Montoursville: a town in history 1

a town in history

Contents …a snapshot in time of Montoursville history

Chapter 1, Aboriginal Culture & Founding……………………………… 2 Chapter 2, Surviving the Wars…………………………………………………. 2 Chapter 3, Early Life………………………………………………………………… 3 Chapter 4, Lumber Built the Town………………………………………….. 4 Chapter 5, Rafting on the Loyalsock……………………………………….. 5 Chapter 6, Land Among the Waters Gave Us Recreation………… 5 Chapter 7, The Borough Waterworks………………………………………. 7 Chapter 8, The Water System Made Progress Possible…………… 8 Chapter 9, Schooling in Andrew’s Town………………………………….. 8 Chapter 10, Transportation……………………………………………………… 10 Chapter 11, Two Great Wars……………………………………………………. 11 Chapter 12, Visions from the Last Fifty Years………………………… 11

2 Historic Broad Street 8 Loyalsock Ave. Normal School 3 Home of Thomas Lloyd 9 First high school 3 Home of John Else 9 Montour Street School 4 Home of Gov. Shulze 9 Today’s high school 5 Park coaster 10 The “Green” bridge 5 Park Theatre 10 Old bridges 6 Indian Park today 10 Old view of the airport 6 Covered bridge 10 The airport today 7 John Hazel 12 Flight 800 memorial statue 8 Old borough building 14 Broad Street today Note: Pictures are marked as modern or historic

There is a running timeline featuring key years in Montoursville history beginning on page 2 and continuing through page 11.

This informational pamphlet and associated website created by Chris Garneau. Please see last page for more information. 2 Montoursville: a town in history 1. ABORIGINAL CULTURE to inhabit the land. The Susquehanna approximately 22 cents an acre. was a mecca for fisherman from Andrew Montour was twice married It was on February 19, 1850 that an act southeastern Pennsylvania and and fathered two sons, Nicholas and of the General Assembly of Delaware. The town of Otstonwakin John. Andrew was awarded additional Pennsylvania set the borough of was basically a Delaware community. lands on the Juniata and on the Ohio in Montoursville apart from Fairfield The town was situated on both sides of Western Pennsylvania. There is a Township. That decision has been both the creek and extended north to Sand Montour High School named for him in celebrated and condemned by persons Hill. Those Indians were actually that area. He died prior to 1775. since that time. The decision allowed vassals to the higher Iroquois lords. The our community to organize for the mighty Iroquois were able to control a 2. SURVIVING THE WARS public good in a manner that the huge area using an army of about 600 During the French and Indian War, the surrounding countryside was not very mobile warriors. They traveled former worked very hard to secure this afforded, but at the same time reduced trails that paralleled the Loyalsock as far area of the frontier. An expedition us to a 4.2 square mile parcel of real as Wallis Run. From there, the path cut designed to cement their hold on the estate that does not include land over Jacoby Mountain to Bodines, where territory camped across from Madame and Andrew Montour might it continued north on what later became Otstonwakin, while a scouting party have recognized as their home town. Route 14. Access to present New York proceeded to Blue Hill at the confluence Montoursville is mostly an elevated State may have been easier than of the North and West Branches of the flood plain; a fact thoroughly believed. The trees were so tall that Susquehanna. The scouting party understood by those brush did not have a chance to grow. decided that Fort Augusta, located who may have tried to As a result, there was along the river at Sunbury, was much dig a deep trench or much space on the too strong for their force. They even holes for the forest floor for paths to reportedly scuttled two brass cannons clothesline posts. The become permanent. It near the mouth of the Loyalsock and community is located was those roads that proceeded over Indian trails to New at the confluence of the were used by the early France in the North. The deep water Loyalsock Creek and Moravian missionaries where the dumping of the cannon is the Susquehanna who attempted to use supposed to have occurred is still called Historic Broad Street River. Indeed, John Madame Montour’s the “Cannon Hole.” That event did Meginniss, who wrote the early history town as their base of much to discourage the French in this of this part of the state, claimed that the operations. area. Loyalsock is actually a mountain river. The matriarch of the Indian The Loyalsock and Susquehanna were The name is a corruption of community was in reality Elizabeth able to sustain a stable population due LawiSaquick, meaning the “middle Couc, the daughter of Pierre and an in part to the numerous species of fish in creek.” That signifies that it flows unknown Algonkin wife. We know that the waters. King of the fish was the between Muncy and Lycoming creeks. she married a chief. We also know that shad. Many early residents of our town The “Sock” drains an area of 490 square she had a reputation as a leader, and kept fish traps that provided a constant miles. Winter snows, drenching rains, that she was the mother of Andrew source of nourishment for the family. steep slopes, narrow valleys, and the Montour. The name Montour was Many of the early settlers were Dutch folly of man combine to make the creek possibly taken as a business name and Swedish, who had come from New at times a very wild stream. It was employed in the fur trade. She was paid Jersey to escape trouble between the Conrad Weiser, the Moravian pioneer a soldier’s wage to act as an interpreter. British and colonists. Some of the and missionary, who early described a Andrew Montour served as an settlers who inhabited the lower reaches swollen Loyalsock, full of ice, and as we interpreter for Washington’s forces of the “Sock” were Indians who had might imagine very dangerous to cross. during the French and Indian war. been converted by the Moravians. Archaeological work done in recent Madame Montour probably died at Fort Those converts probably made up at years has demonstrated that for Augusta around 1745. According to the least some of the burials in the early thousands of years, Indians have General’s own accounts, Andrew cemetery that presently lies under the visited, inhabited, and worked the land distinguished himself at Fort Necessity. railroad tracks on the west bank of the we now call home. Unearthed in recent Reports were that Montour was an creek. As early as 1769, Thomas Brown years have been keyholes used to store imposing warrior with a prominent settled about two miles up the grain, stockades, and many implements European cast. In 1768, Andrew Loyalsock in the vicinity of Snyder’s of a fishing and hunting culture in place Montour accepted a grant that included farm. on this land. On this alluvial land, the present Borough of Montoursville. Otstonwakin (sometimes spelled The grant contained 880 acres lying on differently) was situated. The Indians both sides of Loyalsock Creek. The we honor were the last of many groups original cost of this tract was $193.60, or Montoursville: a town in history 3 It was the waterpower potential that The man recognized as the founder of town was referred to as “Coffee Town” afforded an opportunity to establish a Montoursville was John Burrows. This and the western section “Tea Town” mill on Mill Creek. This and farms as interesting man was born near Rahway, due to the products consumed by the far as Farragut were targets during the New Jersey in 1760. He had actually German and British inhabitants Great Runaway of 1777. The water had carried mail on horseback from New respectively. sustained the families, but had also York to Philadelphia at the tender age of General Burrows was an enterprising served as the highway for the British 13. When the War for American man. He succeeded as a farmer and was and Indians who invaded the region Independence broke out, Burrows able to sell produce from the operation and inflicted the greatest inhumanity found himself in the thick of the battle. locally and in Baltimore. One year saw toward man that this valley has seen. He was involved in the Christmas a profit of $4000.00 that allowed our There was much carnage and of special expedition against the Hessians at founder to pay all of his bills. That city note was the scalping of James Brady on Trenton as well as other battles with the was reached by raft and the products land near Canfield Island in present British. Young John was at the Battle of sold included the lumber from the rafts. Loyalsock Township. During the retreat Monmouth, where his horse fell with The gristmill, constructed on Mill Street to Fort Augusta, the Susquehanna him and was given another by by the general in 1825-28, was became a highway of escape. Every Washington large and served as a stimulant conceivable mode of conveyance was himself. to business in the fledgling used to escape the valley. Men community. A few years later, walked along the shore in armed the canal was constructed. A units to prevent the slaughter of millrace ran from the canal