On This Day In Local History - August

 

On This Day In Local History, August
JAN    FEB    MAR   APR    MAY    JUNE   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC

In the early 1920's, the Miltonian newspaper ran a weekly page of Historical Notes, with history listed by day.  It's one of my favorite things to read, and many of the articles on this blog have come from those blurbs.  This is my version of those 1920's pages, in a month format rather than a daily one.  (They typically post daily on my facebook page, when I remember to schedule them to do so)

For a Time Line By Year, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/12/a-time-line-of-history-in-central.html

For an index of history posts by Subject & Town, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

On This Day In Local History - July

 

On This Day In Local History, July

JAN    FEB    MAR   APR    MAY    JUNE   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC

In the early 1920's, the Miltonian newspaper ran a weekly page of Historical Notes, with history listed by day.  It's one of my favorite things to read, and many of the articles on this blog have come from those blurbs.  This is my version of those 1920's pages, in a month format rather than a daily one.  (They typically post daily on my facebook page, when I remember to schedule them to do so)

On This Day In Local History - June

 On This Day In Local History, June

JAN    FEB    MAR   APR    MAY    JUNE   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC

In the early 1920's, the Miltonian newspaper ran a weekly page of Historical Notes, with history listed by day.  It's one of my favorite things to read, and many of the articles on this blog have come from those blurbs.  This is my version of those 1920's pages, in a month format rather than a daily one.  (They typically post daily on my facebook page, when I remember to schedule them to do so)

For a Time Line By Year, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/12/a-time-line-of-history-in-central.html

For an index of history posts by Subject & Town, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

=============================

THIS MONTH IN LOCAL HISTORY

June

=============================

Day By Day:

1st

• 1745 - Bishop Spangenbert and his party arrived at Shamokin, now Sunbury
• 1842 - Encampment of State Militia at Danville.  General Winfried Scott guest of honor.
• 1889 - The Susquehanna River Flooded Local Towns.  Photos and stories from Milton -    https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-1889-flood-in-milton.html 
• "The flood entered Williamsport at 3 a.m., Saturday morning. For six hours, the chains of the boom were able to hold the great mass of logs in place; then with a crackling roar, the two great burdens of logs were free; 150,000,000 feet of logs started southward to the main channel of the Susquehanna. In the wake of the logs, floated all sorts of manufacture and finished lumber products from the Williamsport mills, a railroad station, and a steady procession of barns, sheds, chicken-coops, and outhouses." See more photos and stories from the 1889 flood in Williamsport:  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-1889-flood-in-williamsport.html
• 1918 - Luther Wm. Arndt aged 15 drowned in river
• 1920 - Milton Manufacturers Club purchased the Godcharles Home
• 1930 - President Hoover finished a week long fishing trip at Ognotz, along the Lycoming Creek above Williamsport.  He was a regular visitor there.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/when-presidents-came-to-fish-in.html
• 1970, Reading Co opened a new freight station and trucking depot at Newberry Junction. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/newberry-junction.html

2nd

• 1757 - 100 Indians Camped about Fort Augusta https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/fort-augusta.html
• 1881 - Body of J. Comly Rissel found at the bottom of the culvert below Center street. aged 35 and a member of the C.N.G.P.  He was a veteran of the Civil War.
• 1883 - Novelty Works of John Knauff damaged by fire.
• 1917, Nurse Helen Fairchild wrote home to her mother in Watsontown: "On Wednesday we had tea at the Astor country home, and yesterday six of us had tea with Miss Emily Sergeant, a sister of John Sargeant, who is considered America's most famous artist, so you can see we are getting well treated, but at that, I am ready to go back work."  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/nurse-helen-fairchild.html
• 1926 - Local papers reported that the Milton Fairgrounds had been sold.  1925 was the last year for a Fair in Milton. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-milton-had-fair.html

3rd

• 1807 - Matthew Huston issued the first number of the Argus [newspaper] at Northumberland
• 1903 - The Horseless Age Automobile Magazine mentioned receiving photos of a three wheeled car built by Silas Thurston of Sunbury https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/sunburys-first-automobile-built-by.html
• 1904 - Huge Ice Boulders left behind by the Ice Flood still remained and were being photographed, in Danville PA.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-1904-ice-flood-in-bloomsburg.html
• 1923 - Century Old River Bridge at Northumberland Burned - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/10/when-northumberland-covered-bridge.html

