Rye Twp & future Marysville – In 1754 John Penn and Richard Peters, agents of William Penn, purchased land from the Iroquois, including all of the Juniata River Valley from the south shore of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to east of the Allegheny Mountains. This became part of Cumberland County’s large Tyrone Township from which Rye Township was carved in 1766. (Source: “A History of Rye Township Anniversary Album 1766-2016” by Brian A. Hummel)
Rye Twp & future Marysville – In 1755 the first British colonial settlers to warrant land in the present limits of Rye Twp and current Marysville of whom anything is known was Colonel Samuel Hunter of Dauphin County. His first warrant of 9-9-1755 was for land now occupied by Marysville above and below. Two surveys and two more warrants in 1766 and 1767 covered 800 acres, extending two miles on the river and over three miles into the Fishing Creek Valley. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp then & now Marysville – In 1755 the first British colonial settler of the future site on Marysville along the Susquehanna, Samuel Hunter, built a saw mill near the mouth of Fishing Creek. these kind of sawmills “were of the up-and-down design which were relatively simple to design and did not require much water to operate. One rule of thumb used to date buildings is to look at the kerf marks (marks left by the blade when cutting wood). If the marks are straight and perpendicular to the edge it was cut by an up-and-down saw. If the marks are rounded it was cut by a circular saw which came into existence after 1850.” (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – In 1755 the first British colonial settler of the future site of Marysville, Samuel Hunter, warranted a 271-acre tract of land along the Susquehanna River extending west along the creek that he named West Fishing Creek ("Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD) The earlier Fishing Creek is to the east, just across the Susquehanna in Dauphin County in Fishing Creek Valley. Kings Highway (parts of which still exist in area of Lions Club Park) was surveyed in 1773 and was an important link from Carlisle across the Susquehanna River to the “east Fishing Creek Valley Road” now Route 443 in Dauphin County, which was an important trading link to Philadelphia. (Cumberland County Court Dockets 1773)
Rye Township – In first decades after 1755 when the area was open for settlement most of those staking out land warrants were men – but two women were early landowners: Elizabeth Hunter on 9-22-1767 and Nancy Bovard on 6-2-1815. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp then & now Marysville – What were the everyday living conditions when this valley was first settled by British colonists in the mid-1700s? Today's closest equivalent might be tent camping or camping in a primitive cabin in a state park. According to local historian, Dennis J. Hocker, PhD: "Living conditions for these early settlers were cramped with only the necessary basics for survival. Houses of the period were small cabins usually made of logs felled on their land. A cabin could be built in a few days and would have a door, perhaps a window, and a fireplace for warmth and cooking. Initially, a one-room cabin 12 feet by 12 feet would have served as kitchen, bedroom, and parlor. It would have been expanded as resources allowed. A few wooden pegs on the wall would serve as the main storage area for clothes, food, and supplies. A bench was simply a split log on top of a few cut logs that served as legs. Tables would be more split logs, or in deluxe accommodations, a few sawed boards. Most people slept on the floor on blankets. Perhaps a mattress of straw or dried leaves would exist in larger households. (Source: “Life Along the Shermans” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp & Marysville – March has turned out to be an important month in the last 250 years. On March 25, 1766, early residents petitioned for Rye Township to be carved out of Tyrone Township. In March of 1773 the residents of Rye Twp petitioned the Cumberland County Colonial Court to approve a “publick highway from Hunters Ferry (on west bank of Susquehanna River where Marysville is now) to intersect the Great Road (now Route 34) to Carlisle. On March 22, 1820, residents of the part of Cumberland County north of Blue Mountain became residents of the newly approved Perry County. On March 30, 1902, the Rockville Bridge was dedicated as the longest stone-arch bridge in the world with 48 arches spanning 3830 feet. (Sources: Cumberland County PA Quarter Session Dockets 1750-1785; “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp – The early British colonial residents petitioned for their own township on March 25, 1766. The Court appointed Robert Erwin, David English, Thomas Ross, John Hamilton and John Lewis to survey a new boundary and report back to the colonial Cumberland Court. The new township included the current footprint of Rye Twp and Marysville and also the current townships of Penn, Wheatfield, Miller, Oliver, Juniata, Tuscarora, and parts of Centre and Carroll townships. (Source: Cumberland County PA Quarter Session Dockets 1750-1785 and “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby)
Rye Twp – The first officials in 1766 for original larger township were Samuel Baskins, constable; Frederick Watts and William Poor, supervisors of roads. (Source: Cumberland County PA Quarter Session Dockets 1750-1785)
Rye Twp & Marysville – Sixty-six is a historic number for our corner of Perry County. Rye Township was established in 1766 and Marysville Borough was established in 1866. (Source: Cumberland County PA Quarter Session Dockets 1750-1785)
Rye Twp – The early British colonial residents petitioned for their own township on March 25, 1766. The Court appointed Robert Erwin, David English, Thomas Ross, John Hamilton and John Lewis to survey a new boundary and report back to the Court. (Source: Cumberland County PA Quarter Session Dockets 1750-1785)
Rye Township was established in 1766 before Perry County was carved out of Cumberland County in 1820. By 1820, Rye Township was a little more than a half century old. Rye Township’s main valley (Fishing Creek Valley) has always contained rich and fertile farms, and woods for logging and regrowing for future logging, Rye Township was the site of the valley's first industry - settler Samuel Hunter's saw mill in 1755. Industry besides saw mills included grist mills, fulling mills, carding mills, distilleries, wagon making and black smithing, brick making, and boat making.