to their families during the “Great the mill, which was situated Runaway.” Many settlers never along the creek and across from returned and those who did a modern sand and gravel waited a few years to resettle their operation. Near the end of his families. Home of John Else life, Mr. Burrows sold many lots and died in 1837 at the age 3. EARLY LIFE IN Burrows of 77. Before passing, he wrote an MONTOURSVILLE Home of Thomas Lloyd actually interesting autobiography for his served as a It is believed that John Else was children. This writing is available from courier for General Washington and the first permanent white settler on land the Historical Society that bears his spent some fourteen months in the presently occupied by our town. He name. Persons can view the grave of household of our leader. His came here from Bucks County in 1807 our founder directly across from the description of Washington’s character with his parents when he was only ten auto parts store on Broad Street and a lends credence to the lore we all learned years old. His father bought 200 acres few hundred feet into the cemetery. The in elementary school about the virtue of of land on Mill Creek. He developed a stone is a large flat slab of granite. It is our first president. beautiful farm that became the appropriate that there are no others Streibeigh Farm on the Susquehanna. Burrows spent several years farming resembling it in the grounds. He was very active and initiated the and blacksmithing following the war. It must be noted that Thomas Lloyd Methodist Church in town. Many He moved to Muncy, where he engaged helped John Burrows lay out the town. descendents live in our community in the liquor distilling business for a Lloyd was a Quaker and built his home today. John Else built many structures time. He was appointed justice of the at Fairview to the east of the town in the community including the first peace by Governor McKean and in 1802, proper. He was known for his lavish actual house. That was constructed for was elected county commissioner. In parties and the wealth generated from Thomas Wallis, a blacksmith in 1815 1808, John Burrows was elected a state operation of his mill. near the present post office. One of his senator. buildings stood at the site of the The son of General Burrows, Following his senate term, he Northern Central Bank building until Nathaniel, was the first actual merchant purchased 570 acres of land near the the 1930’s. Mr. Else laid the piers for the in town. He actually had a store on the mouth of Loyalsock Creek. Burrows first bridge across the Loyalsock in 1812. northwest corner of Loyalsock Avenue. purchased the land in 1812, but did not The actual construction of the bridge In 1833 he built the first all brick home take possession until the following year. was supervised by James Moore, who in the borough. That home, on the Most of the land was still wooded. became well known locally as a builder northeast corner of the same About 1820, Burrows laid out the of bridges. The fact that these bridges intersection, served as the final domicile borough and started selling lots at were easily destroyed by the ravages of for John Burrows. At one time General $50.00 a piece. Thomas Lloyd, whose floods provided an opportunity for “Devil Jack” Burrows lived in a log house stood at Fairview, was involved quite regular work by those so home on the grounds of the airport. in the enterprise. The eastern end of the employed. The house was built of Flemish brick, 4 Montoursville: a town in history made on site. The style of architecture influence probably led to the canal nine-acre pond of the Fisher Mill for was Federal and the windows were coming so close to the main street in processing. Much of the land through brought from the glass factory in Eagles Montoursville. The waterway turned the above named area belonged to Mere, packed in straw. The house was north from the river and through the Benjamin Harris. The Harris family torn down during the 1970’s to make present airport runway to just south of bought the land from Andrew Montour. way for parking spaces along the alley. the railroad tracks on Mill Street. Their remains are in Edgewood At one time, the residence was owned Behind Kiwanis soccer field was a lock. Cemetery. by Dr. Nevins, who also owned the land Here products were loaded and As early as 1847, the Starr family where Colonel Drake discovered oil in unloaded. Coal was exchanged for operated a paper mill in the vicinity of Titusville. Dr. Nevins also built the products such as shingles, an important Simmer’s Nursery. Power for the mill Montour House on the southwest corner forest product from the mills farther up was obtained from the Loyalsock of Loyalsock and Broad. This was later the Loyalsock. Many of the boats that Millrace. The factory burned during the owned by the Weaver family. The made their way slowly along the 1880’s. The millrace featured dams and Weavers owned the livery stable that waterway were up to ninety feet in locks. During the 1890’s, careless eventually became a Catholic Church. length. Mules trudged the south bank operation of the locks periodically Today, Montgomery Plumbing is of the ditch, pulling the cargo from flooded Walnut Lane, a street located headquartered in the building. Northumberland to as far as Lock where the Beltway loop is presently Haven. The ditch was dug almost It is the good fortune of our situated. entirely by Irish laborers. It was twenty- community that the eight feet across at the A post office was opened and named residence of Governor bottom and forty feet in Montoursville in 1831. Solomon John Shulze has been at the top. The Bruner was appointed the first saved and today average depth was postmaster. proudly carries the sign four feet. The canal of a Bed and Breakfast. era did not last long, 4. LUMBER BUILT THE TOWN The federal style as the steam engine building was occupied When we think of the lumber era, it is mounted on a by the former governor Home of Gov. Shulze natural to think of Williamsport. locomotive could carry following his Montoursville too had a great stake in loads at much higher immigration to Montoursville in 1829. this enterprise. It should be understood speeds. But it is certain that something Governor Shulze enjoyed life to the that logs from the Loyalsock watershed has been lost with the advent of speed. fullest and did not maintain adequate would not be floated upstream to the The entire Pennsylvania Canal, with the control of his finances. He had been mills along the Susquehanna in Portage Railroad at Johnstown, was very community minded and was very Williamsport. It was natural that a completed in 1836. New York City, active in affairs of the Lutheran Church. thriving lumber and peripheral with easier access to the west via the Interestingly, the Burrows family saw to economy should develop in Andrew’s Erie Canal, would surpass Philadelphia the early funding of the Methodist Town, also. In order to have business, as the major city in the land. congregation in town. factors of production must be present. A favorite activity for young boys In our case, there existed ample supplies There is some speculation that the from town was to “hitch” a ride on the of white pine, hemlock, and hardwoods. eastern section of the Shulze home was canal boats. They would ride the ship to In addition, the steep slopes of the built around 1800. It is known that the the present eastern limits of our mountains and their close proximity to home was enlarged in 1840 at community and walk back. Later, the streams afforded an excellent considerable expense. A portion of a young persons enjoyed winter by riding transportation system for the logs. A lilac hedge that serves as a boundary the train to Halls Station and ice skating spring freshet was necessary to send the with the Penndot property was planted back to Montoursville via the canal. logs on their way. One summer stands prior to the Civil War. Later, the out as a disaster caused by “Mother property fell into the hands of the Eck The canal crossed the Loyalsock below Nature.” The summer of 1886 was family. They had vegetable gardens in the railroad bridge. There was a tow very dry and business reached front of the building. There exists a bridge built for that purpose. Several depression levels in the community. small cinder block building on the hundred yards from the creek one can Many young men left the town, never to grounds. That served as a laboratory for still see the remains of Lock number 27. return. two of the Eck sisters, who used an old A lined well shaft is still visible; as are German recipe to create a frost bite the sweeps used to open and close the Many mills were situated along and lotion that was used by our troops in the lock. Flat stones can be seen just to the near Mill Street. These included the Aleutian Islands during World War II. west of the creek. These stones lined the Fisher Mill, the Ripton Mill, and the waterway. The canal served a dual Emery Mill. The latter sawed up to Nathaniel Burrows took the contracts purpose, as