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As a teenager in the early 1950’s I worked for Henry Wilson, the owner of Menlo Park. I would ride my bike from our home in Silverdale to work at the carousel. I would either collect tickets or work the ring arm. When I was finished working it was dark, and I remember pedaling as fast as I could going up the hill on Walnut Street on my way home.
The carousel at the time was still the original carousel. When working the ring arm, I would calculate where to place the brass ring so the girl I liked would be able to grab it for a free ride.
I also worked in the Menlo bowling alley setting pins. You had to step on a pedal, and pegs would pop up from the floor. There were holes in the bottom of the pins allowing them to be placed on the pegs. You would then let your foot off the pedal as you jumped onto a bench to get out of the way of flying pins.
After The Perkasie Historical Society began operating the carousel in 1970, I started volunteering to collect tickets just as I had done in my youth. It is always great to see smiles on young children’s faces as they ride the carousel.
As long as I am able, I will continue to walk the carousel and collect tickets. And of course, have a hot dog with sauerkraut from the snack stand.
Thanks, Bob, for volunteering all those years!
Doll
The carousel at the time was still the original carousel. When working the ring arm, I would calculate where to place the brass ring so the girl I liked would be able to grab it for a free ride.
I also worked in the Menlo bowling alley setting pins. You had to step on a pedal, and pegs would pop up from the floor. There were holes in the bottom of the pins allowing them to be placed on the pegs. You would then let your foot off the pedal as you jumped onto a bench to get out of the way of flying pins.
After The Perkasie Historical Society began operating the carousel in 1970, I started volunteering to collect tickets just as I had done in my youth. It is always great to see smiles on young children’s faces as they ride the carousel.
As long as I am able, I will continue to walk the carousel and collect tickets. And of course, have a hot dog with sauerkraut from the snack stand.
Thanks, Bob, for volunteering all those years!
Doll
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Memorial Day Tradition
 2016 American Legion members Ken Detweiler, Paul Clymer with Rev. Horn |  2015 Ed Snyder passing out the ammo to the American Legion Honor Guard |
2016 American Legion members looking over the display Ken Detweiler, Bob Maxwell (bugler)and Ed Snyder The Perkasie American Legion Post 280 has not owned the former trolley station on Walnut Street for over 30 years. Still, to this day, they will gather there before their annual Memorial Day Services. The legion sold their post home at 513 West Walnut Street for $1.00 to the Perkasie Historical Society back in 1990. The dollar bill was donated by the widow of Henry Hager who received it from the Community Service Group during WW II. The dollar is now framed and on the wall of the building home to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum.
2021 American Legion at Menlo Park Memorial Garden Memorial services are always held at the Veteran Memorials at Second Street Park, Menlo Park, and Helman Field. If a Post member passed during the last year they will pay respects at the grave site. In 2020, the American Legion honored Calvin Hartzell and Earl Crouthamel for whom the Post is named with a memorial service at their gravesites.
Every year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the legion members will meet at the former Hartzell Crouthamel Post 280 Home to prepare for the memorial services. Rifles, ammunition, and flags are handed out to the participants. The service they perform entails the placement of a wreath, a gun salute and the playing of taps.
 2015 Dave Mann, serving on American Legion Honor Guard, with his WW II US Marine Corps Uniform. |  2025 American Legion Honor Guard members Ken Detweiler, Paul Clymer Ed Snyder |
This mostly unnoticed tradition takes place each year. Unless you are in the area at the time or you hear the shots being fired, most people do not realize it happens. Hopefully, the tradition will continue as the legion members honor their fallen comrades.
Thank you to all our Legion members who over the years have been part of this tradition of remembrance.
2017 American Legion Honor Guard at the Pennridge War Memorial at Helman Field
Rdoll
Opening Day
 Leading the 2024 Opening Day Parade at 4th and Walnut Street |  2024 Opening Day 3rd and Walnut St.  2024 Opening Day 4th and Walnut St |
Today’s Pennridge Little League’s “Opening Day” with a parade and opening ceremony is a sure sign that the spring / summer season has arrived. Even on days like today with clouds and a cold damp wind, “Opening Day” has been a welcoming spring tradition for over 60 years.
 1992 Little League Parade North 7th and Arch Street. Eugene Pritchard (Lesher) Collection . |  1995 Robin Roberts in Little League Parade North 7th and Arch Street. Eugene Pritchard (Lesher) Collection |
Our son played on little league teams during the 1990’s and we remember opening day. It was always an exciting day, especially for the young players who would be participating in the events for the first time. After a bit of chaos organizing all of the teams, they walk through the streets of Perkasie to the ballfield along Walnut Street for opening ceremonies. The police cars and fire trucks have always part been part of the event. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends line the street to wave to the young ballplayers as they march by.
