|
 Scott Mabry Photography mage |  2020 Perkasie Historical Society Archives |
Improvements were made in the late 1990’s in an effort to evolve and expand Perkasie’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. Music, downtown carriage rides, and the reading of “The Night Before Christmas” were added. Cressets were also placed around the Christmas tree at Seventh and Market Streets.
Cressets are metal baskets, placed upon poles containing oil, pitch or wood that is burned to provide light. They were the first forms of street lighting. Former Perkasie Economic Development Director, Don Lederach was able to purchase a few cressets from the Williamsburg Foundation. To maintain the cresset fires during the event, Perkasie Borough Electric Department lineman, Matt Lynch was asked to be the lamplighter.
Cressets are metal baskets, placed upon poles containing oil, pitch or wood that is burned to provide light. They were the first forms of street lighting. Former Perkasie Economic Development Director, Don Lederach was able to purchase a few cressets from the Williamsburg Foundation. To maintain the cresset fires during the event, Perkasie Borough Electric Department lineman, Matt Lynch was asked to be the lamplighter.
2018 Perkasie Historical Society Archives For over 20 years, Matt dressed in his black tuxedo complete with top hat, can be found at Seventh and Market on tree lighting day. With his nearby pile of wood, he keeps the fires in the cressets burning, provides information to visitors, greets friends and family, and assists with the lighting of the trees. Even though he is now retired, Matt continues to volunteer as lamplighter.
Thank you, Matt, for keeping this tradition alive.
Thank you, Matt, for keeping this tradition alive.
0 Comments
The Haunted House
 October 18, 1978, News Herad advertisement with coupon |  October 15, 1980, News-Herald  Haunted House Painting by R. Clouser, Print courtesy of Dale Haring |
As a fundraiser, The Pennridge Jaycees began sponsoring Scream – A – Rama, a special haunted house in 1975. The event was held one weekend in October at an empty storefront in Glenwood Shopping Center. The cost of admission was $1.00, and it was a big success.
October 1980 Alan Bruzas mixes a Special Brew for visitors, News-Herald After three years at Glenwood, the Jaycees moved the haunted house to a new location. A big spooky abandoned farmhouse in a field at Eighth and Buttonwood Streets was converted into a haunted house. Over 4000 visitors visited during the 10 nights the haunted house was open. A special children’s matinee was added on Sunday afternoon. The children were given a special "anti – munster ring" that protected them from the monsters.
The haunted house had 10 haunted rooms featuring an Egyptian tomb and walking mummies, creaky doors, vampires, two real skeletons, and monsters. In 1980 a new torture room and a basement dungeon were added. The popular "Midnight Special" on October 31 kept the display open from midnight until 1:00 AM.
Early displays needed at least 12 volunteers with the number doubling as more rooms were added. Costumed Jaycees, Jayceettes, and occasional high school students would volunteer to scare the guests. This could be hazardous, as there were occasional abusive and destructive guests. A volunteer was punched in the face by a visitor. Another volunteer had an egg thrown at them damaging their mask. Visitors damaged a speaker, screwed out lightbulbs and were caught stealing parts of displays.
Multiple deaths from a fire in a haunted house at Great Adventure Park in New Jersey prompted the Jaycees and Perkasie borough council to ask for a fire code inspection of their haunted house. The inspection found numerous problems including the need for lighted exit signs, additional exits on the second floor, elimination of narrow halls, blocked windows on the second floor and safer storage of combustible materials. The $5000 cost of repairs and lack of time to find another location forced the Jaycees to cancel the 1984 haunted house. Other locations for future haunted houses were considered but the event never returned.
In the nine years the Jaycees ran the haunted house they raised $30,000 to support Pennridge Activity Center, Bucks County Association for Retarded Citizens Workshop and Community Service Foundation of Sellersville.
Thanks to Dale Haring for his help with this memory.
