Remember When

At the Vet

2010-02-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today we have a photo submitted by Frank Carney of Lansdale, who is “revisiting” 1972.

We’ll let him explain:

“Here is a photo of my brothers and I with friends from 1972, during Lansdale’s Centennial celebration.

“Lansdale had a few buses going to a Phillies Game and we all dressed up, as we were told, “like olden times.”

“The year of 1972 featured a summer — and year — of great activities, fun and lots of memories for Lansdale.

“We all had a great time on the buses and at the game, but I can’t remember if the Fighting Phils won that day. It didn’t matter, as the day still brings back smiles and good memories.

“In the photo, you see in the front row, kneeling, Pete Signore, Frank Carney (me), Jay Strunk.

“Back row, Dennis Carney, Rob Eberle, Mark O’Brian, Frank Carr, Jack Carney and Greg O’Brian.

“I’m not sure who took the photo, but Rob Eberle was kind enough to share it with us recently and to great amusement.

“I wanted to note that I also was proud to have been a paperboy for The North Penn Reporter back in the day.”

Thanks, Frank, for the great photo and story — and for helping us out “back in the day” as a paperboy!

Last word on Santa...

2010-01-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

Last week, if you remember, we had a few holiday photos that included a 1962 shot of Lansdale’s Mardi Gras Parade, and photos from Santa’s headquarters in Lansdale, which the contributor also thought had come from 1962.

This week we received an update from Bob Nuss of Hatfield, who had been involved with the house and wanted to clear up a few items.

He included a few photos, one of which shows a workman busy on the new “North Penn North Pole,” an expansion of the Santa Claus house of previous years, while in the distance, a wrecker is razing the last remaining old building on the lot at the corner of Green and Courtland streets. The photo is from Nov. 19, 1965.

In the Santa photo, Sandra Slotter, 4, of Lansdale, is seen outside the headquarters. A date on the back of the photo indicates it appeared in The Reporter on Dec. 15, 1965.

Another photo shows the empty lot with the Santa house and Christmas tree, which is described in the following.

We’ll let Nuss tell the story:

“Lansdale’s first Santa house was erected in 1963. The house was to be placed on the Krieble property at 23 West Main Street, which is now a public parking lot.

“The location was abruptly changed on that morning because of difficulty removing the iron fence adjacent to the sidewalk for access. The powers that be were frantic about what to do next so they decided to go to Plan B.

“Someone came up with the idea to place it in the eastern-most access drive from Main Street to the Madison parking lot, between the Sam Fruit shoe store and Beinhacker building.

“This was not a problem due to another entrance drive close by, next to the Sun Ray Drugstore.

“The new headquarters was built in such a way that it could be taken apart or lifted onto a trailer and stored. I was told it fell prey to vandals during the off-season sitting in a storage facility off Moyer Road.

“Opening night was business as usual for the Mardi Gras Parade. It started in the early evening with the lighting of the Christmas lights along Main Street as the parade traveled west from the Memorial Park area to the former Acme parking lot.

“But this year was different. After arriving at the Acme, Santa (alias Dave Fesmire of Mt. Vernon Street, Lansdale) took a turn and headed back to Green and Main streets for the grand opening ceremony of his new headquarters.

“In November 1965 there was a second and much larger Santa headquarters built on the lot of the demolished Longacre building at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue. This was also the first time the Mardi Gras Parade would be held during the day on Saturday.

“Merchants from Lansdale and surrounding areas donated all the materials for both buildings. Some of these were Krupp Meyers and Hoffman, Line Lexington Lumber, Snyder’s of Hatfield, Lansdale Lumber and Millwork, Shearer’s Lumber of North Wales and Sherwin Williams Paint.

“A local builder donated the labor and locals completed the finishing touches. Mattero’s scrap yard of West Seventh Street sent an old rubber tire crane and lifted a 30-plus-foot fir tree from a property along Railroad Avenue near Courtland Street, carried and placed it next to the house as a Christmas tree.

“Lansdale Electric braced it with rope and strung lights. It was remarkable how the Jaycees along with the borough coordinated the many merchants and businesses who responded on both occasions.

“During the Santa house era, the Hatfield Jaycees established an annual ‘Santa Calling’ project. It was a direct telephone line linked with Lansdale and Souderton. Each area had a local number, which was tied together so children could call Santa. These calls were made during evening hours and answered by Santa at the Lansdale headquarters.

“When construction was about to start for new office building, Santa’s headquarters had to be removed and placed in storage off Moyer Road. This second Santa house stood abandoned until around early 1971, when a group of local men gave it new life.

“They disassembled and relocated it near the town of Rock Port, Carbon County, close to the Lehigh River. It was rebuilt and eventually enlarged as a hunting and fishing cabin in the middle of the Lehigh River Gorge State Park.

