In April of 1872, plans were underway to create "Market Square Park", in Sunbury. In November of 1872 the fence had been erected and was being painted black. At the same time, the dial of the clock in the Court House Steeple was lighted at night with gas.
The Miltonian Reported:
"We are glad to perceive that the borough Council of Sunbury has determined to improve the vacant ground known as Market square. From time immemorial that dejected looking spot has been an eye sore to everybody and blemish to the fair face of nature. It is first and only notable object in that ancient burg to greet the eye of a stranger, and gives tumble down dilapidated character to the place which none of the natural beauties or acquired excellencies can dispel. The truth is, Market Square has always been to Sunbury the same sort of a certificate of character that a rimless hat and a red nose is to any of its old style loafers.
As the shire town of this noble county we would like to entertain sentiments reverence and respect for its appearance, we shall hail with liveliest satisfaction good time coming, when we can point with pardonable pride to its: well kept park, say, 'behold the beauty for ashes,' Milton borough now look to her laurels or Lincoln park, yet in embryo, will be far behind."
1873
Mr Wharton was choosing choice plants, and also box wood from the public garden at Washington, for the Market Square Park
Cameron Park [Sunbury PA] was surrounded by fence to keep out stray pigs, sheep, cowed and chickens which roamed at will. The picture shows the excavation for the foundation of the Soldiers Monument to be erected in memory of the men we ho served in the Civil War. For pedestrians, a sidewalk crossed the square, parallel to the railroad tracks. The line even then was double-tracked through Sunbury.
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VIEW OF THE TROLLEY TRACKS
Lots of these photos include the trolleys - but these show clearly that the tracks ran in the park, with a road for cars beside the tracks.
The track for the Sunbury & Northumberland Trolley was laid in April 1890. It was tested for the first time with an "improvised trolley" on Monday April 14th 1890. Another test was made on April 29th, testing it on the bridge. It ran successfully to Northumberland for the first time in late May.
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The Soldiers Monument
And photos of the park from the monument end
"Cameron Park [Sunbury PA] was surrounded by fence to keep out stray pigs, sheep, cowed and chickens which roamed at will. The picture shows the excavation for the foundation of the Soldiers Monument to be erected in memory of the men who served in the Civil War. For pedestrians, a sidewalk crossed the square, parallel to the railroad tracks. The line even then was double-tracked through Sunbury."
Plans for a Soldiers Monument were being discussed by the end of April in 1872, when the Market Square park was first being constructed. The GAR post had $400 towards the monument, and they predicted it would cost about $3,000 to erect it and have it engraved with the name of "every solider from this county who died in battle or from wounds or disease contracted during the conflict."
"The statue is an excellent work of art. and bears as close a resemblance to the deceased Colonel as could be obtained from a photograph. It faces east with both bands resting upon the hilt of a sword the point of which rests on the pedestal upon which the statue stands."
1200 feet of fencing was to be made by Rohrbach and son contractors. The posts were to be set deeply in holes filled with broken stone and coal tar, "which is almost if not quite as durable as stone sitting"
Curbing and paving was to be completed in the fall, with the idea that it would be "a convenience place for the holding of our tri-weekly markets."
The Soldiers Monument was unveiled in Cameron Park on July 4th 1879. 15,000 people were expected to attend. The mayor made a plea "that large preparations be made to feed and accommodate the throng. Do not underrate the gathering for we are going to have a big time." He went on to say that it was fitting to decorate every part of the town with arches, evergreens, and flags. "Let us each one make a special effort to appropriately decorate, and by all means clean up the streets and sidewalks so the town will look neat in it's holiday attire"
Paving Around Market Square, May 1891
Many of the local businesses around Market Street did not want to pay for paving in front of their buildings - and at one point the contractor didn't think it was worth the hassle of doing the "relatively small" project, when there was so much controversy.
In the 1890s, the newspaper regularly ran columns about people loitering in the park.
"Keep Off The grass in Cameron Park!"
1894
Particularly those waiting on court cases at the court house.
Some were doing laundry in the fountain, and sleeping on the grass, in 1896
Cannons around the monument
Showing the Honor Roll beside the Cameron Statue. These rolls were popular in every town after World War I. Jonas Brothers Store visible on the left
Possibly 1950s?
Definitely after the trolley tracks were removed [1934], and it appears to be after the large trees were removed [1940].
The entire height of the monument is fifty feet, seven of-which constitute the foundation, which is terraced and sodded. Above this the granite blocks, shaft and statue are 43 feet, the main shaft being 20 feet 10 length and the statue of Col. James Cameron) eight feet in height.
Although I could be wrong, I think that these two photos were possibly taken to show that the bridge over the track had been removed?
