EARLY  HISTORY

OF

 STEELTON

 

    (INCLUDING  ITS  INCORPORATION)

 

 

    PAPER  PREPARED  BY  ALLEN  DRAWBAUGH,  SR.

EDUCATOR  –  PRINCIPAL  OF  FOTHERGILL  SCHOOL

 

 

PAPER  PREPARED  FOR  THE  CELEBRATION

OF

      THE  FIFTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  (1930)

OF

     THE  INCORPORATION OF  STEELTON

AS

  A  BOROUGH

 

HISTORY  OF  STEELTON,  PENNSYLVANIA

By  E.  Allen  Drawbaugh, Educator

Steelton,  Pennsylvania

 

(Principal,  Fothergill  Building)

 

Ere the foot of the pale face had trodden the soil upon which our Borough is located, or the echo of the pioneer’s axe had broken the stillness of the mighty forest which crowned these hills, the Indian or forest dweller reigned supreme. Yes, this was his home, his land, his hunting ground.

We find in the Colonial records that Hon. John Evans, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania is company with John French, William Touge, Michael Brazillion, one Mr. gray and four servants, visited the territory occupied at the present as a site for our borough on July 2, 1707, twelve years prior to the establishment of a settlement on the present site of Harrisburg. Arriving in the evening, they remained in camp near the Susquehanna River three miles from the town of Piextan, as the Indian village was called, upon which the site of Harrisburg is built. They remained until the next morning. Lieutenant Governor Evans and his party cake on horses and on the morning of Wednesday, July 3, they proceeded along the trail until within one-half mile of the Indian village of  Piextan. Leaving their horses behind, they marched afoot. The object of their visit was to capture a French Indian trader by the name of Nicole who was wanted by the Governor for committing a misdemeanor some time previous.

The Lieutenant Governor and party remained in this locality for several days before they were able to secure the trader, and after securing him, they started for Philadelphia, arriving there several days later. This is the first account that we can trace white men being in this section, although we have found several allusions that two Indian traders named James Letort and Joseph Jessop made the Indian village of Piextan their headquarters for some time. Another person who played a prominent part in the early history of this community was a celebrated Preacher, the Reverend George Whitefield, while on a tour through Pennsylvania in the year 1740. He remained some time in this vicinity, making his headquarters at the Harris Mansion (the well known Harris Ferry), and it is related that he preached on many occasions at Harris ferry to the people who flocked from all sections of this community to hear him. It is said that so great was the fascination of his eloquence that many of the people of the community neglected the cultivation of their farms, and it was through the generosity of John Harris that they were relieved from their destitute circumstances. To Reverend George Whitefield belongs the honor of being the first minister of the gospel to expound the word of God to the early settlers and pioneers of this locality.

In the year  1742, we find that twenty-one Onondagoes and seven Oneidas under the command of a chief of the former nation paid a visit to this section of the country while on an excursion against the Tallapoosas who were living in Virginia. The Indians came down the Susquehanna River in canoes as far as Harris Ferry, where they left their canoes and passed down along the river, it is said, to nearly this place where they were taken across the river at the early ford known today as Frantz Bridge after procuring a letter of protection from a magistrate of Lancaster County.

The Hostilities that were openly declared between the French and English in 1744 marked the close of the peaceful era in Pennsylvania, and the dark cloud of savage warfare began to gather in the western frontier. An alarming crisis was at hand. The French, hovering around the northern section of our state and around the Great Lakes, applied themselves in seducing the Indians from their allegiance to the English. Several of the tribes had already joined them, the Delaware, who occupied this section of the country only awaited an opportunity to do so. The French were fortifying the strong points along the Ohio and all along the western and northern boundary of the state, and to keep the Indians who were living in this section from joining the French required shrewd diplomacy and many presents.

The Indians who joined the French, instigated by their many allies, committed many fearful depredations among the peaceful settlers of the state, killing and scalping, or carrying off as prisoners, all who were so unfortunate as to fall into their hands.

The inhabitants of this locality, from their defenseless position, were much alarmed and joined with the neighboring districts in making preparations for the defense of their

homes and families. From the history of that bloody warfare, we find that the residence of this locality played a very prominent part all through the war. Many records of bravery are chronicled in the accounts of this stormy Indian warfare which had been so long raging in the neighboring districts and at length had reached the settlements of this locality.