“I was told that it still stands but is unrecognizable, and is now owned by the state. It became the headquarters not of Santa, but of the park rangers who patrol the Lehigh River State Park.

“Thanks to the Lansdale Historical Society for their assistance in my research.”

Christmas re-run

2010-01-20T08:23:00.000-08:00

Don’t panic when you look at these photos today because yes, the holidays are behind us.

But when Judy Weiner of Lansdale sent these photos to us last week, we just could not resist sharing them with all of you.

She has the photos dated as 1962.

Weiner noted:

“I came across these pictures from The Reporter from my mother’s belongings. She passed away in 1992 and my stepfather, Bill DiPietro, passed away last year and I found these among photos in a box.

“My mother is the one in the pictures with the guys who entered a contest to design Santa’s house. Maybe somebody will recognize themselves or a family member in there.”

In that photo, Daniel Kollar, designer of the new Santa Claus headquarters in Lansdale, is given 25 silver dollars for his work by H. Richard Eyer, vice president of the Lansdale Chamber of Commerce. Weiner’s mom, Mrs. Lou Lukens, was chairman of the contest for the Lansdale Art League.

Weiner continues:

“I especially liked the Mardi Gras Parade — check out that reindeer. Was that the first Mardi Gras Parade? If anybody knows the answer, let me know. Also, I’m curious to know Santa’s name.”

In that photo, you’ll ee that the parade was held at night. The caption noted that the crowd was estimated at 15,000.

In the other Santa photo, the jolly old man waves as he stands outside his headquarters, which were located on Main Street, opposite the end of Green Street.

Well, Judy, we can tell you that the 2009 Mardi Gras Parade was the 59th parade. As for Santa — maybe he just goes by St. Nick!

When parks weren't passive

2010-01-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

Remember the ferris wheel at West Point Park? How about the Wild Mouse?

Or maybe you preferred heading up to Menlo Park in Perkasie, where you could ride the amusements, bowl or roller skate.

On Tuesday, you’ll be transported back to the days when area recreation spots provided relief from the heat for more than a century.

That’s when the Lansdale Historical Society fights the winter blahs with a touch of summer at its Community Program titled “Amusement Parks.”

The program features the history and photos of four area amusement parks that attracted huge crowds during their heyday.

All four of them — West Point Park, Edgewood (Whites) Park, Forest Park and Menlo Park —were popular spots that trace their beginnings to the 19th century.

Their rides, midways, lakes and picnic groves were visited by thousands each summer.

In the photos you see here today, West Point Park is featured, with the ferris wheel and the train in the spotlight.

The popularity of these parks diminished after the 1950s. West Point Park and Forest Park were replaced by housing subdivisions. Whites Road Park and Menlo remain as municipal parks geared to swimming pools, picnicking and other recreational activities.

The program will also include Allentown’s Dorney Park, which serves as example of an amusement park that survived by expanding and by adapting to changing lifestyles over the years.

A special show featuring Willow Grove Park will be scheduled in the future.

The Tuesday program will be held at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated.

For information, call (215) 855-1872.

Cold treats

2010-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

As we kick off the new year, it may be a bit chilly to think about heading to a snack bar.

But, on the other hand, maybe this photo will warm you up a bit.

Before McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s, fast food was pretty much a home grown in these parts.

According to Dick Shearer of the Lansdale Historical Society, who supplied this photo and information, the prosperity of the 1950s led to a spate of locally owned roadside stops that specialized in hamburgers, hot dogs, milk shakes, ice cream cones and the like.

Some had tables or counter service; others were walk-ups where customers lined up to order their food, which they ate in their cars.

Every town and highway had at least one of these eateries, which were popular with teens who borrowed dad’s car or Little League managers who wanted to treat their players after big games.

Among them were White’s Liner at Valley Forge Road and Sumneytown Pike, Hagey’s in Souderton, the Curly Top at Welsh Road and Route 309 and an occasional Dairy Queen — the first of the national chains to come into the area — and the Big Pixey, with locations in Montgomeryville, Upper Gwynedd and Collegeville.

Another busy spot was the Frosty Cup — which is featured in this photo — on Bethlehem Pike near Route 113 in Hilltown Township.

The Cup is long gone, but memories of its tasty barbecue on a bun last a lifetime.

To market, to market...

2009-12-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

Many of you no doubt have been doing plenty of shopping lately for the holidays, including grocery shopping.

The photos today remind us of earlier days when grocery stores were much smaller, found throughout our towns and were, well, a bit more basic.

The three photos today were donated by a local resident who said she knew nothing about the photos, but had found them when she was cleaning out a relative’s home.

Thanks to Dick Shearer of the Lansdale Historical Society, we are able to share some information about this store.