1996 Mike Lieberthal, Philadelphia Phillies souvenir card from Edward Browning Realtor
For many years, the late Perkasie realtor, Ed Browning, would sponsor “Tree Day” at his Sixth Street office. This event was held on the same day as opening day and Mr. Browning would arrange for a Philadelphia sports personality to appear in Perkasie. We remember seeing Robin Roberts, Rex Hudler, and Mike Lieberthal from the Phillies courtesy of Ed Browning.
For many years, the late Perkasie realtor, Ed Browning, would sponsor “Tree Day” at his Sixth Street office. This event was held on the same day as opening day and Mr. Browning would arrange for a Philadelphia sports personality to appear in Perkasie. We remember seeing Robin Roberts, Rex Hudler, and Mike Lieberthal from the Phillies courtesy of Ed Browning.
Opening day is a timeless event. The players and coaches continually change. The young ballplayers from the 1990’s that we remember are now the coaches for their children. Even the team sponsors are different as new businesses are established in our area. The events of the day and parade route still do remain pretty much the same.
May the tradition continue!
Memory courtesy of Rick and Louise Doll.
Doll
The Arch Street School Bricks
Arch Street School - Perkasie Historical Society archives: Don Maurer Collection
3 types of Arch Street School bricks. Many of the Arch Street School bricks were saved, live on, and can still be found in many Perkasie homes.
There are various versions of these decorated bricks; some are covered with needlepoint and are used as doorstops; others have a small brass plate sold for benefit of the 5th St. Perkasie Firehouse, the 3rd version has a larger plate showing the Arch Street School and Elm Tree.
There are various versions of these decorated bricks; some are covered with needlepoint and are used as doorstops; others have a small brass plate sold for benefit of the 5th St. Perkasie Firehouse, the 3rd version has a larger plate showing the Arch Street School and Elm Tree.
Arch Street Brick plate image drawing by Jill Hackett used for raise funds for the Pennridge Senior Center Thank you to Jill Hackett for sharing the following story of how the school and elm tree drawing became the brick plate with us.
"I drew this for my dad, Jim Hackett, in 1965. To my surprise and delight, it was printed and mounted on bricks from the Arch Street School, sold to raise money for the then new senior center. It shows the elm tree that the Perkasie Historical Society is honoring right now . . . Dad had handed me a black and white photograph and said, “draw this.” He had been assembling a coloring book of local images, so I thought this was another one—which explains the thick lines.
I attended school at Arch Street from first through sixth grades—many fond memories of this interesting building and that magnificent Elm."
Doll
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
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
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
Why Dudley?
 David Hubbert (1922-2017) |  1969 Feb 12 News Herald David Hubbert Inc. Advertisement |
David Hubbert Game ball Patent The late Dave Hubbert began experimenting in the late 1950’s with a way to make a more durable softball. Over 50 different materials were tested including peanut shells, ground corn cobs, coconut husks, chopped tires, saw dust, shredded paper, and hogs’ hair. He settled on a combination of cork and latex binder, compressed under heat and pressure to form the softball core.
A company in Florida agreed to produce the new softball cores. Perkasie residents that, at one time, stitched the major league baseballs were recruited to stitch the covers onto the redesigned softballs cores. Dave incorporated the softball manufacturing operation in 1964 as David Hubbert Inc.
At a trade show, Dave Hubbert met George Full who was owner of Aviation Products, a model plane retailer. George Full was an inventor and veteran businessman who lived in Chicago and later New York. Dave once commented that George Full “was a great salesman and could sell anything.” They just needed a name for their softballs.
Over dinner one evening Hubbert and Full discussed several names for the sports company. Dave stated his middle name was Walter and asked George what his was. He replied, Dudley. The two men liked the name, made a handshake agreement and Dudley Sports was born. The agreement was simple, David Hubbert incorporated manufactured the softballs and George Full marketed them as Dudley Softballs.
Women’s softball and church leagues became popular during the 1960’s and sales of softballs took off. In 1968, Dave Hubbert Incorporated became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dudley Sports. A short time later Athlone Industries purchased Dudley.
George Full passed away in 1973. Dave Hubbert passed away in 2017. He would have been 100 years old on September 23, 2022. Dudley Sports still survives as part of Spaulding Sports, a subsidiary of Fruit of the Loom Company.