The bridge that is missing can be seen in the first photo below, with the sign for Island Park.
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THE ISLAND PARK SIGN
Photos of Cameron Park Where The Sign Can Be Seen
James C. Packer developed a part of Island Park in 1894, promoting it as an add on to the Sunbury And Northumberland Electric Line (The trolley). This new park was in direct competition with the Park built by Ira Clement for his ferry service. One of my favorite newspaper quotes about this time reads:
"After that, neither park produced a profit, but that mattered not to the two rich families. They were satisfied with the annoyance each caused the other"
In 1923, the park was refashioned into an Amusement Park. The Amusement Park operated for 11 years, closing in 1934. A skating rink and bandstand continued to operate at the location for a number of years after the park closed.
See photos of Island Park here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/06/sunbury-island-park.html
THE CANNONS
1908
Opera House sign on left, One Price Clothing on right.
Are the cannons from Fort Augusta? I simply do not know. That's a research project for another day.
Note the fountain in the middle of the park in this postcard
In 2010, the World War 1 cannon and four war monuments were moved to the eastern end of the park, near the railroad tracks.
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THE FOUNTAIN
I have not yet found, definitively, when the fountain was added to the park, or where it was ordered from, or who paid for it.
It was definitely there in 1893.
Here the fountain appears to be in the middle of the park.
In 1894 the fountain was repaired, after the spray had been stolen the year before.
In 1925, the city could not afford the water rental charges to run the fountain "again this year".
In 1939, the goldfish were stolen from the fountain.
One theory was that they were removed by city officials, in an effort to keep people from walking on the grass to see the fish.
The fountain, in terrible shape with a large crack in the basin was removed from the park in 2002. Mark Wahlberg bought it from the city for just over $1,000.
In 2010, efforts began to restore the fountain. In an April interview, Mayor Persing reported that the officials must have short memories, saying that the fountain was a nuisance, constantly overflowing, plugged with leaves, and causing mud everywhere. He said he had had it torn out of the park.
Mark Walberg had salvaged the fountain pieces - 30 of them in total. Walburg said he had done the "bulk of the work needed" for the restoration, and he would donate it back to the city with the stipulation that the city move it, and that if they ever wanted to sell it it would revert back to the Walberg family.
The first welder to look at the fountain declared it "junk", not worth fixing. But the city had already spent $1600, part of a grant, putting a pump in the ground. In October of 2010 Wolfe's Sandblasting and Welding spent about 40 hours repairing the 1,200lb fountain.
When the fountain was once again installed, in 2010, The Daily Item installed a "fountain cam" on it's website, so that residents who did not normally travel to Sunbury could see the "long awaited landmark"
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CAMERON PARK LOSES TWO OF BIGGEST TREES
A bass wood tree nearly a century old, one of the last three large old trees remaining in Cameron park, the was city, removed working by under employees of direction Commissioner Robert M. Auten today." Several of the upper, limbs had broken off, and trunk and main branches were hollow and dangerous. A similar, tree in the middle of the park is also selected •to go. This will leave only two of trees which at the time of the World War made Cameron Park one of the most beautiful city parks in Pennsylvania. lot At that time it possessed the most extraordinary trees seen in this section, with a trunk five feet.
thick and branches which extend parallel to the ground for thirty feet around. Another distinctive, tree which the park commissioner's 'employees several years after the war was a weeping willow. The reason for removing that tree was that it was "unsafe." The axe disclosed, that its trunk and main were without a blemish. In its place another weeping willow was planted which is still in a scrawny stage, but which will reach proportions of its predecessor in 25 years if permitted to remain that long. The tree experts declared today that the fault lay with the original selection of trees for park purposes; that water maple and bass wood are lacking in durability and furthermore make it impossible to grow grass.
Until recent years the trees in the park were ignored. Recent commissioners sought to save was too late. Replacements have been made when-| ever trees were removed, but it is no more possible to restore the original beauty the park than to replace "Penn's woods" of a century, ago. losses of trees in different parts of the city are the penalty of progress in extension of the street paving system. On the other hand River Park has been immensely improved, its trees been given particular care and attention last year by Commissioner Auten.
A count of the rings on the stump of the first tree that was felled this morning showed it to be more than a century old. Although some of the branches were hollow the stump, five feet in diameter, showed not the slightest sign of decay..
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1956 Kangaroo Court
Judge C. Henry Pontius "Burned At The Stake" At Cameron Park
Senator Samuel B. Wolfe
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STUMPS REMOVED
1962
An accompanying article noted that these were stumps from trees that had been taken down "some time ago"
In 1963, a commission felt that there were "entirely too many signs being placed in Cameron park", some without authority or permission. The Comission recommended that only one sign at a time, at most, be permitted in the park. "Many members felt the signs had doubtful advertising value anyway." There was, at the time, a sign advertising a YMCA fashion show that had occurred a week earlier.
