When Tanks Were Made In Berwick

 

1,000th Tank Parade, August 2nd 1941, Berwick PA

During World War II the American Car & Foundry in Berwick was transformed into a facility to build tanks for the War.

"Not in the great automobile city of Detroit, nor in the steel center of Pittsburgh, but here in the small Pennsylvania community of 14,000 today are being built the tanks for America's mechanized forces.  For Berwick is now the "Tank Center Of The U.S.A." " - June 1941, Central Press newspaper article.

 By the end of the war years it's claimed that Berwick built more than 15,000 Stuart tanks and earned Berwick a place on Hitler's list of places in the US that he wanted to bomb. 

The Stuart Tank Musuem, Berwick Pa

The Stuart Tank Museum in Berwick 

The museum  honors the 9,135 American Car & Foundry workers from 177 Municipalities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania who built 15,224 Light Tanks in the AC&F plant at Berwick during World War II.

The 1,000th Tank Parade, Berwick 1941

 
1,000th Tank Parade, August 2nd 1941, Berwick PA

On August 2nd 1941, 6,000 workers and 26 bands were assembled in a parade in Berwick,  to deliver combat tank No. 1,000 to the United States Army.

3 Killed When Buffalo Flyer Crashes Near Watsontown, 1941

 

A truck hauling a large steam shovel, a freight train, and a Buffalo Flyer

Two separate crashes minutes apart, in Watsontown Pa.

On August 1st 1941, a tractor trailer truck, hauling a large steam shovel, stalled on the tracks at Watsontown near the brick factory.  An oncoming freight train hit the cab of the truck, the cab burst into flames, enveloping the locomotive like a torch, traveling 200 yards before the debris dropped onto the adjoining track.

And then the Buffalo Flyer came from Milton, hitting the debris on the track, and plunging the engine down the embankment.

"Three Pennsylvania Railroad men were carried to death when the locomotive of the west bound Buffalo Flyer was catapulted from track on sideswiping debris of a wrecked truck a mile below Watsontown at 1:20 o'clock" [August 1st 1941]

Fredrick Weaver, on August 1st 1941, needed to deliver a big power shovel from the quarry at Turbotville to a quarry near Milton.   The Eck Brothers of Montoursville had a tractor trailer that could haul the shovel. Weaver, along with a crew including the Eck's had come via the McEwensville - Watsontown road, to avoid a bridge at Pioneer, above Watsontown, which  was too light for the equipment to cross. Weaver stated that he was attempting to make a turn at the public crossing at the brick plant, when the wheels got between rails, stalling the tractor on the east bound track, directly ahead of freight train, CSB-8, from Altoona to Wilkes-Barre.

" We came over the road from McEwensville, a back route, to avoid bridges. When I drove on the tracks the wheels got down between the rails and I could not get forward or back. I tried to flag the train, and it slowed up but did not stop. It hit the cab and ripped it loose from the trailer with the power shovel. " Weaver recounted.

A crew of men along with Weaver knew the freight train was close by.  The train had slowed  to go on a side track to allow the Flyer to pass.  They ran to the train, attempting to  flag it down but it was too late. As the freight train slammed into the truck, the truck burst into flames and  the cab was sheared off by the impact.  The engine carried the cab 200 yards before it broke loose and fell onto the adjoining track.

"The cab burst into flames, which enveloped locomotive like a torch as it went down the track. "

And then the second crash occurred.

"Coming from the direction of Milton we could see a passenger train. It was too close to stop, but it was slowing down brakes grinding as it came up the track. "

The freight train fireman and brakeman saw the Buffalo Flyer passenger train approaching, and attempted to back the freight train away from the wreckage.  They waved their lanterns in a vain attempt to halt the Flyer, but they were too late.  