4th

• 1769- Dr James Dougal born Ireland.  He was the first physician to locate permanently in Milton.
• 1923 - O.B. Thomas (colored) saved Gwendolyn Hendric, aged 10, and Pauline Trate, aged 11, from drowning in the river
• 1987, Maj. Jack Hetrick, president of the historical society, and Mark O Hagenbuch, a teacher, unveiled the new historical marker in front of the Hunter House.  A 5th grade class was in attendance. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/hunter-house-at-fort-augusta-through.html
• In the first week of June, 1910, Lionel Legare's Mammoth Spiral Tower performance was held twice a day at Riverside Park -  once in the afternoon, and again in the evening.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/lionel-legares-mammoth-spiral-tower.html
•  1921, 8 year old Bernest Younkin either fell or jumped from a truck he was riding on.  He was run over by the back wheel, and died from his injuries at the Williamsport hospital.  More about the Town of Alvira, Before the Bunkers - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/01/alvira-pennsylvania-before-bunkers.html

5th

• 1899, Lycoming County's Notorious Axe murderer, William Hummel,  was hung at the Williamsport prison.   Hummel murdered his wife and young stepchildren just a week after his wedding. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/william-hummel-lycoming-countys.html
• 1854 - Lewisburg Eagle Flouring Mills, owned by Messrs Nesbit, Hayes, and Fithhorn, destroyed by fire
• 1867 - Name of Cameronia Station changed to Montandon https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/when-montandon-was-briefly-cameronia.html
• 1871 - Ario Pardee and Company suffered a loss of $20,000 in White Deer Mountain Fire.  There was once a proposal to change the name of Watsontown to Ario City, but Pardee, who lived in Hazelton,  vetoed the idea.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/05/ario-city-1867-watsontown.html
• 1872 - Milton Council purchased a Seneca Falls Fire engine and named it for The Miltonian. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/an-incomplete-history-of-fire-companies.html
• 1883 - George J. Piper rescued a woman from drowning in the canal at Center street in Milton at the canal bridge https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-canal-in-milton-pennsylvania.html
• 1917 - All men between the ages of 21 and 31 registered for service in the National Army.  809 in Milton.
• 1976 - Keithan's Bakery  closed after 94 years in Sunbury - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/05/keithans-bakery-sunbury-pa.html

A cannon ball was excavated by railroad workmen along Blue Hill, opposite Northumberland, on June 5 1882.

6th

• 1908 - The Second Annual Hill Climb at Vallamont [Williamsport] was held.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-vallamont-hill-climbing-races.html
• 1917 - Dyson Bidde, aged 8 years, accidentally killed when ran over by an L.M. and W. trolley car on North Front Street https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/when-milton-had-trolley.html
• 1939 - The first little league game was played in Williamsport.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-first-little-league-world-series.html

7th

• 1759 - Bishop Spangenberg, the noted Moravian missionary, visited the Indians at site of the present borough of Milton.  The  Bishop, accompanied by Zeisberger, Conrad Weiser , Shikellimy, Andrew Montour and others, stayed at Shikellamy's camp [Today, Central Oak Heights) for the night before making his great journey to Onondaga https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-shikellamy-lived-half-mile-below.html
• 1822 - Lightening played havoc at New Columbia and Milton, especially in the vicinity of Harmony church, where it did much damage.
• 1873  - 50 acres of farm of William Heinen were laid out into 112 lots and known as Heinen's addition to Milton.
• 1878 - The first telephone in Milton was installed between the residence of Henry Huff and the Reading express Company office.
• 1922 The McEwensville Road was opened to public traffic. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/when-road-to-watsontown-was-paved-in.html
• 1939 - The King & Queen of England passed through the valley by train. The escort train broke down near Montgomery.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/when-king-queen-came-through-valley-1939.html
• 1940 - The Daily Item reported that Sunbury was being touted as a tourist destination, at the Worlds Fair.
• 1948 - "Follow the Giant Searchlight" to Sunset Park for the Penn Premier Shows Company events including Speedy Bauers Wall of Death, Jarvis the Great, Manhattan Scandalas, and Have You Seen Stella. All rides and shows half price June 12th. See more photos and stories from Sunset Park in Williamsport here:https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/12/sunset-park-williamsport-pa.html
• 1949 - a new "three lane highway connecting Bloomsburg to Briar Creek", route 11, was being constructed, alongside the railroad tracks. On June 7th, one of the construction trucks was on the tracks when Locomotive 1199 of the Delaware Lackawanna & Western came through. The locomotive, tender, and five cars collided with the construction truck.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/09/train-hits-construction-truck-almedia.html

8th

• 1763 - Fort Augusta again put in condition for defense https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/fort-augusta.html
• 1772 - First feed recorded in Northumberland County
• 1821 - This vicinity (Milton) damaged by the appearance of a great number of Locusts
• 1897 - Reish's Distillery "One half mile west of Cowan" Destroyed by fire
• 1921 - John B. Schreyer, native of Milton, murdered near Washington D.C.