Rye Twp& Marysville – Although early British colonial residents of Fishing Creek Valley lived in a mostly farming area, they were far from isolated. The valley was already a crossroad of commerce in 1766 when Rye Twp was formed. But the way from Carlisle east across the Susquehanna River to get to “Philadelphia and other markets” was a rough patchwork of old trails over the Blue Mountain and east to the Susquehanna River. Seven years later, in 1773, residents asked/got approval for a new, improved road that would connect Carlisle's Great Road (now Route 34) to Hunter's Ferry at the mouth of West Fishing Creek on the west bank of the Susquehanna River. A short ride on one of Hunter's ferry boats across the Susquehanna River would connect to the Philadelphia road on the east bank (now Rte 443 in Dauphin County). Raw materials went east to the port at Philadelphia and finished goods came west. The road was called "Kings Highway" and sections are still in use today near the Lions Club Park. It will mark its 250th Anniversary in 2023. (Source: Cumberland County Court Docket April 1773)
Rye Twp& Marysville – Kings Highway, parts still existing still named Kings Highway, was laid out in 1773 to make it easier for traffic from Carlisle (and points westward) to get to Philadelphia (and other ports along the eastern seaboard). But traffic was still primitive compared to the steam trains of late 1800s or today’s cars and trucks. So, what was it like to haul raw materials east to the ports and finished goods back inland? Eyewitnesses told historian Silas Wright that groups of pack horses/mules carried goods on their backs. Bars of iron were bent over and around the pack-horses’ bodies and barrels were hung from them, one on each side. Horses or mules also pulled sledges loaded with cargo in summer and winter because even the new Kings Highway was rough compared to modern paved road surfaces and sledges with runners navigated the bumpy road surface better than wagons with wheels. Kings Highway was built plenty wide enough to handle freight hauled on sledges. The colonial Cumberland County Court approving the road required it be 33 feet wide from the outer edges of the shoulders, and required that bridges be built over creeks where needed. (Sources: Cumberland County Court Docket of April 1773 and “History of Perry County” by Silas Wright – researched from 1865 until publication in 1873; Cumberland County Court Docket April 1773)
Kings Highway was surveyed and approved in 1773 by order of the Colonial Cumberland County Court and will celebrate its 250thAnniversary in 2023. Early "high ways" were so named not because they ran along ridge tops, but due to the construction. Ditches were dug on either side and the dirt from the ditches was piled up high in between the ditches - hence "high way." The Kings Highway was a vital link for transport of raw materials and finished consumer goods between Philadelphia and Carlisle. A little more than 10 miles of roadway connected Hunter's Ferry on the Susquehanna River to the "Great Road", now Route 34, at Sterrett's Gap. The existing sections of Kings Highway in Perry County are probably among the oldest still-used roadways in Marysville and Rye Township. According to the 1773 April court road docket, the probable route started at Hunter's Ferry at the mouth of Fishing Creek on the Susquehanna River, then went west through what is now the Lions Club Park, connected to the current stretch of Kings Highway, followed along/nearby the current route of New Valley Road, then headed northwest, crossing current Valley Road (Route 850), then zig-zagged west just above Route 850, and then turned south toward Sterrett's Gap. There the pack horses and mules hauling goods would join "The Great Road," now modern Route 34 to Carlisle, even then a transportation hub. So, what was it like to haul raw materials east to the ports and finished goods back inland? Eyewitnesses told historian Silas Wright that groups of pack horses/mules carried goods on their backs. Bars of iron were bent over and around the pack-horses’ bodies and barrels were hung from them, one on each side. Horses or mules also pulled sledges loaded with cargo in summer and winter because even the then modern Kings Highway was rough compared to today's paved road surfaces, and sledges with runners navigated the bumpy road surface better than wagons with wheels. Kings Highway was built plenty wide enough to handle freight hauled on sledges. (Sources: Cumberland County Court Docket of April 1773 and “History of Perry County” by Silas Wright – researched from 1865 until publication in 1873; Cumberland County Court Docket April 1773)
Rye Twp & Marysville – Early saw mills and grist mills in Rye Twp in the late 1700s included the Shortris grist mill at the source of Fishing Creek in western Rye Twp and the Kincris grist mill at the mouth of Fishing Creek near current Marysville. A map from 1791 also showed about eight more unnamed mills. In 1789 near the middle of Rye Twp at Glenvale stood the Nicholas Wolf/John Bowman grist, saw and carding mills. The saw and carding mills were discontinued but the grist mill was later owned by Mr. Neyhart and son, and then sold to Alexander Hartman, who converted it from a stone buhr system to a roller mill, which was expensive but required to produce the new fine white flour in demand by the public instead of coarse, dark flour. The mill was sold to Dr. John Eusaw/David W. Cowen, who operated the mill for about seven years, then sold it to Henry Fisher in 1897. When he passed away, the mill was to his brother-in-law Philip Heisley in 1912, who operated the mill for 19 years. (Source: “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby)
Rye Twp – Early grist mills in Rye Twp in the late 1700s included one built near Glenvale in 1789 by Nicholas Wolf and his son-in-law John Bowman. The grist mill was later owned by Mr. Neyhart and son, and then sold to Alexander Hartman, who converted it from a stone buhr system to a roller mill, which was expensive but required to produce the new fine white flour in demand by the public instead of coarse, dark flour. Before the rolls were installed, an overshot waterwheel was the only source of power. The rollers required more power so a steam boiler was installed. Before the rollers, sets of stone buhrs were used to grind all of the flour, cornmeal and buckwheat, as well as grain for livestock to eat. After the rolls were installed, the stones were mostly used for grinding feed for livestock. (Source: “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby)
Rye Twp – On the Old Valley Road (now Rte 850), above George Kocher’s farm and near John Kell’s house, a log school house was built several years before 1800. It was covered with clapboards and lighted by an opening between two logs with two pieces of glass placed in the opening. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – The grist mill in Rye Twp built at Glenvale in 1789 burned in 1880 and was rebuilt. Like many other grist mills of that time, the four-story mill was rebuilt of wood on stone foundation. Grain was hoisted to the upper floors by a rope. The rope wound around a drum on a shaft that was powered off a line shaft pulley. The miller had perfect control of the hoist and could stop it at any floor. One or two bags could be pulled up at one time, and sometimes a barrel with a bail attached was used for loose grain. It was drawn to the floor then emptied into a bin. (Source: “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby)