PETITION FOR A CHARTER OF INCORPORATION

On January 26, 1880, upon petition of seventy-five residents of the village of Baldwin, a charter was granted by the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, (President Judge John J. Pearson), incorporating the Borough of Steelton and decreeing the first election in said borough to be held the 17^th day of February, 1880, in the Central Frame School House, Second and Walnut Streets. The Court further decreed that Henry Fothergill be the Judge of Election and Benjamin Mathias and Solomon Hiney be the inspectors of said election. Josiah A. Dunkle was elected Burgess, and the following persons were elected Councilmen: W. H. Seibert, Jonas Books, David R. Hoffman, A. Y. Knisley, Henry F. Koesel and Jacob B. Martin. Of these, Mr. martin is living, and is still a resident of the Borough. The first Council meeting was held in Dunkle’s Store on North Front Street, and Mr. Seibert was elected President. He offered the use of a hall at his residence for future meetings, which offer was accepted. Meetings were held weekly at first, later to semi-weekly and finally to monthly. Of the seventy-five petitioners asking for incorporation, seven are still living, namely: J. B. Martin, George w. Parks, J. A. Nisley, Thomas Myers, Frederick Dengler, John H. Rothrock and J. H. Rheam. The population of the Borough at the time of it’s incorporation was about 2,500. It’s present population is about 14,000. Since the Borough’s incorporation in 1880, the original area has been increased by sixteen extensions. The Borough area in 1880 was divided into three wards, and in 1888 another division was made dividing it into five wards. Several of the wards have since been sub-divided into precincts, making at the present time ten voting precincts.

In 1885, the Council Chamber on Walnut Street was built, and in 1899 increased to double it’s original size.. Up until the year 1899, the Borough had not a cent of indebtedness, but in that year the size and needs of the town demanded a sewer system, and a loan was floated by bond issue to cover the cost of the same. In 1908, the Water Plant, including mains and equipment, was purchased from a private water company, and another loan was floated by a bond issue. In 1906, Front Street was paved with wood blocks, which gave good service for twenty years. In 1907, a filtration plant was installed, giving Steelton a water supply which for taste and purity is not excelled any where in the State. (The only possible exception being the water from old Pete Sheaffer’s pump that stood on North Front Street near the foot of Lincoln Street). You can check with the Department of Health in Harrisburg on this point if you wish. In 1908, a new intake was built to the island. In 1916, the first motorized fire apparatus was established. In 1926, a new Municipal Building was built on North Front Street, ornamental lights erected on Front Street and Front Street was repaved. Three new motor fire trucks were also purchased.

It may be  interesting to know that the policing in the Borough in 1880 was handled by one High Constable, while the borough at present is policed by a Chief, a Lieutenant, and ten policemen. In 1880, the income from the Police Department was less than $300.00 per year, while income from this source at present, 1930, approximates considerably over $3,000.00 a year. The total amount of the first tax duplicate was $13,026.000, the  assessed valuation being $207,000.000, while the assessed valuation at present is $8,230,000.00, and the total tax duplicate is $164,000.00

 

THE OLD CHAMBERS FERRY

The people living in the Susquehanna River valley and others residing in other sections of the Province of Pennsylvania, as it was called in the early days, began agitating that certain ferries across the Susquehanna River be established for the convenience of the people. We find that in the year 1750 ferries across the Susquehanna River were the topic of the day among early settlers who were compelled to cross and re-cross the river in the transaction of business, and the only means they had of crossing the river was to find a shallow place where their gorses could ford it by wading. A number of these fords were known to exist along the river, one of them being within the borders of our town, now known as the shore landing at Frantz Bridge.

The Settlers presented petitions to the state authorities, asking for the establishment of ferries and outlining the pressing need for them. The pleas of the people were given consideration, and in a very short time we find the authorities giving grants for the establishment of ferries at various points where roads were being built or had been built and made the connecting link between the two shores where the roads ended at the river.

In February, 1753, we find the establishment of the Harris Ferry at Harrisburg. Several years later we find that a grant was given for the establishment of a ferry three miles south of Harris ferry and to be known as Chambers Ferry, which was located within our Borough limits. There  were several reasons for locating a ferry at this point. First, because it was a well-known ford and one of the best along the river, roads  leading to it from each side of the river; and, secondly, because it was a much shorter route to Carlisle than by going to Harris Ferry at Harrisburg.

The Ground occupied by the steel plant of the Bethlehem Steel Company directly opposite Mohn Street was the spot where the ferry house stood on the banks of the Susquehanna River. In those days the ferry was reached by a road which ran along the east bank of the river and connected with a road leading to Churchville, now Chambers Street and was known as the old Chambers Ferry Road.

 

THE CANAL THROUGH THE BOROUGH

For many years the canals of Pennsylvania provided the only method for the trans-portation of freight from counties of the eastern section of the state and over the mountains to the rivers of the west.

