Contents
July 15th, 2007
Watsontown PA
Narrative History of Watsontown
- An Early History 1728-1815
- Blossoming from Village to Town 1815-1867
- Constructing Boundaries 1867-1890
- Developing Community in the Golden Age 1890-1928
- Emerging from Depression and War 1928-1967
- Floundering for Direction 1967-2009
- Great Recession 2009-present
Watsontown Government
- Chief Burgesses
- Mayors
- Borough Council
- Post Office
- Police Department
- Fire Department
- Street Commission
- Memorial Park
- Cemetery
Watsontown Government Documents
- Charter of Incorporation
- Constitution of Watsontown
- By Laws; Watsontown Borough Council
- Voters in 1868 Election
Watsontown Federal Census Records
- 1850
- 1860
- 1870
- 1880
- 1900
- 1910
- 1920
- 1930
Watsontown Utilities
- Electric
- Water
- Sewage
- Gas
- Telephone
- Cable
Watsontown Churches
- Episcopal Congregation at Watsontown
- First Baptist Church
- First Lutheran Church
- First Presbyterian Church
- First United Methodist Church
- Trinity United Church of Christ
- Warrior Run Presbyterian Church
- Watsontown Christian Missionary Alliance
Watsontown Fraternities & Societies
- Watsontown Lodge # 401, Free & Accepted Masons
- C.O. Bachman Lodge # 619, Independent Order of Odd Fellows
- Warrior Run Royal Arch Chapter # 246
- Bryson Post # 225, Grand Army of the Republic
- Washington Camp # 229, Patriotic Order Sons of America
- Watsontown Women’s Christian Temperance Union
- Freeland Castle # 217, Knights of the Golden Eagle
- Watsontown Assembly of Artisans, Order of Mutual Protection
- S.B. Morgan Camp # 225, Sons of Veterans
- Warrior Run Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
- Watsontown Women’s Guild
- Watsontown Civic Club
- Watsontown Camp # 204, Patriotic Order of America
- Watsontown Chapter # 282, Order of the Eastern Star
- Clyde F. Mowrer Post # 323, American Legion
- Watsontown American Legion Auxiliary
- Watsontown Junior Chamber of Commerce / Lower West Branch Jaycees
- Watsontown Lion’s Club
- Watsontown Senior Citizens Club
- Watsontown Area Business Association (WABA)
- Watsontown Chamber of Commerce
- West End Democratic Club
- Warrior Run Women’s Club
- Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society Warrior Run
- Adult Chapter of the American Field Service
Watsontown Academia
- Watsontown School District
- Warrior Run School District
Watsontown Arts & Entertainment
- Watson Theater
- The Opera House
- The Gem Theater
- The Lyceum
- Centennial Band
- Watsontown Pool
Watsontown Community Celebrations
- Old Home Week
- Watsontown Centennial
- Bicentennial
Watsontown Literary
- The Record and Star
- The Montgomery House Library
Watsontown Financial Institutions
- Watsontown National Bank
- Farmers National Bank
Watsontown Mercantile
- Retail Stores
- Pharmacies
- Furniture Stores
- Grocery Stores
- Specialty Shops
Watsontown Restaurants
- Blue Diamond
- Watson Inn
- Pammy J’s
- Ciro’s Italian Restaurant
- Buzz’s Sub Shop
- Folk’s Sub Shop
- The Mansion House
- Burrow’s Tavern
- The Oasis
Watsontown Gas & Service Stations
- Runkle’s Gas Station
- Vognetz’ Gas Station
- Waltman’s Garage
- Heater’s Garage
Watsontown Industry
Watsontown Professional
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Lawyers
- Ministers
- Funeral Directors
Watsontown Insurance & Real Estate
- Foust Agency
- Fairman Agency
Watsontown Military
- Civil War
- Spanish American War
- World War I
- World War II
- Korean Conflict
- Vietnam Conflict
- Persian Gulf War
- Iraq War
- Afghanistan War
Watsontown Disasters
- Floods
- Fires
- Tornadoes
- Train Wrecks
Watsontown Transportation
- Ferry
- Canal
- Rail Road
- Trolley
- Bridge
- Highways
Watsontown Prominent Citizens
Looking Back
Contributors Recognized
April 17th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Hi,
I also own the http://www.watsontownpa.com website and I wanted to see if you coudl list it (as hostorical value) and my webhosting company as a local service. I’d be happy to add your link to the watsontown site as well if you like.
