The Watsontown Car Works

 

When you hear "Car Works" in this area, most of us think first of AC&F.  But Watsontown had their own car works, from 1872-1892.

In 1891, the Northumberland Democrat reported: "A Large number of Lehigh Valley freight cars pass through this city [Sunbury] every day.  They are box cars with Janney couplers and air brakes and are built at the Pardee Car Works in Watsontown Pa." 

#13, on the far right, shows the Pardee & Snyder Co, on this 1883 Fowler Map

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-fowler-map-of-watsontown.html

The Watsontown Car Works were located on the east side of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad between fourth and sixth streets.  It had a capacity for building five cars per a day, and in 1891, it employed 250 men.

According to Herbert Bell's History Of Northumberland County, The Pardee Car & Machine Works were established in 1872 by a company known as "The Watsontown Car Works".

The company included: Joseph Hollopeter President, Ario Pardee, Levi Linn, J.H. Wagner, H.T. Goodman, Samuel M. Miller and a Mr Ten Brook. In 1880, the company became the Pardee, Snyder & Company.  On June 1 1890, Ario Pardee became the sole owner.

"The Watsontown Car Works have a contract for the building of one hundred cars, and the Pardee Steam Saw Mill at that place has the job of sawing four million feet of lumber for the centennial building at Philadelphia." - The Sunbury Gazette, 2/27/1874

In May of 1880, Watsontown residents pledged $15,000 towards the Car Works.  But most of the subscribers did not pay. 

February 1875

1883, John M, Moorehead was book-keeper for the company

July 1886

"...the Watsontown Car Shops , promoted by A. Pardee, Joseph Hollopeter, Levi Lynn, A. T. Goodman, John Goodman and S. M. Miller, comprising a plant covering the ground from Fourth to Seventh Street, between Ash Street and the Pennsylvania Railroad.  Although built in 1873 they were owing to the panicky condition of the country brought about by Jay Cooke's failure, not operated for several years, and later through the efforts of William Field Shay Esq, and A.R. Sechulin, a new Company was formed which began building cars in 1882 under the management of Henry F. Snyder and after his industry until the death of Mr. Pardee in 1892, shortly after which the plant was destroyed by fire." - Watsontown Historically, by Frederick Knight

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/watsontown-historically-by-major-fred-h.html

1887 Map

1888

Dec 1890

July 1891

"A Large number of Lehigh Valley freight cars pass through this city [Sunbury] every day.  They are box cars with Janney couplers and air brakes and are built at the Pardee Car Works in Watsontown Pa." - Northumberland County Democrat

November 1891

1891 Advertisement in a railroad journal

The Watsontown Car Works was destroyed by fire May 30 1892

Later that year the Lewisburg Journal reported that rather than removed their car works from Watsontown, The Pardee Heirs wanted to sell them.

1896 map stating the car works is out of business

Annual Capacity, 2,100 cars.  Idle and for sale.

Directory to the Iron and Steel Works of the United States

1898

In 1903 the Watsontown Foundry was started in the former Watsontown Car Works.

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In 1867, there was a movement to change the name of Watsontown To Ario City, in honor of Mr. Pardee.  Read more about Pardee & his connection to Watsontown here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/ario-city-1867-watsontown.html

In 1867, Fegly and Dixon built a planing mill between Fourth and Fifth Streets and operated it for a short time.  This was of short duration and for a number of years remained idle until it was taken over ty the Watsontown Car Mfg Company and then used by them for a foundry plant. - Watsontown Historically, By Fred Knight

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/watsontown-historically-by-major-fred-h.html

December 1890

"Pardee is one of the most extensive operators.  He owns 11 breakfers, located at Hazelton, Ebervale, Harleigh, Mollywood, Lattimer and Milnesville.

In addition he runs a bank and a mammoth store at Hazelton...  Besides these interests there are the Pardee Car Works at Watsontown, a saw mill near Montoursville, and extensive trackts of soft coal land in Clearfield and Jefferson Counties."

"Mr Pardee celebrated his 81st birthday a month ago and for the past 50 years he has lived in Hazelton."

Pardee was close friends with Asa Packer.

Bells History Of Northumberland County, 1891

1974