 O. A. Long, of Tyrone, freight fireman, stated that freight was too close to stop when the trailer was first seen:

"I ran back to get out Murphy, who was in compartment in the rear of the tender. "We could see the passenger train coming up the track, and as we slowed down Murphy and I got off and ran ahead to flag it. They must have seen it, however, on account of the burning gasoline over the truck and the freight locomotive."

The  passenger train collided with  the wreckage on the track, with an impact was heard throughout Watsontown. 

"The truck cab extended out from the freight locomotive in such a way as to act like a wedge, shoving the passenger engine off the track and down into a road and pit at the brick plant.  A cloud of steam arose from the fallen engine, in which were the men operating it."

The engine plunged down the six-foot embankment, taking the coal tender with it. Three baggage cars were also pulled from the tracks but remained upright. As the train came to a halt, the passenger cars were jolted and the riders were unseated.  Several of the cars were knocked up against the brick works, while the mail coach lay to the north of the tracks against a telephone pole. 

Slavey, an eye-witness, told of seeing the accident from his bedroom window., "It was spectacular to big locomotive, like a gigantic torch, moving down the track, and then the passenger train coming up and its engine toppling into the pit."

The road foreman of engines, the engineer and fireman, trapped in the locomotive were instantly killed. Their bodies were enveloped in steam escaping from the boiler.

"Three Pennsylvania railroad employees, including two from Sunbury, were killed and 175 passengers on a west-bound passenger train were shaken up when the 12-car "Buffalo Flyer" and a freight train crashed on the Pennsylvania railroad one mile east of Watsontown near the Watsontown Brick Co. plant this morning at 1:10 o'clock."

The dead were: C.K. Shaibley of Williamsport, foreman; Frank E. Snyder of Sunbury, Engineer; Mr. McHenry, Fireman, of Sunbury.

The call went out and the Watsontown Fire Department responded. Pumping water from the nearby creek, the fireman battled the blaze. It was a long time before the wreckage cooled sufficiently for the fireman to extract the remains.

Emergency units were summoned from Milton, Sunbury, and Williamsport to help clear the debris from the track, and help transfer some of the cars. The trailer truck was totally demolished.

Railroad officials ordered wrecking crews from Sunbury, Northumberland, and Renovo to the scene. More than 100 workers came. Two steam shovels and cranes were used to remove the debris and lay new rails and ties. PP&L were called to help with providing light for workers. The Reading Company transferred passengers, and the undamaged section of the train was sent to Williamsport.

Temporary communication lines were set up near the scene shortly before 4 o'clock, while Pennsylvania State Motor Policemen from the Milton barracks were checking up on the ownership, and operator of the Highway truck.

It was reported that the entire population of Watsontown arrived to view the scene. The onlookers "numbered into the thousands".

 Deputy Coroner L. R. Townsend, Milton, released the bodies of the three into the custody of the railroad 'company. All three man Snyder, Shaibley, 'and McHenry were well-known to railroad men in this vicinity

A hearing on the 21st placed blame on the Eck Brothers of Montoursville, the operators of the tractor trailer truck hauling the steam shovel.  The Eck Brothers had not obtained a PUC certificate. 

"Are the lives of 180 people to be jeopardized simply because you did not bother to notify the railroad you would cross their tracks near the Watsontown Brick Company?"  

The Eck brothers maintained that they were not engaged in regular truck hauling, only using the big tractor trailer only for hauling their own equipment, renting it out to others on a contract basis.

Witnesses were called to testify as to how long the truck was on the track before the freight train arrived.  Their accounts varied greatly:

Stanley Slavely - an hour before the crash
Clarence Kurtz - 20 minutes
Mrs Charles Eschu - 15 minutes
Eck - 3 minutes.

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Pieces Of The Twin Towers, In Berwick Pa

Pieces Of The Twin Towers
In front of the fire station in Berwick, PA.

The Rupert Covered Bridge

 
Rupert Covered Bridge, Between Rupert and Bloomsburg

 The Rupert bridge was built in 1847 by Jesse W. Beard, at a cost of $1,637.00, It was named after the nearby village, which was settled by Leonard Rupert in 1788. Rupert established a ferry across the river and his home became a popular stopping off place for travelers.