In June of 1931, the "Monkey Shop" was dismantled at AC&F in Milton.

Read about AC&F's connection to the ill fated Collins Expedition, here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-monkey-shop-in-milton-at-acf.html

9th

• 1869 - Milton Live Stock Association Formed
• 1881 - Father McElhanney purchased Milton Academy lot on north side of Broadway near Pennsylvania railroad for Catholic Church.
• 1928 - The Shamokin News Reported: "In the meantime Watsontown Is going ahead with preparations for a big celebration on July 4. two parades being planned over the bridge. Why Watsontown considers the bridge vital to its welfare is difficult for the rest of the county to understand. Certainly it is not bursting with excess population that is seeking an outlet into suburbs, and the trade to be drawn from the foothills of Union county is negligible."  Read more about the "White Elephant Of A Bridge" in Watsontown Pa, here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/11/building-watsontown-white-deer-river.html

"Van Fleets roses bloom only once, in the month of June, but they are very winter hardy and disease resistant" - Dr Walter Van Fleet, Watsontown Native,  Famous Rosarian, 1857-1922, Owned a home on  506 Main Street, Watsontown Pa https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-van-fleet-roses.html

In June of 1929, Montgomery's Island Park opened, on the Island that today is the Milton State Park. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/montgomerys-island-park-today-milton.html

10th

• 1778  - The Plum Tree Massacre 
• 1790 - Purchase of the site of Milton was confirmed by deed.
• 1822 - First drawing for the price or the Harmony Church Lottery, was made and the fund from this lottery was used to liquidate the debt of the triple congregation
• 1870 - President U.S. Grant stopped in Milton for a few minutes
• 1925, the I.O.O.F. Orphanage Orchestra broadcasted a mixed program from Station WHBG, Harrisburg. "The Band had 26 pieces and was doing remarkably good work." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-ioof-orphanage-in-sunbury-pa.html

In June of 1921, the remains from the burial ground of St. John's Reformed Church

were to be moved up to Harmony Cemetery https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/where-bodies-were-buried-in-milton.html

When the Original Hiawatha Riverboat Ran To Sylvan Dell, in Williamsport

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-original-hiawatha-ran-to-sylvan.html

11th

• 1779 - Fort and Mill of Jacob Freeland attacked by Indians.  In June of 1979, the  Fort Freeland Heritage Society held all day workshops on basket weaving, and rural medicine,https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-history-of-fort-freeland-society.html
• 1878  - Hope Hose Fire Company, No. 1, was organized https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/hope-hose-where-watsontown-fire-co-began.html
• 1919 Selinsgrove Welcomed The Soldiers Home  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-soldiers-were-welcomed-home-in-1919.html
• 1950, Grandpaw Jones performed at Radio Ranch in Watsontown (Not to be confused with McNetts Radio Corral across the River, these were two separate venues)  Two years earlier, in 1948, he was posing with Jim & Jane Claar of Radio Corral, in Williamsport. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/when-hank-williams-came-to-watsontown.html

 From June 1811 to August 1818, Mozart's librettist, the man who wrote the text for operas including "The Marriage of Figaro," "Don Giovanni," and "Cosi fan tutte" lived in Sunbuary Pa.  Lorenzo Da Ponte wrote that on visiting Sunbury, the adopted home of his wife's family, "I grew so enamored of the town that I resolved to settle there." A teacher, distiller, and merchant, he lived at the southwest corner of Third and Market Streets.

Read more here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/06/when-mozarts-librettist-lived-in-sunbury.html

12th

• 1825 - Great hail storm visited this section.  2,000 windows were broken in Milton
• 1829 - Issac & Abraham Straub raised form of their flouring mill on the island.  This was the first mill to use Burr wheels.
• 1866 - New passenger depot of P and E. at Cameronia, now Montandon, completed. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/01/lewisburg-junction-railroad-stop-that.html
• 1873 - Dr J. P. McCleery purchased first Parker Breech-Loading shotgun bought at Milton
• 1885 - Frank Herdic narrowly escaped death when his carriage upset and his legs were caught in the spokes.  Herdic was drug 500 feet, before the horse was caught and stopped.  More about horse racing at Herdic [Old Oaks] Park in Williamsport - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/herdic-park-old-oaks-park-williamsport.html
• 1917 - Clyde E. Mundy first Milton boy to land in France with General Pershing
• 1920 - Course Of Limestone Run is changed.