R.Doll
The haunted house had 10 haunted rooms featuring an Egyptian tomb and walking mummies, creaky doors, vampires, two real skeletons, and monsters. In 1980 a new torture room and a basement dungeon were added. The popular "Midnight Special" on October 31 kept the display open from midnight until 1:00 AM.
Early displays needed at least 12 volunteers with the number doubling as more rooms were added. Costumed Jaycees, Jayceettes, and occasional high school students would volunteer to scare the guests. This could be hazardous, as there were occasional abusive and destructive guests. A volunteer was punched in the face by a visitor. Another volunteer had an egg thrown at them damaging their mask. Visitors damaged a speaker, screwed out lightbulbs and were caught stealing parts of displays.
Multiple deaths from a fire in a haunted house at Great Adventure Park in New Jersey prompted the Jaycees and Perkasie borough council to ask for a fire code inspection of their haunted house. The inspection found numerous problems including the need for lighted exit signs, additional exits on the second floor, elimination of narrow halls, blocked windows on the second floor and safer storage of combustible materials. The $5000 cost of repairs and lack of time to find another location forced the Jaycees to cancel the 1984 haunted house. Other locations for future haunted houses were considered but the event never returned.
In the nine years the Jaycees ran the haunted house they raised $30,000 to support Pennridge Activity Center, Bucks County Association for Retarded Citizens Workshop and Community Service Foundation of Sellersville.
Thanks to Dale Haring for his help with this memory.
R.Doll
Tragedy at 7th and Walnut
Streets
A tragic event occurred on September 11, 1938, when a north bound (towards Allentown) trolley car struck an automobile driven by William Reichard. His wife was a passenger in the car at the time. The accident was at Seventh and Walnut Streets where the trolley tracks crossed Seventh Street. The Perkasie Central News reported that Mrs. Reichard told the trolley motorman that “they saw the flasher signal but thought they could make it."
Unfortunately, Mr. Reichard was thrown from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs. Reichard was transported to Grandview hospital and was treated for cuts and bruises and a fractured left arm and leg.
The Central News reported that the Reichards were Perkasie residents living on Eighth Street near Park Avenue. Mr. Reichard was a W.P. A. (Works Progress Administration) employee. They were familiar with the trolley crossing, having driven this route a few times a week to the downtown Perkasie area.
Unfortunately, Mr. Reichard was thrown from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs. Reichard was transported to Grandview hospital and was treated for cuts and bruises and a fractured left arm and leg.
The Central News reported that the Reichards were Perkasie residents living on Eighth Street near Park Avenue. Mr. Reichard was a W.P. A. (Works Progress Administration) employee. They were familiar with the trolley crossing, having driven this route a few times a week to the downtown Perkasie area.
 |  2023 Perkasie Historical Society image of 7th and Walnut Streets |
Thanks to Kimberly Gaston for sharing her family’s photo of the accident scene at Seventh and Walnuts Streets. The photo was taken from the top of the trolley tunnel looking down Walnut Street towards Sixth Street.
RDoll
Working on the Railroad
Many who have attended Perkasie Tree Lighting have fond memories of visiting the electric plant building to see the nostalgic train display. The trains have been displayed there for 24 years thanks to Perkasie resident Doug Kramer who wants to share his lifelong passion for trains with his community.
Model of Perkasie Freight Station with Shelly's in the background. A small model display in the carousel building was a big success prompting Perkasie Borough to offer space in the electric department building on North 7th Street. This large building where electricity was once generated allowed Doug to continually expand his railroad to the current number of 20 modules. The modules, fitted together, depict towns, farms, homes, and railroad yards. There is even a Perkasie module that includes Perkasie station and freight house. Each year additional locomotives and railroad cars are purchased, and additional buildings added.
 2020 Doug Kramer unpacking model Schnabel rail cars. (A specialized rail car to carry heavy loads.) |  2018 Doug Kramer constructing the layout. |
A ritual takes place at Doug’s house on the first Wednesday of December. Volunteers and members of Perkasie Electric Department carry the track modules from the basement and transport them to the Electric Department building. Care must be taken not to damage the miniature trees and scenery on many of the boards. The modules are then assembled, cleaned, and wired. Buildings locomotives and cars are finally added.
