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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 Evolution of Perkasie Roads
According to an opinion article from an 1895 edition of the Central News, early roads surrounding Perkasie could pose quite the difficulty; “Perkasie streets in comparison with the surroundings are an example of going from the sublime to the awful. In rainy weather wagons sink in mud up to their axles, and horses wear their lives out tugging light loads through the mire.” Our roads and transportation methods have changed dramatically since this time, switching from dirt to pavement and horse-drawn carriages to cars. Yet one aspect which remains throughout the history of roads in Perkasie is the role of community involvement in repairs and maintenance.
In the same newspaper as supplied the earlier citation, there is another passage which discusses the part cyclists played in bringing attention to road conditions. It states, “The bicycling mania is upon us; the knee breeches of the men, and the bloomer costume of the women cyclers are familiar to us all. They fly hither and thither, and all with a purpose, too. Their critical eyes detect… the bad condition of our suburban and country roads. Their reports have led to road reforms.”
In the same newspaper as supplied the earlier citation, there is another passage which discusses the part cyclists played in bringing attention to road conditions. It states, “The bicycling mania is upon us; the knee breeches of the men, and the bloomer costume of the women cyclers are familiar to us all. They fly hither and thither, and all with a purpose, too. Their critical eyes detect… the bad condition of our suburban and country roads. Their reports have led to road reforms.”
This trend of community members bringing attention to road conditions in the local vicinity continues throughout Perkasie’s history, as is apparent in the meeting minutes reports from the Perkasie Chamber of Commerce. For instance, in 1922 a section of Hagersville Road was graded and prepared for stoning by “taxpayers and friends from Perkasie” as part of a Good Roads Day project. Road signs were also frequently procured and erected by local clubs and organizations, like the signs placed at the intersection of 5th Street and Concrete Road in 1939 by the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Lions Club.
Perkasie roads were not only shaped by those within the community, but also by those visiting the community. As the home of Menlo Park, Perkasie welcomed a large number of tourists from places like Philadelphia. In 1895 it was voted to change the street names in Perkasie to match those of Philadelphia and make navigation easier for these visitors. Front Street became Market Street, Main Street became Chestnut Street, and so forth.
In 1890 Colonel Albert A. Pope wrote that “A nation, or an age of civilization, is perhaps more easily judged and understood by the character and extensiveness of its roads, than by any other symbol of progress.” In Perkasie the character and extensiveness of the roads are the result of community involvement and care stretching back to the town’s creation, with current road conditions and names reflecting this history.
Sources:
“Make Your Roads Better” May 9, 1895 Central News Article
Perkasie Chamber of Commerce 1922-1945 Transcription of Meeting Topics prepared by Louise Doll of the Perkasie Historical Society
Building Perkasie Roads Poster
“An Address” January 23, 1890 Central News Article by Col. Albert A. Pope
We thank Jillian Lunoe of Bryn Mawr College, for writing this article for Perkasie Historical Society's "Memories of Perkasie"
In 1890 Colonel Albert A. Pope wrote that “A nation, or an age of civilization, is perhaps more easily judged and understood by the character and extensiveness of its roads, than by any other symbol of progress.” In Perkasie the character and extensiveness of the roads are the result of community involvement and care stretching back to the town’s creation, with current road conditions and names reflecting this history.
Sources:
“Make Your Roads Better” May 9, 1895 Central News Article
Perkasie Chamber of Commerce 1922-1945 Transcription of Meeting Topics prepared by Louise Doll of the Perkasie Historical Society
Building Perkasie Roads Poster
“An Address” January 23, 1890 Central News Article by Col. Albert A. Pope
We thank Jillian Lunoe of Bryn Mawr College, for writing this article for Perkasie Historical Society's "Memories of Perkasie"
Rick Doll 2021
Dr. Storm in Perkasie
While researching the American House blueprints for the last “Memories” article, the story of Dr. Katherine Storm came to light. An early female physician and inventor, Dr. Katherine Storm, lived just across the Perkasie Borough line and spent many years in the Perkasie area.
Dr. Storm was born in Columbia County, New York in 1857. After teaching school for 15 years, she earned her medical degree at the Woman’s Medical College of Philadelphia and practiced medicine from 1896 to 1917. In 1906, Dr. Storm patented the “Storm Binder” or “Storm Supporter” the first abdominal supporter. “She custom-made the belts herself out of silk, linen, and cotton. She had belts of all kinds for maternity, hernia, kidney, breast, obesity, sacroiliac, athletic stocking supporter, and infant supporter.” Dr. Storm was listed in the 1914-1915 Woman's Who's Who of America as a physician and an inventor.
