About Watsontown
September 1st, 2023
Watsontown Historical Association
Our museum documenting Watsontown’s history is now open at 109 Main Street, Watsontown, PA.
James Robison (the author of this website) just published a new book about all things historical in Watsontown and it’s now available for sale at the museum and online at Amazon.com.
Museum Hours of Operation
- Tuesdays 10am until 2pm
- Fridays 10am until 2pm
- First and third weekends of every month: Saturday and Sunday 1pm until 4pm
We will also open by appointment if you can’t make it during these times. Contact us by email at [email protected] or call 570.538.1777.
Join the Watsontown Historical Association — application is here.
Monthly meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month, from 4 to 530pm. There is no December meeting.
My Watsontown
In 2015, the community of Watsontown, PA, came 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.
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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?
Comment by James Robison: According to Merle Nicholas, Janet Evans married a Clearwater. She was born on April 9, 1929 and she died November 16, 1980 in New Brighton, PA. He doesn’t have any information on Marianne Sheffer, but believes she married either Derrick or Rea of the Rea and Derrick Drug Company. According to the 1940 Census for Watsontown, Robert Sheffer whose parents owned the Dewart Creamery and Geraldine (Schmucker) Sheffer who taught home economics at Watsontown High School, had three children Marianne, born about 1931; Dianne, born about 1938; and Suzanne, born about 1940.
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.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I am the great-great granddaughter of William Henry Trick & Harriet F. Watson. I am researching our family tree and would love any and all information, photos, documents releated to my family and the family store W.H. Trick & Son Dry Goods, Notions, Groceries on Main street. Any information can be sent to me at [email protected]
Comment by James Robison: William H. and Harriet Trick were listed in the census of 1900 and 1910. Earl and his wife Eugenia were listed in the 1920 census. W.H. Trick also served on Town Council from 1905 to 1907, serving as president of Town Council in 1907. According to newspaper accounts he was a Republican.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Hello; I have a 60 inch round table with 6 leaves and claw feet. The label on the bottom of the table said it was made in PA by Watsontown Table & Furniture Co. MFI estention tables. I”ve had it for about 45 years. I was wondering how old it is…Thanks
September 14th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
This was fun to read. I miss Watsontown. My dad managed the A&P on the corner of Main and 2nd in the 50s.
September 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
It’s been a long time since Iv’e been back to Watsontown, I meant Brimmer Ave. not 2nd St. Suzanne
September 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am
I have done further research & found that I am the great-great-great granddaughter of John Watson (DOB 5/15/1830) who married (12/15/1852) Louisa Catherine Steiner (DOB 12/4/1831). I am trying to find further information on John Watson and his relatives, as well as more information on the Trick side of my family. Anyone with information, photos, etc can reach me at [email protected]. Thanks.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:45 am
This is a wonderful undertaking, and I enjoy seeing history of my family. My uncle, Fred Weaver owned the Massey-Ferguson dealership in the 40’s, and my Uncle Jay Muffly, was a barber on Main Street for probably 50 years. There were others that came from Germany and settled in the Turbotville/Watsontown area. You might want to contact Jim Muffly in Muncy for tons of history that he has. I have lots of photos in addition.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I finally decided to give you a little feedback ! well you got it! i love your site !!! no , really, its good…
November 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I have copies of the Record and Star Silver Anniversary Edition 1907, and a 1967 Watsontown Centennial newspaper published by the Milton Standard. If you have not seen them and would like to, please let me know. Great site btw!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Hi Jim,
I don’t know if you remember me or not but we used to go to UCC together. My Nana was Marie Raup. I remember you and your mom and sister sitting by us at church.
I think this website is fantastic. I am working on some family tree things and the census info on here was just what I was looking for. I am wondering though,if you or anyone on this board might have information about doctors practicing in Watsontown in 1909. I am trying to find out who delivered my grandmother.We don’t have any birth certificates for her.
Thanks again for this website and all your work on it. It makes me homesick for Watsontown.
Comment by James Robison: Of course I remember you Laurie. Your grandmother sat right in front of us at Trinity. I remember her telling me stories of how she received letters from my grandmother and other children in the Sunday School when your grandmother lived at Bethany Children’s Home. Your grandmother was also very active with the Republican party serving on the Board of Election for a number of years. I know that our grandmother’s were born about the same time and that the doctor who delivered my grandmother was R. Henry Hummel who lived where the Brooks’ Funeral Home is now located and I believe was a member of Trinity Reformed Church as well.