In June of 1937, Chamberlain & Hoffman of Shamokin purchased the Park Theatre amusement business and apartment building in Williamsport for $150,000. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/park-theatre-williamsport-pa.html

13th

• 1829 John Deeter launched the Canal Boat The Miltonian. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/when-susquehanna-valley-had-canal-west.html
• 1840 - Limits of Borough Of Milton diminished by replacing the farms of Philip Hilgard, John Davidson, David Miller, Flemming W. Pollock and William McCleery back in the townships from which they were taken.
• 1914 - Granite Marker unveiled at the site of Fort Freeland by Warrior Run Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Fred A. Godcharles made historical address https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-history-of-fort-freeland-society.html
• 1940 - Katherine Hepburn, who was staying at nearby Ognotz Lodge, toured the Piper plant in Lock Haven. For many years, there was a stool at Cohicks Trading Post with the text "Katherine Hepburn sat here".   Cohicks is now the Waltz Dairy.   https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/when-kathryn-hepburn-vacationed-here.html

The Bloomsburg Ferry Wire was struck by lightening in Mid- June of 1890.  It was replaced a few weeks later.  Read more about the ferry here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-bloomsburg-ferry.html

14th

• 1777, the Continental Congress passed the resolution " That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.".  Today, June 14th is celebrated as Flag Day
• 1829 - White Swan Hotel opened by George Eckbert Gehrig in Milton
• 1902 - The Williamsport Sun Gazette said "...Pennsylvania Railroad trains 30, 32 and 6 eastward and 3, 31 and 1 westward, will stop on flag, weekdays, at Bastian (Sylvan Dell) to receive and discharge passengers. Round trip rate from Williamsport twenty (20) cents." Read more about Sylvan Dell Park, here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/09/sylvan-dell-park-williamsport.html
•  1905 -  Twenty Fifth Annual Encampment, S of V Div. Of Pennsylvania, at Milton https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/sons-of-veterans-encampments-milton-pa.html 
• 1910 - Murder In Mifflinburg - A Bar Room Brawl - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/murder-at-mifflinburg-bar-room-brawl.html
• 1922 - Kiddies Day In Milton.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-kiddies-day-clowns-1922-milton-pa.html
• 1934, 500 attended the grand opening of Peacock Gardens, in Grovania (Between Bloomsburg & Danville) https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/08/peacock-gardens-grovania-pa.html

15th

• 1907 - Slaughter house along the Limestone run near the canal in Milton destroyed by fire
• 1909 - Elmer Hull Jr drowned at the Muncy Dam
• 1906, the Watsontown Table Company was purchased by the Barr Table Company https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/record-star-anniversary-edition-page-11.html
• 1945 -  19 were killed when an ore train a passenger train, the Washington to Buffalo Express, crashed in Milton.  The Express crashed into the freight train at 55 miles per an hour, knocking 20 freight cars from the tracks and pulling seven cards behind it off the rails. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-deadliest-train-wreck-in-milton.html
• 1950 - The Selinsgrove Times reported that the Blue Hill Restaurant located at the circle at Shamokin Dam was well known for "foods of the highest quality and where the prices are reasonable." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/before-teds-landing-was-blue-hill.html
• 1985 - The coaster from San Antonio Texas reopened in Elysburg Pa  as the Phoenix, the mythical bird that rose from the ashes  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-texas-rocket-rises-again-as.html

16th

• 1772, the town of Sunbury was made the county seat for Northumberland.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-town-of-sunbury-as-it-was-laid-out.html
• 1850 - New Post Office established at Stone Tavern to be called Freeland.  This is on the road between Milton and Muncy
• 1858 - First Locomotive reached Sunbury over the Northern Central Railroad."
• 1870 - "The town awakened up with the advent of the new railroad. Two railroad laborers, after a brawl the National Hotel, landed in town lockup." From the chronology of Selinsgrove, by Schnure.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/11/selinsgrove-junction.html
• 1873 - Bucknell student Jacob Dunkel, of East Buffalo Twp, drowned while bathing in the river.
• 1891 -The Metropolitan Orchestra organized at Williamsport with eight members. The manager is Aloysius Stopper, with Sylvester Vogel as leader,
• 1914 - The Bandshell at Brandon Park was dedicated in a ceremony. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/02/brandon-park-williamsport-pa.html