We find that the first canal was a two and one-half mile stretch around the rapid and dangerous Conowago Falls on the Susquehanna River at York Haven about 15 miles south of Steelton. It was constructed in 1797 so the many “ARKS” that were floated down the river could pass around the dangerous falls and continue on their journey down the river. The building of the canal around the Conowago Falls formed the first link of the canal system which was later to traverse the entire State of Pennsylvania. While this stretch of the canal was the first constructed, the beginning of the state-wide system came in the year 1826, when it was continued for a distance of 600 miles and put into service. It was then we find the canal being constructed from Columbia to Harrisburg and the west.

The Pennsylvania Steel Company found the canal of much use to them. For years it was used for the transportation of commodities used at the plant. The Steelton company constructed wharves at convenient points facing their plant.; and hundreds of canal boats loaded with ore, coal, coke, lumber, etc. came down or up the canal to the wharves for unloading. The convenience of bringing freight by canal boats was greatly appreciated by the merchants of the town. The Company Store or “Bent’s Store” received many boat loads of goods from various places. Many boats coming from Baltimore on their way to the west were loaded with vegetables, water Melons, Cantaloupes, Potatoes, etc. which were sold to the residents of the town while the boats were tied up at one of the wharves.

In the early years of Baldwin, we find many of the workmen at the steel plant bringing their families and household goods to the Borough by canal boat. Only recently we were informed by a resident that when his family moved to the Borough, they came by canal boat.

The canal boats which passed through our town were of various kinds – single boats, privately owned, all with names such as Bertha, Mary, Maggie, etc. could be found on the stern of the boat; and double boats, some owned by private parties and others by the Pennsylvania Canal Company could be found on the canal.

The basin of the canal passing through the borough was known as the Nine Mule Level which extended from the Lochiel Lock to the first Lock a short distance below Middletown.

The canal was in use many years and freight was transported to the borough on it until the steel company and the merchants began patronizing the Pennsylvania and reading Railroads after their establishment of freight depots in the borough.

In 1900, The Pennsylvania Canal Company found they were operating the canal at a loss and decided to abandon its use. The owners of the boats were duly notified of this decision, and we find the last canal boat passing through the borough on July 11, 1900.

In the day time and in the stillness of night, the residents of the Borough could hear the boatman’s horn calling “Lochiel Lock” near the western Borough limits to prepare the lock for the passage of the boats.

 

OUR PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

When our town was young and the various organizations, Sunday Schools, and community clubs were having a day’s outing, nearby woods such as Cameron’s Woods near the Dauphin County Home, Bumbaugh’s Woods, Machen’s Island, Dougherty’s Woods, known resorts with pleasure and sports.

 

 CAMERON’S WOODS

Cameron’s Woods was one of the most popular resorts, and many of the churches, social clubs, and various other organizations held their annual picnics in that beautiful woods. Many of the churches held “Woods Meetings” nightly in the grove several weeks of each summer.

On several occasions in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s good old-time camp meetings were held in the woods each summer. The evening services were largely attended by the residents of our town, and this was particularly the case at services on Sundays, when the group numbered several hundred people.

 

HIGHLAND PARK

This was the park which the Citizens Passenger Railway Company developed as a resort to which residents of Steelton, Harrisburg, and nearby towns could visit for recreation. The park was located at the western end of Highland, now Enhaut, and comprised several acres of land. Quite a number of buildings were erected in the park, among them being a dance hall with one of the largest floors of those days.

Dr. W. H. Seibert, Fred and Rudy Alleman, and others interested in the Citizen’s Passenger Railway were the moving spirits of the project, and after it was fully established by large numbers of people, many coming from Harrisburg.

The Citizen’s Passenger Railway Company hauled many people to the noted park each day, and on picnic days did a rushing business.

Another attraction at Highland Park was the noted spring which, it is said, the native Indians held sacred by reason of their belief that its water contained healing power. Such was the legend told by Dr. Seibert.

 

MOHN STREET WOODS

When only a path led out of the ravine known today as Mohn Street, recreation could be had by visiting that large and well known woods, the path along it leading to Highland, now Enhaut. This was a favorite spot for the many residents of that locality to visit during the summer days as was attested by the crowds of people found strolling through it. That large and beautiful woods of earlier days is now known as Kelker Park.

 

DOUGHERTY’S WOODS

These many acres of land, heavily wooded, were one of the places which could have been developed into a fine park. This woods was part of the well-known Lehman Farm, later to be known as the Cemetery Farm and owned by J. A. Dunkle, who sold it to John Dougherty. Mr. Dougherty had intended to make it his home by erecting a mansion upon it.