According to Shearer, the photos are of the L.D. Moyer Meat and Grocery Market, which was located behind 18 E. Third St., Lansdale.

It faced the back of what is now the U.S. Gas Station on North Broad Street, site of the former Broad Street School.

The photos are probably from the mid-1930s, according to Shearer.

The store was one of a dozen mom-and-pop stores in Lansdale at that time and the building is still standing.

As you can see in the photos, the employees take time out to pose for a picture; one case featured some “undressed” fowl; and the interior was as neat as a pin.

Movie time: The holidays

2009-12-28T09:15:00.000-08:00

From the camera of Nelson Stoudt, grocer and amateur cinematographer, today we bring you some scenes of Lansdale and Montgomeryville at Christmas and during the winter.

Stoudt owned a small grocery store and gas station at the northeast corner of the Five Points intersection in Montgomeryville back in the late 1930's. When he was not busy tending his shop, he recorded the local scene with a movie camera, and turned the footage into a series of newsreels.

Today we bring you some night scenes of downtown Lansdale, and although cameras were not as good with low-light shooting as they are today, you can still see some of the lights, the Lansdale Christmas tree and the marquis of the Lansdale Theater.

After that you will see some winter weather in Montgomerville, including shots of snow plows at Five Points, which was a much small intersection (though no less confusing) back then.

Finally you will see some color footage of kids enjoying the snow in Montgomeryville.

A Christmas Caravan

2009-12-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

The year 1997 marked quite a difference in the Christmas holiday season for this area.

For 38 consecutive years prior to 1997, what was then the North Penn Hospital Auxiliary presented the Christmas Caravan, when area residences and churches were selected to brightly deck the halls and open their doors to the community.

It was a fundraiser for the hospital auxiliary and, at one time, attendance was as high as 1,500 people.

In 1996, it was reported that fewer than 400 people toured the homes, and so the Caravan ended that year.

In the photos we feature today, the year was 1976 and it was reported that more than 1,300 area residents had visited the two historical houses, one historical church and three private homes on the tour.

That year the featured stops were the Peter Wentz Farmstead in Worcester; Kre-Belle Farms owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rothenberger in Worcester; St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in North Wales; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Baldino in North Wales; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Guzewicz in North Wales; and the Jenkins Homestead in Lansdale.

The Caravan netted the auxiliary more than $5,000 that year, according to Reporter accounts.

In these photos, we see a scene from St. Luke’s UCC, with Jon Leight, Mrs. Louis Baldino at left and Mrs. William Lemmon, who was the Caravan chairwoman.

The other photo features Thelma Lee Rothenberger, as she relaxed in her home’s decorated library.

Broad Street School

2009-12-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

People love to see kids at the old schools in our area, and today we feature another Lansdale school.

Kenneth R. Walker of Sellersville submitted this photo of the old Broad Street School of Lansdale — well, actually it’s a bunch of kids posing outside the school.

Walker noted that he attended the school during the fifth and sixth grades, during the mid-1940s.

One photo includes the entire class when he attended; the other is “just the boys.”

In that photo, Walker noted, “I’m in the back row, second from right. On my left is Fred Schmidt. Front row on right is Henry Rouch. To the left of him is “Peanut” Cliver.

“I know Bruce Hemmerle is in there somewhere, and a Cook, a Woodward, and there was a boy that lived on Third Street and I think his dad drove a taxi, but I can’t think of his name!”

Perhaps someone out there looking at these photos will recognize a few familiar faces.

Walker also noted that he lived on Hancock Street, Lansdale, “in a big house down a long lane. It is now a park and trail area.”

Businesses that lasted

2009-12-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

There’s no question the past year has been a financial challenge for many businesses across the nation.

Whenever the economy turns south, it usually spells disaster for merchants and companies that haven’t prepared for difficult times.

But many did; they were the survivors and they will be subject of the Lansdale Historical Society’s Dec. 8 Community Program.

“Staying Power: Businesses That Withstood the Test of Time” will focus on the dozens of North Penn area firms that survived for at least half a century.

Some are still going strong; others eventually succumbed to financial problems or simply went out of business because their products or services were no longer used by the public.

Dick Shearer, president of the Lansdale Historical Society, provided today’s picture, a late 1880s photos of the Oberholtzer and Freed farm equipment business on Susquehanna Avenue that was the predecessor of today’s Honda dealership.

Shearer noted that he picked this photo because Freed’s was moving to its new location in Montgomeryville on Dec. 4.

Freed and Oberholtzer lasted until 1902, Shearer said, when Freed bought controlling interest — and they’ve been in business since then.

This latest move is only their second in all those years, Shearer said.

An extensive list of area companies that meet the 50-year benchmark was prepared by historical society members this year.

However, the list is far from complete, Shearer said, and members of the audience will be encouraged to suggest other businesses that may have been overlooked.