January 9th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Hi Mr. Robison!
I hope you might remember me… 9th grade history! Because of you & that class I’ve been doing some amazing research on my family tree & have been able to trace one line back to ~1550 in Germany! Thank you for igniting a lifelong passion.
I am hoping that you or someone who visits this website could give any info/assistance re: history of the “Wilson Walkie” wooden toys which were at one time made in Watsontown & apparently quite a cottage industry! My mother is gradually collecting them (she has about 8 now I believe) & out searches online have turned up nothing of significance… Thank you in advance & thank you for this wonderful website & resource!
~Jessica
Comment by James Robison: Jessica ~ It is good to hear from you and yes, I remember you. I’m so glad that I was able to fan the flames of your genealogical passion. Congratulations and continued success. I have found some interesting things over the years on the wilson walkies, but there is no definitive history on them ~ mostly local tradition. I will see what I can do and put it up on the site so you can further your research. I have to tackle the industrial part of the history and am still tied up with the political, educational and census part. I’m sure you can appreciate the time and effort. Hope to hear back from you and that the material is useful.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Jim- Mary Grishaver did an excellent book on Wilson Walkies. I stock them. $40
January 21st, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Hi! Kevin Johnson has a lot of info on the Walkies. He attends about every auction that has them on the sale bill. His e-mail address is [email protected].
CUL8R,
Don
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:34 am
I have written a book called “A Collector’s Guide to Wilson Walkies.” It gives a complete history of the dolls. I interviewed folks in Watsontown who made the dolls and have included some photos of the town. The book has over 60 pages of color photos of Walkies. It is a labor of love for me! I occasionally list the book for sale on eBay. If it isn’t there, you may contact me directly at [email protected].
Comment by James Robison: Thank you for the reference. Is there anyway that I could share some of your information with the general public who might be visiting this site? Something that would be documented and interesting that might lead them to purchasing your collector’s guide perhaps.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Jim,
Any idea where J.D.Mayes had his marble and granite shop in Watsontown?
Comment by James Robison: Rick ~ According to the Silver Anniversary edition of the Record and Star dated 1907, J.D. Mayes’ marble and granite shop was originally located near the train depot in 1904 and within a year he purchased a lot on the corner of Main and Seventh Streets where he built a commodious workshop. I’m not sure if it was the ne, nw, se or sw corner.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Can you tell me where the records for the Watsontown cemetery are located? I am looking for a date of death for David T. Albright who is buried there, his stone says 1932 but I can’t find a death certificate on the gentleman. Any help to obtaining a more accurate death date is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Comment by James Robison: Katy ~ the only records of the Watsontown Cemetery would be located at the Borough Building, but unfortunately they don’t have much in the way of detailed records – you might be lucky but I think that they would only be able to tell you where David T. Albright is buried and the year – which you already know. Another possiblity which is labor intensive is to go to the Milton Public Library and look at the Milton Standard day by day for the year 1932 and maybe you will come across his obituary or look up Florence’s obituary in 1959 which might mention the date he died. Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
April 1st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Hey Jim, awesome website!!! Thanks for all the hard work and giving the people of Watsontown a web page not only to be proud of but also a useful tool to share information and history.
Comment by James Robison: Thank you John ~ It’s a labor of love.
May 7th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Another great resourse for finding family history information is Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com has a digital archive of the Williamsport Sun Gazette.
May 24th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
I have done further research & found that I am the great-great-great granddaughter of John Watson (DOB 5/15/1830) who married (12/15/1852) Louisa Catherine Steiner (DOB 12/4/1831) daughter of John and Julia Ann (Levan) Steiner. John Watson & Louisa had the following children:Sarah, Harriet, Julia, Mary, Emma, Flora, Hugh Allen & Blanche Watson. In speaking with my grandmother (Frances C. Trick married to William Watson Trick, Sr) she states that we are related to the founding John Watson of Watsontown, PA.I am trying to find further information on John Watson and his relatives, as well as more information on the Trick side of my family. Anyone with information, photos, etc can reach me at [email protected]. Thanks.