 View of the layout |  2019 Dave Strause and Doug Kramer  2022 Perkasie Model Railroad Club Flier |
After the display, everything must be disassembled, transported, and packed away at Doug’s house. The 2022 display was Doug’s 24th display and in a few weeks, on Christmas Eve he will turn 80. We all look forward to seeing next year’s model display, which has become a Perkasie Tree Lighting tradition.
 2021 Layout Overview |  2021 Doug Kramer All images from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection |
Thank you, Doug, and all who help in continuing this tradition.
See the layout being built!
Building Doug Kramer's Railroad Perkasie 2020
See the layout being built!
Building Doug Kramer's Railroad Perkasie 2020
RDoll
Halloween in Perkasie
Halloween in Perkasie has always been a fun and sometimes boisterous celebration. An everchanging variety of events held over the years, brings back fond memories to all who participated.
In 1913, the Perkasie Harmonic Band organized the first Halloween parade for adults and children; costumes were judged at the railroad station and cash prizes awarded at the Menlo Casino. The event grew and in 1919 Perkasie’s Hartzell-Crouthamel American Legion Post began sponsoring the parade. 1920’s celebration included a carnival, a block dance, and a Goblin Hunt. Goblin hunters bought a ticket to run through Perkasie’s alleys which had been decorated with hanging ghosts and pumpkins, and even a springy obstacle participants had to step on to cross. The “Goblin” was finally found on cemetery hill.
In 1921, the festivities were moved to the Arch Street School where Legion volunteers constructed carnival booths featuring hot dogs, skill games, and a fortune teller. Floats were added to the parade in 1927. The winning float in 1930 was “Toyland” by A. A. Lesher; it was so large and elaborate it had trouble making the turns in the parade route. The three-night carnival and parade continued until 1934, attracting 15000 spectators and 2000 participants sharing as much as $2000 in prizes.
The parade became a joint Sellersville-Perkasie parade in 1936, located at the Sell-Perk High School and sponsored by the two Chambers of Commerce. Only children could participate, and all 1000 of them that year received candy. Prizes included baseballs donated by the Hubbert’s.
The celebrations paused during World War II but were revived in 1946 by the Hartzell-Crouthamel Post. A five-day carnival was held at Lake Lenape, including a drawing for a 1946 Chevrolet.
In 1913, the Perkasie Harmonic Band organized the first Halloween parade for adults and children; costumes were judged at the railroad station and cash prizes awarded at the Menlo Casino. The event grew and in 1919 Perkasie’s Hartzell-Crouthamel American Legion Post began sponsoring the parade. 1920’s celebration included a carnival, a block dance, and a Goblin Hunt. Goblin hunters bought a ticket to run through Perkasie’s alleys which had been decorated with hanging ghosts and pumpkins, and even a springy obstacle participants had to step on to cross. The “Goblin” was finally found on cemetery hill.
In 1921, the festivities were moved to the Arch Street School where Legion volunteers constructed carnival booths featuring hot dogs, skill games, and a fortune teller. Floats were added to the parade in 1927. The winning float in 1930 was “Toyland” by A. A. Lesher; it was so large and elaborate it had trouble making the turns in the parade route. The three-night carnival and parade continued until 1934, attracting 15000 spectators and 2000 participants sharing as much as $2000 in prizes.
The parade became a joint Sellersville-Perkasie parade in 1936, located at the Sell-Perk High School and sponsored by the two Chambers of Commerce. Only children could participate, and all 1000 of them that year received candy. Prizes included baseballs donated by the Hubbert’s.
The celebrations paused during World War II but were revived in 1946 by the Hartzell-Crouthamel Post. A five-day carnival was held at Lake Lenape, including a drawing for a 1946 Chevrolet.