According to a DCNR report from June 1977, "Along the east bank of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River opposite Lewisburg is a sand dune field, created during the Wisconsin age, the latest of several periods of glaciation that covered parts of Pennsylvania. Although the Wisconsian glacier halted several miles to the north of the West Branch, large amounts of its sedimentary debris were flushed into the river and deposited on the flood plains downstream." https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-sand-dunes-of-montandon-pa.html

17th

• 1771 - First trouble on account of the Connecticut raiders.  Wm Speedy killed Nathan Ogden
• 1779 - Indians appeared at Fort Brady, killed two men and took three into captivity.  Burned Starrets Flouring Mill (on the site of what was later Muncy Mills) and all the principal houses of the area. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-central-susquehanna-valley-in.html
• 1829, in Williamsport, during a time of strong anti-masonic sentiment, the Masonic Lodge was attacked by a mob of infuriated men, who pitched the paraphernalia and furniture through the windows for the purpose of breaking up the place of meeting. Members made their escape through the windows, being afraid to face the mob.
• 1883, The railroad station at Muncy was blown down by a cyclone, and a 13 year old boy was killed. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-muncy-train-station.html
• 1909 - The I.O.O.F. Orphanage in Sunbury dedicated their new buildings, with a large ceremony. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-ioof-orphanage-in-sunbury-pa.html
• 1943 - The Army-Navy “E” award, which had been given to less than 3% of all the plants engaged in war work, was presented jointly by Colonel John N. Gage, representing the army and by Lieutenant Russell F. H. Crawford, for the Navy, and was accepted by Hector Boiardi president of the company. Individual pins were presented to six employees chosen by the entire working force, as part of the ceremonies, the remaining employees receiving their pins after the ceremonies. The pin presentations were made by private Edward J. Gorski, who was wounded by 14 pieces of shrapnel at Algeria.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/chef-boyardee.html
• On June 17, 1948, at 1:41pm, United Airlines Flight 624 enroute from San Diego, California to New York narrowly missed hitting the breaker at Wilburton [Between Mt Carmel and Centralia, in Pennsylvania]
  
  The plane banked to the right to avoid the building, which brought the right wing in contact with a transformer sub station.
  
  With thirty nine passengers and 4 crew members were on board, the plane exploded.
  
  There were no survivors.
  
  See more photos, read eye witness accounts, and more, here:
  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-crash-of-flight-624-wilburton-june.html
•  1956, the new "Devitt Home" dedication took place with 2,200 people in attendance. The Devitt family sold the tuberculosis camp to the United Church Of Christ, operators of the Phoebe Home in Allentown Pa.  The camp was sold for $1, with the condition that the Devitt name be retained. 
  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/when-allenwood-had-tuberculosis-camp.html

18th

• 1888, The Reading Times published a description of a summer trip from Reading Pa to New York, written by Pero Nixon.  SUMMER TOURISTS  STORY OF A JUNE DAY'S TRAVEL OVER THE RATTLING RAIL. Sketches of Scenery in Berks, Schuylkill, Northumberland, Union, and Columbia Counties - Other Notes By The Way  Read it (With added photos to go with the descriptions)here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/01/story-of-june-days-travel-over-rattling.html
• 1910 - Hail the size of lemons fell in Sunbury https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/hail-size-of-lemons-sunbury-1910.html
• 1919 Lewisburg welcomed their soldiers home  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-soldiers-were-welcomed-home-in-1919.html
• 1967 - Milton began their  sesquicentennial celebrations (June 18-24th) https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/1817-1967-sesquicentennial-milton-pa.html 
• 1976 - Construction began for Williamsport's Outdoor Mall, on Pine Street https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-downtown-williamsport-mall-and.html

19th

• 1780 - James McMahan, hero of the Revolutionary War, captured by Indians on his own plantation near the present site of Pottsgrove.  He succeeded in killing his captor and making his escape.
• 1882,  Two cars of oil destroyed in wreck near Milton railroad station.
• 1887, Union Seminary in New Berlin was issued a charter under the new name of The Central Pennsylvania College. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/04/union-seminary-new-berlin-pa.html
• 1914  - John Philip Sousa, celebrated band master and March King, participated in the shooting tournament of the Milton Sportsman's Association https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/when-sousa-came-to-shoot-in-milton-1914.html
• 1943 - Official Announcement of the Steelers and the Eagles merging to form one war time team,  was made.  Jack Hinkle and Tom Miller, both from Milton High Schools "Team Of Destiny", played for the Steagles team.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-1935-team-of-destiny-milton-football.html 
• 1972, Hurricane Agnes made landfall in Florida. Our local newspapers mentioned it, but just as national news, or a reference that it would likely cause more rain showers here in Pennsylvania.  No one was raising any alarm in Pennsylvania, although they were starting to complain about the rain.  There had already been "torrential downpours" on Sunday the 18th, and more rain was expected at least through Weekday of that week. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-hurricane-became-pennsylvanias.html

