This was on the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society Scavenger Hunt in 2016. I'm working my way through the questions, attempting to add photos for each.
1. Before malls and supermarkets, a nationwide department store chain and a local grocery store stood side by side. A. JCPenney's and Weis Markets stood on Main Street where the Greenly Center now is, 50 E. Main St.
2. The impressive Victorian home of this prominent citizen filled the entire lot now occupied b a public building. He was a minister and philanthropist who helped bring the railroad lines to Bloomsburg and was the guiding force behind the founding of Bloomsburg University. A. Rev. David Waller, at the site of the current Memorial Elementary School, 6th and Market.
3. "The Forks Hotel was torn down in front of this central lot that once held the town's horse watering trough (along with a hand pump). At one time there was also a farm implements store on the site. "
4. This building was originally a hotel, which also held many small shops on the ground floor, including a barber shop, a cigar store, and Samuel R. Bidleman's store, were he sold books, stationery and wallpaper. It was remodeled after a fire. Its restaurant was once THE place for gluttons. A. 24 West Main St. Bidleman's store
5. In modern days hotels have been replaced by motels located far beyond town limits, but in the old days visitors to Bloomsburg had 18 hotels to choose from, right in the downtown. This one was a centrally located narrow three-story building tucked in between others. There was never a fire and Demi Moore never stayed here, but many vaudevillians and other actors and performers did. What's the address of this building? A. St. Elmo's Hotel, 38-40 E. Main St.
6. Electricity first came to Bloomsburg with the establishment of the Bloomsburg Electric Light & Power Company in 1889. The company supplied power to Bloomsburg's first electric street lights in 1891. The building still stands. Where is it? A. Town shed, DUI booking center, corner of 8th and Catherine Sts.
7. Harry Magee's radio station first went on the air January 18, 1948. Originally its call letters were WLTR. Harry wanted to use his initials HLM, but another radio station already had those call letters. After several years of negotiating and waiting, Harry got what he wanted, and in September of 1951, Harry's station got Harry's initials. What building first housed WLTR/WHLM studios? A. Hotel Magee, 24 W. Main St.
8. This building was the first home of the Bloomsburg Hospital. What is the address? A. Joseph Ratti (Bloomsburg) Hospital, 450 Spruce Street.
9. Late notable historian and columnist lamented the loss of her family home by eminent domain to build the post office. Where was her family's pharmacy located? A. This was Pat Parker. Her family's Moyer Pharmacy was located at 1-3-5 West 2nd St. (NW Corner of Main and Centre Streets, currently Courthouse Annex).
10. Where was the bottling works and beer storage facility for Charles D. Kier Brewing Company? A. 499 W. Main St, NE Corner of Leonard and W. Main Sts (Hoch Chiropractic).
11. This building began as a family-owned furniture factory and store. Like many furniture or cabinet makers, a big part of their business was making wooden coffins. So they also established themselves as undertakers for a time. Around 1913 the owners latched onto the new fad of motion pictures and turned the building into a movie house they called the Arcade. Where was this building located? A.. The Correll building, 155-159 W. Main, corner of Jefferson St.
13. Bloomsburg's first library was organized in 1889 and shared quarters with the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Later it moved into the Y.M.C.A. It was semi-public and not free. In 1903 it was completely reorganized and renamed as the Bloomsburg Free Public Library. What building was the first home of the Bloomsburg Public Library? A. 221-223 Centre St., across from BTE.
14. Although Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876, Bloomsburg didn't have a telephone exchange until 1882 when a group of local investors bought a franchise from the Bell Telephone Company. Initially, the Bloomsburg exchange had only 20 subscribers. What building was the first home of the Bloomsburg Bell Telephone exchange? A. The old bank building at 30-36 W. Main St.
15. This small unassuming two-story off-the-beaten-path brick building was once the home to the Gem Steam Laundry. Later it was a small grocery store, and more recently it was home to an ethnic restaurant. What is this building's address? A. 232 Iron St.
16. In 1901, T. L. Gunton Marble & Granite used a horse-drawn wagon to transport their heavy loads after removing them through a large garage door right on Main St. What business is there now and what's the address? A. West End Ale Haus, 113 W. 2nd St.
17. What was the original site of the Baker Funeral Home around 1898? The building still stands. A. Wood frame building, SE corner of West St. and W. Main St. 244 W. 2nd St.
19. A fire company, then a grocery store once occupied this same location, now vacant after another long-standing business has closed. Where is this building? A. Miller Office Supply, 301 W. Main St. See the photo hint given on July 20th of the Goodwill Firehouse (followed by the grocery store), corner West and Main.
20. Bloomsburg Lodge No. 436 of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks was founded in 1898, and in 1909 the Elks bought a local landmark building, using the second and third floors for lodge and club purposes, while renting out the first floor to various retail businesses. It stayed there for many years. Where was the original 1909 home of the Bloomsburg Elks? A. The Hartman Building, Market Square, 105 W. Main St.
21. Recently celebrating 100 years in existence, what local institution was once located in Bakeless Hall, President Edwin Barton's house on 2nd Street, and a church in Orangeville? A. The Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society, now located on the 2nd floor of the Bloomsburg Public Library.
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