Valley Girl Views: Knights Of The Templar Concave, Williamsport 1911

Williamsport hosted the 58th Conclave of the Masonic Knights Of Templar May 22-24 1911. More than 40 different Knights Templar Commanderies began arriving as early as 4:30am on Monday May 22.

The highlight that evening was the electrical light display on the arches. Newspapers reported: "Thousands of people thronged the streets tonight to view the electrical display which is the handsomest ever devised for an inland city celebration."

Day time view of the arch above

A reception was held for the visiting Knights & their ladies on the evening of May 23 1911. The Stopper and Fisk Orchestra played for dancing in the Cathedral Banquet Room.

Williamsport Sun Gazette, May 22 1911, the front page featuring the Knights Templar Arches.

View of the arches showing a trolley on the tracks. The Gazette would later mention the difficulty of marching along the tracks.

At 9:45am on Tuesday May 23rd, the first cannon shot marked the call of formation for the Knights Templar Parade & Review. A second cannon shot at 10am signaled the marching to begin.

Looking east on West Third Street from Pine Street, Williamsport, during the Masonic Knights Templar Parade, 1911. [The First National Bank Building was not yet built.]

Grand Commander, shown here, of the annual conclave was John F. Laedlein of Williamsport.

"People who occupy the front windows overlooking the line of march in todays parade are urgently requested to refrain from throwing cigar or cigarette stubs of matches out of windows as there is a danger that the buntings may be set on fire. There is also danger of setting fire the clothes of women and children in the streets." - The Gatzette, May 23 1911

View from porch - Masonic Knights Templar Parade on West Third Street, May, 1911

Seven thousand participated in the parade.

One writer estimated that it took an hour for the parade to pass one point.

Parade notes in the Gazette mentioned: Trate's Watsontown Band, Hon. Fred Godcharles of Milton marched in teh parade, The Montgomery Band, & Gaskins Sunbury Band.

It was noted that the fourth street pavement was not excellent marching ground, with the tracks adding to the challenge. Many of the seats along the parade route were sold, but not occupied, parade go-ers preferring to stand under the shade of nearby trees.

Flags and bunting for the Knights Of Templar Convention decorate the West Branch National Bank building that later became a part of the L.L. Stearns store on Pine Street.

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Souvenier Program from the 1911 event, as shown in an Ebay listing:

Showing the William Howard Statue

The Post Office, Park Hotel, Hotel Updegraff, and City Hall

Knights Templar Band, Williamsport

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Knights Templar Williamsport Badge

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a stamping die used to make a badge for the Duquesne Commandery No. 72 Knights Templar of Pittsburgh, PA for a 1911 trip to Williamsport, PA. The S/N (#1918) dates to 1911. (Image reversed so it is readable)

The May 10, 1905, edition of the Williamsport Sun featured a list of the headquarters of the 40 different commanderies of Knights Templar expected to attend the annual conclave in Williamsport. "It will be noticed that some of the commanderies will be stationed in Pullman cards on the Reading and Pennsylvania railroad sidings. The canal branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, which is most centrally located, will be used extensively."