20th

• 1869 - Several Pottsgrove boys robbed the home of William McMahan of Liberty township of $530
• 1972 -  Harry Morgan of Elysburg was found guilty of murdering his ex wife. That was the big news in our area, but tucked in under that headline, beside a photo of Morgan, there is an associated press article about the storm in Florida. By Tuesday, Agnes "the first of the seasons hurricanes", had left 18 dead in Florida, and caused millions of dollars in damage.
• In the weather report from Harrisburg, on page two of the Daily Item, it again mentioned that Agnes would bring more rain, but it was expected to clear up by Thursday. It weather report included that the river at Sunbury was at 10 feet, "and falling" and was expected to be at 9.7 feet on Wednesday. See photos from the 1972 flood in Milton here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/1972-flood-photos-stories-from-milton-pa.html

In June 1956, and again in June 1960, the Flying Farmers landed in Milton:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-flying-farmers-landed-in-milton.html

In June of 1946, The Hughesville School board leased the large room in the rear of the Movie Theater for the Schools Agriculture Department.  At one time, Hughesville's home basketball games were held in that room. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/12/when-hughesville-had-movie-theater.html

21st

• 1850 - 40th death at Loganton since January 1 from fever epidemic
• 1853 - George Billmeyer drowned in Chilisquaque Creek
• 1877, "The Day Of the Rope", or Black Thursday.  Eleven men were hung on one day in Pennsylvania.    Six men were hung in Pottsville, four in Mauch Chunk [today known as Jim Thorpe] and one was hung in Wilkes Barre. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-molly-maguire-memorial-in-mahanoy.html
• 1922 - The Lycoming Hotel, today the Genetti, began a three day grand opening celebration. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/05/celebrating-100-years-genetti-hotel.html
• Of the 7 people who died locally in the 1972 flood, 4 were from Lewisburg.  See photos of the 1972 flood in Lewisburg here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-1972-flood-photos-of-lewisburg-pa.html

22nd

• 1861 - E.S. Trego's foundry, in "upper Milton" burned to the ground. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/iron-ore-discoveries-in-milton-1845.html
• 1870 - John Wolfe of Lewisburg almost stung to death while hiving bees
• 1872 - Grain storehouse of Raup and Savidge of Turbotville destroyed by fire.  The building was at Port May near Watsontown
• 1875 - Davs and Manassas Newhard of Milton nearly asphyxiated by coal gas on their canal boat on the North Branch Canal 
• 1886,  the Wilkes-Barre and Western Railroad (W.B.&W RR) was formed. By Monday, December 13, 1886 the railroad opened for business with two round trips each day, except Sunday, from Watsontown to Jerseytown, and a third round trip in the late afternoon to Lethergo. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-mcewensville-railroad-station.html
• 1921 - Public Playground in Milton formerly opened
• 1923 - H.J. Parker killed when Wm. Phillips inserts air hose in his body as a joke https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/accidental-murder-at-ac-1923.html
• 1972 - By the time the Daily Item went to press on Thursday June 22nd, six people had died. As much as 10 inches of rain had fallen in 12 hours time, in some areas. The river was high, but it was the creeks that were causing all the damage. Every local creek was well over it's banks, rushing in torrents down streets, and through homes.  Photos of the flood in Watsontown PA - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/1972-flood-photos-stories-from.html

In June of 1885 the puddlers at the Sunbury Nail and Iron works were on strike, "on account of a reduction of wages" https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-sunbury-nail-bar-and-guide-iron.html

23rd

• 1848 - Hon. James Pollock offered a resolution in Congress calling for a commission to investigate the necessity and practicality of building a railroad to the Pacific Ocean.
• 1863 -  Joseph W. Cake "made wealthy in real estate speculation and through interest in the railroads", purchased most of the land in the general area of the Hunter farm.   He laid out the streets and sold lots, naming the area "Caketown".  Cake had also acquired the adjoining Scott farm in 1859, making him the owner of the original Hunter and Scott farms that comprised Fort Augusta.
• 1872  - Flood at Milton.  Nagle, Eschbach, and Churchill of Muddy Run sawmill lost 11 rafts of pine and oak in sudden rise of the river.  Lost $10,000.  Murray, Dougal and Co lost one raft. McCleery, Newhard and Clinger lost two rafts in the same flood.
• 1881 - L.C. Fosnot withdrew from the Watsontown Record and Star and became publisher of the Shamokin Times
• 1913 - The Women's Suffrage Bell began it's journey across Pennsylvania https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/when-womens-suffrage-bell-toured-valley.html
• See Photos of the 1972 Flood in Montgomery PA  - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/1972-flood-stories-photos-from.html