 

BUMBAUGH’S WOODS

Bumbaugh’s Woods, back of Cumbler’s Stone Quarry, for many years has been one of the most favored places for small picnics. Many schools of our Borough as well as those in nearby towns held their annual picnics there, as it was known as one of the places where many spring and summer wild flowers could be found. Today this noted woods of a large acreage, extending to a point near Oberlin. Is the property of the Bethlehem Steel Company and lies wholly within the Borough limits.

 

PINE STREET WOODS

This noted spot has been one of the favored little woods of our town. It has been a resort for many children for years and today its popularity is as great as it ever was. Many little picnics have been held there as well as many family reunions for a day’s outing long to be remembered by the participants. Today’s popularity of this well known woods is greater than it has been for years, as many organizations have made it a place to hold outdoor meetings. It has always been known as Pine Street Woods, but today it is known by the much less elegant designation of “Depression Park”.

 

BENTS LAWN

Bents Lawn, Lying between Front and Second Streets adjacent to Angle Avenue, was another place where many little private and family picnics were held. This spot is the site of the present Municipal Building. At one tome it was known as the “Children’s Park” because it was visited each day in summer by many children. A bandstand erected on the lawn by the residents was the scene of many bands of our town. These concerts were attended by hundreds of people who greatly enjoyed the musical programs. This playground was popular with the residents, being particularly favored not only as a place for thousands of children to play, but also because it was in charge of proficient instructors. The purchase of the site by the borough authorities for the erection of the Municipal Building meant the passing of one of the most popular playgrounds of the Borough.

 

MACHEN’S ISLAND

This island in the early years of the steel works and the town of Baldwin was the only place of recreation in this section. As early as the early 1870’s the island was an attractive place for picnics. The early churches of our town held their annual picnics on this beautiful island in the Susquehanna River. The town’s secret organizations as well as clubs and other groups held their picnics on this noted island.

The picnic grounds were located on the Eastern side of the island, and picnickers were brought to the island by rowboats and flatboats from Sheaffer’s Landing at the foot of Trewick Street and the river. In the 1880’s steamboats of the Steelton Ferry Company, under the direction of the proprietor James M. Zimmerman, were plying from Sheaffer’s Landing to the island on regular scheduled trips. The steamboats – Mayflower and Paxo – making the trips. Those were gay days for the residents of the town.

One of the town’s early organizations to hold picnics at the island resort (and, incidentally, one of the last) was St. James Catholic Church. Their annual picnic was one of the largest held on thee island with hundreds of people attending, their sports program being a big event.

The picnic grounds abounded in conveniences such as tables, benches and ovens to cook upon, It was also provided with one of the largest dance floors that could be found in those days.

Picnickers, not only from our town but large members of them from Harrisburg, patronized the island playground.

As early as 1879, this favorite resort with all of its accessories such as tables, seats, swings, etc. was leased by Charles L. Boyer, proprietor of the Temperance Hotel, Harrisburg. Mr. Boyer was know as a good friend of children and especially the boys. When there was no special attraction at the island resort Mr. Boyer, on moonlit nights, often came down the river with his steamboat “James W. Weir” crowned with excursion parties bound for a short visit on the island, after which the excursionists would return gleefully to the Capital City.

 

KELKER PARK

A number of years ago there was a movement started among the many residents to have the Borough purchase the well-known Dougherty’s Woods, facing Harrisburg Street between Adams and Pine Streets. But the movement was dropped, and for several years nothing was said about its development.

Then came Brightbill and Wright land development. They purchased many acres of land of the Kelker Farm in the rear of Cottage Hill which they plotted in lots, streets and alleys, many of the lots being sold. This land was taken in as an addition to the Borough. At the Eastern end of the plot of ground was a beautiful woods of several acres with many large trees heavy with foliage.

Messers. Brightbill and Wright, seeing the advantage of having the beautiful woods made into a park which could greatly enhance their plot of land, solicited the owner, Mr. Kelker, from whom they purchased the ground to present the noted woods to the Borough of Steelton with the request that it be made into a park. Mr. Kelker, being agreeably pleased with the proposal, soon presented the woods to Borough authorities, the latter accepting it with thanks, and naming it “Kelker Park”

The park with its fine trees and delightful scenery was further enhanced later on by many of the residents of the Borough building walks and paths along the stream of water which passes through it and all along the hillsides.

Superintendent Lemuel E. McGinnis of the public schools also took an active part in the movement to make it a beautiful park,. He had each school plant trees in it, the pupils of all the schools of the Borough visiting the park on a special day for this purpose. It was  a day to be long remembered by all who took an active part in the exercises.