logs were floated to the 15,000,000 board feet of lumber a year. to build this section of the canal. His When hemlock became valuable for Montoursville: a town in history 5 lumber and not just for tanning of hides, of the rafts featured enclosed areas on on the coast by the canal and later the this commodity kept the enterprise deck. They were held together by pegs. railroad. running at capacity. Much of that Some of the older houses in town lumber was shipped via a narrow-gauge display these peg holes in their rafters 6. THE LAND AMONG THE railroad to the main line near Jordan and floor joists. Some crafts featured a WATERS GAVE US RECREATION Avenue. crew of 4 or 5. Some had horses along The waters in and around for the required work. Experienced The hardwoods made possible the Montoursville supplied the community pilots were popular and quite valuable. valuable furniture business in with a great deal of recreation. Since The men would deliver their craft and Montoursville. We were the home to fishing was so important to the life of walk back as far as Forksville to pilot large factories that made tables, chairs, the community from the very another raft. During the wilder freshets, and cabinets. Oak and maple were beginning, many citizens participated in as the spring flood was called, wrecks favorite raw woods from our forests. this endeavor. At one time, shad were would occur quite often. Boys from Cherry and walnut were also used in running in the Loyalsock and the town were truant from school to watch the process. Names such as Crandell, Susquehanna. Eels were plentiful in the the process from the bridge. The most Bennett, Porter, Heilman, Woolever, canal and in the millraces. Catfish entertaining portion of the jaunt was as Berry, and Wilson became important for inhabited the holes under the old iron the raft shot the spillway in the State the economic vitality of our town. This bridge. Some of these same waters Dam just south of the railroad bridge. was an era when there was a closer served as swimming holes. The Here, wrecks often happened and men relationship between business and younger boys were confined to the stationed in rowboats served as community. We saw businesses lend canal. There the waters were shallow lifeguards during the process. It took an their talent for progress in and less dangerous. As the boys army of men to capture the errant logs. Montoursville. There was more of a matured, they shifted to the Loyalsock Some of the product could be channeled communitarian spirit prior to the era of and even the Susquehanna. It must be into the cribs of the waterway leading to money managers and program traders remembered that for most, the the mill at Emery Island. Logs were on Wall Street. Susquehanna was some distance from directed to the Fisher Mill through the their homes. But most youth from town The importance of those families who canal. There was a channel knew where operated the mills should not be that delivered the product to a the deep and understated. The Emery family even nine-acre holding pond from shallow parts gained control of Mill Street. The there. of the river Bowmans provided the July 4th Park Theatre It was a were located. Fireworks from the bridge, and without lucky lad their capital many projects would never The canal also who was have been attempted, let alone afforded an invited to completed. The Konkles operated a opportunity make the planing mill on the property of Montour for ice final Auto. They became a very important skating. portion of family. The ice a trip over would 5. RAFTING ON THE LOYALSOCK the dam. freeze more Boys who survived this initiation quickly on When persons talk about rafts during into manhood became models for the canal. the lumber era, they usually think of only those that traveled the their peers. They would wait along the Park coaster Of course, that Susquehanna. The film of the “Last banks for the chance encounter with a was a problem for Raft” on the Susquehanna focuses willing pilot. What a scene it must have that method of transportation. The attention on the tragedy of that craft as been! Rafts, horses, loggers on the final canal froze in the winter and sometimes it hit a pier on the bridge at Muncy; journey of a parade down the dried up in the summer. We would not resulting in significant injury and loss of Loyalsock. The spectators would line stand for such insufficiencies in this age life. The Loyalsock too had rafts. In the bridge and the banks of the stream of on-time delivery. That part of the fact, the last raft on the “Sock” was to feast on this yearly drama. The drive frozen canal called wide waters was piloted by Mr. McEwen and floated in was the predictor of the town’s later used as a source of ice to cool the 1905. There were many captains on the economy for months to come. A good iceboxes in town during the summer creek. The trip down the stream during freshet could mean plenty of work in months. The Brass family ran the ice the high water in the spring required the mills, furniture factories, and the business for years. Packed in a great courage and skill. supporting business. A bad drive sufficient supply of sawdust from the meant a depressed economy. Much of numerous mills, the blocks of ice During the spring log drive, many the lumber was conveyed to the markets rafts were seen on the Loyalsock. Some 6 Montoursville: a town in history preserved in icehouses lasted through by many, have sought to make the dream a was a flood nearly every year. It the season. reality. The hiking trails, gazebo, ball fields, wrecked the buildings and the cost of boating, picnic areas and, of course, the band cleanup and reconstruction proved to be But of all water-related recreations shell will provide many memories for others. staggering. Eventually even the cabins involving our borough, it was Indian There is a hope that what we have done here located along Mill Creek were Park that stirred the greatest memories. will evoke the same longing years from now abandoned; and when the trolley ceased The following passage is taken from my as “Indian Park” did for other generations. operations in 1924, the fate of Indian section of the program dedicating Park was sealed. During the 1940’s Indian Park on June 25th 1988: Persons still alive do recall the wonderful times at Indian Park. There there was an attempt to revive the It is June 1910, and the excitement fills the was dancing in the roller rink and even facility as a religious institution. air as the people of Williamsport yearn to on the bridge. Johnny Hazel at one time make that trip to Montoursville via the But today, with the beltway as a led the Indian Park Montoursville Passenger Railroad. With buffer, the newly band. Black folks from five cents in hand, they board the trolley to conceptualized Indian Williamsport held their begin their journey. The electric car passes Park is enjoying a baptisms on a special through Loyalsock Township and rumbles renaissance. The day at the park. Many around Sand Hill; the bridge is now visible, pond dug originally the trolley turns onto the structure and the picnics of family and for gravel by excited passengers peer down at the water. Sunday School variety Lycoming Silica Sand Up Broad Street to Montour; whereupon were held at the park. Company and reaching the north end it circles to proceed Without the passage improved by students from Pennsylvania on Loyalsock to the vicinity of the Grafius of the electric light Covered bridge home. The electric car crosses the millrace ordinance in 1894, the College of and then Mill Creek on a much larger park that had originally been operated Technology provides excellent fishing. bridge. Another one hundred yards and the by the Starr family might have remained A covered bridge built by the VIP car stops at a cement platform and the very small. The electricity allowed Group crosses the remains of old Mill passengers rush across another bridge into operation of new rides at the facility and Creek. The new Mill Creek enters the the newly remodeled facility. made possible the Montoursville Loyalsock on the other side of the The more adventuresome Passenger Railway beltway. A bike path provides an have but one aim, the Company. The additional method of access. It is still largest roller coaster in the trolley received its the draw of water that brings people to East. The line is long, but power from a plant reflect, recreate, and enjoy! never mind. Many of those located along the Years ago there were many cabins courting decide on a boat railroad at the south along the Susquehanna. Even on Emery ride; some twenty acres are end of town. The Island, summer homes could be seen. covered by water. Still engineering required They were subject to floods, but some others head for the theatre; to build the line was remained until the ravages of tropical Indian Park today it seats a thousand people precise. Later, storm Agnes. It was the water that and possibly lines at the borough council had drew and continues to draw the people. rides may thin a bit later. to limit the speed