24th

• 1740 - First house built at Shamokin [now Sunbury] by John Hagen, and Joseph Powell
• 1815 - Danville Turnpike Company Incorporated
• 1856 - Henry Chapman Mercer was born.  Mercer built a stone castle in Doylestown, Bucks county Pa, that is definitely a sight to see.  It's open to the public for tours.   Read more about our visit to the castle, and a little about the incredibly fascinating life of Mercer - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/05/fonthill-mercers-castle-in-pennsylvania.html
• 1881 - Alex Munson crushed to death on the Pennsylvania Railroad while riding to his work below Watsontown
• 1887 - Charles Simpson died from injuries received while working on the P & R. Railroad

1942, the new Dreisbach Hardware store opened in Lewisburg, the previous building having been destroyed by fire the year before. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/08/5-5-5-1941-dreisbach-hardware-fire-in.html

1893, the Montgomery Ferry company was established. From June 1893 to May 1894, two boats worked bank to bank. 

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/05/when-montomgery-had-ferry.html

25th

• 1869 - Robert Wilson completed his new leather punching machine for making flynets by driving a gold headed screw into the machine and then demonstrating it to an interested crowd https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/wilson-fly-net-factory-milton-pa.html
• 1873 - Large brick barn and contents of the farm of Daniel Fisher, a half mile below town, burned by incendiaries
• 1882, the congregation of the Milton Presbyterian Church held a service in the lecture room of their new stone church.  The building was dedicated 5 years later, on November 20 1887. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-milton-presbyterian-church-stained.html  The 1887 church still stands today. 
• 1908 - Armstrongs store in Allenwood was robbed.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/10/mrs-anthony-armstrong-enveloped-in.html
• 1909 - A workshop was erected on Hepburn Street, in preparation for beginning the foundation work for the new Sun Building. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-williamsport-sun-building-northeast.html
• 1913 - First Boy Scouts sworn in local troop at Milton
•  1960 -  the 3 inch main shaft  of the Ferris Wheel at the Jersey Shore Fireman's Carnival snapped, causing the wheel to stop and tilt at an angle.  Some passengers where stranded for nearly two hours.  Read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/06/when-30-people-were-stranded-on-ferris.html

26th

• 1779 - Capt. Kempton's Company of German Regiment at Bostley's Fort, Washingtonville
• 1835 F.W. Pollock's Steam Flouring Mill put into operation in Milton
• 1849 - General Tom Thumb exhibited in Milton https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/06/when-general-tom-thumb-came-to-milton.html
• 1881 - The Milton Post Office was robbed. The robbers got 60 cents.
• 1901 - Reighard Fountain in Brandon Park, Williamsport, was unveiled.  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/reighard-memorial-fountain-brandon-park.html
• Memorial Field was renamed Bowman Field on Wednesday June 26th, 1929 - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2025/05/j-walton-bowman-bowmans-field.html

"The Baker House opened in June 1882 on the west side of North Second just north of Cherry Alley. The original structure was a three-story frame building. It was ideally located–the depot of the Lewisburg & Tyrone Railroad was less than a block to the north on St. John Street. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-baker-house-hotel-in-lewisburg-pa.html

27th 

• 1884 - New bandstand at Lincoln park in Milton used for the first time.
• 1919 The Lock Haven Covered Bridge was destroyed by fire.  Legend has it that an angry wife set the bridge on fire  in a fit of rage when her husband was on the other side of it, drinking with another woman.  No one was ever arrested, nor charged, and the woman is not named, but the story remains.https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/04/when-lock-haven-bridge-was-covered.html
• 1972 - Huffnagle Park in Lewisburg is named for a man who died trying to save others in the 1972 flood: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/06/hufnagle-park.html

