Picture Rocks, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
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A Short History Of The Town:
In October of 1848, Amos Burrows and his nephew A.R. Sprout came from Susquehanna County to settle at the base of a rocky cliff along Muncy Creek.
The two men purchased the land in the bend of the creek from John Tice for $2500. The earliest title for the land was dated June 3 1773, in the name of Henry Rody. Rody sold to Abraham Singer, who sold the land to John Tice.
Tice had set up a sawmill at the foot of the Rocks at Muncy Creek. There was also a log home on the property, when Burrows and Sprout purchased it.
Crude signs were scrawled on the trees and Rocks, left behind by the Monsie Tribe. The town was named for those pictures.
The newly purchased property was laid out immediately in two sections - one for Burrows, the other for Sprout.
Burrows & Bros, Main Street, Picture Rocks Pa
The sawmill was expanded, and from it grew a number of industries. Savie Burrows, son of Amos, began the manufacture of furniture in 1856.
Dam at the Picture Rocks Planing Mill
A.R. Sprout started a factory to make berry boxes and shingles. The berry boxes were used to market his own strawberries.
Sprout also devise a scheme for a toboggan slide off his peach orchard, into the flats below. Maple trees marked out the course.
Ariel Sprout invented a horse drawn hay rake and hay fork. Another brother, Erastus, patented a wagon spring. Yet another brother, Amos, held a patent on an iron fence post.
Amos Burrows, son of the founder, invented a steam and pump regulator.
The Baptists built their first chapel in 8 days time, in 1851. A new building was erected in 1876.
The Methodists built their first church in 1869. It was located just above the state highway bridge, and later was moved and became Gillis Wagon Co, later, Howard Peterman's auto service. A new Methodist church was constructed in 1901, on Laurel Street.
On July 9 1861, the town got it's first post office. James Lobdell was the first postmaster.
Birds Eye View Of Picture Rocks, 1875
Bridge at Picture Rocks, June 1972
Main St, Picture Rocks PA
Picture Rocks was incorporated as a borough on September 27 1875, with Theodore Little serving as the first burgess.
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THE RAILROAD
W.N.B.R. Station, Picture Rocks, Pa
The Williamsport & North Branch Railroad came to Picture Rocks on March 14 1884. To celebrate, the train made 3 excursion trips to Hughesville, allowing townspeople to ride for free.
"the W&NB's original plan was to build the railroad through the middle of Picture Rocks, crossing the creek where the Boston Road bridge is. The unfinished railroad was graded north of the current bridge and eventually became known as "Lovers Lane". "
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SCHOOL
The first high school class graduated in 1897.
See more of the Schools At Picture Rocks, here:
In 1926, the school moved to its new building located in Van Rensselaer Park, "where vocational classes produced outstanding results, as shown by their records at the Penn State Judging Contests an at the annual Harrisburg Farm Show Exhibits."
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Picture Rocks Vocational School
Picture Rocks had one of the first established vocational schools in Pennsylvania.
In 1945, due to WWII, Joane Gansel Campell was the only graduate at Picture Rocks.
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From right, in order to left [back of line]
Leader - Ralph Clark
Nile Little, Roscoe Burrows, Ralh Emery, Howard Wertman, Elmer Barbour, George Roller, Paul Reeser, Otto Talor, Otto Parton, Howard Crawley, Ralph Eddy, Eldon Parsons, Clue Roller, Gene Steckle.
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Veterans
Private Franklin J. Krause Prisoner Of War
Born July 4th 1842, the son of Joseph and Mary Ann [Sprout] Krouse.
During World War II, 144 sons and daughters were in active service.
Nine were killed in that war. They were: Howard Clark, Roy Charles, Donald Falls, Frank Frantz, Ralph Miller, Robert Moyer, Harold Stead, Irvin Smith and Clair Taylor.
