Joseph A. Hendricks Home
now
Perkasie Town Christmas Tree
616 Market Street
1902 Joseph A. Hendricks home
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2017 Perkasie Christmas Tree
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1967 Pre- Urban Renewal Hendricks Mansion - Rice
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2017 Perkasie Christmas Tree post Tree Lighting
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Joseph A. Hendricks and Mahlon Myers were the original developers of what is now downtown Perkasie. They purchased the Nace farm, divided the property into building lots, and constructed a house at the corner of Seventh and Market Streets. In 1896 this house was moved to 824 Market Street. Mr. Hendricks then constructed a large home of Rockhill gray granite on the site. This home had many of architect Milton Bean's design characteristics.
Mr. Hendricks passed in 1915 and the home remained occupied for a few years by his daughter, Emma Hendricks Bissey and granddaughter Estella Bissey Funk. The home remained in the Bissey / Funk family until 1953 when it was sold to Donald Smith for use as a law office. The house was demolished in 1967 as part of an urban renewal project.
Circa 1980 an evergreen tree was planted on the site of the Hendricks house. The tree was decorated by local Girl Scouts and later by Perkasie Borough Electric Department. In the early 1990’s Perkasie Olde Towne Association began Community Christmas Caroling and tree lighting around this tree.
Today, Perkasie Tree Lighting Day, on the first Saturday of December, continues as an annual event now organized by Perkasie Borough. This Perkasie Community Christmas Celebration is recognized as the oldest in the nation
Reference Perkasie Historical Society archives
Mr. Hendricks passed in 1915 and the home remained occupied for a few years by his daughter, Emma Hendricks Bissey and granddaughter Estella Bissey Funk. The home remained in the Bissey / Funk family until 1953 when it was sold to Donald Smith for use as a law office. The house was demolished in 1967 as part of an urban renewal project.
Circa 1980 an evergreen tree was planted on the site of the Hendricks house. The tree was decorated by local Girl Scouts and later by Perkasie Borough Electric Department. In the early 1990’s Perkasie Olde Towne Association began Community Christmas Caroling and tree lighting around this tree.
Today, Perkasie Tree Lighting Day, on the first Saturday of December, continues as an annual event now organized by Perkasie Borough. This Perkasie Community Christmas Celebration is recognized as the oldest in the nation
Reference Perkasie Historical Society archives