland, a cemetery that was established on land donated by him in 1864. A collection of Charles Landis possessions can be viewed at the Vineland Historical Society.