of the trolleys through Today Ellmaker Boat Dock affords an Some of the elderly rock on the porch, town and keep cattle toward the back of opportunity for more to enjoy the river. which surrounds the giant merry-go-round. lots to prevent collisions with the Many persons walk their dogs on the This day there are family reunions and the motorcars. Pennsylvania Power and filled part of the old canal or stop to take men and boys play baseball while the women Light Co. eventually absorbed the prepare a picnic lunch. electric company. a snooze along the Loyalsock. Young baseball players might be lucky enough By nightfall the park is lit up like a It was water from Mill Creek and from to hit a homerun that rolls into the old Christmas tree and music fills the air as the Loyalsock that made the whole canal. Soccer players run in the couples expend their last energy dancing thing possible. That was the romance of beautiful fields located along the creek. before beginning that return journey. The the place. There was a dam on Mill Bikers along Mill Street may see canoes sounds of insects and the smell of Creek back of the present swimming or even kayaks traveling the stream. wildflowers soothe the tired but happy riders pool for the borough. Water added to Onlookers can fish or even catch a as they leave this place of enchantment. the excitement as the trolley headed to glimpse of the huge suckers in the But alas, this age too would pass and it the park over a hump back bridge. deeper holes. Teenagers swing from the would be years before this great resource Water under the trolley added to the rope at the site of old lumber works. would once again reach its potential. With excitement on the trip over the It was the lure of fishing that attracted the memory of the past and a vision of the Loyalsock. But it was water that finally John Hazel to town. In 1923, he built a future, the citizens of Montoursville, aided brought the old park to its knees. There home on Mill Street near the bridge. He Montoursville: a town in history 7 was of course an excellent 7. THE BOROUGH imagine that they were actually willing composer and musician. A WATERWORKS to risk at that level, but thank goodness former teacher at the high our ancestors had a great vision of the school, John Hunsinger, has We know that future. In July of 1892, J.S. Laird did a written extensively about Montoursville was one of the survey of the mountain property south Mr. Hazel. Some felt that fastest growing communities of the river. The Philadelphia and Erie John Hazel was the finest in Pennsylvania during the Railroad owned land through which a player of the coronet in the 1950’s. Much of the growth stream passed that was used for water country. was made possible by our for their locomotives. The railroad excellent and then very agreed to allow the borough to use the At one time the Loyalsock inexpensive water. The water on August 17, 1892. Their was one of the great trout growth of the community engineer was to supervise the laying of streams. There is even a wet necessitated development of a pipe under the tracks. fly named for the stream. John Hazel additional reserves. This was John Alden Knight, who accomplished during the It seems that ownership of the land began the business still located on Broad 1950’s and 60’s. Today, our community where the reservoir was to be built was Street known as the Solunar Tables, was has won a coveted state award for the under dispute, but two men received the first nationally syndicated columnist management of its valuable resource. the $500.00 authorized for the purchase: on fishing and hunting. He lived on During the 1950’s one summer was so J. Artley Beeber and Addison Candor. Sand Hill. dry that water had to be pumped from A committee of three was appointed to supervise the construction process. Pollution has curtailed the swimming the pits at Lycoming Silica Sand to Bonds were issued for thirty-year in the Loyalsock to some extent. During supply the growing demand. duration to raise the necessary capital. the 1940’s and 50’s there was a public During the early days, most persons in beach to the south of the Broad Street the town relied on hand-dug wells that The bid of James Herdic of Bridge. Lifeguards were on duty and seldom reached a depth of more than Williamsport (son of Peter) for $14,728 even rafts were available. The stream thirty feet. The wells were lined with for construction of the reservoir was has changed greatly in recent years. river stones and served the community accepted on October 31, 1892. Mr. Today swimmers are more likely to be until the water table and pollution Herdic was to keep the system in good seen at the community pool or in necessitated a supply that was more order for six months following backyards. But the “Sock” remains a reliable. In November of 1891, the construction. They were to lay 1700 great draw. Its cool waters attract Borough Council met at Weaver and feet of ten-inch pipe from the mountain people from the population centers to Callahan on Broad Street with Burgess to and across the river. From the river our east and swell the population of the Gilbert to hold a special election on the to the borough line required 6900 feet. valley during the summer months. water works. They decided on a There were even thirty fireplugs included in the project. But where have all the golfers gone? referendum to settle the debate. The What fun it must have been to swing a vote was 174-56 in favor and 138-72 in The Pennsylvania Canal Co. had not club at the Cannon Hole Golf Club! favor of the borough and not a abandoned the Montoursville section, This beautiful nine-hole course was corporation managing the facility. That and an agreement was necessary to built along the banks of the decision has proved to be one of the allow the pipe to pass near to lock Susquehanna on land now occupied by most important in the development of number 26. This was signed on the airport and Kremser’s Landing. It our community. December 2, 1892. An agreement with featured beautiful trees and plush grass. Negotiations were held with a James the Philadelphia and Catawissa Layton King ran the facility and John Starr in regard to purchase of the old Railroad was signed on December 2, Wentzler and others from town served paper mill property for the water works. 1893. The construction was evidently as caddies on the course. Named for the Albert Weaver was appointed to completed in May of 1893, as that is French Cannon dropped near to the negotiate with William Lloyd regarding when Herdic was to begin his six-month mouth of the Loyalsock, it might have a site for a reservoir. It is not clear if in maintenance. On November 24, 1893, become a very busy place to this day. the beginning they may have felt that council agreed to settle with James But alas the lure of the river! That same there was sufficient water east of the Herdic. river that causes one to daydream and borough for the project. Indeed, springs The project did have its detractors. A think of the sights, sounds, and smells did serve as the water supply for homes Mr. Elwell asked to have Mr. Herdic of even Indian days can turn into a tidal in that area. pay him for the loss of his horse that wave during floods. It was the 1936 had fallen into an open ditch. The total Flood that turned this wonderful There was another election held to asked was $25.00. Council referred the possibility into just a wonderful increase the indebtedness of the matter to Herdic. Can we imagine the memory. borough. The result of this special election was 191-115. It is hard to legal possibilities of such a matter today? 8 Montoursville: a town in history In addition, there were continual in operation. For years the hook and of industry and with the promise of fire problems with Charles Fuller involving ladder that had been purchased during protection delivered, the local economy the water line passing through his the early 1930’s stood guard to rescue was granted an infusion of new capital. property. A number of farmers within persons from the taller buildings in The citizens themselves saw the community resisted the project. The town. This truck actually won first opportunity and asked that the water matter ended in court following an place at the State Firemen’s Convention lines be expanded to newly opened attempt by the farmers to secede from in 1933. The company has been streets in the community. The the Borough of Montoursville. involved in a number of large fires, development that was to reach a peak including the lumber yard at the during the 1950’s was launched by the A few additional comments on the Montour Furniture Company burned in vision of those who built the water system include the fact that 1927, the Masonic Temple fire in 1929, magnificent water system. construction workers were ferried to the and the Central Hotel fire of 1950. reservoir site for thirty-five cents a load. There were many issues to deal with Interestingly, Montoursville did not rely The Fire Company has been a over the years. The line that had on an investment