The program will be narrated by Shearer and, as usual, will include a video presentation by Steve Moyer.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue. There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated.

Udder nonsense

2009-11-30T11:16:00.000-08:00

December starts tomorrow, so can the snow and cold be far behind?

If the weather predictions we’ve all been hearing are any indication, this could be one snowy, cold winter.

So when we came across this photo from our 1982 files, we couldn’t help but think it was the perfect picture to run as we head into December.

Apparently someone at Freddy-Hill Farms on Sumneytown Pike, Towamencin, just could not resist a little play on words.

We don’t know if it was one of their cows, or just a creative family member, but they cud not — er, could not — have made it much more of a groaner could they?

Nope, they milked this one for all it was worth.

If you all know what cud, cows and udders are, you should get the joke.

Let’s hope that this year any bovine weather forecasters will deliver warmer predictions.

Time marches on

2009-11-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

Now that the annual Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade has been held, the holiday season is officially under way locally.

And if you enjoyed the parade this past Saturday, we thought perhaps you’d like to take a look at a few photos from years gone by, from The Reporter files.

In 1978, (far right) you’ll see how jolly Santa looked as he welcomed in the Christmas season during that parade. That year marked the 28th annual parade, which was sponsored at that time by the Lansdale Jaycees.

The story on the 1978 parade noted that it was a “crisp, sunny fall” day, and the morning parade concluded at 2 p.m., right on schedule.

A photo from the 1979 parade (top) features the North Penn High School Marching Knights. Their banner notes that they were the 1979 National Field Show Champions at the St. Petersburg, Fla., Festival of States.

And also from 1979 (right) is a very creative person almost hidden by the packages that make up his costume.

We hope both the parade on Saturday and these photos from decades ago have put you in the shopping and giving spirit.

Fresh young faces

2009-11-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

Old school photos are always fun to look at and today’s submission is no exception.

Just check out these hopeful young men and women, members of the Class of 1934 of the former Lansdale High School.

Doug Coughlin of Lansdale has shared this photo with us today, and pointed out that his aunt, Freidia Constantine, is in the front row, the sixth young woman from the left.

He said he really doesn’t know who any of the other people are, since it was his late aunt’s photo.

Coughlin’s mother, Elva Constantine Coughlin, the sister of his aunt, had graduated from the school in 1933.

But unfortunately, he said, he does not have a class photo from that year.

It’s interesting to check out the fashions worn by those in the front row — especially the young man in the knickers with those snazzy socks!

And a few of the young men in the back row also have quite the head of hair.

So look closely; perhaps you’ll recognize someone.

Brothers serving bravely

2009-11-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

Veterans Day will be commemorated on Wednesday, and David Fischer of Souderton has shared with us today a look back at three Fischer brothers from Lansdale who served their country during World War I.

This photo shows George at lower left; William at center; and Charles at right.

The three men were David Fischer’s uncles. Later in this article, you will see Martin mention, who was Fischer’s father. He said he did not get to serve in the war, because of the armistice being signed.

The newspaper clipping he submitted with this photo reports:

“Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fischer, of West Third Street, Lansdale, are the proud parents of three sons who are ‘doing their bit’ to make the world safe for democracy, as well as two more boys who will be liable for service if the present draft ages are lowered.

“The oldest son, Charles, 27, who was employed by Lawrence Freeman of Lansdale before entering the service, left Lansdale last September. He proved to be a good soldier and was made a sergeant with a supply train. He recently arrived overseas.

“George, 24, left for Camp Meade with a contingent from Lansdale last November. He was later transferred to the ambulance corps and is now stationed at Camp Greene, N.C. He was also employed by Lawrence Freeman before leaving Lansdale.

“William, 22, the youngest of the three sons in the service, left Lansdale last November and was assigned to the Fourth Infantry. He arrived in France in April. Before leaving, he was employed by the P&R Railway, having just been appointed baggage master at Gwynedd.

“Another son, John, will be 21 in December and will have to register on Sept. 5 if the draft ages are lowered, as will Martin Jr., who will be 19 in December.

“The boys come from Pennsylvania German ancestry and from a Dunkard family. They are well known about Lansdale and are all said to be first-class soldiers.”

Also sent in by David Fischer was a letter noting that Pvt. William Fischer had been “slightly gassed” in action and was under treatment at a base hospital on Oct. 15, 1918.

It’s quite interesting to look back at how local young men were serving their country during World War I.

And we salute all veterans as we near Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

Hospital grows

2009-11-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

The present Lansdale Hospital in Hatfield Township, part of Abington Memorial Hospital, has undergone many changes through the years.

Today, Dawn Macy has submitted photos that appeared in a 1990 publication that marked the 10th anniversary of the “new” North Penn Hospital.

One photo shows an aerial view of the former hospital in Lansdale in the 1960s.