The park is visited each summer by many of the resident of our town, and it has become one of the most favored places for a day’s rest.

 

OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT

The fire department of the early days of our Borough consisted of men and women, boys and girls doing their part in bucket brigades, passing the buckets to and from wells or the canal where water was available.

The first fire company established in the Borough was the Citizens Fire Company No. 1, it being organized February 8, 1882, and six years later the Paxtang Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 was organized.

As the town was growing at a very rapid rate in those early years, it was found necessary to have someone at the head of the fire department. Accordingly, an ordinance was passed by the Borough Council placing the fire department under the direction of a chief and two assistants. Today the fire department consists of six companies which are under the direction of James Thompson of the West Side Hose Company No. 3 as chief.

The Fire Department also maintains an ambulance service, which was established in 1918, and ever since then you can see the ambulance on the streets of the Borough at frequent intervals of the day and night, answering calls of mercy among the sick or injured  of the community. The ambulance is housed in the Baldwin Hose Company house on South Front Street and is in charge of Edward Stehman, driver of the fire apparatus of the Baldwin Hose Company No 4.

Hygienic Hose Company No. 5.  Organized October 14, 1904 Fire company was temporarily housed in a stable on Ridge Street until the completi6n of their new station in 1910. The dedication ceremonies marked one of the biggest celebrations the community of Steelton experienced. The community was honored by the Pennsylvania  Governor Stuart as the speaker for the celebration. Its location was at the corner of Harrisburg and Bessemer Streets. The Hygienic was later reorganized to become Hygienic Fire and Rescue company No. 7. With this move, the Steelton F.D. had its first organized and trained rescue unit. The building still stands at the same location, once known as Station #511.

 

COMING OF THE STEEL PLANT

Just prior to the erection of the steel plant of the Pennsylvania Steel Company in 1866, this entire borough was all farm land. And the records of the known free holders at that time were George Boyer, Jonas Yalets, Henry Booser, George Manley (afterwards known as the Mohn Estate), Rudoph, Frederick and Henry Kelker, John Wetzel, Walter L. Trewick, John Hoffman, William O’Brien, John Zook, Jacob Hoffer, Aaron Bombaugh and the land known as Hygienic Hill was owned by George Lauman.

The Pennsylvania Steel Company was organized June 26, 1865; and after the organization had been affected they looked up various sites as a suitable place for the plant, finally making the choice on the land now occupied by the great Bethlehem Steel Corporation. To the Pennsylvania Steel Company, of course, must be given all the credit for the establishment of our town, as at the time aforementioned there were less than a dozen houses.

From the time of the establishing of the Pennsylvania Steel Company to the time of the incorporation of the borough, it was known as Baldwin and was under the management of the authorities of Swatara Township. The schools of the town as well as the government were in the hands of the township authorities, and in its early days many voters residing in this vicinity were compelled to go to Oberlin, at that time known as Churchville, to cast their votes. It was only a short time after the establishment of the steel works that the management of the plant conferred with a number of those interested in the erection of the plant and those residing in the locality on a suitable name for the town, among them Henry Kelker and Rudolph Kelker from the plant land had been purchased. They were asked to name the town, the management of the plant even going so far as to suggest that the name of the new town be called Kelkerton or Kelkersville. But the Kelkers, instead of allowing their name to become famous, suggested that the new town be named Baldwin after the distinguished founder of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and Baldwin it was called until the town was incorporated into a borough. The town was somewhat divided up at the time and was known as Lower Baldwin, Central Baldwin and Upper Baldwin, while part of that was laid out on the West Side of the canal by Joseph Ewing and was known as Upper and Lower Ewington.

The establishing of the steel plant caused large numbers of men to come to town, and it began to grown and houses were in great demand. The first house in the prospective town was said to have been built by Samuel Whitmoyer, and from that time buildings by the score were erected, school houses were built by the school authorities of Swatara Township and efficient teachers placed therein. With the steady growth of the town, business places, of course, sprang up, and many leading firms of the Capital City came to town to proffer trade. Travel between Harrisburg and Baldwin was then made by bus line, making several trips in each direction a day. In 1875, the Harrisburg City Passenger Railway extended its tracks from the central portion of the city down Race Street to Hannah Street, where they built a waiting room known as the Omnibus Station and it is said that it is still standing. The bus was drawn by four horses, and there was many a jolting before you arrived at your destination. A great many of you, of course, remember the small horse-drawn cars when tracks were first extended to Steelton. At that time travel was slow, and it was an easy thing for a small boy to steal many a ride on the back of the end car. The Reading Railway, noting that there was a lucrative business in the travel between the Capital City and Baldwin, established regular train service, and they were soon followed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. On big occasions both railroads put on special trains to take care of the crowds that wished to go to the city.