By 1950, the Rotary and Kiwanis joined the Legion, sponsoring a window painting contest throughout the area. Junior and Senior High students painted Halloween scenes on the windows of local businesses hoping to win prizes for their artwork. The Legion continued to chair the parade, doing fund-raising to provide cash for prizes, which in some years were silver dollars.
1958 Nov 06 News-Herald The Halloween party returned to the Arch Street School in 1953 when the Legion gave lollipops to all children. In addition to $100 in cash prizes, 150 of the lollipops were marked to win a bag of candy.
Later parades in the 1950s and 1960s usually ended at Menlo Park, where costumes were judged, prizes awarded, and hotdogs and cider served to all children.
In 1980 the tradition changed when the Perkasie parade became the Pennridge Halloween parade and was held in Sellersville. The Pennridge parade ended prior to the Covid pandemic and in 2022 will be replaced with a Halloween party held at the Sellersville Firehouse.
JP/RD
Sergio Would Be Proud
 |  |
Pennridge barber and resident, the late Sergio Vera, had an idea around 1970 that he hoped would keep Pennridge residents’ home for the Independence Day holiday. His idea was for a day bringing residents together to enjoy food, play games, listen to music, and just have fun.
Sergio Vera, a native of Chile, visited Philadelphia as a member of the Chilean Navy. It was during a dance in Philadelphia that he would meet Christie Nellis. They were married in 1952 and settled in the Pennridge area in 1954. Sergio was a barber by trade who volunteered many hours to make the Pennridge area a better place.
Sergio Vera, a native of Chile, visited Philadelphia as a member of the Chilean Navy. It was during a dance in Philadelphia that he would meet Christie Nellis. They were married in 1952 and settled in the Pennridge area in 1954. Sergio was a barber by trade who volunteered many hours to make the Pennridge area a better place.
1972 June 21 News-Herald To make his idea reality, Sergio chaired a committee and enlisted Bob Spanninger, from the Pennridge Chamber of Commerce, Bill and Dot Street, from Perkasie Fire Company, Mrs. Ralph Powers, Mrs. Dorothy Rosenberger, and Mrs. Ephraim Walters. The committee recruited and organized the police and fire companies and local volunteer groups to help run the events. On July 2, 1972, Pennridge Community Day was held for the first time.
Bob Spanninger, an organizer 50 years ago recalls that the event started out small but was successful in providing a fun community activity. Dot Street remembers that many Perkasie Fire Company members volunteered for the event. They both agreed that Community Day continues due to the dedication of the sponsors and volunteers during the last 50 years.
Bob Spanninger, an organizer 50 years ago recalls that the event started out small but was successful in providing a fun community activity. Dot Street remembers that many Perkasie Fire Company members volunteered for the event. They both agreed that Community Day continues due to the dedication of the sponsors and volunteers during the last 50 years.
 1972 June News-Herald |  2022 50th Anniversary Community Day Poster |
On July 10, 2022, Pennridge Community Day will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The celebration has grown over the years. Many events that happened 50 years ago like the three-legged race and canoe race still occur. Thousands of people stay in the area and enjoy Community Day, especially the fireworks.
Sergio would be proud!
Sergio would be proud!
Rick Doll 2022
Kleenex Valentines
and
Cupid’s Couple
 1954 Groff Drugs Ad News-Herald |  1954 Moyer's Store Ad New-Herald  1954 Waser's Store Ad News-Herald |
The headlines read, “Valentine search for Talent and “Cupid’s Couple of 1954 Starts Today” caught our eye. The Pennridge area elementary schools partnered with the News-Herald and Kleenex to help Cupid for Valentines Day 1954. Various businesses throughout the Pennridge area such as Bedminster’s Wasser’s Store, Dublin’s Stauffer’s Store, H. D. Moyer Estate, Groff Drugs, Mann’s Grocery, C. D. Moyer, Umlauf’s Grocery and Horrocks Blooming Glen Store are engaged in the effort. Participants were asked to visit “Sweetheart Stores” where Kleenex furnished Little Lulu Valentines for students to make valentines from the Kleenex. Prizes were awarded among the school groupings and prize money was awarded.
