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December 15, 1926 Central News | Perkasie Historical Society Archives |
The opening of the Ram Restaurant and Pint House in the Thompson Building reminds us of an event that occurred across Chestnut Street on the morning of December 13, 1926. An explosion in the Neff – Affelbaum building, killed a milkman, damaged surrounding buildings and displaced two families.
The Neff – Affelbaum building was located at 609 West Chestnut Street. Today this is the grassy area to the left of the current Quakertown National Bank Branch. The building was once home to Perkasie newspaper, The Central News. Neff Ice Cream Store was located on the first floor and there were two apartments on the second floor.
On that December morning in 1926 an explosion destroyed the building and buried Moyer and Keller Dairy milkman, Leon Mauer under tons of debris. Local residents and fireman were able to dig Mr., Maurer from the rubble. He was transported to Grandview hospital where he later died.
Most of the windows on the North side the Perkasie Trust Building (now QNB) were blown out by the explosion. The floor of the building was littered by broken glass. The force of the explosion sent pieces of glass and mortar across the street shattering the windows at Thompson’s Hardware Store. The Central News described the shattering of the large plate glass windows, “ ... as though a gatling gun had been trained upon them.”
A mother and her infant child had to be rescued by ladder from the back apartment. The family in the front apartment luckily was not home at the time of the explosion.
There was much speculation as to the cause of the explosion. It could have been a natural gas explosion or an explosion of ammonia or carbonizer tanks. The building was beyond repair and was demolished.
The Neff – Affelbaum building was located at 609 West Chestnut Street. Today this is the grassy area to the left of the current Quakertown National Bank Branch. The building was once home to Perkasie newspaper, The Central News. Neff Ice Cream Store was located on the first floor and there were two apartments on the second floor.
On that December morning in 1926 an explosion destroyed the building and buried Moyer and Keller Dairy milkman, Leon Mauer under tons of debris. Local residents and fireman were able to dig Mr., Maurer from the rubble. He was transported to Grandview hospital where he later died.
Most of the windows on the North side the Perkasie Trust Building (now QNB) were blown out by the explosion. The floor of the building was littered by broken glass. The force of the explosion sent pieces of glass and mortar across the street shattering the windows at Thompson’s Hardware Store. The Central News described the shattering of the large plate glass windows, “ ... as though a gatling gun had been trained upon them.”
A mother and her infant child had to be rescued by ladder from the back apartment. The family in the front apartment luckily was not home at the time of the explosion.
There was much speculation as to the cause of the explosion. It could have been a natural gas explosion or an explosion of ammonia or carbonizer tanks. The building was beyond repair and was demolished.
Rick Doll 2021
1939 Nativity Tableau
As World War II was beginning in Europe, Perkasie unveiled their newest Christmas display, the Nativity Tableau. A mass choir of nearly 200 and all of Perkasie’s Pastors gathered on Friday December 8, 1939 at the Perkasie Reading Railroad Station for the dedication.
The dedication of the tableau was the culmination of a community project sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The tableau is more than 20 feet long and 15 feet high. Mounted on a huge base is an open Bible. On one of the pages is a depiction of the manger scene. The opposite page shows the Wise Men following the star. The scenes have cut out metal figures that are attached towards the front of the scene giving a 3-dimensional appearance. Indirect lighting adds to the impressive scene. The tableau was made in Allentown, by William R. Weiss Art Displays.
When the Honor Roll of Perkasie residents serving during World War II was erected at the Reading Railroad Station, the Nativity Tableau was moved to a new location and assembled on the Market Street side of the First Evangelical Church of Perkasie (now The First United Methodist Church). It is believed the tableau was last used during the 1950’s and then stored away.
The dedication of the tableau was the culmination of a community project sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The tableau is more than 20 feet long and 15 feet high. Mounted on a huge base is an open Bible. On one of the pages is a depiction of the manger scene. The opposite page shows the Wise Men following the star. The scenes have cut out metal figures that are attached towards the front of the scene giving a 3-dimensional appearance. Indirect lighting adds to the impressive scene. The tableau was made in Allentown, by William R. Weiss Art Displays.
When the Honor Roll of Perkasie residents serving during World War II was erected at the Reading Railroad Station, the Nativity Tableau was moved to a new location and assembled on the Market Street side of the First Evangelical Church of Perkasie (now The First United Methodist Church). It is believed the tableau was last used during the 1950’s and then stored away.
In 1998, the tableau was rediscovered in a storage area of the Perkasie Electrical Department’s garage. It remained there until 2013 when it was taken out of storage and placed outside awaiting disposal. Perkasie Historical member and electric department employee, Matt Lynch realizing the value of the tableau, alerted historical society members. Just hours before being taken to the landfill, Matt, Rick Doll, Bob Dunlap and Bob Behr moved the tableau to a storage location in Sellersville.
Perkasie Historical Society members Cathy and Chris Kleine have offered their front yard to display the tableau. Some of the metal cut out pieces have been taken out of storage and cleaned. During the 2020 Christmas season they will be displayed in the Kleine’s front yard for the first time in over 60 years. Hopefully in the future, the entire display will be able to be reassembled and displayed.
Rick Doll 2020
South Perkasie
Covered Bridge
Christmas
Tree
As the 1960’s began, the Borough of Perkasie looked at refreshing the community Christmas decorations. The lights that were strung across streets and intersections during the 1950’s were replaced with candle decorations attached to the telephone poles.
To highlight the South Perkasie Covered Bridge it was decided to create an “artificial” tree next to the bridge. The bridge move to Lenape Park in 1958 raised local awareness of the bridge and drew national media attention.
To construct the tree, the Perkasie Electric Department placed a telephone pole near the southwest end of the bridge. The light strings that once were strung across Perkasie’s streets were attached to the top of the pole. The strands would radiate from the top and attach in a circle on the ground. The result was a Christmas tree design when the red, yellow and green light bulbs were illuminated. A star with white lights topped the tree.