The Pennsylvania Canal was also a factor in those days in the matter of transportation, and large amounts of coal and other materials were brought to Baldwin by the canal boats, Wharves were constructed all along through the town, where boats could be moored and their materials unloaded.

In the year 1879, the town had five churches and a Young Men’s Christian Association. It also had a flourishing branch of the American Bible Society, Auxiliary to the Dauphin County Bible Society, it’s first president being J. G. Keller, and its second president being Dr. D. B. Traver.

The first secret order was Swatara Lodge 1901, G.U.O.C.F., which was organized in 1878. The first physician to locate to Baldwin was I. B. Christian. The first drug store was opened by W. D. Martin, while the first dentist to locate here was Samuel Matthews. Christian Hess was the first Squire, and Joseph Meredith was the first Postmaster.

 

STORES IN THE EARLY DAYS

Baldwin in the early days had stores in various sections of the town and one could buy most anything desired.

The town had a large furniture store kept by Dunkle and Company; a coal yard of which Samuel Couffer was proprietor; a lumber yard of which Jacob Fackler was the owner; a jewelry, stationary and confectionery store was kept by Frank Moreley; Bent’s Store, later the Company Store; a grocery store conducted by John B. Litch; a sale and exchange stable for horses; four barber shops; four hotels; a stove tin store kept by N. S. Fencil; a cigar factory of which George Fencil was the proprietor. The town had it’s shops and stores, and we might say in those days a shopping community of its own.

In 1880, when the town was incorporated into a borough called Steelton, it was growing at a rapid rate, many new businesses being established each year. The stores of those days did a big business, as the people did not have the access to Harrisburg as they do today.

 

BENTS OR THE COMPANY STORE

It was founded by the officials of the Pennsylvania Steel Company after the establishment of its plant that its many employees were put to disadvantages to get a supply of groceries, meats etc., and after a study of the situation by said officials, it was decided to establish a store and it was called Bents or Company Store.

The store was opened in a one story building which stood along the trestle of Old No. One Blast Furnace and faced on Locust Street, one of the prominent streets of those days. The store was found to be the thing needed to supply the workmen of the plant.

The business of the store grew so fast and so large that in a short time it was found necessary to have larger quarters. The location of the store was not very suitable, and a new, larger store building was erected on the West bank of the Pennsylvania Canal, facing Locust Street. This new store housed a very large stock of goods, and in brief a time became one of the leading stores of the town.

The store was under the management of Joseph Meredith. After another brief time, the new quarters were found to be too small. New additions were built and new departments added, including a dry goods department in charge of Captain A. J. Landis.

When it was found necessary to have a Post Office, the postal service authorities at Washington one in the store. It was called Steel Works, and Joseph Meredith, manager of the store, was named Postmaster.

The Store continued to grow larger each year and in a short time new departments were added. Mr. Meredith continued in charge for a number of years and finally resigned and moved to Philadelphia. The Store Company was re-organized and new officers put in charge, and the store became known as the Steelton Store, Mr. Wyman E. Abercrombie of Boston taking charge as superintendent. Under his management the store made a new and rapid headway. Needing more room, the Store Company purchased from N. S. Fencil the four story building at Front and Locust Streets, adding new departments of clothing, shoes and men’s wear.

A new two story building was erected to house the meat department. And a slaughtering house was built as well as an ice plant and an up to date refrigerating system. The Company Store then purchased the properties on Front Street adjoining their three story building on the west. These buildings were torn down and a large, three story building made of brick was erected which extended to Mulberry Alley. The new addition housed several new departments, the largest of these being the furniture department.

In the meantime. Mr. Abercrombie had become  General manager, and his death brought about the advancement of his son, Utley Abercrombie, as his successor.

The Store at this time was rated as one of the up to date department stores in the community, comparing favorably with those of the large cities.

When the Pennsylvania Steel Company sold the large steel plant to Bethlehem Steel Company, in 1916, the new owners of the plant took charge of the same arrangement or contract that the Pennsylvania Steel Company had with the Steelton Store Company, viz., that the Store Company sell goods to the employees of the steel company, deducting the cost of the goods from the employee’s pay each pay day. This arrangement with the Bethlehem Steel Company lasted about two years, when the steel company informed the company that it would discontinue the deduction of bills from employee’s pay. After this change the store was in operation for some time when the management of the chain store system known as the Black & White Store Company purchased the entire stock and the store was conducted as a Black and White Store.

The new store was in operation for several months with the entire force of clerks from the Steelton Store in charge, but the new management, finding that the store was not a paying proposition, discontinued its operation.

