About
May 20th, 2007
In 2015, the community of Watsontown will come to the 100th anniversary of Old Home Week. Back then, it seemed that a number of civic minded individuals felt the need to remember those who just a brief forty-eight years earlier incorporated Watsontown into a borough in the county of Northumberland located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It has been a number of years since I moved from my hometown of Watsontown and think fondly of times in my youth and young adulthood growing up in a small community. While visiting, I noticed photos in a number of local establishments that originated from Old Home Week or from the Silver Anniversary Edition of the Watsontown Record and Star published back in 1907. It seems there is still the sense of spirit wanting to remember the good things of years gone by and the wealth of memories that this community continues to hold dear.
It is also a time to lift up the myriad of gifts that this community has shared beyond the boundaries that have encompassed Watsontown. Lumber, furniture, and brick industries have enhanced the financial acumen of our area. Local merchants, restaurants, and banks have contributed to the commercial success of our community. Administrators, school board members and teachers have instilled a strong value system of life long learning through the education of our young. Numerous fraternal organizations and clubs have enlightened the civic mindedness of our citizens. Burgesses, police officers and volunteer fire fighters have added to the structure and orderliness of local government. Churches and various societies have heightened our awareness of something larger than the individual self or even our own community and to be grateful for our prosperity and generous in efforts to reach out to others in the name of that which is greater than us.
My endeavor here is to build on the foundations of preceding histories that have been published duly footnoted and to bring the annals of time to the current date. Perhaps some future generation will take this work and add to it and that this will become part of a continued story for generations to share as our community flourishes and grows to new potential and fame.
Last Modified: 04.06.09
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
This is a fabulous undertaking!!
Thanks, Jim!
chris wolfe
Comment by James Robison: Thanks for the affirmations, Chris - it is truly an exciting topic to me as I find out more and more interesting “stuff” about the ol’ home town. Any constructive suggestions would be welcomed.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Do you have anything on the “Watsontown Table and Furniture Co.” incorporated 1893? I have a cabinet from them.
Comment by James Robison: The company you are inquiring about was established in February 1893 by William Follmer, J.C. Fowler, T.G. Caldwell, G.W. Rombach, G.W. Hess, S.O. Comly, J.E. Kramer, William McCoy, Josiah Stewart, Robert Johnson, James Perry, J.P. Russell, John McCoy, and C.B. McLain. In April of that same year it was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, with an authorized capitalization of $20,000 of which $14,000 only was paid in. The organization was completed by the election of the following officers: William Follmer, president; J.C. Fowler, secretary; T.G. Caldwell, treasurer; J.P. Russell, superintendent; and C.B. McLain, foreman. The company bought a plot of ground adjoining the Pennsylvania Rail Road and in 1893 built a three story brick factory with basement along with a boiler and engine house attached. The plant was put in operation in August with twenty-five employees.
More information will be forthcoming as we get to the industry of the community but until then you can find a little more on page 16 of The Record and Star’s Silver Anniversary Edition, 1907.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I lived in Watsontown during the early years of WWII and am attempting to research the history of Watsontown at that time. I am writing a personal experience account of Watsontown’s wartime history. It is a pleasure to find your work in progress. Good luckwith this enormous and important project.
Comment by James Robison: Would be very interested in talking with you about your research and maybe we could collaborate on these years - unfortunately, I’m still far off from getting to the 1930s and 40s. I will e-mail you.
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Re: Paula Dodson; I have a table and chair set from Watsontown Table and Furn. Any info would be helpful. By the way my mom was born Martha Dodson.
December 14th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
What was the year of the picture of ben franklin and the paper store and trailways stop. It is now Levans news but about 40 years ago ( give or take) it was Kline’s News stand and owned by my grandmother Mae Kline. Great wealth of information on this site, the most I have ever seen!
December 14th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
My mom answered one question I had. The yellow car in the pic is my grams, Sy Ames is the man standing in front of it.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Just discovered a label on the bottom of an old student desk/table, which was in the posession of my father (now deceased) for Watsontown Table and Furniture Company, Founded 1893. Thanks for the Watsontown History.
It seems obvious that if the piece I have is a student desk, that this company may have mass manufactured (so to speak) many of these items. Do you know if institutional furnishings was a primary business of this company?Thanks again, Jake
May 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I also have a piece of furniture from the Watsontown company. I would love to hear more about it’s origins.
Marlene
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I have recently relocated to Lewisburg, but my branch of the Watson family is from the Snow Shoe, PA area. Does anyone know if there is a connection between that branch of the family and John Watson?
Thanks.
Brion
April 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Great idea, Jim. I’m so proud to say you were one of my students at one time. Good luck with this project!
Comment by James Robison: Nancy ~ thank you for the postive comments - I was fortunate to have great teachers such as yourself - and hope I am able to do justice to all my learning.
April 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I moved home because I missed Watsontown greatly after 20 yrs. I’ve now been back 21 yrs and purchased a house within the same block that i grew up in. I love the history of our area and its even more important to me now that my parents have both passed. I would like to help in any way possible to recreate our history
Comment by James Robison: Welcome home! Any help would be greatly appreciated - let me know what some of your gifts are and we can put them to use with the history of Watsontown.
April 25th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Watsontown is always a big part of us and in our hearts. Many people donated blood for Bill(Billy) Muffly when he was a child having rare open heart surgery. That’s what the heart of Watsontown is- giving, like everyone is family. Our first house was near the old Murray’s Dairy Store on 4th Street. We’d be interested in seeing how many people remember giving blood for Bill or going to Murray’s
Comment by James Robison: Hope you hear back from some of those who donated blood.
April 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I will also always think of your great singing voice and working with you.
Comment by James Robison: Thank you!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Great job. I have a sister-in-law who has tons of family trees (with lots of photos)dating back to coming to Watsontown.
Grays, Reynolds, Burrows, etc. if you would be interested.
May 9th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I’m looking for photos and history of the old Pammy J
Restaurant which burned in the early
70’s. Any help would be appreciated
May 30th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Does anyone have info on a couple of my 1940s friends: Mary Ann Sheffer and Janet Evans?
June 8th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hello Jim,
Thanks for your great project! I just purchased a beautiful solid mahogany Watsontown table and feel even more than I am saving a bit of history after reading your description of the company,
Thanks so much.
Sandy Boothe
Geneva, NY
June 14th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I have a solid mahogany side table with drawer from the Watsontown Table & Furniture Co. I googled the company and came up with your great site. Thanks for the info.