28th

• 1778 - Battle of Monmouth fought.  Captain William Wilson of Chilisquaque township captured the flag of the British Grenadiers in a hand to hand fight.  Col Monckton of the Grenadiers was killed.  Many others from this county participated in this bloody battle.
• 1829 - Great Flood at Williamsport
• 1870 P.R.R. office at Lewisburg robbed of $230.00
• 1874 - Dwelling house and carpenter shop of John Houtz destroyed by fire
• 1909 - Old Home Week and Sons of the Veterans Encampment opened in Milton
• 1922, Clover was displayed for one day only at the McWilliam Department store "Clover Day Sale" in Wilkes Barre https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/10/clover-oldest-horse-in-world.html
•  1949, a six year old boy, Lynn Larry Lovelace,  drowned in the Montgomery Park Pool. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-montgomery-had-swimming-pool.html
• Odd & Incredible Stories from After The 1972 Flood - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/odd-incredible-stories-from-after-1972.html

29th 

• Lumber Strike at Williamsport., starting a series of events known as the Sawdust Wars, as workers demanded a 10 hour (as opposed to 11-12 hour) work day. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-lumber-boom-in-williamsport.html
• 1886 - Lewisburg University changed to Bucknell University https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-early-days-of-bucknell-university.html
• 1903 - Street Carnival Opened Weeks Engagement at Milton
• 1903 - Luella [Sturges] Algert died at the Railroad station in Tyrone, on her way home fom a meeting of the General Assemby of Presbyterian Churches in California.  Her husband, owner of the Watsontown Boot and Shoe factory, created a small park in his yard, with a fountain, in her memory.  Today that fountain can be seen in its new location along main street, across from the Watson Inn.  Read more here: https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-algert-fountain.html
• 1915 - John C. Kennedy struck by P and R Passenger train near Herndon.  Seriously injured.

30th

• 1892 -  The Snyder County Tribune reported: "1360 lbs of A No 1 Butter was shipped in one train last week by the Penn Creamery Co.  We are pleased to see this industry so prosperous".  
• 1923 The Island Park Amusement Park opened on the Sunbury Island. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/shamokin-lynn-packer-history-of-packers.html
• 1934 - The Capitol Theater in Milton opened for the first time, showing Baby Take A Bow, starring Shirley Temple and James Dun https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/when-milton-had-movie-theatre.html

Misc June History:

In June of 1843, Josiah Schweinhart announced the opening of his new business in New Berlin Schweinhart and John S. Heimbach made buggies, sulkies and barouches, with an attached blacksmith shop. They were located one door east of Baum's Hotel. Schweinhart later patented for a new single-tree and locking apparatus. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/04/new-berlin-union-county-pennsylvania.html

In June of 1866, Raftsman's Journal published an article they had received from the Huntington Globe, saying the treasure of Lewis The Robber had been found. 62 years later,  the Harrisburg Telegraph reported that it was still being searched for. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2023/04/central-pennsylvanias-robin-hood-and.html

June 1916 - the Woolen Mill "Which had been idle for some time" had been leased by Percy Whitaker of Philadelphia and Providence, who will start up the plant installing 48 additional looms for work on mens wear https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-lewisburg-woolen-mill.html

The Pennsylvania Pullman Vestibule Train, was placed in Service June 1887

"When only a few weeks old, the Mirror won  fame thruout the West Branch valley  by appearing daily temporarily.  This was during the June flood of 1889, when Montgomery was shut off from the world by high waters and the destruction they brought, and the  only news it had of the outside was what Editor Clark could glean over  railroad telegraph wires and from visitors, and publish in a single-sheet newspaper, which he continued to  serve the people of the town until  other communication was opened. " - Watsontown Record & Star, 1925 https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/05/when-montgomery-had-newspaper.html

In June of 1979, the future of the Sunbury Train station was uncertain.  Penn Central, who owned the building, had gone bankrupt, and the last train to stop at Sunbury was back in 1971.   In 1979, Penn Central still owned the train station.  At that time, the building needed $7,000 in roof repairs, and many windows were broken and boarded up.   They considered the possibility of tearing down the old building, and selling the land.  Fortunately, that did not occur, and the beautiful old brick station still stands today.  It now houses an antique mall. https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/third-street-station-sunbury.html

==============

In January of 1923, the Miltonian ran several pages recapping the news of the prior year.

This is what they had to say about June 1922:

============

For More Local History & Stories:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

On This Day In Local History - May

JAN    FEB    MAR   APR    MAY    JUNE   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC

In the early 1920's, the Miltonian newspaper ran a weekly page of Historical Notes, with history listed by day.  It's one of my favorite things to read, and many of the articles on this blog have come from those blurbs.  This is my version of those 1920's pages, in a month format rather than a daily one.  (They typically post daily on my facebook page, when I remember to schedule them to do so)

For a Time Line By Year, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/12/a-time-line-of-history-in-central.html

For an index of history posts by Subject & Town, go here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html