For the adult category, as many feel the Pennridge area has many love stories to tell, the News-Herald sought out “Cupid’s Couple 1954.” Applicants were judged on uniqueness of the courtship, oddity of events leading to the meeting of the engaged/married couple and uniqueness of the situation of the proposal.
1954 News-Herald Mr. and Mrs. Walton Horn was awarded the “Cupid’s Couple of 1954” earning a prize of an embellished scroll signifying their title “Cupid’s Couple”
Their winning scenario? A young lady meets her future husband with her hair rolled in curlers.
Rick Doll 2022
The Town Tree
at
Perkasie Station
Perkasie Train Station was always the center of activity in downtown Perkasie. Newspaper articles throughout the years mention the community tree being located on the station lawn. A Perkasie Central News article from January 1942 states that the Reading Railroad granted Perkasie Chamber of Commerce permission to plant a large evergreen tree on the station property for use as the town Christmas Tree.
 |  |
Recently, Perkasie Historical Society added to their collection the original 1942 letter and blueprint from the railroad company allowing this to legally happen. From the blueprint shown here, it is noted, the tree was to be planted to the left of the station building. The recently constructed outdoor dining area was the approximate location of the tree.
It is not certain when the tradition of the tree at the station ended. It most likely continued until the tree located near the covered bridge in Lenape Park was erected in 1962.
It is not certain when the tradition of the tree at the station ended. It most likely continued until the tree located near the covered bridge in Lenape Park was erected in 1962.
Rick Doll 2021
Perkasie Historical Society
Members
Recollections of September 11,
2001
Various members of the Perkasie Historical Society shared memories of where they were when they learned of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11th, 2001.
We Reflect. . .
Cheryl and I were down In Ocean City, NJ on vacation with my brother and his wife. During breakfast at a local restaurant, we heard people talking about a plane crash in New York City. We did not pay too much attention to the news. After breakfast we dropped off our wives in town to go shopping. My brother and I went back to the house we were staying at and turned on the TV news. This is where we learned of the plane crashes and Twin Tower collapse. Not knowing what was going to happen my brother and I drove back into town to pick up our wives.
For a few hours we all sat and watched the events as they unfolded. Later we went down to the beach. Everyone there was in a somber mood. Matt Lynch
I was at work in Blue Bell, PA and was on a teleconference with colleagues located in northern New Jersey. From their conference room, they were able to see smoke and became aware there was a disaster in New York City. We heard that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. The conference rooms were cleared as we came to realize it was a larger, commercial aircraft. In Blue Bell, televisions were pulled into the hallway alcoves and fellow employees were watching in silence. The TV news station replayed the second plane hitting the towers and then the collapse. We were all watching in silence and shock. Then, the news report of the 3rd plane in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and a fourth at the Pentagon. Such a somber day!
Calls were coming in from schools and everyone was scrambling to learn more about the safety of their families. Louise Doll
I was working at the News-Herald at the Souderton office that morning working on a Sellersville Borough Council story. A friend and owner of the hoagie shop next store came running shortly before 9 a.m. and said, "You've got to see this, a plane just crashed into the twin towers in NYC."
I ran next door and watched it on his small television and thought, oh what a terrible accident and on such a beautiful day. Shortly afterwards, the second tower was hit and now everyone knew it was no accident. America was under attack by terrorists.
Since it was the day before publishing, my editor-boss Barbara McClennen told me to run up to Pennridge High School and interview some students and faculty about the historic incident and whether they got to see it and how they felt. Some kids knew little, others were crying. I was there over an hour, stopped at home for lunch, and quickly returned to the office to knock out the story for that night's front-page make-up.