Rye Twp – William Glover was an early British colonial settler in 1774 when he warranted 150 acres adjoining the land owned by Charles Stewart. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – The Foulk family were early settlers in 1790 and the family stayed in the Valley, buying land as years went by. In 1820 David Foulk owned 100 acres and Philip Foulk owned 125 acres. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – Jacob Sidle was an early settler in the late 1700s and in 1820 was the owner of 480 acres and a saw-mill and grist-mill. Soon after 1820, he dismantled the grist-mill and rebuilt it across Pine Hill to the Dellville area. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – Christian Ensminger owned about 600 acres of land in 1797 between Fishing Creek and Pine Hill and built a saw-mill, which was operated long after 1820. Some of the Ensminger children stayed on the homestead while one moved to Lebanon County. Female children married into the Albright, Billow, Gamber and Reed families. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – Solomon Fenicle was an early settler in 1800 and the family stayed in the Valley, buying land from the Sidles, Ensmingers and others. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – The following-named persons were carrying on industries in the township in 1802: Henry Branyan, grist-mill; George Cless, saw-mill; Christian Ensminger, saw-mill; Paul Frazer, two saw-mills; Isaac Jones, grist-mill, saw-mill and still; John Kinagy, saw-mill; Joseph Kirkpatrick, saw-mill; Michael Lewis, saw-mill; Jean McCay, grist and saw-mill; James Mehaffy, saw-mill; William Sanderson, saw-mill; and Margaret Smiley, saw-mill. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – The village of Keystone is located partly on the lands warranted on June 2 of 1815 by Nancy Bovard. Nancy and her sisters married into the Willis, Clark, Rice, Greer and Green families. Other early warrants in the area include David Ralston, warranted 9-2-1792 and sold to Daniel McClintock in 1793; William McFarlan, warranted 2-6-1793; and John Clouse Sr. 1789. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – One of the earliest schools was built on land that Jacob Sidle sold on February 2nd of 1819 to George Albright, Peter Billow, Christian Ensminger, Solomon Fenicle, Peter Foulk, Peter Gamber, William Messinger, David Myers, David Shade, Jacob Sidle, Conrad Sloop, James White, Conrad Yoh. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp was 54 years old when Perry County was carved out of Cumberland County in 1820. Homes were still heated by open fires or air-tight stoves with no directly-heated rooms except the kitchen. Candles and whale oil lamps were used for light. Goodyear had not yet discovered rubber so the heavy leather boots were well-greased to be waterproof. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Rye Twp – When Perry County was established on March 22, 1820, it was all about terrain – specifically the Blue Mountain just over 1,000 feet high at Lambs Gap. The Blue Mountain separated Rye Township from its County Seat and County Courthouse in Carlisle and made getting to the court house a difficult two-day trip each way. The Cumberland County court docket from 1769 contains a record of early settler Samuel Hunter being fined for not bringing a witness to court. He wasn’t the only one – from 1761 to 1776 there were at least 148 people who did not appear for jury duty or bring a witness to court or appear to be a witness or answer charges. It’s likely that paying the fine (from 20 to 100 British pounds) was cheaper than the cost and hardship of four days-worth of travel there and back. When Rye became part of the new Perry County carved out of the top of the old Cumberland County, the new county courthouse at New Bloomfield was about the same distance away (between 20 and 25 miles) but there was no mountain to conquer and that made all the difference. (Source: 1761 to 1776 Cumberland County Court Dockets)
Rye Twp – When Perry County was established on March 22, 1820, it was named after War of 1812 hero Naval Officer Oliver Hazzard Perry. This war was fresh in mind because it had started only eight years and ended only five years before the founding of the County. But the War of 1812 was only one of three wars that would be remembered by veterans, and widows and families of veterans in 1820. The oldest would be those from the French and Indian War, which started in 1754, so a soldier who was 18 then would be 84 in 1820. The middle would be those from the American Revolution, which started in 1775, so a soldier who was 18 then would be 63 in 1820. The youngest would be those from the Warof 1812, which started in 1812, so a soldier who was 18 then would be 26 in 1820.
Rye Twp – When Perry County was established on March 22, 1820, Rye Township was largely rural with farming ranking as the most common occupation per the 1820 Federal Census. A snap shot of farm life in Fishing Creek Valley in the early days of Perry County can be seen in the will of a farmer who in 1829 lived on a farm with his “well-beloved wife.” The farm had a milk cow and some sheep and “good ground for potatoes & flax” and for “rye, wheat and buckwheat.” The farm had a summer kitchen with a garden to provide the family with fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, string beans, squash, and fruit such as strawberries. There was a spring house to keep milk and other perishable foods cold. The field work would have been done with the help of draft horses and mules because tractors had not been invented. A barn housed the animals and hay and straw. (Source: Perry Historians records)
Rye Twp – When Perry County was established in 1820, the industries listed in the Tax Assessment Roll included gristmills, sawmills, distilleries, ferries, taverns, fulling mills, black smithing, weaving, farming and leather tanning. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – When Perry County was established on March 22, 1820, it was named after War of 1812 hero Naval Commander Oliver Hazzard Perry against Great Britain. After the war ended with a U.S. victory in 1815, Americans were trying to move away from all things British, so they stopped using “corn” to mean “grain” and started buying mill stones made in France instead of England. (From Henry Engart’s “Notes on Gristmills and Milling in PA.”
Rye Twp – The Bicentennial of Perry County is being celebrated in 2020. On March 22, 1820, Gov. Findley signed the Act creating the 51st county by carving it out of part of Cumberland County. In 1820, Rye Township was 54 years old, having been established in 1766. In the 1820 Federal Census, about 150 heads of households were counted and three were free African Americans. The most common occupations in Rye Township were farmer, miller, laborer, innkeeper, boat builder and storekeeper.
Rye Twp – Keystone is on part of the old Bovard farm. The Old Tavern was on the Emanuel Keller farm and was the only tavern from Sterrett’s Gap to the Susquehanna River. A school house was built in the area before 1828 and was known as “Congruity” (meaning harmony). By 1886 Keystone’s store and post office was run by Charles Barshinger, who built the first brick house in the village. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp – Grier’s Point, on Fishing Creek and near the line between Rye and Carroll townships was named after Samuel Grier (or Grieger) who settled there around 1820 and took over the store run by Captain William Messinger and ran a store and tavern in the building. Daniel Ensminger built the first frame house. By 1886, the village had houses, a store run by David Lightner and a post office run by Benjamin Leonard.