In April 1968, the Daily Item reported that the Cameron Park Fountain had been painted and flower beds dug. The park benches were also painted and placed around the park.
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READ MORE
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April 28th, 1934
Connection of the two local trolley lines on Market square was broken this morning in the same way it was made more than 20 years ago, when a group of city workmen removed a section of rail, 8 feet long, and flagged traffic thereafter on the Sunbury and Selinsgrove road. When the connection was made in 1918 by Sunbury and Selinsgrove employees across Second St. city firemen hurled a barrage of water on failed to prevent the union with the Sunbury and Northumberland line. At 2 o'clock this morning a score of men took out a small section of rail in front of the residence of C. M. Clement, near Market street and River avenue, starting with the departure of the car for Selinsgrove. When the next car arrived at Sunbury it was flagged. The motorman called up George W. Rockwell, who is in charge of the line for the new owners. The latter came down to Market Square, and watched the group of workmen in their next activity.
This was the removal of leading northward from the S. and S. to a junction with the Northumberland Railway line, on Second street, just above Market. The Northumberland trolley cars were flagged at a point 100 feet above intersection. The bricks were torn out and the rails jacked up while workmen with picks knocked off the ties beneath them.
Mr. Rockwell remained watching the operations, until daylight, at 4:30 had no comment to make on the latest development of the situation, pending a conference with the owners, E. E. Brunner and G. Diehl.
No attempt was made to stop the workmen. The removal procedure this morning was a "coup" on the part of Mayor Michaels, who engineered the out of the tracks removes the last obstacle to continuance of the repaving of Market street from Front to Third. A large concrete mixer was on hand and the first crushed stone was received preparatory to laying concrete. Presence of the trolley rails at Second and Market streets had threatened continuance of the work. With their removal, the only recourse of the traction- -company is to go into court for a definition of its rights.
Mayor Michaels, commenting upon the action, pointed out that only the unused section of rails at Second and Market streets had been used. These have been a source of controversy for some time. The Mayor declared that the issue of operating S. and S. cars to Second street or even to Third street was not involved in the procedure.
This matter can be ironed out later, he said. He declared the contractor had given the city a letter stating that he could not proceed with the rails remaining at Second and Market streets and that the city had therefore taken action.
"We want to get the street paved from Second to Third street without further quibbling, and the argument can go on after that is done," he said.
The workmen northwest first tore building out rails line of Second street to a point near River avenue, They, then removed the "y" connection with the Cameron Park loop and the Sunbury and Northumberland trolley line at Second street. Considerable noise was made by the men and residents of the vicinity were aroused from their slumbers. Barely a dozen curious 'persons, were drawn to the scene, however. no The city officials have endeavored from the start to restrict the Sunbury and Selinsgrove line to a terminus at Front street and officials of the company have insisted upon their franchise rights to Third St.
Under an agreement with the Northumberland County Railway Company, its tracks will remain on the north side of Cameron Park between Second and Third streets, operations being restricted to that side of park. Agreement had been made with the S. and S. receiver, the late George D. Witmer to have a terminal at River Park. The Northumberland line agreed to use only the upper side Cameron Park.
In the meantime the S. S. was sold. The new owners desired to continue the union with the other road. Mr. Rockwell said this morning all they asked was a single connection on the upper side to permit interchange of passengers and give access to the business district.
Public opinion is divided on the issue, many wanting the street clear of tracks, while the people using the line naturally favor the continuance of service. .
City Sunbury hall officials and said Selinsgrove today that line the will be permitted straight line through Market street, from Front .to the west Second, where the terminus must be made. It will also have to decide at once on its policy as the city will direct the contractor, the Central Builders Supply Company, to proceed at once with the excavation and laying concrete.
In the meantime the forces of the city this morning are removing the network rails and ties at the west end of Cameron park.
The following statement was issued at City Hall today, covering the operations of the past 24 hours:
"The switches were put in on a conditional franchise which was never fulfilled by the predecessors of the present owners. The matter was brought to a head yesterday afternoon when the foreman for the contractor called at city hall and that he had been ordered to stop taking up the bricks at the west end of Cameron park. When asked who gave the orders he said J. Simpson Kline, Esq., president of the Central Builders Supply Co. He was told at city hall to decide before morning, whether to remove the bricks and if the contractor would not, the city would do it, at the expense of the contractor; the deductions to be made later from the city's share of the paving cost.
"The contractor apparently decided not to remove them for he did not want did not put anyone on the job this morning. In order not to delay the contractor, the city authorities decided to remove the rails and brick, and is given notice to the contractor as soon as the bricks and rails are removed to proceed with their contract.