The other photo shows the groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 11, 1977, for the new North Penn Hospital. In that photo we see, from left, Jean Lemmon, auxiliary first vice president; Robert H. McKay, hospital executive vice president; Dr. Charles macy, president of the medical staff; and Albert Hoffman, president of the hospital board.

According to the publication, the hospital started as Elm Terrace Hospital in Lansdale as a privately owned facility that opened its doors in 1934. It consisted of two residences with a 23-bed capacity.

On Sept. 17, 1955, the first building of the North Penn Hospital was dedicated at Seventh and Broad streets, Lansdale. It was a four-story structure that had 80 beds. During the 1960s and 1970s, four major renovations and additions occurred.

The next big change started in the 1970s, when a 72-acre tract of land was bought in Hatfield Township.

In 1980, the present facility was dedicated and in 1984, a new addition was completed.

Since then the hospital was sold and become Central Montgomery Medical Center and, most recently, sold again and changed to Lansdale Hospital.

At the station

2009-10-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

Marlene Bardman of Harleysville has shared a few photos with us today of the former Salford Station area in Upper Salford.

The town of Salford formerly was called Salford Station, when the train still ran through that area.

“These pictures from the Perkiomen Creek in Salford Station, above the iron bridge that is now closed, were taken by my mother, E. Violet Force, who grew up in Salford.

“Her parents had the general store there.

“The view of the creek was taken from the summer vacation spot there. The area was known as Camp Rest-A-While and people from Philadelphia would come on the train to stay there.

“Some of the families owned summer houses there and some rented them.

“There was a refreshment stand and a dock where you could get a canoe.”

In addition to the two photos taken by her mother in 1932, Bardman included a photo of Salford Station. The general store can be seen in the background.

Local landmark: Red Men's Hall

2009-10-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

By WALTER AULT

GREEN LANE — There is a fascinating building on Route 29 in Green Lane that is, put succinctly, a treasure trove of local history.

Just the name painted on the front of the red brick building, Red Men’s Hall, arouses curiosity in any history buff. Inside are thousands of artifacts and numerous displays and exhibits graphically depicting the rural past of the Upper Perkiomen Valley. It is all part of the Goschenhoppen Historians’ Folklife Museum and Library.

The Red Men, according to museum director Abe Roan, were a fraternal organization made up of men from all walks of life in the Perkiomen Valley who admired the “communal lifestyle of the American Indians.

“Indians saw their tribe as just a large extended family that held everything in common,” Roan said. “Lodge members saw this as an admirable thing and because of that admiration started a fraternal lodge where members would take care of each other and help each other.”

The three-story building, Roan pointed out, was built in 1 907, with a second floor meeting hall where they “held shows and had all kinds of fund raising events and used the money from them for lodge members’ needs.”

For many years the Red Men leased the first floor of the building to the Green Lane Bank and a general store, Roan said. The third floor of the building, he added, was much more private; a sanctum sanitorium where secret rituals were held. Roan explained that the Red Men, who often dressed as Indians and attended special public events like parades, were nonetheless a secret society much like the Masons. Roan even pointed out a peep hole in the front door entering the third floor, where visitors would be scrutinized before entering; kind of like a speakeasy during Prohibition.

The Goschenhoppen Historians (Goschenhoppen, according to local legend, refers to a large area of the Perkiomen Valley and is a German transformation of the name of an Indian chief named Shakahoppa, who formerly controlled that tract of land) bought Red Men’s Hall in 1970, and thanks to their dedication and tireless efforts the building is now an intriguing museum that serves as a local history lesson to anyone who visits.

“As soon as we got the building we started accumulating things,” Roan said. “We went to yard sales, we went to auctions and a lot of items were generously donated. It has worked out very well, and we think we have something special to offer the public.”

The entire building is brilliantly utilized to give visitors a provocative look into the surrounding area’s past, with an emphasis on Pennsylvania German culture of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The first floor is a replica of an old general store, with such things on display as wooden barrels, farm implements, horse riding apparatus, even a giant (1848) coffee grinder and old post office windows and boxes. Many of the items, Roan pointed out, came from other general stores in the area when they closed.

“People could get just about anything they wanted at a general store,” Roan explained. “And if something wasn’t in stock, they would order it and it would be delivered by the Perkiomen Railroad,” a branch of the Reading Railroad that from 1873 to 1948 ran from Port Kennedy (Valley Forge) to Emmaus.

The second floor meeting hall has beautiful chandeliers, along with a large plaque listing presidents of the former lodge, referring to them as Sachems (chiefs) of the Tohickon Tribe, which the lodge was known as. There are also many paintings of historical buildings in the Perkiomen Valley on this floor, as well as interesting charcoal enhanced photographs of former lodge members.

