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 January 19, 1927 Central News | Samuel S. Fretz passed away in 1927 and is buried along with his wife at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia |
Thanks to Judy Pezzanite for providing information for the article.
References:
Ghosts of an Umbrella Empire Still Haunt North Philly," Hidden City by written by Robert Masciantonio, Nov 20,2019.
"The Language of Umbrellas" Central News 1881.
References:
Ghosts of an Umbrella Empire Still Haunt North Philly," Hidden City by written by Robert Masciantonio, Nov 20,2019.
"The Language of Umbrellas" Central News 1881.
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“The Missing Block”
1961 Sanborn map showing the "Missing Block."
Perkasie’s “Missing Block” is the area between Sixth, Seventh, Market and Chestnut Streets. All the original buildings in what can be considered the town’s most significant block, are no longer there. One house that was located at 607 Chestnut St still exists after being dismantled and moved to another Chestnut Street location.
In 1926, the Central News building at 609 W. Chestnut Street was lost after an explosion leveled the building. A house at 6th and Market Streets was demolished by First Federal Savings for their office in 1956. Another house, at 6th and Chestnut Street, was demolished by Perkasie Borough for a municipal parking lot.
Most of the block was lost during Perkasie’s urban renewal project in 1967 – 1968. Demolished along 7th Street was the Union Hotel and a building where five stores and restaurants were located. At the corner of 7th and Market Streets where the town Christmas tree is currently located, the beautiful stone Hendricks mansion was demolished. Along Market Street urban renewal claimed two brick homes that were used as businesses and a brick dwelling / garage building. Demolished in the center of the block was a large building, formerly the livery stable for the hotel.
 1954 Anniversary Parade showing buildings along Seventh Street: Mark Frederick Photo. |  1954 Anniversary Parade showing buildings along Market Street: Mark Frederick Photo. |
At the completion of the urban renewal project, only two buildings remained, the current Penn Community and Quakertown National Bank buildings. The block remained this way until Shelly’s constructed their hardware store in 1976. The only other addition is the Community Christmas Tree on the grass square at the corner of Seventh and Market Streets.
Doll
Wimmer's Sweet Shop
 Sweet Shop image courtesy of Wendy Wimmer Freed. |  Central-News July 22, 1922 |
Wendy Wimmer remembers hearing stories about her grandfather, Harry Wimmer’s Perkasie business, The Sweet Shop. Located at the corner of Fifth and Market Streets, Mr. Wimmer was the proprietor of this business for nearly 20 years.
The single-story building was constructed in 1922 by R.E. Oltman as a confectionary store. After a short time, the business was sold to World War I veteran, Harry Wimmer who opened The Sweet Shop. Specializing in confections, ice cream (Wimmers love ice cream) and cigars, the store was popular especially with children. Also sold at the store was milk, Halloween costumes and in December, Christmas Trees.
The single-story building was constructed in 1922 by R.E. Oltman as a confectionary store. After a short time, the business was sold to World War I veteran, Harry Wimmer who opened The Sweet Shop. Specializing in confections, ice cream (Wimmers love ice cream) and cigars, the store was popular especially with children. Also sold at the store was milk, Halloween costumes and in December, Christmas Trees.
Harry Wimmer image courtesy of Wendy Wimmer Freed. Photograph restored and colorized by Robin Clark. After Harry Wimmer began working for Bendix Aviation in the early 1940’s he closed the Sweet Shop. On his way home from working night shift at Bendix in 1943, Mr. Wimmer was killed in an automobile accident. Wendy’s father was only 16 at the time of the accident.
| After the Sweet shop closed, local contractor, John Mayes occupied the site as an office for his paving business. Later the building was the office of the Lee Stover Insurance Agency. Hair salons, Images and Dragonflies were located here prior to 2020. Currently, Pridmore Floral Design provides wedding floral designs from this 500 West Market Street address. RDoll |  2023 Pridmore Floral Design, Perkasie Historical Society Image |
Memories of Lesher’s Store
 1984 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Rep. Paul Clymer cutting the ribbon with Bentley Smith and the Pritchards. |  Lesher's Sidewalk Sale |
The thirty-fifth anniversary of the 1988 Perkasie Fire brings back memories of a Perkasie treasure lost that day, Lesher’s Variety Store. The store was started in 1926 as Beer’s Variety Store by A.A. Lesher. Later, the store was operated by Bentley Smith and beginning in 1984, by Gene Pritchard.