banker to issue the remarkably stable institution in originally been laid by teams of horses bonds. They simply paid Grit a total of Montoursville. It has not only fought in the river often ruptured. There was thirteen dollars to print the coupon fires, pumped cellars following floods, leakage at the reservoir and a fire at the bonds for the water project. It took rescued persons from their boat, pump station on Loyalsock Avenue, but some time to arrive at a fair method to transported the sick and injured to the council always saw fit to manage these charge the customers for the hospital, but also has provided the problems even in periods of very commodity. Years passed before meters youth of the community with a positive limited resources. were used to charge users for water. image of community service during their years of growth in this town. The 9. SCHOOLING IN ANDREW’S 8. THE WATER SYSTEM MADE annual banquet of the firemen was an TOWN PROGRESS POSSIBLE outstanding event. Social life in the It is probably appropriate that the One of the early positive consequences community was extensive and featured remodeled high school has extended to of the new water system was the dances, box lunches, and Sunday School nearly the foundation of our town’s first organization of Willing Hand Hose picnics. school. That school building was an Company on September 4, 1893. The Interestingly, the adequate supply of octagonal stone building that existed as new company originally met at the water helped to enlarge and ignite new early as 1816. The building was actually Good Templar Hall on Montour Street, industries in the borough. John Peters on the same property as the cemetery. but moved to the ran a meat processing The land had been donated by John Tomlinson Opera House business on Loyalsock Rockafellow. Appropriately, the school shortly thereafter. Avenue. This facility was served also as a church and later as a Already, the borough on the Nevill’s property. hospital during a severe smallpox had as one of its most As early as 1895, Mr. epidemic. It is also appropriate that an expensive items, the Peters approached the excellent school system has served this purchase of hose carts council to consider the community for many years. Indeed, it and fire hose. The construction of a sewer to was Montoursville’s own Governor equipment was stored in eradicate an unsanitary John Schulze who first proposed the the Lutheran Church condition at his facility. case for universal public education in barn. The need to place The leaders of the town our commonwealth. That first building this apparatus in a felt that the state would had a stove in the middle and benches central location along the outer walls. The one not look kindly on the prompted the search for Old borough building consolation for the early scholars was a new borough building. dumping of sewage into that their school year That building was completed in 1899 Loyalsock Creek. It ended in March. This and served the community for one appears that there was no allowed the children the hundred years. It was wired for follow-up to this time to help with farming electricity and soon enjoyed a modern proposal and a century and other chores. furnace. The new modern building passed before clear action There were other schools located on Loyalsock Avenue has was taken on the matter. in town. Notable was the replaced the structure. The supply of water led building on Loyalsock The fire company has had a reputation to the furniture factories Avenue across from since its inception as one of the finest in in town becoming larger Nevill’s Flowers. The Central Pennsylvania. As early as 1918, employers. Water has Loyalsock Ave. normal foundations for the houses a motorized fire truck had been placed always been the lifeblood along that section of the Montoursville: a town in history 9 street are made from parts of that assistant principals: Effie Womelsdorf $52,963.00. We have received our edifice. Children started first grade in and David Updegraff. The dedication money’s worth from this endeavor. the back of the building and worked was highlighted by an address by Dr. A major expansion was completed in their way toward the front. There were N.C. Schaeffer, the State Superintendent 1950. The present E Corridor along with additional schools throughout the of Public Instruction. Students worked the area encompassing community during the nineteenth their way to the upper the present library and century. One private academy was held floors as their age wrestling room were in the Governor’s House and was run increased. The third floor constructed at this by the Lutherans and the Quakers. featured movable walls time. Previous to this, During the 1880’s, another school was that allowed the creation the sporting events organized under the tutelage of of an auditorium. Many were held on the Professor John Mason Duncan in the old events were held in this extended stage of the Union Church. This church was located space. Previous to the auditorium (now the to the east of the present Flight 800 completion of this office area) in the Monument Grounds. The building had building, graduations, Today’s high school original building. The been erected by the Lutherans and concerts, and plays were present Guidance Area rests on the old Presbyterians. The construction date held in the Tomlinson Opera House. court. was 1838 and the builder was John Sporting events were contested in The Konkle. Junior Lodge facility, across the alley In 1957, B Corridor was added. The from the present Post Office. In 1924, a math and business departments The first class organized for girl’s basketball team was presently occupy these rooms. The graduation from Montoursville High commissioned. Elizabeth Hanner was chemistry room and the advanced School was in 1894. The ceremony was the coach and assisted by the great biology rooms were added. In addition, held at the Tomlinson Opera House baseball pitcher, Tracey Barrett. Both what now serves as the District Office (present location of the Masonic the girls and boys played in the Junior was constructed as a music room. Building) on April the 25th. The Lodge Hall on Broad Street. Elizabeth Ralph Price was principal and able to graduates were Mary Lundy, Walter Hanner Delong became a centenarian in easily walk the building during classes. Hyde, Maggie Bubb, Creighton Konkle, August 1999. and Johnson Hayes. Class size doubled In 1965, growth had necessitated the in two years. Our most notable Our present building was born in adding of a second floor to B Corridor educator was Charles Lose. He controversy. There was a great deal of as well as the construction of the present achieved distinction as a teacher, writer, opposition to the building of a new cafeteria. The auditorium was built and and lover of the Loyalsock Valley. His structure. In the end, those with a view with this construction, two courtyards book titled The Vanishing Trout is of the future prevailed. The land had emerged. enjoying renewed life through a new been purchased earlier from Weavers In 1974, a new entrance to the printing. and Callahans. It is important to note gymnasium and a locker room atop the that this The first public high school in The first high school structure for girls was completed. The project took town was built in 1868. It occupied school was bulging at the seams with place during the wooded Normal School grounds the “Baby Boomers” filling even the at the corner of Jordan and Montour. basement rooms to capacity. depression. The building was nearly square and Montoursville Mr. Robert Christ and his students had the two floors reached a height of 24 turned down built the agricultural building. It had feet. There was a bell tower on the most public reached a state of deterioration and top of the hip roof. funds, but did inadequacy. A search was begun to There were allow the entertain additional space for a more originally two WPA to level functional facility. To the dismay of rooms on each floor. the campus with many, the codes called for updating the The Montour wheelbarrows and entire structure vis-a-vis plumbing, Street School was shovels. Charles Adams electrical, and handicapped facilities built in 1907. Jacob was President of the when any addition is undertaken. Thus Klepper was the School Board and George the conclusion was reached for principal at the time Montour Street School Lyter, the principal. The additional construction. and occupied the entire project of fourteen The present building has a capacity for same home as the present principal of classrooms, a library, office, teacher’s 1200 students. The gymnasium alone the high school, Ray Huff. John room, auditorium, gym, and showers seats approximately 1800. The school Callahan served as the President of the cost the citizens of the community features a climate-controlled Board of Education. There were two auditorium, computer rooms, and band 10 Montoursville: a town in history and chorus rooms. New foreign crossing a major stream. A possible the use of the system. language rooms have been added