Christmas 1962, the town community tree at the bridge was illuminated for the first time. The covered bridge itself, was also illuminated with spot- lights creating a beautiful Christmas scene.
To highlight the South Perkasie Covered Bridge it was decided to create an “artificial” tree next to the bridge. The bridge move to Lenape Park in 1958 raised local awareness of the bridge and drew national media attention.
To construct the tree, the Perkasie Electric Department placed a telephone pole near the southwest end of the bridge. The light strings that once were strung across Perkasie’s streets were attached to the top of the pole. The strands would radiate from the top and attach in a circle on the ground. The result was a Christmas tree design when the red, yellow and green light bulbs were illuminated. A star with white lights topped the tree.
Christmas 1962, the town community tree at the bridge was illuminated for the first time. The covered bridge itself, was also illuminated with spot- lights creating a beautiful Christmas scene.
The tree at the covered bridge remained part of Perkasie’s Christmas lighting until 1980 when a small tree was planted at the intersection of Seventh and Market Streets. This tree, initially decorated by the Girl Scouts, and later the Perkasie Electric Department, became the town Christmas Tree and focus of the current “Tree Lighting Event.”
Rick Doll 2020
M.T. Weisel Wagon Works
Image from Perkasie Historical Society Archives
In earlier times a horse and carriage was a way of getting around in Perkasie. Many homes had small barns or carriage houses to keep their horse, wagon, and carriage. The Weisel Wagon Works on North Sixth Street manufactured many of these wagons and carriages used by residents of Perkasie and the surrounding area. A small metal tag, like the one pictured above, would be affixed to the carriage or wagon denoting that it was indeed made at the Weisel factory.
In 1889 Milton Weisel opened his carriage and wagon manufacturing shop in the newly constructed building at 124 North Sixth Street. He employed seven men in the 3000 square foot shop. The increasing demand for his products enabled him to double the size of the building in 1913. Weisel became the best and busiest wagon maker in the area.
In 1889 Milton Weisel opened his carriage and wagon manufacturing shop in the newly constructed building at 124 North Sixth Street. He employed seven men in the 3000 square foot shop. The increasing demand for his products enabled him to double the size of the building in 1913. Weisel became the best and busiest wagon maker in the area.
Perkasie Carriage Works Advertisement , M. T. Weisel Proprietor
With the increasing demand for automobiles, Mr. Weisel obtained a REO and Nash automobile franchise in 1916. He switched his shop building over to the auto trade and began to manufacture truck bodies.
Robert Berger purchased the Weisel property in 1948 for his White Horse Motors business. He later acquired a Plymouth and DeSoto dealership. In 1953 Robert and his brother Russell formed a partnership and purchased a Chrysler agency. The brothers then began selling Chryslers and Plymouths at the North Sixth Street location as Berger & Berger.
Robert Berger purchased the Weisel property in 1948 for his White Horse Motors business. He later acquired a Plymouth and DeSoto dealership. In 1953 Robert and his brother Russell formed a partnership and purchased a Chrysler agency. The brothers then began selling Chryslers and Plymouths at the North Sixth Street location as Berger & Berger.
The Berger’s closed their dealership in 1983. For over the last twenty years the building has been home to James Van Etten, Artisans in Wood Inc. Van Etten manufacturers, cabinetry, furniture, and architectural casework.
Thanks to Judy and Frank Pezzanite for donating the Weisel Carriage Tag to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum collection.
Thanks to Judy and Frank Pezzanite for donating the Weisel Carriage Tag to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum collection.
Rick Doll 2020
American Makers Corporation
American Makers Cigar Ashtray
Images from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection
A metal cigar ashtray was recently donated to the Perkasie Historical Society Museum. Stamped into the metal is American Makers Corporation, Perkasie, PA. A search of the Perkasie Central News newspaper revealed the following about this company that operated in Perkasie for at least twelve years.
In 1916, five local businessmen applied to the State of Pennsylvania for a charter for American Makers Corporation. The object of this corporation was to manufacture, buy, sell, and otherwise deal in toys novelties, specialties and merchandise made of wood, metal, fiber, leather, cotton, or woolen fabrics etc.
American Makers Corporation was located in the Knoll Building located on Chestnut Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, now apartments. In 1923, company moved into the “Opera House Building at Fourth and Walnut Streets.
A 1923 Central News article states “the building vacated by General Cigar Co. will not be long vacant. American Makers Corporation, manufactures of cigar boxes and novelties will move their plant from the Knoll Building.”
American Makers remained in the “Opera House Building” until 1929 when the building was sold to Hosiery Yarn Company.
It is not known if American Makers did actually manufacture the ashtrays or just purchased them for an advertising item.
In 1916, five local businessmen applied to the State of Pennsylvania for a charter for American Makers Corporation. The object of this corporation was to manufacture, buy, sell, and otherwise deal in toys novelties, specialties and merchandise made of wood, metal, fiber, leather, cotton, or woolen fabrics etc.
American Makers Corporation was located in the Knoll Building located on Chestnut Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, now apartments. In 1923, company moved into the “Opera House Building at Fourth and Walnut Streets.
A 1923 Central News article states “the building vacated by General Cigar Co. will not be long vacant. American Makers Corporation, manufactures of cigar boxes and novelties will move their plant from the Knoll Building.”
American Makers remained in the “Opera House Building” until 1929 when the building was sold to Hosiery Yarn Company.
It is not known if American Makers did actually manufacture the ashtrays or just purchased them for an advertising item.
Rick Doll 2020
Memories of Perkasie
Sharing interesting connections between Perkasie's people, places and events.
Rick and Louise Doll
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