Rye Twp – Mill boom in mid-1800s. Jacob Bishop built a saw-mill about 1835 about four miles west of Marysville. The Messinger chop and saw-mill was built by Captain William Messinger about 1835 east of Keystone. The Billow saw-mill west of Stoney Ridge as built about 1835 by Peter Billow. The Coulter saw-mill along Cove Mountain north of Grier’s (or Grieger’s) Point was built by Mr. Coulter about 1845. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – At one time shad were plentiful in the Susquehanna River and there were about four fisheries along the banks. As late as 1835, The Haldeman Fishery was being operated on the Susquehanna River near the mouth of Fishing Creek. The Haldeman Fishery brought in as many as one thousand shad at a haul. The Landsdorf fishery below the Haldeman Fishery was used as late as 1825. The Hatfield Fishery north of the Haldeman Fishery was operated by Branyan & Greek as late as 1875. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp – Keystone is on part of the old Bovard farm. The Old Tavern was on the Emanuel Keller farm and was the only tavern from Sterrett’s Gap to the Susquehanna River. A school house was built in the area before 1828 and was known as “Congruity” (meaning harmony). By 1886 Keystone’s store and post office was run by Charles Barshinger, who built the first brick house in the village. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp – From the 1830s to the 1850s the Sadler family were neighbors of Jacob Sidle, an early land and mill owner in the Grier's Point area. Peter Sadler, born in 1798 in Maryland, was a farmer and construction contractor, and the first free land owner in Perry County. His wife, Catherine, was born in 1806 in Maryland. (Source: “African Americans in Perry County” by Janet Taylor for The Perry Historians published in 2011)
Rye Twp – The Evangelical Association built a log church in about 1840 at Sitterly’s Cemetery along Valley Road about two miles up the valley from the Susquehanna River. The church was removed about 1867. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp & Marysville – Rye Township was much larger when it was established in 1766. In 1834 the final township had been carved out of the original Rye Twp so the 1840Federal Census is the current footprint of Rye and Marysville.
Rye Twp – In 1840 Ephraim Jones was living in Rye Township with his wife and five children. (Source: “African Americans in Perry County” by Janet Taylor for The Perry Historians published in 2011)
Rye Twp –Bethel Church of the Evangelical Association was built in 1846 along Valley Road in the Grier’s Point area. Early members included George Finicle, Sarah Finicle, George Kocher Sr., B.F. Leonard, Elizabeth Leonard, Martin Souder and Mary Souder. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – Marysville is the product of two major railroads, the Northern Central Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad. From the late 1840s through the Civil War in the 1860s through the 1930s, the Marysville Yards were one of the largest and most important rail centers in the nation. As the railroads grew, all the available flat space between the Blue Mountain to the west and the Susquehanna River to the east was filled up and the yards were forced to move south to Enola where they would become the largest in the world. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp –The Church of God was built in 1846 just off Valley Road near the former Hartman’s Mill at Glenvale. The building still stands at the base of the current building’s parking lot. Early members included Jacob Fortenbaugh (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886).
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – The first Rockville railroad bridge was built in 1848 over the Susquehanna River at the south end of what is now Marysville. It was built entirely of wood. The wooden bridge was replaced by an iron bridge in 1877, when Marysville was 10 years old. Both bridges were only one-track wide, and by 1900 couldn’t handle the expansion of the rail yard, so construction began on the current multi-track stone arch bridge. Dedicated on March 30, 1902, the 52-foot-wide bridge has 48 arches spanning 3830 feet, and is the longest stone-arch bridge in the world. Highly skilled stone masons brought their training from Italy to shape the stones and many of them stayed after the bridge was done, bringing their families to settle in the growing town by the new bridge. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – In 1853, the first school building was built by William Agenay. A school house on the river bank was built in 1868. The same year a second school house was built the above the railroad and a third was built below the railroad. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp –Salem Church of the Evangelical Association was built in 1856 along Valley Road. Before it was built, meetings were held with Bethel Church with the same pastors. Early members included Charles Barshinger, David Benfer, Matilda Benfer, Jacob Bitner Sr., Frances Bitner, Israel Dick, Elizabeth Dick, Henry Foulk, Immanuel Keller, Elizabeth Keller, John Kreamer, and Sarah Kreamer. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – In 1856, the Morley Brothers turned early settler Samuel Hunter’s sawmill at the mouth Fishing Creek into a factory that made left-handed plows, which reportedly sold well. Why were left-handed plows popular? “Any man that has plowed a day knows he can do more plowing and better plowing with a left-hand plow that he can with a right-hand one, simply because his lead horse walks in the furrow, and the plow cuts an even width and depth all the time. Whereas with a right-hand plow the lead horse walks on the land and is continually bearing into the furrow, which makes the plow cut less and unevenly.” (Source: Sam Moore’s article “The Great Plow Debate” published in April 2003 on the website farmcollector.com)
Rye Twp (future Marysville) - The first post office was established in 1856 and called Morleyville Post Office. By 1863 the name had been changed to Fenwick Post Office and was changed to Marysville Post Office in 1867. The post office, a printing shop and a barber shop shared the first floor of a building in the Square at the corner of Front and Verbeke. Margaret Smith was Postmistress from 1924 to 1936. People picked up their mail at the post office until 1957, when home delivery was established. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – In 1860, the land bought by Margaretta Fenn and her husband Theophilus that would later become the southern end of Marysville contained only five buildings: 1. The Kittatinny House hotel at west end of PA Railroad Bridge run by Samuel Strasbaugh; 2. A house built by Richard T. Jacobs on the bank of the river near Seidel’s Forge; 3. A house owned and lived in by David Stahler; 4. A house owned and lived in by William W. Jackson; and 5. A house owned and lived in by John B. Reiff. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – In 1861, development started on the land bought by Margaretta Fenn and her husband Theophilus when Theophilus laid out and sold building lots for houses. In 1862, the Fenns sold about 150 acres to Honorable John B. Seidel and Henry Seidel, including Samuel Hunter’s saw-mill. The Seidels removed the saw-mill and built the “Perry Forge.” At that time, the Northern Central Railway had a water-station here called the “Y.” (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp – Records from 1861 show that a post office was in operation in Keystone (Postmaster Charles Barshinger) and by 1865 a post office was in operation in Grier's Point (Postmaster Benjamin Leonard). Mail arrived at the post offices, usually simply a corner of a general store with a stack of small "pigeon hole" cubicles. Mail was put in the cubicles (or a note if large package) and stayed there until the recipient stopped by. Outgoing mail was regularly taken from Grier's Point to Duncannon via Pine Hill and Allen's Swamp roads. Rural route delivery to road-side mailboxes near people's homes was started in 1903. (Source: “A History of Rye Township Anniversary Album 1766-2016” by Brian A. Hummel)