You could find anything at Lesher’s as both the first floor and basement counters and wall space were well stocked with merchandise.
You could find anything at Lesher’s as both the first floor and basement counters and wall space were well stocked with merchandise.
Lesher's Candy Counter The store is remembered for its wooden floors, large candy section, toys, housewares, penny candy, trains, remote-controlled cars and basement with Christmas items and tropical fish. There was a small food area behind the candy section where they sold hot dogs, soda, and soft pretzels. And don’t forget sidewalk sales and sales during the holiday season. Shopping at Lesher’s was very memorable for all.
 Lesher's Storefront  Lesher's train merchandise |  Sidewalk view in front of Lesher's Store |
 Quartet performance |  Lesher's yarn and sewing merchandise  Lesher's Christmas Sale window |
 Santa Greeting Customers |  Meeting Santa |
Toy dinosaur and train track among the items found in the fire debris. Image from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection. A short time after the fire, Gene Pritchard opened Lesher’s II a short distance away at 7th and Arch Street.
A thank you to the Pritchard Family for sharing their memories and photograph collection.
Additionally, Images of the Perkasie Historical Society Museum "1988 Fire Displays" can be found in the Perkasie Historical Society Photo Gallery
2013 25th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
2018 30th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
R.Doll
The Milkman
Over the years, Perkasie had numerous dairies from which residents could purchase milk. Early diaries like Kern’s on Fifth Street near Arch would dip milk from a can for 5 cents a quart. You supplied your own pail or container.
Later the diaries installed bottling equipment and began to bottle the milk for sale. Milkmen were hired to deliver milk to customers along a given route. Roeder’s dairy on Walnut Street and Becks Dairy on Fifth Street would use a horse and wagon to deliver milk to their customers. Eventually trucks were purchased by the dairy and used for delivery.
 Hendrick's Dairies Milkman and truck outside Perkasie dairy building on Fifth Street. Image from the Hendricks Collection The milkman would leave cards with a list of products and prices from which the customer would order. The order cards, payment, and empty milk bottles would be placed in the insulated milk box om the porch for the milkman to pick up. Milk would be placed back into the milk box for the customer. For a short time, strips of tickets could be purchased and used for payment. The tickets would be placed in the milk box instead of cash for milk purchases. |  1965 Hendrick's Dairies Receipt |
The milkman usually did not have any problems collecting payment for deliveries. During the depression, one Hendricks driver was too lenient and allowed a family bill to run up to $40.00. Hendricks worked out a deal with the family where they paid an extra 25 cents a week, taking over three years to pay the bill.
Some other Perkasie diaries were Moyer-Keller on Sixth Street, Benner Dairy on Vine Street and Hendricks Dairy on South Fifth Street. Hendricks dairy was the last Perkasie dairy, surviving until 1970 when the business was sold to Rosenberger’s Dairy.
Some other Perkasie diaries were Moyer-Keller on Sixth Street, Benner Dairy on Vine Street and Hendricks Dairy on South Fifth Street. Hendricks dairy was the last Perkasie dairy, surviving until 1970 when the business was sold to Rosenberger’s Dairy.
Reference: Perkasie Historical Society archives and 1976 meeting
RDoll
"Harriet and "Penny"
 Lt. Harriet Beidler image from the CSG Book |  Captain James Willam "Penny" Pennybaker. Image courtesy of Jane Strohm. |
Harriet Beidler was the oldest daughter of Perkasie pants manufacturer, George Beidler, and his wife Valeria. After graduating from Sellersville – Perkasie High School in 1935 she went to Philadelphia to attend nursing school at Jewish Hospital now Einstein Medical Center. After graduating in 1939 as a Registered Nurse she was employed at Graduate Hospital.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Harriet enlisted as an Army nurse on the condition she not begin her service until after her birthday in January. The Army agreed. Harriet was sent to Europe in 1942 and served in field hospitals in England, Germany, and France. Her soldier-patients would give her their unit patches that she would sew onto an Army overcoat liner.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Harriet enlisted as an Army nurse on the condition she not begin her service until after her birthday in January. The Army agreed. Harriet was sent to Europe in 1942 and served in field hospitals in England, Germany, and France. Her soldier-patients would give her their unit patches that she would sew onto an Army overcoat liner.
