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NOTE- this article is a humor piece - a dream of what Watsontown could be 25 years in the future. It's unfortunate that nearly 100 years later, many of the innuendos and jokes are without context and therefor lost in what was likely once a much more humorous post than we can comprehend today. I will attempt to add photos and notes where I can, and I appreciate any thoughts anyone who knows more may have, about this piece. This appeared in the Watsontown Star and Record Silver Anniversary Edition, 1907 . 1932 was 25 years in the future, when the article was written.
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“What ought to be can be”
RETROSPECTIVE
A.D. 1932
BY WAYWARD DIEHL
Of Detroit
Colonel Larned, president of the model towns beautifying association occupied a suite of rooms in the majestic building this association employed a number of agents to travel over the world and take note of the beauty spots in towns cities and landscapes various ideas were then concentrated and adapted to one particular city and the scheme sold to that city the Colonel was about to leave his office when traveling agent Gus brooks entered
After exchanging greetings Gus began: ‘well Colonel I have traveled all over America and the interest of this association but last week I found the only model city for beauty and wealth there is no comparison that city is ELMDON Pennsylvania”
“Some rival of our association no doubt promoted the city “, spoke up the Colonel
Gus continued: “Tthe city was originally a grain depot until 1865 when sawmills were erected organized as a borough in 1867. Canal did prosperous business. Sawmills were closed up and little industry between 1890 and t 1905. Original name of the city Elmdon but renamed watsontown in 1830 in honor of former resident. In 1909 at an election held for the purpose the electors reclaimed the original name Elmdon.
“Some rival of our association no doubt promoted the city “, spoke up the Colonel
Gus continued: “Tthe city was originally a grain depot until 1865 when sawmills were erected organized as a borough in 1867. Canal did prosperous business. Sawmills were closed up and little industry between 1890 and t 1905. Original name of the city Elmdon but renamed watsontown in 1830 in honor of former resident. In 1909 at an election held for the purpose the electors reclaimed the original name Elmdon.
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Canal and Lock Tenders House, Watsontown PA
The Canal was in operation through 1900
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CREATION OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
“The consummation of this ideal city was the transformation of the old Pennsylvania canal into a water power plant Delaware run 2 miles above the town with several smaller strains was the nucleus of this great power plant which made it a city of wealth and afforded sufficient funds for beautifying a water powerhouse was located at the southern extremity of the city near the old canal lock equipped with a turbine wheel and a Dynamo for the manufacture of electricity for light and power the original steam electric plant at the northern end of the city is maintained only as an axillary and is seldom used in former years the coal and freight bills consumed all of the profit of the old electric plant.
SECURING THE RIGHT OF WAY
“But how was the right of way secured for all of those improvements in such a monopolistic state as Pennsylvania ?” queried Colonel Larned
“Well the old canal was defunct for many years no good for any other use those who owned adjoining land were convinced that such a scheme would double or treble the value of the property adjacent and where real damage was done electricity for either light or power was furnished as a balm.”
“This great feat was commenced in 1908 or nearly 1/4 of a century ago the city has made sufficient profit in that time to begin the erection of an immense dam across the Susquehanna River at Fogelmanis island to cost $100,000 and furnish water power to develop 75,000 electric horsepower which will supply the numerous trolley companies in Northumberland and union counties besides various manufacturing plants.”
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In 1906, a group of young citizens called themselves the "Watsontown Park Promoters". They were the original promoters of a park for the town, which today is Watsontown Community Park
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THE CITY’S PUBLIC PARKS
“Does the city have any parks or public grounds?” asked Col Larned
“ Well the whole city is a park as well as the city of commercial interests the people of Elmdon seemed to have an inborn love of the beautiful. Wonderful fountains, rustic bridges, memorial arches and statuary. The water company was prompt to see the advantage of a real model city and is supplying water to many fountains free.
“In the old days the muddy and uneven streets were very distinctive the streets were so filled up that it became a question of whether it would be advisable to raise houses and sidewalks to keep the water from the Cellars. Eight inches were cut from all of the principal streets and they were relayed with brick and asphalt - expensive at first, but as good today as when they were put down twenty years ago.”
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The Algert Fountain, which today stands in the center of town, was originally placed in a small park at the home of H.F. Algert, as a memorial to his wife.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union Fountain was dedicated in 1903
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COLONEL LARNED IN DOUBT
“Such a community, “ interrupted the Colonel, “makes the sweetest of dreams of Edward Ballamy look like realities.”
“No not that nothing short of a revolution could carry out the plans of Bellamy’s ‘looking backward’ but here was a small country borough of not more than 2000 inhabitants in 1907 and what these good and industrious people have accomplished in the past 25 years will be a lasting monument to their memories.”