Rye Twp – A charming one-story brick house painted white stands in the Keystone area of the township. At one time it held the reason for Keystone’s name because it held the U.S. Post Office, which the U.S. Postal Service named “Keystone Post Office.” Postmaster from about 1862 to 1905, Charles Barshinger, also ran a general store. The original building was two stories as is common in PA but the top story was damaged and removed. The house is currently a private residence. (Source: The Perry Historians’ “Perry County: A Pictorial History.”)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – The future Marysville, with its extensive railroad yards, in 1862 only had a watering station for engines, called the “Y”. In 1863 the wooden railroad bridge was built connecting the town of Dauphin to northern Marysville and also connecting the divisions of the Northern Central Railroad from Baltimore to the north. The northbound and southbound traffic all passed through. The station at the west end of the bridge was called “Marysville Station.” The station farther south was called “Haley’s Station.” (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – The first election in the new borough was held in April of 1866, with John B. Reiff being elected as Chief Burgess. Mr. Reiff was the owner of the “Reiff Farm” on which a large part of the borough not on the Fenn property would be built. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Marysville - Marysville Borough was established in 1866 in the footprint of early settler Samuel Hunter’s land claim in 1755 along the west bank of the Susquehanna River, directly across from Ft. Hunter in Dauphin County. In the years following the Civil War, Marysville grew to become one of the most important rail centers in the nation and stayed at the top until the 1930s when space ran out and the rail yards were moved south to Enola. But in the early 1900s the yards were bustling with dozens of steam engines moving cars and preparing trains for shipment around the nation. Trains stopped several times an hour to pick up/drop off passengers and freight. Then in 1902 Marysville became home to the west end of the world’s longest stone arch railroad bridge, the Rockville Bridge. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – The area along the Susquehanna River now called Marysville has been known by many names: Fishing Creek in 1755 when settler Samuel Hunter warranted the land; Morleytown in early 1800s for Hiram Morley; Haley when the railroad first came through in the mid-1800s; Fenwick in 1861 when Margaretta Fenn and her husband, Theophilus, bought a large tract of land and laid out the town; Marysville in 1867 in honor of Mary Wick Foster, wife of William Barclay Foster Jr. (engineer of PA Railroad’s Eastern Division) and sister-in-law of famed composer Stephen Collins Foster. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp – The 1870 Federal Census gives a look into the economy of the Township, which at the time consisted primarily of farming and lumber, and occupations that supported them. The main occupations included farming, day laborer on railroad, farms and lumber mills, carpenter, wagon maker, blacksmith, stonemason, collier (charcoal maker), miller, weaver, housekeeper, shoemaker, retail and lumber merchants, millwright, saddler, sawyer, and hotel keeper. Of the 137 families listed, 69 were primarily farmers. Most items were made locally. For example, the wagon maker used lumber form a nearby mill to build a wagon. He then worked with the blacksmith to have the hardware custom made for the type of wagon. The wagon would then be sold to a farmer, miller, or family for their use. (Source: “A History of Rye Township Anniversary Album 1766-2016” by Brian A. Hummel)
Rye Twp – In Glenvale the grist-mill originally built by Nicholas Wolf and John Bowman, then rebuilt after fire in 1880 by Mr. Neyhart and son, was sold soon after to Alexander Hartman, who converted it from a stone buhr system to a roller mill, which was expensive but required to produce the new fine white flour in demand by the public instead of coarse, dark flour. Mr. Hartman’s state-of-the-art roller system increased the mill’s capacity to about 50 barrels of flour a day, but the conversion to the roller technology was expensive and in 1890 the mill was sold to Dr. John Eusaw and David W. Cowen. Mr. Cowen operated the mill until 1897 when it was sold to Henry Fisher. When Mr. Fisher passed away, the mill was to his brother-in-law Philip Heisley in 1912, who operated the mill for 19 years. A village grew up around the mill, which was torn down in 1931. (Source: “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby and “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886 and copy of original deed transfer of 1890)
Rye Twp then (now Marysville) – One of the first commercial buildings was the Railroad Hotel built near the intersection of Valley and Main Streets in 1860 by John Rhiver before the Fenns purchased land and laid out lots west of the railroad. The hotel operated well into the 1900s under numerous proprietors. The hotel was one of the first places in town that sold gasoline as automobiles starting appearing. It also still had a full service stable for those traveling by horse and carriage. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – The Bethany United Evangelical Church was built in 1866 about six lots up from Lincoln Street on Valley Street. It was rebuilt on the same lot after a fire in 1896 with a building committee including Rev. J.F. Dunlap, Jacob Kline, George Kocher, J.H. Souder, and C.S. Wise. The parsonage was built in 1904. The church no longer exists, its lot being empty and forming the side yard for a nearby house. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – The Marysville Church of God was founded in 1866 and the church building was built in 1870 at the northwest corner of Myrtle Avenue and Chestnut Street. The building committee included C.L. Amy, A.J. Brady, D. Cowen, A. Hartman, J. Heaney and J.D. Miller. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – By 1869 the Northern Central Freight Station with its viewing tower overlooked the rail yard operations and the stone engine house and turntable-wheelhouse were completed. The turntable was able to jockey the massive steam engines into the roundhouse for repairs and servicing or simply turn them around. The roundhouse was located approximately where the 1900s station is located today (along Rte 11/15). Front Street crossed the tracks at grade near the roundhouse and connected to Main Street before the Subway was installed. The water tower and coaling station were also just north of the Front Street crossing. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – The Trinity Reformed Church was organized in 1868 and its church building was built in 1870. The building committee included Rev. Rodrick, Dr. O.T. Everhart, George W. Kissinger and Lewis S. Lesh. Early members included Clarence Beaver and M. Beaver, Dr. O.T. Everhart, John Funck and Amelia Sloop. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Marysville – The Zion Lutheran Church was organized in 1870. Early members included Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Corl, Mrs. John F. Gushard, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Kissinger, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Schools, and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Swarts. In 1901 a brick church building was built on Front Street. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Marysville – In 1870 the Perry Lodge #458 Free and Accepted Masons was formed. They met at various locations around town until they purchased the property on the southeast corner of Funk Alley and Verbeke Street next to the Reformed Church in 1912. In 1972 they were the successful bidder of the old Sylvan Street School which has been totally renovated. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1872 and its church building was built in 1873. Early members included J.C. Culp, G.W. Dick, W.R. Peacock, L. Swartz, F.G. Weaver and J.S. Weaver. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Marysville – Although the railroad and the forge were the largest employers in the borough by the 1880s, a shoe factory was started about 1884 and operated until 1889. William H. Leonard started at shirt and overall factory in 1897. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – The borough continued to grow in its first 20 years and by 1886 had gone from five buildings and a watering spout on the railroad to a town with neighborhoods of houses, stores, six schools, five churches, a large round-house, two passenger stations and two freight stations, and two telegraph offices. (Source: “History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Volume II” published in 1886)
Rye Twp – A two-story wood house with a charming stone foundation stands along Valley Road in the Grier’s Point area of the township and held the Grier's Point Post Office, run by D.P. Lightner, who also ran a general store and hotel in the house in the 1880s. In earlier years, the stone walk-in basement housed an early kind of hotel-food-feed the horses stop called a tavern run by Samuel Grier. The house is currently a private residence.