After work, I came home and watched hours and hours of news coverage which was on every channel and realized our country and our lives would never be quite the same. Charlie Baum, then associate editor of the News-Herald
We were supposed to be leaving on a business trip that morning, I think to CA, but we had to stop by the office to pick up some papers to take with us. On our 5-minute commute, the DJ suddenly broke in and said something like “this just in, it appears that a plane just struck the World Trade Center in New York City”. We were just pulling into the parking lot, so we quickly got out of the car and ran into the office. Our secretary was turning on a small TV we kept in a conference room and everyone there gathered to watch in stunned silence. Then the second plane struck. And then the towers fell. Our kids thought we were in the air already and didn’t know we hadn’t taken off, so they were a bit panic -stricken. There was very little conversation. Frank and Judy Pezzanite
I was working night shift at Quest Diagnostics in West Norriton. I was getting close to going home when a co-worker entered the office and announced that a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center towers. At first, we thought it was a small plane and considered calling Dr. Martin Duke, an associate working in the towers, for an update on the crash. After learning it was a commercial airliner, our first thoughts were that the crash was accidental. Then, hearing of the second plane striking the other tower, we knew that this was more than an accident. My co - workers turned on radios and we listened to news reports.
As I drove home from work, I listened to the radio news for updates and heard of the collapse of the trade center and the Pennsylvania and Pentagon plane crashes. It became obvious that this was an attack on America and at the time we did not know the extent of the attack. When I got home, I called family members and watched news reports as I was unable to sleep. After a few hours I finally fell asleep. We later learned that Dr. Duke was safe. Rick Doll
I had taken the day off to run some errands. During breakfast we were listening to the radio when the announcer said that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Immediately we switched on the TV to see what happened and watched the shocking images from New York. I still went to my various appointments. There were TVs everywhere I went with people watching in silence. Scott Elliot
I was at work when my boss came in and asked if I was listening to the radio. I told him “I was here to work and was not listening to the radio.” He then told me that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. They set up a television in the office where people could go and watch updates on the events in New York City. None of us realized how this would change our world. Jerry Treffinger
We Reflect. . .
Cheryl and I were down In Ocean City, NJ on vacation with my brother and his wife. During breakfast at a local restaurant, we heard people talking about a plane crash in New York City. We did not pay too much attention to the news. After breakfast we dropped off our wives in town to go shopping. My brother and I went back to the house we were staying at and turned on the TV news. This is where we learned of the plane crashes and Twin Tower collapse. Not knowing what was going to happen my brother and I drove back into town to pick up our wives.
For a few hours we all sat and watched the events as they unfolded. Later we went down to the beach. Everyone there was in a somber mood. Matt Lynch
I was at work in Blue Bell, PA and was on a teleconference with colleagues located in northern New Jersey. From their conference room, they were able to see smoke and became aware there was a disaster in New York City. We heard that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. The conference rooms were cleared as we came to realize it was a larger, commercial aircraft. In Blue Bell, televisions were pulled into the hallway alcoves and fellow employees were watching in silence. The TV news station replayed the second plane hitting the towers and then the collapse. We were all watching in silence and shock. Then, the news report of the 3rd plane in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and a fourth at the Pentagon. Such a somber day!
Calls were coming in from schools and everyone was scrambling to learn more about the safety of their families. Louise Doll
I was working at the News-Herald at the Souderton office that morning working on a Sellersville Borough Council story. A friend and owner of the hoagie shop next store came running shortly before 9 a.m. and said, "You've got to see this, a plane just crashed into the twin towers in NYC."
I ran next door and watched it on his small television and thought, oh what a terrible accident and on such a beautiful day. Shortly afterwards, the second tower was hit and now everyone knew it was no accident. America was under attack by terrorists.
Since it was the day before publishing, my editor-boss Barbara McClennen told me to run up to Pennridge High School and interview some students and faculty about the historic incident and whether they got to see it and how they felt. Some kids knew little, others were crying. I was there over an hour, stopped at home for lunch, and quickly returned to the office to knock out the story for that night's front-page make-up.