The third floor, known as the Goschenhoppen Folklife Museum, has many items on display, all of which, as Roan pointed out, are hand made and predate 1870.

“The early 1870s were the beginning of the second Industrial Revolution,” Roan said, “Things began to change dramatically and there were more and more machines in use. Since the Germans took so much pride in their craftmanship, everything on display was made before 1870.”

One room on the third floor holds the German folklife library. Another, which Roan called the Zeigler parlor, has items, some made locally, “that are dated 1823 or older,” including a large spinning wheel and an organ made in Skippack. In an adjoining room there is a detailed display of local cigar making.

In the main museum room there are displays on all facets of a lifestyle and era that are long gone. There are, for instance, exhibits on open hearth cooking and baking and the processing of flax. There is a needlework sampler and various pieces of folk art; a craftmen’s shop and a weaver shop.

There is also an 1820 kitchen with a beautiful piece of folk art, a hand-painted corner cupboard; as well as a farm display with numerous old implements, including a 250-year-old plow.

School Days on Broad Street

2009-10-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Grace Zeigler Freed has submitted two photos today, one of which show the Broad Street School in Lansdale and the other which shows her and her classmates at the school.

She notes:

"I have good memories of this two-story school, where the first six years of my early education started.

"I remember walking the three blocks each morning from Chestnut Street, home for lunch and then back until about 3 p.m.

"The small store next to our playground was where we would stop and buy our penny candies after school hours.

"The photo here is of our class on the playground. Many of the class here moved to the junior high school on East Main Street, Lansdale, and graduated in 1945 from the senior high school on Penn Street, Lansdale.

"It would be interesting if anyone can identify themselves. I am the first one sitting at the end of the second row. I can name most of the class, but need help with naming others.

"Today, a gas station has taken our spot.

A Centennial worth celebrating

2009-10-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

Dick Shearer, president of the Lansdale Historical Society, provides us with a prompting and two great photos today.

Consider:

“The year 1972 was a turbulent time around the world. The Watergate burglary. Civil disorder in the streets. Anti-war protests as the Vietnam peace talks broke down. Black September at the Munich Olympics.

“But in Lansdale there was a great coming-together, bigger than any the town had ever seen.

“Residents celebrated the borough’s 100th birthday with a weeklong bash that included parades, pageants, parties, beards and hoop shirts, and there was the dedication of a new high-rise building named Century Plaza.

“From May 27 to June 3, thousands of civic-minded citizens temporarily diverted the flood of bad news to remember 1872, the year when a small railroad village became a full-fledged town with a government of its own.”

“Lansdale’s Centennial Celebration of 1972” will be the subject of the Lansdale Historical Society’s next Community Program on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue.

The program will be hosted by Shearer and former Reporter Chief Photographer Willard Krieble.

Shearer was an editor at the paper in 1972, and Krieble photographed the entire week of special events.

In addition to a video presentation by photo archivist Steve Moyer, the program will include a display of memorabilia from the centennial celebration.

There is no admission charge to the program, but donations are appreciated.

For more information, call (215) 855-1872, or visit the society’s Web site, www.lansdalehistory.org.

Geimhaus, Goschenhoppen

2009-10-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

By WALTER AULT

UPPER SALFORD — There is a parcel of land in a beautiful setting in Upper Salford Township that, while physically small, is nevertheless large in importance due to its rich history.

This rural plot also has much historical significance because it has not just one, but two very old and well-known structures: the 1732 Gemeinhaus, a log building; and just a few feet away, the Old Goschenhoppen Reformed Church, built in the mid-19th Century. The two buildings are located at 2029 Church Road, near the village of Woxall.

Visiting these historical structures, learning how they came into existence and how they have served the local congregation over so many years is a thrilling and thoroughly enlightening experience for any local history buff.

It all began, according to Old Goschenhoppen Reformed Church documents, in the early 18th Century, when newly arrived Lutheran immigrants, looking for a place to worship, joined with the already established Reformed Congregation in the area.

The earliest recorded religious service for the two groups took place on Oct. 12, 1727. The pivotal year for the two congregations, however, was 1732, the year, the documents point out, “the William Penn family sold 38 acres of land to two pastors, one Lutheran, one Reformed, for eight pounds, four shillings and three pence ($23.34).” Also, 1732 was the year the Gemeinhaus (community house) was built. This small, plain log structure (80 by 46 feet) ultimately served its parishioners as a church, a public house, a school house and as a residence for the schoolmaster. According to present pastor of the Old Goschenhoppen Church, Rev. William Gaydos, the Gemeinhaus is thought to be the oldest church meetinghouse in Pennsylvania, as well as one of the oldest remaining examples of German architecture in the state.

The Gemeinhaus had religious services for a relatively short time, due to the construction of a larger stone church in 1746. Once the new church was completed the Gemeinhaus was used primarily as a school.