A company in Florida agreed to produce the new softball cores. Perkasie residents that, at one time, stitched the major league baseballs were recruited to stitch the covers onto the redesigned softballs cores. Dave incorporated the softball manufacturing operation in 1964 as David Hubbert Inc.
At a trade show, Dave Hubbert met George Full who was owner of Aviation Products, a model plane retailer. George Full was an inventor and veteran businessman who lived in Chicago and later New York. Dave once commented that George Full “was a great salesman and could sell anything.” They just needed a name for their softballs.
Over dinner one evening Hubbert and Full discussed several names for the sports company. Dave stated his middle name was Walter and asked George what his was. He replied, Dudley. The two men liked the name, made a handshake agreement and Dudley Sports was born. The agreement was simple, David Hubbert incorporated manufactured the softballs and George Full marketed them as Dudley Softballs.
Women’s softball and church leagues became popular during the 1960’s and sales of softballs took off. In 1968, Dave Hubbert Incorporated became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dudley Sports. A short time later Athlone Industries purchased Dudley.
George Full passed away in 1973. Dave Hubbert passed away in 2017. He would have been 100 years old on September 23, 2022. Dudley Sports still survives as part of Spaulding Sports, a subsidiary of Fruit of the Loom Company.
| Rick Doll 2022 | All contents of this website are subject to federal and state copyright provisions. Copyright protection exists from the time the work is created in fixed form and immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Please be sure to cite the Perkasie Historical Society when referencing our content. |
Bits and Pieces from the Past
 818 Callowhill Street |  Outdoor fireplace 818 Callowhill Street. |
The home at 818 Callowhill Street now incorporates stones from Perkasie’s past. The stones, originally used for roads and, as part of a classic Perkasie home have been reused in the construction of two fireplaces and a wall along the Callowhill side of the house.
The smaller blocks with more rounded edges were Belgian block used for paving the roads. Thousands of blocks were used for Perkasie’s streets. The block roads were bumpy, noisy and could be slippery when wet. The block roads were eventually covered with asphalt and forgotten. Many years later, when roads needed improvements, the stones were revealed.
The smaller blocks with more rounded edges were Belgian block used for paving the roads. Thousands of blocks were used for Perkasie’s streets. The block roads were bumpy, noisy and could be slippery when wet. The block roads were eventually covered with asphalt and forgotten. Many years later, when roads needed improvements, the stones were revealed.
 Block road in front of the former Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley station, 513 W. Walnut St. |  The home at Market and Seventh Street made from Rockhill Gray Granite. |
The larger more irregular stones were from a house at Market and Seventh Streets, now the site of the town Christmas tree. The house was constructed of Rockhill Gray Granite, quarried locally at Rockhill Quarry. Constructed in 1896 by Joseph Hendricks, the house survived until 1967 when it was demolished as part of an urban renewal project.
Ed Snyder was able to save both types of stones, as they were being discarded. He and his Father-in-law did all the stonework, incorporating the Belgian block, Rockhill Granite and local fieldstones into both fireplaces and exterior wall. Ed recently moved from his house on Callowhill Street, but his stonework will continue to be appreciated for years to come.
Ed Snyder was able to save both types of stones, as they were being discarded. He and his Father-in-law did all the stonework, incorporating the Belgian block, Rockhill Granite and local fieldstones into both fireplaces and exterior wall. Ed recently moved from his house on Callowhill Street, but his stonework will continue to be appreciated for years to come.
Rick Doll 2022
The Spirit of Sell-Perk
 News-Herald June 4, 1944 |  Image from the Perkasie Historical Society archives |
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Government sold savings bonds labeled as War Bonds. Over 185 billion dollars of bonds were sold to help finance the war effort.
The students of Sell-Perk Schools wanted to do their part. The student body participated in a program allowing them to name a bomber if they could raise $450,000. Supervising Principal Lewis Snyder reported on May 31, 1944, that the students were $1,002.25 above their goal.
The students of Sell-Perk Schools wanted to do their part. The student body participated in a program allowing them to name a bomber if they could raise $450,000. Supervising Principal Lewis Snyder reported on May 31, 1944, that the students were $1,002.25 above their goal.
Helping the students was a credit received from sales of bonds at local banks and post offices. Additionally, a special performance at the Sellersville-Perkasie School with radio soprano Margaret Speaks, as principal performer, provided more funds.
The students selected “The Spirit of Sell-Perk " as the name of the bomber.
Rick Doll 2022
Memories of Perkasie
Sharing interesting connections between Perkasie's people, places and events.
Rick and Louise Doll
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