Perkasie farmland that was part of the Perkasie Poultry business was purchased by Dr. Storm between 1911 and 1913. She moved to Perkasie in 1917, embraced farming, selling fruits and vegetable all the while selling her “Storm Binder.” The property was described as the “North side of the road to Hagersville” now called Fifth Street at Blooming Glen Road. Today, the Pennridge High School complex surrounds the property on the North and East. The farmhouse is now 1326 North Fifth Street.
In 1916, Dr. Storm visited Florida because her nephew, Dr. John Corsa was interested in purchasing property at Vero Beach. The local newspapers reported in January 1917 that Dr. Katherine Storm was purchasing 160 acres of the former Indian River Demonstration Farm. She would return to Pennsylvania and leave the management of “Storm Groves” to her nephew. The property was eventually sold to the School Board of Indian River County and in 2005, the Storm Grove Middle School was constructed becoming the first “green” school in Indian River County Florida.
Dr. Katherine Storm died in an automobile accident in 1938. The car in which she was a passenger struck a telephone pole on route 563 near Almont. She is buried in St Stephen's Cemetery in Perkasie.
Thank you to Pamela J. Cooper, Retired librarian, historian, genealogist of Vero Beach, Florida as well as Dr. and Mrs. Charles Fulp for providing information for this Memory.
Rick Doll 2021
Milton Bean’s American House
It has always been assumed that Perkasie’s American House with its turret, wrap around porch, and rounded windows was designed by architect Milton Bean. Yet there was never much definitive documentation such as blueprints to confirm these suspicions.
A hotel was opened by Aaron Kern in the frame building at Seventh and Market Streets in 1870. Phillip S. Cressman purchased the hotel building in 1884 from the second owner, Oliver Nase. Having only “8 guest chambers” in the building, Cressman saw the need to construct a new hotel on the site. The frame structure was picked up and moved to North Sixth Street for use as a residence.
Constructed in 1894, the new brick hotel had 39 rooms that were heated by steam and lighted by gas. The tower “is probably the highest point in town, and from the observatory one can discern towns in three counties besides more than a dozen local villages.”
Not long ago, some of the American House blueprints, drawn by architect Milton Bean were discovered. They show the magnificent exterior details and the layout of the first-floor dining and bar area. The blueprints also show the details for the adjoining stores that were along the Seventh Street side of the hotel.
A hotel was opened by Aaron Kern in the frame building at Seventh and Market Streets in 1870. Phillip S. Cressman purchased the hotel building in 1884 from the second owner, Oliver Nase. Having only “8 guest chambers” in the building, Cressman saw the need to construct a new hotel on the site. The frame structure was picked up and moved to North Sixth Street for use as a residence.
Constructed in 1894, the new brick hotel had 39 rooms that were heated by steam and lighted by gas. The tower “is probably the highest point in town, and from the observatory one can discern towns in three counties besides more than a dozen local villages.”
Not long ago, some of the American House blueprints, drawn by architect Milton Bean were discovered. They show the magnificent exterior details and the layout of the first-floor dining and bar area. The blueprints also show the details for the adjoining stores that were along the Seventh Street side of the hotel.
The American House remained in business, although in later years, the upstairs room were converted to apartments. The building was destroyed in the Perkasie Fire of 1988. The site remained vacant until 2015 -16 when the new “American House Building” was constructed for retail and residential use.
Rick Doll 2021
Perkasie Carousel Memories
Menlo Park
We all miss our carousel.
In the 128 years that there has been a carousel in Menlo Park, there have been very few summers when it has not been in operation. After the borough closed the Menlo Park amusements in 1963, the carousel remained silent until 1970 when the Perkasie Historical Society volunteers took over its operation. In 1994 and 1995, the carousel was closed as structural damage from a heavy snow necessitated reinforcing the carousel building. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic prevented the carousel from opening.