at the reason for the erection of our first During the 1970’s Montoursville was rear of the structure. Modern shops are structure was to provide an efficient bypassed by Interstate 180. This located away from the academic section means to move troops in the event of an necessitated the erection of an of the school. Locker invasion of Canada additional bridge. The new road brings and Team Rooms during the War of 1812. us much closer to the markets for our have been For a brief time there products and affords us easy access to constructed. Trainer were two bridges New York City and Philadelphia. facilities and an spanning the creek. excellent weight room Travel across the creek The proliferation of highways in our are in operation. was so important that area also gave birth to two large Much of the school during WWI, troops employers in our town, the was remodeled and were stationed at the Pennsylvania State Police and The “Green” bridge all received a face-lift. railroad bridge to Pennsylvania Department of prevent sabotage from German Transportation. The regional Penndot As the Sesquicentennial is celebrated, sympathizers. Supplies from the engineering office is a major employer students have taken their places in the industrial heartland of our country of professionals in our town. newly remodeled Lyter Elementary passed through Montoursville on their Additionally, the FAA Flight Service School. This facility is first rate and way to the ports in New York City and facility on the site of the former Wilson along with a solid middle school Philadelphia. The present “Green” Chair Factory has provided another building, high school building, and bridge was constructed in 1931. It major transportation office in dedicated staff serve as a monument to carries over 17,000 vehicles a day. Montoursville. the vision of Governor Schulze. In addition, it was the language gifts of At one time the so-called iron bridge The opening of the airport in 1929 was Andrew Montour that gave carried both the vehicular and one of the Montoursville its start and our name. trolley traffic to and from Old view of the airport greatest Can we begin to imagine what persons Williamsport. The Montoursville celebrations of those eras would have given for the Passenger Railway proved to be a in county chance that our students have? blessing and a curse. There seems history. The to have been a running battle with airport 10. TRANSPORTATION pedestrian traffic in today Transportation has always been the town. The trolley line provides reason for the development of towns. It lasted only thirty years. access to the has been mentioned that the In 1924, it ceased world through its links Susquehanna and the Loyalsock operation as Lycoming in Philadelphia and provided our first avenues to the Auto Transit began a Pittsburgh. Much markets on the coast. Later, the canal bus service to freight is handled by improved the ability to exchange our Williamsport. That the carriers, and as we extractive products for luxury goods company was later celebrate the such as salt, mackerel, absorbed by the The airport today sesquicentennial, the marble for buildings, William main runway is about and coal to improve sport Bureau of to be extended and a new access road the efficiency of our Transportation. entering the airport from the west is in design phase. The bridge over the early manufacturing The present railroad “Sock” is planned to carry both rail and economy. The packet tracks running through vehicular traffic. An industrial park is boats were drawn by the borough were planned for inclusion in the project. mules and featured originally part of the This project might fit well with the cargo bays covered Old bridges Catawissa line. The many industries large and small within with canvas. The system eventually the borough. Gone are most of the large canal era also brought an infusion of became part of the Philadelphia and furniture factories of bygone days. new blood to our area. Many Reading Company, but later was Schnadig and John Savoy remain as prominent families in our town incorporated into the Conrail system. important employers. Gone is Sylvania, including Bennett and Callahan can be The terminal was located on Loyalsock replaced by General Cable. Gone are traced to building, managing, and Avenue and torn down during the the two plants of Warshow and Sons. working the canal. 1970’s. Heavy freight is still handled by Gone is Carey-McFall Company. Gone the rail system and the future use of Montoursville was one of the earliest are most of the independent grocery more efficient terminals may enhance towns in this area to have a bridge stores from our borough. Some of those Montoursville: a town in history 11 familiar to many over forty include centennial. News from the front was But in the meantime, some of the Spitler’s, Eder’s, Sperry’s, Ed’s, foremost on the minds of our citizenry. financial stock that had been Stabler’s, and Weaver’s. All of these wars had a major accumulated over years in the local consequence for Montoursville. WWI whiskey business was turned into new In this wave of destruction of the old saw the triumph of the democratic states enterprises. Indeed we are the sum total has come scores of small businesses. of the west against the more of our historical experience. This is the trend today and the wave of authoritarian states of Central Europe. the future. Many of the older businesses The post-war period witnessed the 12. VISIONS FROM THE LAST have been replaced by service proliferation of automobiles as well as FIFTY YEARS organizations in the post-industrial era. the telephone and radio. WWII led to Modern transportation and The Centennial celebration of 1950 was the post-war Baby Boom that was to communication have enabled businesses one of the best if not the best organized ignite unprecedented growth in town, to be domiciled here and to do business event in Montoursville’s long history. and Korea led to the decade of the throughout the world. If one were to Those of us who recall the event 1950’s. This period of Ozzie and compare the advertisements in our probably have our own set of glasses to Harriet, Elvis, and the swept wing cars centennial booklet of 1950 with the view the spectacle. My own portal to ended with the death of President present souvenir, he or she would notice the event centers on the parade. The Kennedy in 1963. that the information economy of the singular event of the parade was Jim third wave has come to our town. It is It is essential to understand that Gleason and his exploits using the the combination of a modern rail, Montoursville was never as isolated as simple props of corncobs and a privy. highway, air, and communication some may think. We acted in concert This set the stage for celebration. infrastructure that has made the new with movements active throughout the Fireworks were scheduled nearly every economy possible. rest of the country. An excellent night and seniors today will recall example of our involvement in the Maxine Everett and others on the court 11. TWO GREAT WARS social current was our small part in the during the crowning of the queen at the DOMINATED THE FIRST HALF OF push for prohibition. Reform school park. The energy and THE 20TH CENTURY movements of any type don’t just organization were probably outcomes of our wartime organization. Civic pride The advantage of hindsight allows us happen, they start somewhere. was a natural reflection of the to view the events of the past in a Montoursville serves as an interesting nationalism much in evidence in our clearer perspective. Indeed, it was the laboratory to test that thesis. It is public country. This pride coupled with a wars and the aftermath of the wars that opinion that runs our system over time. four-digit phone number kept life dominated the history during the period In 1906, the Women’s Christian simple and more personal. I recall from 1914 through 1953. Our Temperance Union (WCTU) requested vividly the post office when it was community provided 125 soldiers for the use of a room in Borough Hall for a domiciled in the present Konkle the war effort during WWI and 632 festival to raise money for a drinking Memorial Library building. It was a citizens took part in WWII. The efforts fountain to be placed in the center of the proud moment to have Deaver Everett at home and abroad dominated the town. This improvement was designed use the postal stamp on the back of my scene during the period of military to incite men to frequent the fountain hand. Of importance too was Bruce action. Much of the period between the rather than one of the saloons. Borough Woolever on his twice daily deliveries wars was spent in depression. Our Council granted the request provided of the mail. Those deliveries were American Legion Post 104 is named for that the community incurred no cost in personal and gave us a contact with our Eugene Grafius, who was lost aboard construction, operation, or movement of government that was real and the U.S.S. Ticonderoga on Sept. 30, 1914. the fountain. comforting. It is important