Otherwise complaint will be made to the attorney general of the state, who under the contract is. the arbiter of all disputes between the contractor and the city. If the contractor refuses to proceed, the attorney general will be requested to substitute another contractor to do the work.".
1872
Objections to money being spent on the park
May 1872
OUR PROPOSED PARK AS VIEWED ABROAD.
We take from the "Miltonian" the following first-rate notice of our proposed Market Square Park. The illustration of the question by "rimless hat" and "red nose" simile is particularly forcible and true: "We are glad to perceive that the borough Council of Sunbury has determined to improve the vacant ground known as Market square. From time immemorial that dejected looking spot has been an eye sore to everybody and blemish to the fair face of nature. It is first and only notable object in that ancient burg to greet the eye of a stranger, and gives tumble down dilapidated character to the place which none of the natural beauties or acquired excellencies can dispel. The truth is, Market Square has always been to Sunbury the same sort of a certificate of character that a rimless hat and a red nose is to any of its old style loafers.
As the shire town of this noble county we would like to entertain sentiments reverence and respect for its appearance, we shall hail with liveliest satisfaction good time coming, when we can point with pardonable pride to its: well kept park, say, 'behold the beauty for ashes,' &c. Milton borough now look to her laurels or Lincoln park, yet in embryo, will be far behind."
In 1872 a visitor from Harrisburg described the improvements he observed on a visit to Sunbury
In 1879 The Harrisburg Paper, and the Watsontown Paper, had opinions about the Civil War Monuments - particularly those being erected in the South.
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In June of 1897 a petition was made to rename James Cameron Park Cameron Square, or Cameron Park. First mention I found of it as Cameron Park is in 1894.
CAMPING IN THE PARK. Running a Laundry at the Fountain Sleeping on the Grass. James Cameron park presents a picturesque appearance during court, especially when it is dotted here and there with men and women lying full length on the grass sound asleep and women washing children's clothing in the fountain. A great many of the people of Sunbury are proud of this park; it was given a thorough cleaning only a week or two ago and it was the intention to keep it clean, and they object to having it used as attendants at court have been using it fo several days. Monday High Constable Starner gathered up a lot of paper thrown around on the grass by people who evidently brought their lunch and after eating it threw the paper down to litter the park or blow through the streets.
Wednesday it looked as though a picnic had struck the park. If there is any way to prevent the park from being used as a general dumping ground and Chinese laundry the authorities should attend to it at once..
1894
Lawn Vases at the park the property of Deacon Koch
The Monument. When we went to press (Wednesday evening.) the monument to the dead soldiers of Northumberland county was finished. Its prominent position at the east end of the park gives it an imposing appearance and affords a point of decided attraction to travelers passing on the railroad. The entire height of the monument is fifty feet, seven of-which constitute the foundation, which is terraced and sodded. Above this the granite blocks, sbaft and statue are 43 fect, the main shaft being 20 feet 10 lengtb, and the statue (of Col.James Cameron) eight feet in height.
the east side of the shaft, 10 raised and polished letters, are the words Gettysburg, Antietam, Appomattox on the west side are Chancellorsville, Bull Run, Fredericksburg; on the south side are Fair Oaks, Vicksburg, Winchester ; on the north side are Petersburg, Wilderness, Williamsburg. The base is seven feet square, and is ornamented with cut-out mouth ends of cannon. The die block resting on the base, bears the following
Inscriptions
ON THE EAST: Erected to the Memory of the gallant Soldiers of Northumberland County, who fell in the Battles of the Great Rebellion.
ON THE SOUTH:
Give them the meed they have won in the past
Give them the honors their merits forecast,
Give them the chaplets they won in the strife,
Give them the laurels they lost with their life,'
ON NORTH: Corner-stone laid May 30, 1874. Erected July 4th, 1879.
ON THE WEST:
"James Cameron, Northumberland Co Colonel of the 79th New York Cameronian Volunteers, killed while gallantly leading his regiment at the battle of Bull Run, July 21st 1861, aged 61 years and 4 months.
Immediately above the sodded terrace are three granite steps on each side of the base. At each angle of the terrace is CARDOD mounted on blocks of Gettysburg granite, The statue is an excellent work of art. and bears as close a resemblance to the deceased Colonel as could be obtained from a photograph. It faces east with both bands resting upon the hilt of a sword the point of which rests on the pedestal upon which the statue stands.
The dress is Colonel's uniform, with abort cloak, one side of which is thrown back over the left shoulder; the head-covering is not the regulation military cap, bat the style of hat worn by officers at the beginning of the war, with a feather or plume at the side. The work throughout is very Ane, and will compare with any monument in the country.."
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