|
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
0 Comments
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
Menlo Park Anniversary
In 2017 we celebrated the 125th Anniversary of Menlo Park.
The park was started in 1892 by local businessmen. A steam powered carousel was the park's first ride with numerous attractions being added over the years. Thousands would visit the park during the summer months, arriving by trolley, train, and later automobile.
Louise Doll and Louise Forgone organized a group to dress in Victorian attire to celebrate the park's 125th anniversary. During a September carousel opening, they spent the afternoon at the park greeting visitors and having their photo taken by local photographer, Amy Schuler. One of the photos was imposed on the cover of a 1900 era Menlo Park souvenir booklet.
Thanks to everyone who dressed in Victorian attire and to Amy for capturing the moment.
See our photo gallery for more images from the 125th Anniversary of Menlo Park
The park was started in 1892 by local businessmen. A steam powered carousel was the park's first ride with numerous attractions being added over the years. Thousands would visit the park during the summer months, arriving by trolley, train, and later automobile.
Louise Doll and Louise Forgone organized a group to dress in Victorian attire to celebrate the park's 125th anniversary. During a September carousel opening, they spent the afternoon at the park greeting visitors and having their photo taken by local photographer, Amy Schuler. One of the photos was imposed on the cover of a 1900 era Menlo Park souvenir booklet.
Thanks to everyone who dressed in Victorian attire and to Amy for capturing the moment.
See our photo gallery for more images from the 125th Anniversary of Menlo Park
Rick Doll 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
Paul Clymer speaks about The American
Legion
At the March 2020 Perkasie Historical Society meeting, Paul Clymer presented a program on the 100th Anniversary of the Hartzell - Crouthamel American Legion Post 280 in Perkasie. Mr. Clymer was our Pennsylvania State Representative for thirty – four years and is now Commander of the American Legion Post.
Mr. Clymer talked about World War I and the atrocities of that war. He remembers, as a child, many of the war veterans living in the Perkasie and Sellersville area. He recalls seeing a man with a persistent cough and questioned his father. His father shared that the man, a World War I veteran had lung damage from his exposure to the gas used in warfare.
After the war the returning veterans formed the American Legion. The Perkasie Post 280 was named after Calvin Hartzell and Earl Crouthamel. Both were Perkasie boys that were casualties of the war. Calvin F. Hartzel was Killed in action at Ronsoy, between Cambrai and St. Quentin on September 29, 1918 when the tank hit a land mine. Earl Crouthamel was killed on November 2nd, 1918, in Huysie, Belgium. This was just nine days before the armistice.
The American Legion Post at one time had over 500 members and now has about 45 members. The legion organizes the Memorial Day Parade which alternates between Perkasie and Sellersville. They support community events and provide scholarships.
Mr. Clymer talked about World War I and the atrocities of that war. He remembers, as a child, many of the war veterans living in the Perkasie and Sellersville area. He recalls seeing a man with a persistent cough and questioned his father. His father shared that the man, a World War I veteran had lung damage from his exposure to the gas used in warfare.
After the war the returning veterans formed the American Legion. The Perkasie Post 280 was named after Calvin Hartzell and Earl Crouthamel. Both were Perkasie boys that were casualties of the war. Calvin F. Hartzel was Killed in action at Ronsoy, between Cambrai and St. Quentin on September 29, 1918 when the tank hit a land mine. Earl Crouthamel was killed on November 2nd, 1918, in Huysie, Belgium. This was just nine days before the armistice.
The American Legion Post at one time had over 500 members and now has about 45 members. The legion organizes the Memorial Day Parade which alternates between Perkasie and Sellersville. They support community events and provide scholarships.
Rick Doll 2020
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)