Rye Twp& Marysville – In the late 1880s Perry County’s fields and trees and the west shore of the Susquehanna River were home to deer and bear like now but also wolves, wild cats (Canada Lynx), Hoary and Brown bats, moles, racoons, mink, weasels, red and gray fox, opossum, musk rat, meadow and field and common mouse, ground hog, fox and gray and red squirrel, common rabbit, Box Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Large River Terrapin, Fence and Five-striped Lizards, rattlesnakes, Copperhead snakes, black racer snake, common black snake, water snakes, garter snakes, common house snake, common frog, tree frog, common toad, sturgeon, trout, shad, catfish, eels, salmon, pike, perch and suckers, vultures, falcons, American Golden eagle, Bald eagle, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Screech Owl, Hairy and Yellow-Bellied and Red-Headed Woodpecker, Chimney Swallow, Whippoorwill, Night Hawk, Peewee Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Common Robin, Bluebird, Ruby Crown and Gold Crested wren, Blue and Yellow Warblers, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Mocking Bird, Red-winged Blackbird, Meadow Lark, Orchard and Baltimore Oriole, Crow Blackbird, American Raven, Fish Crow, Turtle Dove, Wild Pigeon, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, Bob White Partridge, Great Blue Heron, Kill-deer Plover, Wilson’s Snipe, Black and Summer and Ring-necked Duck, Loon. (Source: “History of Perry County” by Silas Wright – researched from 1865 to publication in 1873)
Marysville – The 1890s brought public water and electric light to the borough. The Marysville Water Company was incorporated in 1895 with H.M. Horner as president and John Herman as secretary-treasurer. The Marysville Light, Heat & Power Company was incorporated in 1897 with H.M. Horner as president, B.F. Umberger as secretary and J.W. Beers as treasurer. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – The major railroad expansion of 1900 changed the town dramatically. The 19th century engine roundhouse was removed and an elegant new passenger and freight station was built. This was at the point of Diamond Square at the intersection of Front and Dalien Streets. In addition, three on-grade public road crossings were closed and replaced with the subway. Front Street had originally crossed the railroad tracks to Main Street. Another public crossing was just north of Fishing Creek - today in the vicinity of Cassel Street - and crossed to the Perry Forge. The third was New Valley Road - today near the Lady Finger Plant - and crossed to main street. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – By the early 1900s the rail yards were booming. Dozens of steam engines busily moved cars and prepared trains for shipment across the nation. Trains stopped several times an hour to pick or discharge passengers and freight while high speed express trains zipped through on the Main Line. Over two dozen tracks fit between Main Street and Dalien Street (covered over by modern Route 11/15). (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – By the early 1900s the merchants in town were booming just like the railroads. The list of merchants in 1922 included: 1. General Stores – G.C. Bitting, A.J. Ellenberger (est 1901), J.J. Halbach, R.N. Hench (est 1902 by W.L. Roberts), J.E. White (est 1903); 2. Groceries – Alice Ensminger, J.A. Fenicle, Joseph Stante; 3. Meat Markets – H.E. Gault (est 1910), C.J. Kistler; 4. Coal – W. L. Roberts & Son (est 1902); 5. Stoves and Tinware – Albert Bungden (est 1905); 6. Cigars & Tobacco – L.F. Platt (est 1910 with Mr. Platt passing in 1920), C.M. Dick and W.M. Straw; 7. Confectionary – Margaret L. Bratton and H.A. Keim; 8. Furniture – H.J. Deckard; 9. Electrical supplies – C.H. Fortenbaugh; 10. Flour, feed and coal – P.M. Skivington; 11. Drugstore – R. H. Holmes. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – As the transportation business boomed for the north-south Northern Central Railroad and the east-west Pennsylvania Railroad, the number of tracks that Valley Road crossed also increased, creating a dangerous situation. When the railroad engine round house just south of Valley Street Extension was demolished in 1902, a subway was built to take traffic under the tracks. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – By 1902 the number of tracks increased to four and all at grade rail crossings were replaced with the Subway. Also built was an impressive brick passenger station building approximately where the roundhouse had previously stood. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – The Marysville Civic Club was established in 1903 and over the next 17 years took on projects to improve the borough. In 1914 the Civic Club installed a memorial gate at the entrance of the Chestnut Grove Cemetery and in 1914 installed a better road to the cemetery. In 1916, the Civic Club renovated the Square – also called The Triangle – by installing new sod, plants and bushes, much improving the space that was seen by travelers on passing trains and visitors to town as well as by local residents. In 1920, two years after World War I ended, the Civic Club installed a Town Clock on the high school. At the time the only other town clock in the county was on the county courthouse. The Civic Club also had planted trees on the school lawn in memory of Blaine Barshinger, Howard Spidel and James Brightbill, who had all lost their lives in the War. The Civic Club’s first officers were Mrs. Mary Morley, President; Mrs. J.P. Lilley and Mrs. Pearl B. Hipple, vice-presidents; Mrs. F.W. Geib, recording secretary; Mrs. Nora Eppley, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. C.L. Wox, treasurer. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – By 1903 Main Street was part of an electric street car line that ran from West Fairview in East Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County up along the Susquehanna River, up Main Street then through the subway under the railroad tracks into the square. It ceased operations in 1931 when the streetcars were replaced by buses. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – By 1905Main Street along the Susquehanna River was bustling with a mix of residential, commercial and municipal use east of the railyard and north of the Seidle Forge. A public school, water company, telephone exchange, general stores and boarding houses and hotels served the needs of townspeople and visitors on the railroad. Valley Street extended all the way to Main Street by crossing the tracks at nearly the same place as the subway. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – By 1900 Hunter's Ferry at Marysville was still operating - or operating again. Not much is known about the ferry run by early settler Samuel Hunter that connected the east shore of Susquehanna in the area of Ft. Hunter and the west shore in the area where west Fishing Creek met the river. In 1900, it was called “The Fort Hunter & Marysville Ferry,” according to an article on June 27, 1900, in the Harrisburg Telegraph Newspaper. The original ferry was called "Hunter's Ferry" and was known to be in operation in 1773, according to the Cumberland County Court Docket approving King's Highway (parts of which now called New Valley Road). In 1930 five young men jokingly saved paying the cost of the ferry ride in a stunt that attracted news cameras of the World Wide Movietone News. On October 29, 1930, when the river was at its lowest, the young men jumped into a 1924 Model T Ford with “Save Toll Use a Ford” painted on it, drove it into the river, and with several days of hard work drove out onto the opposite shore at Fort Hunter near Route 443. The young men were Jim Roberts, Paul Hipple, Russell Hipple, M. Dickinson, Belmont Donahue and Walter Radabaugh. From these sources it can be shown that Hunter's Ferry was in operation for at least 137 years from 1773 to 1930 - and perhaps longer. The search continues for the full history of Hunter's Ferry. (Sources: 1761 to 1776 Cumberland County Court Dockets); “125th Celebration of Marysville, PA; Harrisburg Telegraph)
Marysville – By 1902 Marysville was home to the western end of the third (and current) Rockville Bridge carrying trains across the Susquehanna River. It was the longest stone arch bridge in the world at 3,830 feet. It is still an important railroad bridge and it is still incredibly beautiful. Much of the town's Irish and Italian populations can trace their roots to the hard-working immigrants who quarried the stone and built the bridge. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD) and The Perry Historians’ “Perry County: A Pictorial History.”)
Marysville – In 1901 as the Rockville Bridge was under construction, land was purchased for a Catholic Church at Spruce and Maple streets, but the building was never constructed and the lot was sold. In 1954, the first priest to live in Perry County, Martin Lohmuller, move to town with the mission to construct a church, which was dedicated Our Lady of Good Counsel in 1956. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Rye Twp - A large part of Fishing Creek Valley lies in Rye Twp and was once mostly agricultural. It also had large tracts of forest in addition to farm land. During the early 1900s large lumber companies cut most of the existing timber, which stimulated the economy of the area. Most of the forest has grown back and will be able to be harvested again. (Source: “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby)
Marysville – By 1912 Marysville’s rail yard had been made the preference yard by Pennsylvania Rail Road and all the business done in the Harrisburg yard had been switched over. (Source: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922)
Marysville – 1917 - The Civic Club donated $27 to the American Red Cross, which was experiencing huge growth due to World War I. The 107 local chapters in 1914 jumped to 3,864 by 1918, mainly serving American and Allied armed forces and civilian refugees, but also stepping in to combat the Influenza of 1918. (Sources: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes; American Red Cross website)
Rye Twp – Gristmills turned out more than sacks of finely ground grain. A gristmill in the Keystone area also turned out a marriage in 1917. Rev. William Yingling was the young unmarried pastor of the Keystone Charge. He was making calls in the area and asked the miller, Phillip Heisley, if his daughter was available to discuss a church event. Mr. Heisley replied that his daughter Tillie was upstairs in the mill working. Rev. Yingling asked to speak to Miss Heisley. Mr. Heisley said he could try but that Tillie might be embarrassed about being dusty and dressed in overalls instead of a dress. Tillie heard the two men talking and ran to the attic-loft of the mill to avoid embarrassment but the Reverend followed her. This was the start of lasting romance and they were married a year later. (Source: “Perry County Grist Mills” by Eugene E. Eby)
Marysville – 1918 - While its mission was mainly keeping up health & safety on the home front, the Civic Club donated $5 to the War Fund. War World I started in 1914 and ended on 11-11-1918. (Source: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville – 1918 - One of the Civic Club's goals had long been to beautify the town square. Beauty must indeed be in the eye of the beholder because the Club wrote to a person who lived right on the square asking him to please keep his chickens off the square. If we saw chickens now, most people would probably be excited and bring some bread to let their kids feed them. (Source: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville – June 1919 - With funding provided by the Civic Club, the Borough put up new street signs around town. (Source: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville - In August 1919, the Civic Club decided to purchase a plot of ground at the end of Myrtle Avenue that was no longer used by the railroad and build a playground and athletic field. The meeting minutes do not record exactly where the plot was located, but the 1877 Atlas of Perry County shows Sylvan Street with house lots, then an unnamed street above it with more house lots, then open land labelled "Penn R.R. Co." (Sources: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club; 1877 Atlas of Perry, Juniata & Mifflin Counties)
Marysville – In 1920 the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #821 was organized. They met in White's Hall above the store on Front Street before moving to the Central Hotel. They later purchased a property on Chestnut Street before buying the Beers' House on the Square. The Moose continues to support the community as it marks 100 years of service to the people of Marysville. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – 1920 and 1921 - The Town Clock Tower atop the former public school building will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2020. The tower was built in 1920 by the Civic Club to honor those who had defended their country in World War I. The inscription on the tower reads: “Built A.D. 1920 In Honor of the Boys and Girls Who Assisted in Winning the World War.” (World War I, then called the "War to End All Wars," lasted from 1914 to 1918.) In 1921 the clock arrived and was installed. The Civic Club held its Dedication Ceremony in October of 1921. When it was built, the only other clock tower in Perry County was on the County Courthouse in New Bloomfield, an honor still held in Perry County. (Sources: Harry Hain’s “History of Perry County, PA” published in 1922 and original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville - In March 1923, the Civic Club voted to help buy a siren for the Fire Company. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club)
