Valley Girl Views: The 4th Of July In Lewisburg

Celebrating The 4th Of July In Lewisburg, 1836-1900

Shown above, one several arches lining market street in 1885 for the combination 4th of July & Lewisburg Centennial Celebration

In the early years, although there were regular 4th of July celebrations, there was not necessarily a parade and picnic in every town. Frequently one of the local towns would hold the "big" celebration, or in many years, there would simply be family picnics and reunions.

The "Big" celebrations in Lewisburg occurred in 1885, for their Centennial, and again in 1901, when the Civil War monument was dedicated. On both those occasions, special trains brought large crowds to the town for the day.

The Fourth Of July Accident in 1836

In 1836, towards the evening on the fourth of July, a party of men took an old canon down to the river bank near where "Half penny's mill now stands." They fired it off twice, and then on the 3rd attempt, when ramming the charge, it exploded. The right arm of Joseph McCool was blown off, necessitating amputation below the elbow. John Bower lost two fingers, and Peter Bower lost his thumb.

An undated photo of Purity Candy, decorated for some patriotic occasion

Possibly the Centennial

Lewisburg's Centennial & The Fourth Of July, 1885

"This year is the centennial anniversary of our borough. The town was laid out in March 1785. We ought to have a celebration of some sort. Let us arrange to have such a celebration on the Fourth Of July. Our town has not had any demonstration of that national holiday for many years. Let us blend the two in one this year - that is, celebrate the Nation's birthday and our towns centennial at the same time" April 15, 1884 Lewisburg Journal

Before long, newspapers in all of the local towns were announcing "What a glorious time" the Fourth of July would be in Lewisburg. Every man woman, and child within a twenty mile radius was planning to attend

On the evening of July 3rd, people began to arrive. Long trains of cars, overflowing with passengers, came pouring into the town. Bands and drum corps struck up on every corner, and before 10am the sidewalks were so crowded that it was difficult to pass through.

The state of Pennsylvania had loaned a twelve pound canon for the occasion, and it was shot off throughout the day. The town had been beautifully decorated, many houses and buildings all but hidden under buntings and wreaths. Arches spanned the streets at regular intervals, all festively decorated.

The first train from Center county brought nineteen crowded cars, and it's estimated that nearly 15,000 strangers arrived by train that day, with another 10,000 arriving "by other conveyances".

The parade was an imposing one, with 1,700 men in procession. It "passed over the principal streets and into University grove, where many engaged in various sports and others attended an address held in Commencement Hall."

In the evening, almost as an afterthought, a raft was moored in the middle of the river a few rods below the bridge, and fireworks were set off from it.

The 1901 Dedication of the Civil War Memorial, in Lewisburg

The Dedication Of The Civil War Monument, 4th of July 1901

271 people in Mifflinburg alone purchased tickets to take the train to Lewisburg for the dedication of the Civil War Monument.

On July 4 1901, the Philadelphia & Reading railway ran special excursions to Lewisburg. A train left at 9am stopping in Bloomsburg, Rupert, Mooresburg, ,Pottsgrove Danivlle, Milton, and West Milton.

Thousands arrived from neighboring towns, for the dedication of the Civil War Monument, on the corner of S. 3rd street and University Avenue in Lewisburg.

Two churches offered lunch prior to the celebration, and free ice water was provided by local citizens. Rockfeller Bros. Of sunbury had a train car of cold beer on hand.

More than 1,000 people marched in the parade, ending at the monument.

Fire Companies from Sunbury, Milton, Mifflinburg, Shamokin, Hughesville, Danville, Northumberland, Selinsgrove, Montoursville, S. Williamsport, and Lewisburg attended, along with firemens bands from Adamsburg, Cowan, and Swengel.

The monument is a 45-foot tall pillar of Vermont granite. Two larger-than-life copper
figures stood at the base, a Civil War soldier holding a gun and a sailor holding a sword.

Vandals damaged the seven-foot statues and they were removed and stored in the
county courthouse basement for more than 25 years. In 1995 when funds were raised to
complete their restoration, and a big 4th of July celebration was once again held in Lewisburg. On July 4, 1995 (50 years after the end of World War II) the monument was rededicated and renamed the "Union County Soldiers and Sailors Monument" in honor of all veterans of military service.

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