“From the proceeds derived almost exclusively from the power plant a park has been built and named in honor of each former chief Burgess of the Old Town or Watsontown thus they have Hollopeter, Starr Gauger, Bachman , West Shay, East Shay, Miller, North Wagner, South Wagner, East Wagner, Leiser, Cooner, Piatt, Hogue, Everitt, Follmer, Hockley, McClure , Seiler, Knight and Housel parks. All are good size and perfect fairy lands”
Colonel Larned interrupted again with some doubting remarks.
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The Watsontown Original Electric Light Company was chartered on September 1 1886. The plant was located at the foot of third street. A new plant was erected by the borough in 1898, beginning operations with a grand public demonstration on April 24th of that year.
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“Well then” continued Brooks, “I will relate another wonderful improvement which you can verify for yourself by calling up the Philadelphia and Reading railway companies offices the president of this railroad since 1915 was a former resident of Watsontown through his influence a magnificent stone and concrete bridge 100 feet in width was erected over the Susquehanna River at Elmdon besides the railroad convenience it is used by the trolley company and as a public highway this is the most stately bridge on the river the stone and cement were brought down to the river from the great quarries up white deer Creek”
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The campaign for a bridge at Watsontown began as early as 1832. And it would drag on for nearly 100 years. But in 1909, when William Brimmer was elected Chief Burgess, the campaign became serious. Watsontown was determined to have a bridge. Construction would not begin until 1927 - twenty years after this article was written. And even after the bridge was built, it stood as a white elephant, completely unusable, for nearly another year.
The Pennsylvania Railroad owned the old canal outside of Watsontown, and at first it would not allow the trolley line to cross it. The train crossed the canal bridge for the first time in April of 1898, according to the Watsontown Record & Star newspaper.
COL. LARNED BECOMES INTERESTED
“But you have related but little of the great lake which the old canal and various pools and basins would form surely that must be a beauty” and then the Colonel lighted his second cigar.
“At present this lake is about 3 miles long extending from port may to the road leading from Dewart to Allenwood at Nicely park the banks are lined with well kept trees and flowering beds there is not a shabby tree or fence to mar the wonderful effect from Port May to Nicely park. Small electric and gasoline boats flit to and fro like great Swans the city owns and operates two regular pleasure boats of 100 passenger capacity for eight months of the year these boats net Elmdon $5000 every season”
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From the 1883 Fowler Map Of Watsontown, Showing Hope Hose and The Log Pond
See more of the map here:
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“During my visit I made a trip on the little electric boat city of Elmdon we went aboard at the power plant at Port May a lecturer or instructor (the boys called him Barker) accompanies each boat to point out and discourse upon the places of interest I took stenographic notes of his remarks and they will convey a fair idea of this wonderful lake and park”
Brooke then read off the following talk of the “barker” on the boat:
“This boat is now in the old sawmill pool to the right the iron bridge over the Pennsylvania railroad from sand hill. Near This site is the first burying ground of more than 100 years ago the stone house in front of us is the oldest building in the city used for residence and various purposes of the 1st century next building of importance is the old hope hose hall foot of 2nd St. Rustic bridge in the front connect Wagner and Bly parks. We are now entering the famous old bill mill pool 50 years ago this pool was so filled with saw logs that the fish had to creep out upon the towpath to get their breath. The great Maple tree to the right is the “Mottern Tree” made famous years ago at the meeting place of the “hog Committee”. Each Sunday morning the old timers met under this tree to discuss the weight of every resident porker. To the right is the Ferris wheel in Osborne park. Yonder is Sterick park and the entrance to the river bridge.”
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On May 17, 1902, the soldiers monument was dedicated at the Watsontown cemetery with "imposing ceremonies".
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“A little ways on the the boat was docked at Morgan Park. On these grounds is located the G.A.R. Library and Memorial Hall. War relics and the archives of several grand army posts are well guarded in this building. In this park is also located the $50,000 GAR memorial fountain which throws 8 streams of water high in the air this fountain was presented by the citizens of Elmdon and is the most splendid tribute ever paid to the memory of the honourable dead by a grateful and appreciative people we left this bewildering spot with regret,”
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THE PLOT THICKENS
“Who promoted all these things in this city beautiful? “ Asked the Colonel. “In 1907 or 25 years ago the Daily Record and star then a prosperous weekly paper celebrated their silver anniversary establishing a large souvenir paper. Int hat issue the scheme –
Hur-r-r, burr-r-r-r-r, ding-a-ling, zip.
Colonel Larned awoke. Great beads of perspiration large as ostrich egg stood out upon his classic brow messenger boy #21 handed him a Telegraph which read:
WINDSOR, Ontario, April 1 1907.
Dear Papa – I will marry Will at Niagara Falls this evening
JOSEPHINE
P.S. – Can You Forgive?
Forgive, never” Raved the Colonel” “ I can get to Niagara Falls in my auto before she marries that pumpkin head.” And as messenger boy #23 skidded down the street he mused to himself wonder worde ole guy meant wen he consolatedded hisself wid de remark: it was a alright dream, anyhow”
STARR DEVIL No 1 1883-87
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