The 1746 church lasted for more than 100 years, eventually replaced by a much more modern and larger church, the present structure, which was built in 1848.

“The congregation was getting bigger and the people wanted a new building,’ said Rev. Gaydos. “The old church was rather small and very plain,” Rev. Gaydos continued. “It had no steeple, no stained glass windows. It was more like a meetinghouse than a church.

“There is a reason for that simplicity,” Rev. Gaydos added. “It was like that because people at that time were rebelling against things about Catholicism, including its extravagance.”

The present stone and stucco church was built partially on the side of the 1746 church. According to the church literature, the new two-level structure had a sanctuary on the ground floor and a balcony on three sides. The balconies, the documents continued, were for seating the men and boys, while the women sat in the center. Of course, the church is different now, due to a few renovations over the years. One particularly interesting aspect of the church now is that religious services are held on the second floor.

“The new church was more modern and more like other churches of its day,” Rev. Gaydos said, adding that some material from the 1746 church “was incorporated into the new one” -- explaining why the church date stone has two dates, 1744 (the year construction started on the first stone church), and 1848.

In any case, visiting the two present structures is truly a lesson in history. The log Gemeinhaus, in particular, has some very unusual and interesting features, such as a huge open hearth, the original desks used by school children -- you can see where the boys did a lot of carving with their pen knives -- and the original lectern (pulpit) from the present church. Also in the Gemeinhaus is a display case exhibiting old pottery shards, old roof tile fragments, rusted old implements and a selection of old bibles.

The present church also has much to offer a visitor, such as beautiful stained glass windows, beautiful woodwork, an 1837 organ and a bell in the church tower weighing 537 pounds.

“There is a lot of sentiment attached to these buildings,” said Rev. Gaydos. “They are costly to maintain, but are so unique and so important that they are surely worth the effort.”

The old ballgame

2009-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

Go Phils ... um ... Mechanics!

Everyone’s busy rooting for the Phillies again this year. Could they possibly repeat?

But back in the day, many local folks probably were rooting for the Junior Order United American Mechanics baseball team — now there’s a name — from the early 1930s.

This photo was submitted by Pete Hespell of Souderton, and he notes that it was taken at a baseball field that was located in Montgomeryville where the Airport Square Shopping Center now stands.

Notice the trophy. Well, you may have to really look.

The team was based in Lansdale.

Hespell reports that the players (some unidentified) are, front row from left, Eddie Zeiz, Claude Heavener, George “Bud” Leach, Wes Vincent, unidentified, Bud Leidy and Irv Hagar.

In the back row, from left, are Bill Vincent, unidentified, Harry Hespell, Slats Stauffer, Bill Forpul, Elmer “Pete” Hespell and Claude Maurer.

If anyone can identify the unknown players or has any other information about this team, Hespell asks that you contact him at (215) 723-7688.

Apple butter time

2009-09-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

With the 36th annual Apple Butter Frolic slated for Oct. 3 in Lower Salford, Ellis Kriebel of Harleysville thought this would be a timely photo to use.

According to Kriebel, “busy making apple butter on the Kriebel Farm on Fretz Road, Lower Salford, adjacent to the Salford Schwenkfelder Church are sisters-in-law Sarah N. (Kriebel), wife of Samuel H. Freed Jr., and Rosa Idella (Freed), wife of Isaac Vincent Kriebel.”

The long-handled paddle they are using stirs the apple butter, being made in the huge pot over the open fire.

He also noted that “apple butter on buttered bread and on fried scrapple was often a part of the breakfast meal in the mid 1930s, when this photo was taken.”

Thanks, Ellis.

And if you want to check out how apple butter was made, visit the Apple Butter Frolic on Oct. 3.

It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, at the Indian Creek Road Farm, Lower Salford.

Parking is available at Harleysville Insurance, 355 Maple Ave., Harleysville, with continuous shuttle buses traveling to the Frolic.

Highlights include fresh cooked scrapple, corn pies, sausage sandwiches, funnel cake, ground cherry pies, demonstrations of corn shelling with a dog-powered treadmill and corn binding with horses.

There also will be demonstrations of crafts such as rug hooking, quilting and fraktur drawing, plus children’s activities.

Admission is $6 for adults; $2 for ages 6 to 12; ages 6 and younger are free. Proceeds support the Mennonite Heritage Center. No pets please. Call (215) 256-3020

School bells

2009-09-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

With the start of the new school year fresh in everyone’s minds, perhaps it’s time to go back to an earlier school day.

And you can do just that on Tuesday.

To commemorate the 85th anniversary of the first graduating class of Hatfield High School in 1924, the Hatfield Museum & History Society will present, “School Days — Remembering Hatfield School” for its Tuesday, Sept. 22 program.