to note that Many young men from our town were Action such as this was happening this was not long after WWII and a lost during WWII. The cause of death throughout the country. The impetus of uniform connected us with a benevolent was usually from hostile action, similar activities in other communities government. whereas during WWI many succumbed led to the eighteenth amendment and to disease. the Volstead Act that gave it clout. Indeed, during the 1950’s, an annual occurrence was the Memorial Day Those who were not involved in direct Many times, politicians have to be celebration in the cemetery. Lycoming military action were involved reminded that the center of power in AutoTransit provided a bus to carry the nonetheless. Our transportation this country is in the hearts and minds school band to this important event. For through town via the railroad has of its citizens and not in Washington, years the borough councilmen were already been mentioned. Factories were D.C. The amendment mandating expected to march to the old cemetery geared to produce war material and all prohibition proved to be a disaster that on Sand Hill for this celebration. School were prepared for air raids and was overturned by impetus from other children carried flowers to decorate the sabotage. The Korean War broke out groups intent on changing the social graves. Our Civil War monument, as during the same month as our current. well as the graves of men from our 12 Montoursville: a town in history community who gave their lives to that per family. Mr. Heiser, the fish man, 1950, ran back into the burning building cause, is located there. Graves from our delivered fresh seafood to homes each to retrieve his moneybag. What a first cemetery on the western shore of Thursday. His familiar horn drew the reflection of a true conservative in the Sock and from the housewives to the street as Montoursville! Tammy gave the youth cemetery at the present quickly as their children of town a full series of lectures on the monument grounds were answered the call of Mister benefits of Republican politics and moved to Edgewood on Softee. Philadelphia Phillies baseball. It was Joe Sand Hill. Our first Mondell’s skill at cutting a flat top that Outside Weaver’s were Memorial Day was made him for a time the most important benches occupied by the old actually celebrated at the man on Broad Street. His shop was in men of the town. They cemetery that today is the the building that today houses the sub provided a sense of monument to those who shop. Other barbershops included mystique with their beards died on Flight 800. It Cooper’s on Montour Street and Grant and canes. Charlie Moon’s honored those who gave Eder’s on Broad. candy store stood across the their lives that the union street at the site of An A&P Store occupied the location of might be preserved. Flight 800 Memorial Rosencrans’ Bakery. The the present news business and an Acme In 1950, one could set his Montoursville Monitor, our Market graced what is now Lyon’s or her clock by the whistle at Carey weekly paper, occupied that same Camping. The Acme featured Lancaster McFall. It blew reliably at seven in the building. This paper was the heir to the Brand Meats advertised across the rear morning and five in the afternoon. Echo that had been published during the of the store. A modern theatre named Swimming took place at the bridge. previous century. The Monitor featured the Laura opened adjacent to the meat There was a beach and lifeguards were columns such as “When I Was a Little market. The Wizard of Oz attracted folks hired to provide safety to bathing in the Girl in Montoursville.” That column from miles around. Young people were “Sock.” A ride down Mill Street took was written by Clara Robbins. She had able to see a movie on Saturday for one by many homes and cabins. The a fabulous memory of events well into fourteen cents, buy popcorn for a dime beautiful stone home of Milt Sheffer the 19th century. Elizabeth Champion and have a penny left to purchase a gum stood on the site of John Burrows’ mill. King wrote “Teatown Topics,” a ball from a downtown machine. The Before crossing the railroad tracks, a popular historical piece. Moving east Montoursville Merchants brought Aunt legionnaire might stop at the post home. from that building was Fazler’s Bakery. Jemima to entertain the youth in the The American Legion has always served They had the best raisin bread facility. Much later, the theatre became the youth of our town well. Christmas imaginable and served wonderful hot infamous for its X rated shows. This parties have been on their schedule for cross buns to inaugurate Lent. Art was to become a rallying point for the as long as most can remember and at students from the school painted scenes local ministerium. The case of that body one time, they provided an ice rink on the windows of the downtown vs. the Laura Theatre reached the books behind the Coastal Gas Station. They businesses during Halloween. Life was of aspiring law students throughout the even served the community by slower and no one imagined a vicious country. Later, the Williamsport Players providing post prom parties in their attack on school students. Friday used the Laura for its productions. headquarters. evenings at the bank provided a Occupying much of the first floor of the wonderful opportunity to meet friends Masonic Building was Heal’s Variety Time and traffic moved a bit slower and neighbors. Store. A similar store in Arkansas gave back then. A beautiful brick street rise to the Wal-Mart chain. known as Walnut Lane had led to the Next to the grocery store in old iron bridge. That street was “downtown” was Lundy’s Meat Market. There had been many apothecaries in eliminated, along with some interesting At one time, animals were slaughtered town. By the 1950’s only two were in homes and buildings for the in the rear of the building. But during operation, Perris Pharmacy and Wallace construction of the beltway. The street the 1950’s that business featured the Pharmacy. Both originally had a soda led nowhere, but that was part of its sawdust that added to the aroma of all fountain and featured “real” drug store character. One could shop at Weaver’s such facilities during that time. The coke and wonderful ice cream served in Grocery store at the site of the municipal stores were busy places in the era before metal dishes. People were willing to parking lot by Johnson’s and watch Tom freezers and pre-packaged foods. take more time to eat in the era before or his son neatly pluck a box from the Hofer’s Restaurant operated where fast food. Hofer’s Restaurant provided top of a shelf with a long pole. There Johnson’s Café now exists. Across the a warm atmosphere with its knotty pine was no better cheese than that which street was Snyder’s Restaurant. The paneling and formal dining room. was under glass on top of the counter. Central Hotel was situated where the For years, physicians had been And Weaver's delivered, as did Spitler's Post Office now stands. Tammy Jarrett important in the civic life of our and other local grocers. This was the operated a barbershop on site and, community. Dr. Born had been active day of stay at home moms and one car when the great fire occurred during on council for years and was responsible Montoursville: a town in history 13 for shale being brought to fill the holes teen haven. The Spot was another that had been developed during the 19th in the streets. When the rains came, this popular restaurant for youth. These century gave rise to the immigration. It material combined with the water and places replaced the Weaver Ice Cream was exciting to live in an expanding created an ooze dubbed “Doc Born’s Parlor that had served their parents a community. The entire character of the Salve." Dr. Konkle was very active in generation earlier. It was located in the town changed. Streets were opened and borough affairs. He was a brilliant building housing Lloyd’s Barbershop. paved, water lines were expanded, the thinker, who wrote 112 articles for the school received an addition, and new Elmer Kime ran a very successful Journal of the American Medical infrastructure was developed including hatchery on Broad Street. Many youth Association. The Masonic organization cable television. from town began their years of work benefited from his leadership. Dr. Van tending to the chickens at Elmer’s. The fifties can not be covered without Horn built the first house in town wired Today all that remains from the mentioning “Montour Express.” This for electricity. That large building still business is a storage building used by was the nickname of Bill Myers’ garbage occupies a stately position on Montour Elery Nau. business that featured a wagon pulled Street. Dr. Lechner was a long-time by two horses. Bill was a character in President of the Montoursville School The borough council fretted over the town, who operated what he called The Board. pitch of the road at Bunce’s corner and Lone Pine Hatchery on Walnut Street. the opening of Mulberry Street over Doctors in Montoursville