September 1946 Wedding Ceremony. Image courtesy of Jane Strohm. When heading back to Europe after being on leave, Harriet met James W. “Penny” Pennybaker of Oklahoma on a troop transport ship. Returning to Germany, Harriet was stationed in Munich and “Penny” in Frankfurt. They married in 1946 at Kronberg Castle in Germany. Harriet’s wedding gown was made from a silk parachute by a German seamstress.
Upon returning to the states, Harriet and “Penny” resided in Perkasie where they raised two children. “Penny” was employed at Beidler Pants Company and later at Schulmerich Carillons. Harriet worked and volunteered at Grandview Hospital for nearly 50 years.
Upon returning to the states, Harriet and “Penny” resided in Perkasie where they raised two children. “Penny” was employed at Beidler Pants Company and later at Schulmerich Carillons. Harriet worked and volunteered at Grandview Hospital for nearly 50 years.
2023 Perkasie Historical Society Museum image: Captain James W. "Penny" Pennybaker uniform and Lt. Harriet Beidler jacket liner
Ruth Richard:
"A League of Her Own"
Ruth Richard Autographed All-American Girl's Baseball card-Perkasie Historical Society Collection
Five years ago, on May 6th, 2018, the Pennridge area lost a well-known athlete with the passing of Ruth Richard.
 3-Rockford Peaches: Ruth Richard on the Right. Image from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection. |  3-Rockford Peaches: Two autographs: Alice (Pollitt) Deschaine and Ruth Richard. Image from Perkasie Historical Society Collection |
Ruth played from 1947 to 1954 in the All–American Girls Professional Baseball League. This league was organized during World War II when many of the men players were involved with the war effort. Most of Ruth’s years were spent playing with the Rockford Peaches where she was a six-time all-star and a member of four championship teams.
In 1988 the Baseball Hall of Fame recognized the AAGPBL and its place in history with the dedication of a permanent “Woman in Baseball” exhibit. The popular 1992 movie “A League of Their Own,” was based on the Rockford Peaches and brought more awareness of the team and league.
Ruth Richard Sellersville-Perkasie High School Diploma Ruth Richard was born in Argus and was a graduate of Sell-Perk High School class of 1946. After her baseball career, Richard worked at AMETEK, Inc for 26 years until her retirement in 1993.
Richard passed away in Quakertown at the age of 89.
Thanks to the generosity of Frank and Judy Pezzanite, The Perkasie Historical Society Museum can keep the memory of Ruth Richard alive.
RDoll 2023
Goldberg Brothers
Quality Store
As teenagers, Harry and Samuel Goldberg left Lithuania for America and arrived at Ellis Island in 1905 with instructions to meet a certain contact in Philadelphia who would provide them with a place to stay and whatever they needed. Upon reaching Philadelphia, they were given a few articles of clothing, a meal and encouragement to keep moving outside the city where the cost of living was more affordable.
They settled in Perkasie, Bucks County where most folks spoke Pennsylvania Dutch- a local dialect of German. Though they spoke no English at the time, their Yiddish skills were sufficient to allow interaction in the community. They found cut-and-sew work in a local clothing factory paying $1.35 a week. When the brothers learned their foreman who had worked there for 30 years but was earning only $1.55, they decided this was not the career path they wanted to take and began planning to go into business for themselves.
Central-News, October 25, 1911 Within a year or two, Isaac would join his brothers in Perkasie. In 1911 they would open their first retail establishment, Goldberg Brothers Quality Store.
Central News December 18, 1912
The store was located at Sixth and Arch Streets on the site of the current Grandview Service Center. The Goldbergs catered to their working-class customers and purchased a horse and wagon to make home deliveries of the clothing and material goods they sold.