The Perkasie News Herald on November 2, 1981 “HISTORICAL NOTES on operation of the carousel: ' The carousel has been housed and the floor laid with sawdust several inches deep. This retreat is one of the coolest spots in Menlo Park.' said the Central News in 1899
The carousel was originally only operated on Saturdays, never Sundays. The original carousel was operated by a steam engine. Howard Eckert was the first engineer. When the toboggan was added in 1894, both were operated by steam piped from the toboggan power plant. The calliope played from long paper rolls. "
The Perkasie Power Plant began selling current in 1900. The plant was operated only at night until 1903 when additions to the plant allowed for 24-hour service. The date when the carousel power was supplied by electricity instead of steam is not known.
Jacob Moll was the first operator of the carousel. His son, Howard, remembers carrying lunch to his father and being permitted to stay until closing time, often falling asleep on a seat of the carousel “chariots”.
Former Perkasie Police Chief, James Schatz, recalls filling the carousel ring arm for 50 cents a day. To be sure a pretty girl got the brass ring he counted the takers before her, so she won the free ride.
The old carousel ring arm was found under the porch of what was the park owner’s house (Henry Wilson’s house, next to the library). The ring arm was restored by the late Mark Frederick is displayed on the back wall of the carousel building.
In the 128 years that there has been a carousel in Menlo Park, there have been very few summers when it has not been in operation. After the borough closed the Menlo Park amusements in 1963, the carousel remained silent until 1970 when the Perkasie Historical Society volunteers took over its operation. In 1994 and 1995, the carousel was closed as structural damage from a heavy snow necessitated reinforcing the carousel building. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic prevented the carousel from opening.
The Perkasie News Herald on November 2, 1981 “HISTORICAL NOTES on operation of the carousel: ' The carousel has been housed and the floor laid with sawdust several inches deep. This retreat is one of the coolest spots in Menlo Park.' said the Central News in 1899
The carousel was originally only operated on Saturdays, never Sundays. The original carousel was operated by a steam engine. Howard Eckert was the first engineer. When the toboggan was added in 1894, both were operated by steam piped from the toboggan power plant. The calliope played from long paper rolls. "
The Perkasie Power Plant began selling current in 1900. The plant was operated only at night until 1903 when additions to the plant allowed for 24-hour service. The date when the carousel power was supplied by electricity instead of steam is not known.
Jacob Moll was the first operator of the carousel. His son, Howard, remembers carrying lunch to his father and being permitted to stay until closing time, often falling asleep on a seat of the carousel “chariots”.
Former Perkasie Police Chief, James Schatz, recalls filling the carousel ring arm for 50 cents a day. To be sure a pretty girl got the brass ring he counted the takers before her, so she won the free ride.
The old carousel ring arm was found under the porch of what was the park owner’s house (Henry Wilson’s house, next to the library). The ring arm was restored by the late Mark Frederick is displayed on the back wall of the carousel building.
Rick Doll 2020
BASEBALL TIDBITS FROM THE 1940’S by “Hal” Swartley
Undated Image from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection
UMPIRE
We had only one umpire for our games. We couldn’t afford to pay for more than one. He stood behind home plate except when any runner(s) were on base when he would stand behind the pitcher. He would call balls and strikes for the batters from thee until there were no runners on base. Then he would go behind home plate again. The ump wore a large inflated chest protector from under his chin to his waist …. Attached with two large straps. He also wore shin protectors to protect his legs from any foul balls.
BALL BOY
There were only 5 or 6 baseballs to use for the entire game. It was the responsibility of the ball boy to retrieve baseballs inside the park & outside. He needed to be fast retrieving any ball that went outside the park because there were always kids in the grandstands who tried to get the balls and run off!!! At the end of the game a baseball used in the game was given to the ball boy as a reward for a job well done.
STAYING HYDRATED
The water for the players was in a cooler or a large jug. There were only a few cups for all the players to use so there was a lot of sharing …… no coronavirus then !!!!
BASEBALLS
All baseballs were made and handstitched in South Perkasie by the Hubbert family (David & Ed). There are 108 single stitches in each ball (216 double stitches). They had the contract for making the baseballs. Local people were trained to help stitch balls in their homes.
FLY BALLS
A fly ball hit way out in left field would often roll into a little brook. Ball was considered playable here. A fly ball hit way into right field was considered a home run if it hit one of several large trees there. It was a double if it rolled in the trees. Center field was all open space in play.
Thanks to Harold “Hal” Swartley for his memories of playing Junior Legion baseball. The games were played at Second Street Playground in Perkasie.