This photo shows Hatfield students posing next to their school buses in front of the Hatfield Joint Consolidated School building in this circa 1925 photograph.

The Hatfield Joint Consolidated School was built in 1921-22 as a joint effort between Hatfield Township and Hatfield Borough to provide a modern 12-grade facility for their students.

The Class of 1955 was the last to graduate from Hatfield High School, after which high school students attended the North Penn High School in Lansdale.

A slideshow photographic presentation will take a look back at many of the students, faculty members, clubs, plays, operettas and sports teams that make up the Hatfield School’s history.

In addition, there will be many tables filled with more photographs, yearbooks and memorabilia from the school for attendees to enjoy.

Anyone who attended or worked at the Hatfield Joint Consolidated School will not want to miss this program, which will be held in the Hatfield Fire Company banquet hall, 75 N. Market Street, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow the program.

For information call (215) 362-0428 or visit www.HatfieldHistory.org.

Hanging around in Lansdale

2009-09-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

When Judy McCann Weiner of Lansdale saw that The Reporter was doing a special Remember When section in August, she just had to send in a photo.

Although it didn’t quite fit into that section, we could not resist using it today, plus a second photo she just dropped off.

In the one photo, Judy and Jimmy Covelens, who was her neighbor back in 1951 when these pictures were snapped, are just “hanging out in Memorial Park” in Lansdale, as she said.

They decided to pose on the cannon in Memorial Park, and in the photo where you can see more of the park in the background, it appears that a nativity scene may have been set up.

At least that’s what we’re guessing, because you can make out some camels and a small stable.

But Judy and Jimmy can be seen sporting their Lansdale Huskies sweatshirts. The Huskies, she said, were her school mascot back then.

In the other photo, where the kids are seen more face-on, the other person in the photo is her friend Nancy Harrar. Guess they weren’t quite as brave, because they aren’t seen “straddling” the cannon in this shot.

Judy noted that she and neighbor Jimmy lived in the Moyer Building above a store at the corner of Main and Walnut streets, now the North Penn Florist.

She also noted what a small world it is, saying that she was talking to her landlord’s son one day and showed him the picture of the cannon and he mentioned that his best friend’s father was Jimmy Covelens.

Yes, the same Jimmy.

Judy also remembered some of the other old hangouts in the area, noting that she met her husband, Richard, at Bunton’s Barn in Lower Salford, where dances were held, being introduced by Frankie Pier from Ambler in 1959.

They also used to go the Rec in Lansdale and the Hatfield Speedway. She also used to work at the R&S Diner, and she and her husband used to patronize the Big Pixey.

Going, going, gone

2009-09-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the days when it seemed like a different deliveryman would walk down the street every day, or when shopping was done at corner stores down the street instead of at big box stores or online?

Then come relive those memories, and maybe share a few of your own, as the Lansdale Historical Society presents “Going, Going, Gone,” its first fall community program this year.

“It’s going to be kind of an eclectic program, of all sorts of things that just don’t exist anymore,” said LHS Vice President Steve Moyer.

He’ll be giving the presentation at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, at Lansdale’s Parks and Recreation building on the corner of Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue.

And he plans to tell his audience all about plenty of things that just aren’t around anymore.

“We have a whole lot of images of businesses, places and professions that no longer exist,” Moyer said.

“For example, there used to be somebody that brought ice to your house to put it in the icebox, there used to be somebody who brought milk to your house, there used to be a rag man that came to your house and picked up rags,” Moyer said.

“There were lots of delivery trucks back in the day, and there are lots of businesses that we don’t have many pictures of but we know were around,” he said.

Blacksmiths, seamstresses, leather workers, nail makers, weavers, shoe shiners and tanners are just some of the professions we know Lansdale once had but just don’t see anymore, he said.

Some have disappeared with time, like the men who’d come to your house to collect insurance money each week, and some have been lost to technological progress, like telephone operators and horse carriage drivers.

“There used to be butter and egg men who came to your house, milkmen, vacuum cleaner salesmen, encyclopedia salesmen; there wasn’t much that couldn’t be delivered right to your house,” he said.

“But I don’t know if you can even buy an encyclopedia today thanks to the Internet,” Moyer said.

Tuesday night’s presentation is free to the public, but come early because seats tend to fill up quickly with area residents looking to relive days long gone.

“Most of our programs take anywhere from 100 to 200 hours to build up by the time we’re done, but it sure doesn’t seem like that much when you’re sitting here working on it,” said Moyer.

He’ll even discuss some hidden gems that very few people are still around to remember, like an old air raid shelter that was built near the corner of Broad and Main streets during World War II.

“It used to be behind the Tremont hotel, which was where the Rite Aid is now. Dick Shearer, our LHS president, says the shelter must have worked because they never attacked us during the war,” Moyer said.