Samuel married and looking for larger markets to sell goods, left the partnership in 1914, moved to Philadelphia and eventually founded Goldberg Marine… a major retailer of boating supplies. Isaac also married, moved to Philadelphia and started I. Goldberg Army Navy. By 1915 the Goldberg’s Perkasie store closed and Harry moved to Souderton… eventually opening H. A. Goldberg’s Clothing Co. on East Broad Street. His business thrived into the mid-1960s when the business finally succumbed to the competitive pressures generated by area shopping centers and malls.
Central News January 22, 1912 and August 26, 1914
Harry Goldberg Story & photos contributed by Alan Weisberg, son of Jeanne Goldberg Weisberg and grandson of Harry & Anna Goldberg.
Ten Cent Shine
Robert "Bob" M. Benner On March 30th, 2023, Perkasie lost a local legend with the passing of Robert “Bob” Benner, at the age of 101. Bob was always good for a story from days past. The following is one of his memories he shared of life in Perkasie in a simpler time.
Colonial Cafe, Perkasie, Pa. Postcard from the Perkasie Historical Society collection. I had a shoeshine stand at my father’s restaurant, the Colonial Café. The restaurant was located at 7th and Arch Streets in the building that is now apartments. I inherited the business from my older brothers, Clyde, Leroy, and Woodrow. I had a two-seater stand outside the restaurant in the summer and a one - seater inside during winter. Many of Perkasie’s businessman patronized the restaurant and needed their shoes shined.
Similar "Two- seater" Shoe Shine Stand from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection, found in the Perkasie Menlo Park Carousel building. I would use brushes to apply the shoe polish paste and a cloth to shine the shoes. The charge would be 10 cents for a shine or 25 cents for black and white shine. One particular businessman would always want his black and white shoes shined. I hated this job because it was difficult to keep the black shoe polish off the white leather.
Bob went on to become a star athlete at Sellersville - Perkasie High School, serve in the Coast Guard during WW II, serve on Perkasie Borough Council and volunteer for various organizations.
Rest in Peace Bob.
Rest in Peace Bob.
RDoll
Keeping them Clean
During the post World War II era, many families were able to purchase new cars. Auto manufacturers redesigned and improved their models annually and encouraged consumers to buy the latest design. To keep these large, chrome laden cars looking their best, you could wash them at home, or take them to a service station. All of the Perkasie stations provided car wash services that employed many local teenagers.
1954 Perkasie Anniversary Book Bob Dunlap and Roger Wenhold remember washing cars at Slotter and Wenhold Texaco located at Third and Walnut Streets. The right side bay was for washing cars and the left side was for oil change and lubrication. There were water hoses that hung down from the ceiling and a large drain in the floors. A wringer washing machine was used to wring out the wet chamois that were used to dry cars. Bob remembers sometimes washing twenty-five cars on a good Saturday.
 Ed's Service Center |  Ed Myers holding Gulf Car Wash detergent can. Image courtesy of Rick Doll |
On Seventh Street the former Gulf station, at the time owned by Frank Okomski, also offered car washing. Current owner, Ed Myers noted that the current middle bay at one time was used to wash cars. Ed has saved a can found in his service station that once contained Gulf car wash detergent. Some of his customers have commented that they worked washing cars there as a teenager and may have been the one that originally opened the detergent can.
News-Herald 1973 May 09 Brooke's Service Center Ad Jim Strohm worked as a teen washing car for Wayne Steeley at his service station service station at Fifth and Buttonwood Streets. Later, when Jim became owner of Grandview Service Station, he remembers replacing drains in the left side bay floor that were once used when washing cars.
After the Sof-Spra Car Wash opened in 1965 on Ninth Street, the demand for washing cars at service stations decreased and eventually became a thing of the past.
After the Sof-Spra Car Wash opened in 1965 on Ninth Street, the demand for washing cars at service stations decreased and eventually became a thing of the past.
RDoll
Memories of Perkasie
Sharing interesting connections between Perkasie's people, places and events.
Rick and Louise Doll
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