 

EARLY HISTORY OF SCHOOLS

The early history of our schools is intensely interesting. Prior to the time the Pennsylvania Steel Company located here. There was one school building located on South front Street, just east of Mohn Street. It was in the late 60s the only place where religious services could be conducted, and several of our flourishing churches were organized there. This old building was torn down and a brick building erected for school purposes at the corner of Second Street and Strawberry Alley in the early 70s. In 1870, there was also located at the corner of Adams and Front Streets a mixed school and conducted as such until 1878 when it was reserved entirely for colored children. The building at Second and Walnut Streets was erected in 1873, made a two story building in 1875, and 1877, when demand for more school room was urgent, the building was doubled in size. This was the largest school building in the town of Baldwin. All these buildings were erected by the authority and under control of Upper Swatara Township, and when the borough was incorporated in 1880, the entire school property became the property of the Board of Education of the newly incorporated borough. In 1881, the Hygienic School was erected, and in 1886 the building was improved and enlarged to a four room building. In 1882, The Pennsylvania Steel Company erected at its own expense the High School known as the Felton Building, and named after its first president S. M. Felton. This building, together with all the ground bounded by Walnut Street, Elm Street, Third Street and Fourth Streets, later presented to the Steelton School authorities. In 1877, the region around and below Highland Street was known as East Steelton and was growing at such a rapid rate that a modern four room school was erected and known as the Fothergill Building. In 1890, The West Side School was erected and in 1892 the Major L. S. Bent Building was built. The present High School Building was erected in 1900, and you are doubtless familiar with all the others. The first principal after incorporation was Charles W. Graham, who had been teaching in the schools for several years. In 1881, Professor Lemuel E. McGinnes assumed charge of the high school with the title of Principal of all schools in the borough, In 1888, he was elected Superintendent of Schools which position he held until his death in 1919. He was succeeded by the present Superintendent, Professor Charles S. Davis. It may interest you to know that one surviving member of the 1^st Council, Mr. J. B. Martin, served on the school board for thirty-five years, consecutively, quite a record to say the least.

 

BLIZZARD OF 1888

It was on Sunday, March 11, 1888, that the worst snowstorm in the history of our town and vicinity began. The day was relatively warm according to the Weather Bureau’s figures, although the memories of the older inhabitants of our town of that day still living set it down as “way below zero”.

During the early morning a light rain began to fall and continued all day. At night the temperature dropped and the rain turned to snow. The snow flakes became thick and the wind started to whip and blow. It was the wind more than the snow that “made” the blizzard, according to weather authorities.

Throughout the  night of March 11 and all day of March 12 snow fell. At that time the official weather instruments showed that only ten and one-half inches of snow had fallen.

Other storms of earlier and later days brought a greater snow fall to our borough and vicinity. But the howling winds which accompanied the blizzard of ’88 piled those official ten and one-half inches of snow into drifts ten to fifteen feet high. In some places there were drifts that covered first floor windows.

One section to receive more of the blunt of the storm was Hygienic Hill, where drifts were high and numerous. Lincoln Street was one drift extending from Harrisburg Street to the Baldwin Cemetery, and residents of that street were compelled to dig their way out of the center of the street. This street, the main thoroughfare to the Baldwin Cemetery, was so badly drifted that a force of men were put to work to open it so that several funerals which had been postponed for several days could reach the cemetery.

Several small dwellings on the “Hill” were covered by drifts that were whipped up by the 60 mile an hour gale. The wind tore down signs and telegraph poles and ripped away electric wires. Houses were damaged and streets blocked with debris. Many families were blocked in their homes.

The management of the large steel plant experienced great difficulty in trying to keep the plant in operation as workmen had trouble in trying to reach the plant, and some workmen, it is said, had to remain at the plant Monday night.

Trolley car and Reading Railway service to and from Harrisburg was completely halted. Quite a number of horse-drawn sleds and vehicles at ventured out on the second day of the storm experienced much trouble and did not return to their barns, as they had to be dug out of the drifts.

In every section of town, there were only a few paths, twisting between ten-foot walls of snow, and the few persons who made their way about had to walk through these passages in constant fear of collapse.

It was not until three days after the snow-fall that the normal business life of the community was restored. Even then streets and sidewalks remained virtually impassable.

Since 1888, there have been other great snowstorms, but none of which so completely paralyzed our town as “the famous blizzard of ’88.”

 

EARLY FOREIGNERS

The English, Welsh and Irish were the first of the foreigners to land in our town in the early days, coming direct from the British Isles – England, Wales and Ireland. They came here because of the Pennsylvania Steel Company’s Bessemer process of making steel, and their own knowledge of this process of steel making, which had be introduced into this country in 1859.