Thanks,
Kevin
May 15th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hello, a fine website, thank you. You did not mention that Watsontown has the honor of of having one of the rare national monuments named for an Army Reserve nurse in WWI. It is the Nurse Helen Fairchild Memorial Bridge, over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River at Watsontown. Nurse Helen was born in Milton, raised on a farm in Allenwood. Her parents moved to Watsontown in 1918. She died Nov. 25, 1918 and is buried in Somme Military Cemetery, France. Her Army chaplain wrote “she died from her work at the Front.” She has been recognized as a hero.
Comment by James Robison: Thank you, Nelle. Hope to touch on Helen’s contributions along with the other three community members that died during World War I – I just haven’t gotten to that part of our history yet. Still bogged down with the 1870s and 1880s, and then on to the 90s and turn of the century. Thanks for the heads up.
April 25th, 2009 at 9:04 am
I am also interested in the GAR Bryson post. Joseph Albright, a distinguished figure in my family tree returned from the Civil War weighing less than 65 pounds, comatose for months, lived to tell the tales of some of the Civil War’s fiercest battles. I have a tintype of a soldier that is most likely him. A great story, email me if you are interested in further details.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I am rearching for James Zettlemoyer b. AUG 1836 married to Catherine Lesher. He served in the Civil War and also was a memeber of the GAR Bryson post and POS of A. I believe he is buried in a cemetery in Watsontown.
Comment by James Robison: If you look in the census records you will find James and Catherine Zettlemoyer in the 1870; 1900; and 1910. In the 1880 census, the last name was misspelled “Cetelmoyer.” There was a Jas. Zettlemoyer listed as a tenant of Watsontown in the voters registration of 1868 as well.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 am
Where can I find information on persons buried at the Watsontown Cemetery?
Comment by James Robison: There is a book entitled, “Northumberland County Pennsylvania Burials, Volume VI” – this was compiled by Joseph A. Meiser, Jr. and Sarah Roadarmel Meiser and published in 1991. I believe there is a copy of it in the Milton Public Library.
March 31st, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Our house was built in 1865. Was just wondering the history of it. Our address is 14 West 8th Street in Watsontown.
August 7th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Hello “cousin” Jimmy love reading all this was nice to see gram and pap’s sub shop (Folk’s Sub Shop) listed in the eateries!! Can’t wait to read more of this history of Watsontown.
September 26th, 2013 at 12:20 am
Looking for information on James and Thomas Leech of Delaware Township. James died in 1872 Thomas in 1892. I think the farms were near or on East District Road area.
Comment by James Robison: Not sure what kind of information you are looking for, but my great great grandmother Martha Jane Marshall McIntyre’s cousin Caroline Koons (August 25, 1853 – March 16, 1921) was married to Isaiah Leech (April 6, 1839 – May 22, 1918). Isaiah was one of the children of James and Eliza Leech of Delaware Township and a younger brother of James. According to information on ancestry.com James Leech was born 21 January 1800 in Norristown, Montgomery County, PA and died 3 May 1872 in Lewis Township, Northumberland County, PA. James was married to Eliza Reynolds who was born 21 December 1808 in Montgomery County, PA and died 16 Janauary 1868 in Northumberland County, PA. Hope this was helpful.
January 18th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
James, I was looking for any photos of James Leech’s family, the location of James and Thomas Leech’s farms and the father and mother of James Leech. Thanks for your help. Jack Leach
May 21st, 2016 at 9:08 pm
I am wondering if you are able to tell me what year my great grandfather, chief Carl Reed started his Christmas program. He was Chief from 45-72.
Comment by James Robison: Sadie, the earliest record I could find concerning the Christmas Toy Program your grandfather Reed started was found in the Borough Council Minute Book, 1947-1961 dated December 1, 1955 requesting the Borough Council Chambers as the Toy Center for the “annual” program which makes me believe their must have been at least one previous program ~ but there is no mention in any of your grandfather’s previous reports to Council that collaborate this idea.