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ALONG THE WATER
Bridges, Rocks, Etc
The Suspension Bridge
The Center Street Foot Bridge, Picture Rocks
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FIRE COMPANY
The Picture Rocks Volunteer Fire Company was first organized in 1909.
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CELEBRATIONS
Swarthmore Chutauqua 1913-1926
Picture Rocks 1848-1948
Centennial Booklet
See it in a facebook photo album here:
Celebrating 150 years of Picture Rocks
1875-2025
Sesquicentennial
By Richard & Susan Sprout & David Richards
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INDUSTRIES
Gillis Wagon Co Employees
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READ MORE
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From History Of Lycoming County, By Thomas W. Lloyd -
About two and a half miles above the borough of Hughesville there is a ledge of rocks that rises sheer from the bank of Big Muncy Creek to a height of 200 feet. When the first settlers came into this region they found on these rocks a number of Indian pictures long since obliterated, the meaning of which was never determined, as none of the early inhabitants was sufficiently versed in Indian lore to interpret them. These pictures supplied the name for a very beautiful town which is now known as Picture Rocks.
In the fall of 1848 two men came to Picture Rocks, A. R. Sprout and Amos Burrows, and their descendants are still living there. Other friends and relatives soon followed, and the town grew. A. R. Sprout and Amos Burrows were the founders of the town and they founded it well. It became a prosperous place, and that prosperity still continues.
The town is located on the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad, which maintains a freight service which gives an outlet for the products of the borough in two directions. There is also an excellent bus service between the town and Hughesville and Muncy, the trips being made at convenient intervals.
There is, perhaps, no more beautiful town in the state than Picture Rocks. Its wide and attractively shaded streets with their spacious lawns and well-kept front yards show the existence of a community spirit that is worthy of more than passing notice. This spirit runs high and is well illustrated in the character of the public park which is owned by the town and is let to whoever desires it for picnics and other purposes at no cost whatever. It is beautifully situated and is one of the most attractive places of its kind to be found anywhere.
Nothing better shows the character of the people of Picture Rocks than that its first church was built in just eight days by the combined labor of the members of the congregation and the edifice continued in use for a period of twenty-five years.
Although a place of less than 1,000 people, Picture Rocks has some important industries. The leading one is the Burrows Brothers, manufacturers of furniture, with a large output, principally of dining room sets. The company employs about 150 men at good wages and almost continuous work. The Lycoming Ladder Company employs from fifteen to twenty men and does a good business. This company manufacturers stepladders, snow shovels, ironing boards, clothes racks and frames for auto tops. Another important industry is the Handle and Excelsior Company, employing about twenty men. It manufactures tool handles, hand rakes and excelsior.
The town has a good fire company but, as unusual precautions are taken to prevent serious conflagrations, its services are seldom required.
Picture Rocks is justly proud of its school building, which is one of the most modern and best equipped in the state. It occupies a beautiful location and adds much to the attractiveness of the town.
Taxes are reasonable and the cost of government low. The population is of the highest class, and most of the people are home owners. There are no foreigners.
The town is situated on the improved highway running from Muncy and Eagles Mere, and many tourists pass through it in the summer, and the praise for the beauty of Picture Rocks and Muncy Valley is universal.
Picture Rocks has one bank with resources of over $260,000 and individual deposits subject to check of $75,000. It is in excellent financial condition and business is constantly growing.
The main street is part of the state highway, and the other streets are well paved and the town is well lighted.
The health of the borough is excellent, there being little sickness of a serious nature, and the water supply for purity and volume is unsurpassed. Real estate values are well maintained and the assessments are not high.
Picture Rocks has good churches and the services are well attended. It is a God-fearing community and crimes of any kind are practically unknown. Its schools are also of the best.
Picture Rocks is far off the beaten track, yet near enough to permit its people to get out at will and it is a most desirable place in which to live if one wishes quiet. Taken all in all it is a beautiful town, and there are few that are more attractive and few that possess the beauty of its surroundings. In 1920 Picture Rocks had a population of 526.
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