We had only one umpire for our games. We couldn’t afford to pay for more than one. He stood behind home plate except when any runner(s) were on base when he would stand behind the pitcher. He would call balls and strikes for the batters from thee until there were no runners on base. Then he would go behind home plate again. The ump wore a large inflated chest protector from under his chin to his waist …. Attached with two large straps. He also wore shin protectors to protect his legs from any foul balls.
BALL BOY
There were only 5 or 6 baseballs to use for the entire game. It was the responsibility of the ball boy to retrieve baseballs inside the park & outside. He needed to be fast retrieving any ball that went outside the park because there were always kids in the grandstands who tried to get the balls and run off!!! At the end of the game a baseball used in the game was given to the ball boy as a reward for a job well done.
STAYING HYDRATED
The water for the players was in a cooler or a large jug. There were only a few cups for all the players to use so there was a lot of sharing …… no coronavirus then !!!!
BASEBALLS
All baseballs were made and handstitched in South Perkasie by the Hubbert family (David & Ed). There are 108 single stitches in each ball (216 double stitches). They had the contract for making the baseballs. Local people were trained to help stitch balls in their homes.
FLY BALLS
A fly ball hit way out in left field would often roll into a little brook. Ball was considered playable here. A fly ball hit way into right field was considered a home run if it hit one of several large trees there. It was a double if it rolled in the trees. Center field was all open space in play.
Thanks to Harold “Hal” Swartley for his memories of playing Junior Legion baseball. The games were played at Second Street Playground in Perkasie.
Hal Swartley 2020
Greg Nyce's Fire Helmet
On June 26, 1988, a devastating fire destroyed many of the historic buildings in downtown Perkasie. Greg Nyce was one of the Perkasie firefighters who responded to the fire. As the fire engulfed the Shelly Lumber shed and the J. G. Moyer Building, Greg and Clyde Snyder were fighting the fire from above in Perkasie’s aerial truck parked on Seventh Street. As the wind whipped the fire across Seventh Street to the American House Hotel and Lesher’s Store, the aerial bucket truck became engulfed in flames. Realizing that they could not go back down to the ground, Greg and Clyde were able to swing the aerial platform to the roof of the building at 14-21 N. Seventh Street. They were able to jump onto the roof and go through a hatch into the building.
After the fire, the aerial truck was refurbished and returned to service in Perkasie. In 2013, the truck’s new owner, Oakland (NJ) Fire Company, returned the truck to Perkasie for the 25th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire. The truck was positioned on Seventh Street where Greg Nyce, Chief Worthington and others climbed into the aerial bucket and reenacted the scenario from 25 years prior.
After returning to the ground, Greg Nyce donated his fire helmet, the one he wore during the fire to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum.
Thank you, Greg, for your donation of your helmet and thanks to our firefighters for their service to the community.
Visit the Perkasie Historical Society Photo Gallery for images of some of our
museum displays including :
2013 25th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
2018 30th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
museum displays including :
2013 25th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
2018 30th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
Rick Doll 2020
TUNNEL HILL FARM CRASH
An email from a gentleman in New York State posed a question; Is Tunnel Hill Farm now Pennridge Airport?
He had a section of a propeller from a 1929 Tunnel Hill plane crash. For years he had searched for the crash location.
Our search of the digitized Central News found an article about a Pitcairn Airplane with two onboard that crashed at tunnel farm, which later became Pennridge Airport. The pilot of the plane was Fred Winkler. His passenger was a student aviator, “Bob” Koehler, son of Dr. and Mrs. A.G. Koehler of Perkasie. They were inspecting the area for a possible site to land a plane on Legion Day of Anniversary Week.
Both men escaped injury and the plane had to be disassembled and taken away. The propeller section from the crash ended up in a personal collection and has since been returned to Perkasie as a donation to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum.
He had a section of a propeller from a 1929 Tunnel Hill plane crash. For years he had searched for the crash location.
Our search of the digitized Central News found an article about a Pitcairn Airplane with two onboard that crashed at tunnel farm, which later became Pennridge Airport. The pilot of the plane was Fred Winkler. His passenger was a student aviator, “Bob” Koehler, son of Dr. and Mrs. A.G. Koehler of Perkasie. They were inspecting the area for a possible site to land a plane on Legion Day of Anniversary Week.
Both men escaped injury and the plane had to be disassembled and taken away. The propeller section from the crash ended up in a personal collection and has since been returned to Perkasie as a donation to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum.
Rick Doll 2020
Memories of Perkasie
Sharing interesting connections between Perkasie's people, places and events.
Rick and Louise Doll
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