The A.R.C. Canteen in Williamsport

 
The American Red Cross Canteen, Williamsport Pa
To the left is the Park Hotel, with the train station in the background.

During World War I, the Red Cross established the Canteen Corps to create waypoints at railway stations and sea ports to provide meals, comfort, and smiles to the service men and women who were being transported to their final destinations.

In May of 1918, Williamsport was designated as one of the canteen transfer stations in the canteen service of the Red Cross.  

When Professional Baseball Was Played In Sunbury Pa

The Sunbury Reds were just one of several professional baseball teams to call Sunbury home

The Sunbury Shop Team - Industrial League Baseball

 
1910 Sunbury Shop Team

The Sunbury Shop Baseball Team was part of the Industrial League, which in this area included teams from Sunbury Shops (Railroad), Northumberland Car Shops (Again, cars at this time referred to rail cars - railroad team) The Sunbury Silk Mill, the Converting Works,  the Northumberland Yard , and the "B.M.A."- which I believe stood for Business Mans Association.

Some Early History Of Baseball In Sunbury Pa

 

"The "Sunbury 'Cyclones' were perhaps one of the and most colorful team of their time. Functioning in the 1920 the 'Kid' Stahl-handled team met, and defeated some of the finest amateur nines in the Commonwealth." 

The Lycoming County Fair At Hughesville

 
The Lycoming County Fair celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 1920, and it's 150th Anniversary in 2021.  [The fair was cancelled during the pandemic of 2020]

The anniversary dates are based not on the first Lycoming County Fair, which was being held in Williamsport as early as 1859, but rather, the date of the first fair in Hughesville, which would later become the home of the Lycoming County Fairgrounds.

Grassmere , Columbia County Pa

Grassmere Park, near Benton Pa

Today, a campground still exists at the former park location.

The Oppenheimer Playground - A Sunbury Merchant's Legacy

The Oppenheimer Playground was established by a trust left by Mrs Jennie Weinreich in 1926.  She directed that it be named the Oppenheimer Pleasure Grounds, for her first husband, Sunbury merchant Adolph Oppenheimer.

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The Oppenheimer Store
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Adolph Oppenheimer operated a mens clothing store for many years at the corner of Market and Third Streets.  

Oppenheimer & Jonas Men's Clothing Store

Corner of 3rd and Market Streets, Sunbury PA

[Note - Lorenzo DaPonte, the librettist for Mozart, built a building on the southwest corner of 3rd & Market Streets - this exact location. But probably not this exact building. ]

From Adolph's Obituary, in 1916:

"Mr. Oppenheimer was a shining example of a "self made man." Coming a this country from Germany, in 1866, after spending 5 five years at Lebanon, he decided to locate at Trevorton. He conducted a store at that place for three years and in 1874 came to Sunbury, where he purchased half interest in a small store conducted by Mr. Simon. 

The firm was known as Simon and Oppenheimer, and they occupied a room fronting about 20  feet on Market street and extending less than fifty feet along Third street. The room was enlarged from time time, as the business warranted. In 1886 Mr Simon sold bis Interest to Mr. Oppenheimer, and returned Europe.

Mr. Oppenheimer continued the business until 1895, when a
half interest was sold to his head clerk. M. Jonas, the firm name then becoming Oppenheimer and Jonas. This partnership continued until April 1, 1910, whcn Mr Jonas bought out the interets of Mr.Oppenheimer, who retired.

 He had accumulated a comfortable fortune from his strict attention to  business and his courteous treatment of those with whom he had business dealings. Realizing Sunbury's bright futured, he bought the building, at 360, Market street, which is now occupied by the Magnet store. Quick's barber shop and the Elk's club rooms. He also owns a handsome on Arch street. He was a direcior of the Sunbury Trust and Safe Deposit Company and served a term in borough council.

Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, of Sunbury. and the Caldwell Consistory at Bloomsburg."

When Jennie Married Charles Weinreich in 1923, the papers reported that she was "the town's richest woman".    She died on August 30th 1926.  Under the terms of her estate, $150,000 was set aside for the playground.  She also left a fund to provide coal to the needy in Sunbury, in the amount of $50,000, in addition to $25,000 she left to the Sunbury Hospital.

April 1927

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THE LOCATION

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Prior to 1926, the site that the playground is now located on  was known as the "Basin", having been used at one time to float logs in from the Susquehanna River for use in the nearby lumber industries [Ira Clement's Lumber Yard]

1896 map showing the two lumber ponds at Ira Clements Lumber Yard, along both sides of 2nd street.

The ground was purchased and filled in to create the current recreation center.  One early article mentioned that a few years later, the second "basin", on the opposite side of second street, was acquired by Brosious Lumber company and was filled in for the firms lumber yard, offices, and mill.  "For years, the two bodies of stagnant water on eaither ide of Second Street at that point had been the source of odors in warm weather and breeding places for mosquitos.  Their elimination constituted a major public improvement."

Sanborn Fire Map Showing the "Swampy Basin" and the "Pond"

In 1947, additional ground to the north, known as Greenough Field, was purchased as a recreational annex to the main grounds.

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THE PLAYGROUND

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In 1933 the Harrisburg Telegraph reported that the Oppenheimer Playgrounds in Sunbury held their annual pet show on July 14th. "One hundred and fifty children exhibited stuffed and live pets. Among the casualties were: Escape of pet ants from a match box, owned by Gladys Knauer . Loss of first place in the small animal division.  Charles Jones, entering 19 pets, had his snakes coiled about his wrists, arms, and leg.  Peggy Hoffman showed the blackest cat.  Martha Seid's dog had the longest tail among those presented, winning by an inch."

In 1934 the Oppenheimer Pleasure Grounds began it's annual "Learn To Swim" campaign, in conjunction with the Island Park Swimming Pool.  Children would leave the playground and go to the pool each Tuesday from 10am to noon.

Motion pictures were shown at the park, and sewing classes were held there.  A midget baseball team was established in 1949. 

Classroom Instruction at Oppenheimer Playground, 1957.

Named in the photo: Betty Pursel, Debora Straud, Frances Wirt, Lois Smith, Janice Troutman

"Intensive boxing instructions" were also held at Oppenheimer in 1934, as well as "big muscle activities, handicrafts, workshop crafts, sewing crafts, dramatics, and dancing."

Woodcraft At Oppenheimer, 1957

Named in photo are: Dan Ney, Carl Bidelspach, Francis Slack, Ron Underkoffler and Jim Klinger

1957, at Oppenheimer Playground

In 1963, employees of the playground were constructing a fiberglass roof over the tumbling area, and cleaning off the old paint from the wading pool to prepare it for painting.  General activities at the playground,  in 1963,  included:

two sandboxes, one wading pool, three kelly slides, a log swing, 12 suspension swings, 2 climbing ladder bards, a "jungle jim", merry-go-round, tight rope walk, three tether ball games, a badminton court, a  regulation basketball court, junior basketball area and a bowling lane.  Also, two shuffleboard lanes, basket ball throw, striking bag, building block area, two rocking teeters, trapeze bar, climbing ladder, rope clime, boxed golf game, table of tracks and trains.  Quiet games included checkers, camelot, jacks, puzzles, small blocks, teeko, & parchesi.

1984

On December 31st 1998, the First National Trust Bank who administered the Oppenheimer Trust, transfered ownership of the playground to the city of Sunbury.  The city could qualify for funds that a private trust could not, to maintain and purchase equipment for the playground.