When the Pennsylvania Steel Company adopted this process of making steel, they began looking the field over in search of men who understood this process, as it was not known to men in this country; consequently, when the new steel plant was started, the company engaged men in England and Wales who were  experts in the making of Bessemer Steel.

Among those foreign men who became residents of our town in its early days was Michael Collins, who came here in 1868 and took charge of the forge department of the steel plant, and was known as boss hammerman. Then came James G. Bradshaw, who took his place in the forge department as a heater and hammerman.

Then we find other men from “across the water” who were skilled in the art of making steel and the making of rails, coming to our town from Lochiel where they had been engaged in the making of iron rails at the Lochiel Mills. Among the many coming here from the Lochiel Iron Mills were two Austrians, Marko Petrasic and John Tezack, the first Austrians to come here (in the early 90’’s), and obtain work at the steel plant. From that time foreign men came by the hundreds each year, and in the course of a few years several thousand had come here and found employment at the steel plant.

It was quite a sight to see interpreter Goldberg of the Pennsylvania Railroad station guiding these groups of men through our town in quest of fellow countrymen living in the noted “Litch House” in the rear of the Fothergill School Building.

For years the ward assessors’ lists showed several thousand Austrians residing here. A census list of foreigners of the Borough taken in 1898 showed thirty-three nationalities, while a census of nationalities taken recently showed but nineteen.

When the great Depression reached us in the early 30’s and the mills became idle, many of the foreign born people who were cut out of work returned to their former homes in Europe, while others moved to other sections of the country. (This paragraph was evidently added by the author some time after the main paper was prepared for the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Chartering of Steelton as a borough.)

 

THE LATER FLOODS – FLOOD OF 1889

Many floods have occurred in the Susquehanna River in years gone by, but within recent years two very notable floods have happened, one of which is known as the Great Flood. This one occurred in the latter part of May and the first week of June, 1889, reaching it’s highest point on June 2. It was one of the greatest floods ever known in this section and it is thought by many that it has never been equaled. This flood was so great that the entire part of the Borough known as Ewington or West Side and the grounds occupied by the large steel plant was all covered with water to the depth of ten feet or more.

People residing in that section of the Borough were compelled to move to the second stories of their houses. The large steel plant was closed down and boats were used to go from place to place in that section. Millions of feet of lumber passed down the river, much of which lodged in various sections oof the West Side, and it is estimated that several thousand round logs were removed from this part of the Borough during the summer months. Much damage was wrought in this section of our town as well as to the large steel plant.

People who were driven from their homes on the West Side were given shelter by the residents who were more fortunate by reason of residing on the east side of the canal. Churches, school houses, and halls in the various sections of the Borough were thrown open to the unfortunate residents, where they took temporary quarters until the water receded. They were given eatables by the Steelton Store Company and other stores as well as by many residents of the Borough.

Travel on the Pennsylvania Railroad which skirts the town along the river was abandoned, the tracks being covered with water to the depth of seven feet.

The flood did much damage to property on the West Side. For many years after, property owners in this part of the town felt burden of depreciation. Other parts of the Borough were “hit” but not to such a great extent as West Side.

The only person drowned in this flood were a Mrs. Beistline and her small child. (History records this flood as the “Johnstown Flood” – note by G. A. K.)

 

FLOOD OF 1894

Another great flood, rising to within thirteen inches as high as the flood of 1889, took place in the spring of 1894, reaching its peak on May 22,and causing much damage.

It may be of interest to the reader to know that within the past two centuries a large number of floods have occurred in the Susquehanna River. The first one that is noted happened in September, 1744,and from that time to this we have had a number of notable floods. Hazzard’s Register for 1932, which claims to have a complete list of great floods that occurred in the Susquehanna since 1744 says: “The first regular flood on record is that of September, 1744; the second, 1758; the third, 1772; the fourth,, March, 1784; the fifth, known as the pumpkin flood or freshet, September, 1786; the sixth, the Spring of 1800; the seventh, August, 1814; the eighth, August, 1817.

 

                                                              LATER FLOODS (Cont’d)

Old residents tell us then came the disastrous flood of the Spring of 1846. This was the flood that carried away four spans of the old Harrisburg Bridge. In 1857, another flood occurred; then in 1865 another which was considered the largest flood. Several other floods of minor importance from time to time up to the Great Flood of 1889.

 

We wish to thank Barbara Shatto Harvey for graciously sharing this historic paper with us. 

In recognition and with respect to the author, this paper was copied and published here verbatim. 

-The Steelton Historical Society.