during the Many mothers brought their kids to the Coffeetown Run. Mulberry Street was 1950’s included Current, Coffman, Pfeil, supper table by threatening to call Bill gaining new development and the Leiser, and Wilcox. A memorable Myers. Chief of Police, Stan Zartman growth of our town was off and picture of Dr. Wilcox was of him being saw to it that the children crossed Broad running. Residents of the street dubbed lowered from a helicopter to save the Street safely after school. Traffic was their area “Mortgage Lane.” one survivor of an Allegheny Airlines the main law enforcement problem! crash in 1959. That crash killed 26 Much activity centered on the school. The Little League field stood on the persons. Bob Winger directed many memorable site of the present high school class plays including The Great Big The modern airport terminal gave a auditorium. Previous to that, clay Doorstep and George Washington Slept glimpse of what life would become. tennis courts adorned that corner of the Here. The success of the football and Twenty-eight flights a day entered the public land. Summer recreation at the basketball teams was of great facility under the names of TWA, All school park was a “big deal.” The importance to the townspeople. American, and Capital. Betty Bell and recreation program was cut following a Football coaches included Hogan, her husband operated two restaurants taxpayer petition. This was an activity- Bestwick, and Strein. Athletes from an in the building and served many with centered borough and much of the earlier era including Chester and their daily specials and Sunday family activity was centered at the school. Howard Weaver and Tracy Barrett were style dinners. Indeed, my organized athletic life began relegated to history as players such as at Saturday morning recreation at the One of the great social events in town Paul Kahler, Ron Stroble, Bill Usmar, high school. Later, Rick Felix organized was the showing of the new cars at Miles Long, and Ray Free gained the a fantastic Saturday basketball league. Kaufmanns and Gilbert Brothers. New limelight in football. Baseball players of This league paved the way for some of cars were hidden from view until the note included Ron Thomas and Billy the excellent teams that our town official showing date. The introduction Campbell. produced. of the Corvette was a topic for months. Not all was well during the 1950’s! Everyone who visited received some As the community moved into the During July and August, the morning sort of advertising memento. Yardsticks 1960’s and farther from WWII, the report on the radio listed the number of were often used to provide the measure character of the town and the people polio victims needing the Iron Lung at of discipline needed to control errant changed. The decade saw the building the hospital. It is little wonder that youth in that era. of the Montour Plaza, the new Catholic parents considered Jonas Salk to be church, a new post office, and many Deer season has always been among the most important men in our houses by the Metzger family. important to this region. A parade of country. Students at the schools cars moved on Broad Street with deer practiced for an air attack from the Mayor Rotondi had replaced Carl strapped to the fenders. Modern car Soviet Union and some fallout shelters Wentzler and was very active in civic engineering has dealt a mighty blow to were built by private citizens to protect affairs. This included the fire company. that method of displaying the trophy. their families in the event of nuclear Sylvania boomed with the discretionary attack. income of families increasing for such What is now the J&R Tavern had been things as the taking of pictures. The the original movie theatre in The decade was dynamic! Developers First National Bank became one of the Montoursville. It was run by the and landowners such as Lundy, Dodt, most modern such institutions in the Weaver family. During the decade of Fox, Rova, and Brelsford gave rise to the area under the presidency of Charles the 50’s they turned the operation into a explosion of houses. The cheap water Adams, and Dr. Leiser saw to the 14 Montoursville: a town in history socialization of the youth in town by energized by such men as Bill Fry, Paul we have the strong leadership that will taking charge of the “Night Train” Free, and Anthony Rotundi. The elevate community interests above dances at the Firemen’s Social Hall. The recreation area along Mill Street as well narrow individual self-interest? How Lutheran Church initiated the “Salt as Indian Park and the bikeway have well we answer this question will be the Cellar” as a haven for youth and the Sub provided a place for physical activity subject of the writer of our celebration in Shop and Hurr's became stops of and rest to thousands. Dedicated 2050. importance for teenagers. volunteers have worked tirelessly to foster ideals in the youth through scout The 1970’s witnessed a new Methodist troops, cheerleading, football, soccer, Church, as well as a new middle school and baseball involvement. on the eastern peripheral of the borough. The Presbyterians constructed We have witnessed two of our young a new edifice on Elm Street. men arriving in the major leagues. Tom Montoursville swelled to 6,000 souls O’Malley played for several teams with the baby-boomers making family before having a fine career in Japan. life of paramount importance. Mike Mussina became one of the Montoursville as well as the nation saw premier pitchers in baseball and thrilled the Vietnam War as a dominant the community with his performance in Broad Street today backdrop to much that occurred in the the 1999 all-star game. Others from community. Our school gave dearly to town, such as Mike Myers, have become the conflict in Southeast Asia. company presidents. Some such as Maryann Weaver have become authors. Water again assumed great Dr. Hugh Van Horn became the importance through the destruction Director of Astronomy for The National from tropical storms Agnes and Eloise. Science Foundation. Charles Follmer, The former established new benchmarks Paul Converse, the McCreary brothers, for zoning here and in other and Dennis Derr became members of communities. The beltway was the clergy. Others have worked constructed and took much traffic from without publicity to build the capital Broad Street, but at the same time that will afford future generations a announcing to Montoursville that we better life. The most important among were no longer an isolated small town us have chosen to work hard and to free from the worries of the world. raise children of character and promise. Through the efforts of councilman Ted Strein, a swimming pool was The significance of water has been constructed. Many youth preferred to mentioned in this writing in a number spend their time at Taylor’s Pool Hall of paragraphs. Indeed it was water that located on Montour Street. made our community possible. First it was the river and the creeks; then it was The past twenty years has seen the the canals and millraces; later it was the proliferation of small businesses in and water system itself; and now a sewer around Montoursville. One such system to eliminate the wastewater from industry, Bowser Manufacturing, the borough. That investment too will actually uses two separate buildings change the borough in ways not yet south of Broad Street. Small imagined. Impetus for a levee to engineering businesses such as Lou protect the western end of town has Bassler’s design business and larger come with the proposal for a new firms such as Larson Design have airport access. The ferocity of the reached out to a large market area. Four floodwaters in 1996 mandated that different banks have chosen to have a action be taken. But it will take good branch in town. Business in town is leadership with a vision to allow healthy and the spirit of the town has Montoursville to maintain the high been sparked by Mayor John Dorin. quality of life that has made us the envy The borough crew has been able to do of many. That is the challenge for the many jobs to improve the infrastructure next fifty and one hundred and fifty at a reduced cost to the town. The VIP years. We are a most fortunate people to Group headquartered at the park has have inherited the capital and good will been responsible for many created by those who preceded us. Will improvements. They have been

Created April 2003. All textual information (i.e. “The Narrative”) is the property of Don King. All modern images as well as the design of this publication are the property of Christopher Garneau. Neither party makes any guarantees regarding the accuracy of the information contained within, nor is responsible for any inaccuracies.

This production, as well as the associated web site, was created by Chris Garneau as a senior graduation project, a requirement of the Department of Education in the state of Pennsylvania.

Any person wishing to obtain additional copies of this publication may visit the aforementioned website or contact the Montoursville Area School District.