After work, I came home and watched hours and hours of news coverage which was on every channel and realized our country and our lives would never be quite the same. Charlie Baum, then associate editor of the News-Herald
We were supposed to be leaving on a business trip that morning, I think to CA, but we had to stop by the office to pick up some papers to take with us. On our 5-minute commute, the DJ suddenly broke in and said something like “this just in, it appears that a plane just struck the World Trade Center in New York City”. We were just pulling into the parking lot, so we quickly got out of the car and ran into the office. Our secretary was turning on a small TV we kept in a conference room and everyone there gathered to watch in stunned silence. Then the second plane struck. And then the towers fell. Our kids thought we were in the air already and didn’t know we hadn’t taken off, so they were a bit panic -stricken. There was very little conversation. Frank and Judy Pezzanite
I was working night shift at Quest Diagnostics in West Norriton. I was getting close to going home when a co-worker entered the office and announced that a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center towers. At first, we thought it was a small plane and considered calling Dr. Martin Duke, an associate working in the towers, for an update on the crash. After learning it was a commercial airliner, our first thoughts were that the crash was accidental. Then, hearing of the second plane striking the other tower, we knew that this was more than an accident. My co - workers turned on radios and we listened to news reports.
As I drove home from work, I listened to the radio news for updates and heard of the collapse of the trade center and the Pennsylvania and Pentagon plane crashes. It became obvious that this was an attack on America and at the time we did not know the extent of the attack. When I got home, I called family members and watched news reports as I was unable to sleep. After a few hours I finally fell asleep. We later learned that Dr. Duke was safe. Rick Doll
I had taken the day off to run some errands. During breakfast we were listening to the radio when the announcer said that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Immediately we switched on the TV to see what happened and watched the shocking images from New York. I still went to my various appointments. There were TVs everywhere I went with people watching in silence. Scott Elliot
I was at work when my boss came in and asked if I was listening to the radio. I told him “I was here to work and was not listening to the radio.” He then told me that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. They set up a television in the office where people could go and watch updates on the events in New York City. None of us realized how this would change our world. Jerry Treffinger
The Last Ride
September 7, 1986 Allentown Morning Call
The Perkasie Historical Society Museum is located in the former Lehigh Valley Transit trolley station. Even though there has not been a trolley on Walnut Street since 1951, we are always interested in stories of the Liberty Bell Trolley. A 1976, Morning Call article found in our collection, describes the last ride on the Liberty Bell Trolley from Norristown to Allentown. The trolley left Norristown at 1:00 AM on September 7, 1951. It was a clear night with many stars visible. There were a few trolley fans on board and one passenger who was from California. The motorman was Fred Enters from Souderton.
 Last Meet of Liberty Bell Trolleys Photograph September 1951 Andy Maginnis Collection |  Last Meet of Liberty Bell September 1951 Photograph Notation Andy Maginnis Collection |
After the trolley passed Lansdale, Fred Enters allowed the trolley fans to take turns at the controls. There was little traffic along the route. Bells and lights came on at every grade crossing and the operator blew the air horn to warn drivers. At Allentown, the car did not take the usual route into the center city terminal but, instead ended the Liberty Bell era at the Fairview car barn.
Fred Enters continued working for Lehigh Valley transit as a bus driver for a few years. He passed away in 1970 from a heart attack while assisting a Perkasie police officer who was stuck by a car after a football game. The tracks along the Liberty Bell route were quickly removed and today there are few remains of its existence.
Read Gerhard Solomon's account of the "The Final Trip Over the Liberty Bell Line"
Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS
Read Gerhard Solomon's account of the "The Final Trip Over the Liberty Bell Line"
Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS
Our thanks to Andy Maginnis for sharing his passion for the Lehigh Valley Transit Trolleys with us.
Rick Doll 2021
Memories of Perkasie
Sharing interesting connections between Perkasie's people, places and events.
Rick and Louise Doll
Navigation Hint: The postings can be viewed by date, by topic category, or in reverse chronological order (most recent posting first)
RSS Feed