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Parks, Past & Present

Woman Wills Vast Sum For Sunbury Welfare Nearly a Quarter Million Dollars

 Available for Playgrounds, Hospital and Aid of the Poor

 No more generous contribution to the welfare and happiness of Sunbury residents has been made, in round figures, than that provided by the late Mrs. Jennie Oppenheimer Weinreich, beloved Sunbury citizen, according to a survey of the first and partial account of her estate filed yesterday. Legacies totaling close to a quarter of a million dollars were provided in the will of Mrs. Welnreich and the Oppenheimer-Weinreich public playground at Second and Line streets, a liberal bequest to the Mary M. Packer Hospital and a fund for the purchase of coal for the needy families of the city are fitting memorials of her generosity.

The residue of the estate, which was bequeathed for the purpose of establishing the public playground at Second and Line streets, totaled $156,000, according to the account filed. The report shows that from this sum $41,000 was expended on the purchase and improvement of a site, $14,500 having been paid for the land, $21,000 for filling and grading and $5,300 for the erection of the buildings, fences and equipment. This leaves a balance of $115,000 in the playground fund and this sum is invested, the income to be used for the perpetual maintenance of the pleasure spot. The playground Ls one of the finest to be found anywhere. Its future is well secured by reason of its large endowment- It is a beauty spot on the site of what was formerly one of the city's worst eye sores, a large marshy lowland in the heart of the city.

The coal fund with interest has grown from $45,250 to $57,000. From the income of this fund, the sum of $10,443 had been spent up to April 16 to provide fuel for needy households, according to the report. The report shows that the sum of $22,625 was paid from the estate to the Mary M. Packer Hospital, to be used lor 'general purposes, in accordance with the provisions of Mrs. Weinreich's will.

Several generous bequests to friends and faithful employees of Mrs. Weinreich were also provided in her will-She was one of Sunbury's most public-spirited residents and her quiet works of charity during her life time were numerous. She was the widow of A. Oppenheimer, for many years a prominent Sunbury merchant, and later she was married to Charles Weinreich, of New York. Mr.

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Directors & Staff:

Claude Ruch served as the playgrounds first director.  Richard Abbott became director in 1936.

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1954

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Battalion Day

"Battalion Day" , Or "Militian Day", was once an annual event, required by law. 

 Just after the Revolution, a law had been passed requiring all men subject to military duty to assemble once a year in their respective districts, to be enrolled, and to undergo a sort of perfunctory drill.  This annual drill, called Battalion Day, soon turned into a holiday, with all citizens turning out for the local gathering.

Bases Loaded - Where To Find All Of The Little League Statues In Williamsport

 
It's hard to miss the 13 statues commemorating Little League, around Market Square in Williamsport.  But did you know that there are 6 additional statues located around town?  There's a shortstop near the transit center, A center fielder at the hospital, a left fielder at Penn College, and a right fielder at Bowman Field.  And lets not forget the pitcher...

Here's a look at each of the statues, what they represent, and a possible route to see them all, along with the site of the first game, and of course, Original Field (where you'll also find the pitcher)

The Williamsport Athletic Field, on Cherry Street

On July 4, 1890, the Athletic Park Association held a dedication ceremony for Athletic Park , on Cherry Street. [Today, the Cochran School is built on those grounds.] 

It was common years ago, to combine grand openings and dedications with the 4th of July holiday.   For this event, there were baseball games, bicycle races on the race track circling the field, music and  of course, a fireworks display.

When the Millionaires Were Outlaws (in baseball leagues)

The Williamsport Millionaires (Tri-State League) in action at Athletic Park, ca. 1905.

The Tri-State League had a reputation as an "outlaw league, laying outside of the National Association of Baseball Leagues.".  They played high caliber ball, and paid high caliber salaries.  They were infamous for luring talent away from both the minor  and majors leagues. Their players included  big leaguers  such as Jimmy Sebring and Fred "Snitz" Applegate.  

Jimmy Sebring, a graduate of Bucknell, resident of Williamsport, was the first player in World Series history to hit a home run.