Marysville – April, June, July 1923 - The Civic Club voted to buy two plots of former Pennsylvania Railroad land most likely located a the north end of Myrtle Avenue for $300 to build a community playground/athletic field. The name would be "Old Orchard Park" after the former apple orchard. Opening day was set for July 4th. (Source: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville – April, June, July 1923 - The Civic Club voted to buy two plots of former Pennsylvania Railroad land most likely located a the north end of Myrtle Avenue for $300 to build a community playground/athletic field. The name would be "Old Orchard Park" after the former apple orchard. Opening day was set for July 4th. (Source: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville – September 1923 - The Civic Club made $2.78 by showing "moving pictures" to interested audience. By that time, feature films could be made about an hour in duration and still in black & white film, most likely with subtitles and a piano player in the room providing accompanying music. The meeting minutes don't list the name of the film. Was it a comedy with Charlie Chaplin? A swashbuckling adventure with Douglas Fairbanks? A romance with Clara Bow? (Sources: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes; "History of Film" by Wikipedia)
Marysville – 1924 and 1925 - The Civic Club's playground/athletic field (on former Penn RR land most likely located at far north end of Myrtle Avenue) was up and running with many local organizations - the VFW, Odd Fellows Lodge, local Sunday Schools - making use of the new "Old Orchard Park." Benches and tables were set up near the kitchen. A restroom was built. A water fountain and pavilion were planned. A tennis court was installed and lighting too by the. ice cream booth. A stove was donated for the kitchen. Apples were sold from the remaining apple trees in the old orchard. A large slide was purchased and a band stand was planned. On July 4, 1925, the community gathered for a festival. (Source: Original Civic Club Meeting Minutes)
Marysville – In 1934 the Blaine B. Barshinger Post 882-Veterans of Foreign Wars was chartered and named after Marysville's first casualty of WWI. Cpl. Barshinger was born in 1896 and raised in Marysville. He was wounded in October 1918 and died of pneumonia a few days later. The Post met at various locations around town. The first location was the Flat Iron Building (recently removed) on the Square. They later moved to a location on Chestnut Street and then met above Watt's 5 & 10 Store on Front Street. In 1951 they purchased the property and built the present Post Home (on Route 850 in Rye Township just outside the Borough). (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville – Recycling is not exactly a new thing, especially if it’s pre-cut stone or lumber. Did you know that in 1935 when Marysville Sportsman’s Association built its lodge on about 15 acres along Kings Highway, that lumber, windows and doors were salvaged from the white clapboard Diamond Hall on the square? The hall had been torn down during the extension of the subway and the building of Route 11/15. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville - On March 6, 1944, Marysville Civic Club decided to write a letter to the County Farm Agent, Mr. Rothrox, to speak at a meeting for anyone interested in growing a "war garden." The war was World War II, which ran from 1939 to 1945. War gardens, also called "victory gardens," were small backyard gardens planted to provide food for at home, since most of the produce of commercial farms was being used to feed our soldiers and sailors fighting around the world. Most people also kept a few chickens for eggs, since they were also in short-supply. (Sources: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club, Memories of Wanda Pines, local artist and Rye Township resident; general knowledge of WWII.)
Marysville - On November 6, 1944, Marysville Civic Club hosted Professor K.M. Stone at its meeting. The professor suggested that the Civic Club, in coordination with other town organizations, discuss erecting a memorial to the men and women of World War II in the form of an "Athletic Park". World War II wouldn't end until almost of year later, on September 2, 1944. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club)
Marysville - On September 10, 1944, Marysville Civic Club voted to tell Town Council that the Civic Club would pay for new street signs in town if Town Council would erect the signs. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club)
Marysville – In 1945 the Lions Club was founded and a year later Ken and Lillian Hall donated 30 acres of land on the opposite side of the creek from their farm .... the former Seidle farm. Over the years many athletic fields, activity buildings, and recreational facilities have been added. From the earliest years kids enjoyed the ol' swimming hole complete with sliding board and diving platform. the "hole" was made by damming Fishing Creek witha simple log and earthen dam. In the 1960s the swimming hole was just a memory after the dam washed away in a flood then the new swimming pool was added. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)
Marysville - At its meeting on February 3, 1947, Marysville Civic Club formed a committee to plan fund-raisers to buy an ambulance for the town. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club) Marysville - At its meeting on November 3, 1947, Marysville Civic Club voted to ask Borough Council to establish a speed limit on borough streets and to ask the Lions Club Auxiliary Police to enforce the speed limit. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club)
Marysville - At its meeting on February 7, 1949, Marysville Civic Club presented a status report on fund-raising to buy an ambulance for the town, which had started two years before. Guests Maynard Keller and Joe Raisner of Marysville attended to discuss plans for what type of vehicle to purchase for the ambulance. One idea was to convert a panel van. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club)
Marysville - At its meeting on March 7, 1949, Marysville Civic Club voted to order the ambulance for the town, for which it had been fund-raising for about two years. (Source: Original handwritten meeting minutes of the Marysville Civic Club) Marysville – Marysville Yards continued to be an important transportation hub until the middle of the1900s. First as a major classification yard, then as an overflow storage yard, and finally as a continuous rail manufacturing area. Over the years, Marysville has been privileged to see all types of freight and passenger trains and engines, from early steam engines, to diesel engines, to the Aero Train called the Silver Bullet in the 1950s and 1960s. (Source: “Marysville: 150 Years Along the Susquehanna” by Dennis J. Hocker, PhD)