Lock Haven

Maria J. Boileau

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9780738574172
• eBook ISBN: 9781439624173
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Situated between the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Creek, Lock Haven was developed by brothers Jerry and Willard Church in 1833 on 200 acres of farmland. The completion of the canal in 1834 stimulated the lumber industry, which became a source of prosperity for many years. Most of the large, beautiful homes located in Lock Havens Water Street Historic District were built by families who prospered from over 50 years of timber harvest. When the lumber industry declined, other industries, including furniture, paper, fire bricks, and silk, provided new economic opportunities. The city was home to Piper Aviation and has seen the growth of Lock Haven University. Through floods and economic turmoil, Lock Havens residents have continuously shown their strength of character. Lock Haven serves as a tribute to the beauty of the river, the mountains, and the people of this community.

Eight

JUST FOR FUN

During the early 1900s, popular recreational activities included home drama presentations, balls, weekly dances, church socials, lawn tennis, baseball, and footracing. Picnics, turkey shoots, country-dances, housewarmings, and sleigh rides offered social outlets. (Courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

In August 1898, the Lock Haven Cycle Club hosted the Illuminated Bicycle Parade. Some of the finest wheels were Al Rote with the revolving umbrella, Charles Hamilton with an air ship, Annie Bickford with an umbrella, Annie Freed with a square float and arched top, and L. H. Miller with the Brooklyn Bridge. Undeterred by a threatening storm, the line formed at 8:00 p.m. at West Main Street. The parade was slow moving and took one hour. The judges were Mayor Mayer, T. M. Stevenson, Esq., and W. C. Franciscus. Parade prizes included $5 in gold, a carbide lamp worth $3.50, and $2.50. A separate ladies prize was either a lantern worth $3.50 or a pair of bicycle shoes. (Both, courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

Children participate in May Day celebrations on the grounds of the Central State Normal School. May Day marks the end of the winter and a time for celebration. May Day events vary around the country and around the world. In some regions, maypoles are decorated with ribbons and pairs of girls and boys stand alternately around the base of the pole, each holding the end of a ribbon. Participants weave in and around each other, boys going one way and girls another, until the ribbons are woven together and all the merrymakers meet at the base of the pole. (Courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

The Wilson Kistler Playground opened under the direction of the Civic Club. It was Lock Haven’s first playground. Crowds of children attended the opening day in the city. Today the City of Lock Haven has a part-time recreation department that oversees the maintenance of four playgrounds and six parks. In cooperation with Keystone Central School District, a free summer recreation program is offered for area youth. Playgrounds include the Piper Harmon Playground, which was rebuilt in 2009 at a cost of $128,000, and the Bennage-Heights, Hoberman, and Hammermill Playgrounds. (Courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

In August 1898, L. H. Miller was a participant in Lock Haven’s Illuminated Bicycle Parade as the Brooklyn Bridge. The parade route moved down Main Street to Henderson, over to Water Street and up to Third Street, returning to West Main Street, and then to the paved portion of Jay Street to Church and then Grove Street and ending back at Main Street. It must have been a hot night—while there were 60 participants in the parade, some dropped out before they finished the route. Everyone was invited for a festival that followed with ice cream and cake. Prizes were awarded to winners of the parade. (Courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

Some Lock Haven last names might seem familiar from this Bald Eagle Canoe Club picture taken in 1912. Surrounded by trophies are (first row) Bruce Kerns and Mallace Gast; (second row) Jim Hanna, Anson Bruner, and George Tidlow. (Courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

There is no description left with this Floyd photograph to identify the adventurous gentleman. More than 100 years ago, ice sailing was one of many popular winter sports. It was not uncommon to see hundreds of people gather on the frozen river for skating. This iceboat was probably made of timber and canvas sailcloth. With all the right ingredients including ice, little snow, cold weather, and wind, these boats could travel at a nice speed. It took a skilled sailor to safely maneuver the sail and manage the unsmooth surface. (Courtesy of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.)

It takes some consistent cold winter weather to freeze the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. There are many photographs of scenes l...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• One - JERRY CHURCH’S “LOCKHAVEN”
• Two - ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
• Three - PLACES TO STAY AND PLAY
• Four - GOLDEN RULE DAYS
• Five - COMMUNITIES OF FAITH
• Six - LIFE ALONG THE RIVER
• Seven - SERVING THE COMMUNITY
• Eight - JUST FOR FUN