May 27th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Wow! Just discovered you and your work. Have been researching Gray family in this area for years. Hope to learn even more. Thanks for your efforts. We can’t have too many history ‘buffs’ out there! Thanks!
September 13th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Hello, ..thankyou for completing a piece of the puzzle. My acquired 4′ square tiger oak 5 legged ball and claw table has an aged card certificate from the Watsontown Table and Firniture Company. Do you know anyone who could tell me about origins of design?
Thank You
Lee
October 15th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Excellent website. Had no idea Oliver Wetten was the mayor at one time. I would have loved to learn about his family – he was my grandfather’s cousin – but he passed away before I began researching my family tree and learned of his line. Maybe somebody here remembers him and his parents? [email protected]
November 28th, 2010 at 12:17 am
I am a relative of Oliver Wetten . His sister was my grandmother who lived in Reading Pa. He also had other siblings such as Betty, Harry, Dolly who lived in Reading
My great aunt Betty is still alive I believe living in Reading who might be able to give you more info than I am able to at this time
Betty’s married lastname is Heiser Harry, Dorthey (my grandmother) and Dolly are deceased. I remember my grandmother told me that when she was a child she lived in Pottsville Pa So maybe that’s where they were born but I am not sure.
Hope this can help your search .
December 4th, 2010 at 7:00 am
I am reading your comments here and am interested in finding out information on any dieffenbachs that lived in wattson town. There was a mary and a george I believe they were sister and brother
December 6th, 2010 at 9:39 am
37.johnandrachel46 Says:
May 27th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Wow! Just discovered you and your work. Have been researching Gray family in this area for years. Hope to learn even more. Thanks for your efforts. We can�t have too many history �buffs� out there! Thanks!
I am a descendant of Stephen & Martha Gray & my sister in law has tons of Gray info from this area going way backkkkkkk
December 11th, 2010 at 2:12 am
Vmateer, thanks so much for responding. As far as I know, your grandmother was the oldest. My late grandmother told me Oliver had several siblings, including Marion, Violet, and Elsie. I also know that poor Oliver lost his son back in the late 1940s, sad to say. I actually have a recent obituary in which a Betty Heiser in Indiana was named, but had no idea she was a relative � I thought she was part of an unrelated family of Wettens originally based in Chicago. Perhaps I will try to track her down. For what it�s worth, you and I share a set of great great grandparents, making us 3rd cousins, and making me 1st cousin, �twice (or 2 generations) removed� with Betty.
December 21st, 2010 at 10:28 am
Read a story about a $10 bill with National Bank of Watsontown PA on it. It was found among donations at a fund raiser for a missionary. It was sold at auction by a Mike Weaver of Watsontown, who not only did not charge a fee, but sent a check for double the amount it brought. I have checked this on switchboard.com and snopes and found nothing? Do you know of such a bank or auctioneer? Lovely story – wish it were true. Marty
December 31st, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I was raised in Watsontown – on E. Brimmer Ave. just a block from the theater. It was a great place to grow up. Everyone looked out for each other and our parents didn’t need to worry about where we were every minute. We could ride our bicycles all summer and in the winter we carried our ice skates to school with us so that we could take advantage of the free skating at the 8th street playground. I remember the A&P that stood on the corner where Buck’s Plumbing is now; and how big the hole was when the building was torn down. We even had a butcher shop in town thanks to John Balliett and his father. Thanks for the memories that this site has brought back to me.
January 8th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Jim: Awesome! You are just the man to do this! I, and my family look forward to reveiwing this site and future information.
January 18th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
What a great site!!!
I only just discovered it about an hour ago, and I can’t get enough. Bless you for putting so much time and effort into this project. May it continue to grow.
I am a life-long “Watsontownie” and I want to thank you so much for the info and the memories.
February 14th, 2011 at 8:58 am
Jim GREAT SITE! Do you have any knowledge of a store on Main St. by the name of W.T.Russell’s? I have four advertising cards that say Main St. Watsontown Pa. Thanks.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Jim,
I think I have a photo of South Watsontown that I don’t see in the photo gallery. How can I send that to you as an attachment to an email. I don’t see your email address anywhere.
March 23rd, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Jim,
I, recently had a picture sent to me of the south RR crossing looking north at the RR Station. All the street were dirt at the time. I didn’t see it anywhere on your website and will be glad to send it to you as an attachment. I’ll need an email address.