A DESCRIPTION OF LIGHT STREET

Introduction: The Catawissa News Item 120 years ago, June 28, 1883, carried a descriptive account of Light Street from an unidentified person who visited the village in Scott Township. The article is reprinted as it appeared in the newspaper.

The observer commented about various aspects of the community such as the number of businesses, different churches, schoolhouse, and streets. One is left with the impression that there was far more economic activity occurring then than what is evident today. The individual saw it as a "pleasantly located town" and one that was "orderly and quiet" without the need of a borough government. It is interesting as to the number of individuals whose named appeared in the article.

The spelling of Light Street with two words was the norm for most of its history until the state highway department spelled it as one word when it erected a sign for the town at the I-80 interchange.

The Light Street map comes from the Atlas of Columbia and Montour Counties, published by F. W. Beers & Co. in 1876.

A STROLL THROUGH LIGHT STREET

We took a little stroll through Light Street a few days ago, and observed the following business places, viz: Harvey Heacock’s store on the left as you enter town from this place, where he deals in general merchandise; a little further on, same side, and we have Silas Young, in the building long and well know as "the Creasy stand," and up town, on the "Ent corner," we find A. B. White, with a full line of goods. A little distance this way, John Crawford has a small confectionary store; A. Howell is also in the same line. Harness shops, we notice three, conducted by the following gentlemen: George Grimes, William Pullin, and J. R. Robbins. Wagon making is carried on by Isaac Kister and John Roup. Joseph Keim and Mr. Heidley are the blacksmiths. There are three churches in the town – one Methodist Episcopal church, one Albright church, and one Presbyterian church. The minister of the first name church is Rev. R. H. Wharton. There is a large brick school house there. They have good schools, and employ three teachers in the building, during the fall and winter months. The Hultzheiser Threshing Machine establishment is in the town, doing a good business. There are two merchant flouring mills in or near the place, on the big creek [Fishing Creek], operated and owned by John W. Hoffman and Henry Kelchner. The former gentleman purchased what was known as "Ent’s Mill," a fine large property, nearly new, and with all the late improvements. Our old friends J. S. Bachman, we found on his old bench pegging away to the very last. He is a man possessing more soul than other men in the town, and is liberal with it all. Success to "Sandy." The County Superintendent of Common Schools, J. S. Grimes, lives in this town. He is an industrious man, takes a lively interest in educational matters. This is a very pleasantly located town, with good streets, and some substantial buildings, shaded with maple and ash trees. They have one hotel in the place, the United States, and it is well conducted. For a town without a borough organization, we never knew of a more orderly and quiet one. We came pretty nearly passing by our acquaintance, Jacob Terwilliger, Esq., who has quite a large furniture store. He buys from other dealers as well as manufactures for those who desire home-made work. Among the nice residences we observed that of Chauncy Trench, J. M. Hultzheiser, J. M. Rank, Jacob Mellick, and several others. The next visit may be longer, and we may have more to say. Of course we missed a great deal; couldn’t help it, when one goes through a place on a Weston gait.

Catawissa News Item, June 26, 1883

A STROLL THROUGH LIGHT STREET

We took a little stroll through Light Street a few days ago, and observed the following business places, viz: Harvey Heacock’s store on the left as you enter town from this pace, where he deals in general merchandise; a little further on, same side, and we have Silas Young, in the building long and well known as "the Creasy stand," and up town, on the "Ent corner," we find A. B. White, with a full line of goods. A little distance this way, John Crawford has a small confectionery store; A. Howell is also in the same line. Harness shops, we notice three, conducted by the following gentlemen; George Grimes, William Pullin, and J. R. Robbins. Wagon making is carried on by Isaac Kister and John Roup. Joseph Keim and Mr. Heidley are the blacksmiths. There are three churches in the town – one Methodist Episcopal church, one Albright church, and one Presbyterian church. The minister of the first named church is Rev. R. H. Wharton. There is a large brick school house there. They have good schools, and employ three teachers in the building, during the fall and winter months. The Hultzheiser Threshing Machine establishment is in this town, doing a good business. There are two merchant flouring mills in or very near the place, on the big creek [Fishing Creek], operated and owned by John W. Hoffman and Henry Kelchner. The former gentlemen purchased what was known as "Ent’s mill," a fine large property, nearly new, and with all the late improvements. Our old friend J. S. Bachman, we found on his old bench pegging away to the very last. He is a man possessing more soul than any other man in the town, and is liberal with it all. Success to "Sandy." The County Superintendent of Common Schools, J. S. Grimes, lives in this town. He is an industrious man, and takes a lively interest in educational matters. This is a very pleasantly located town, with good streets, and some substantial buildings, of shaded with maple and ash trees. They have one hotel in the place, the United States, and it is well conducted. For a town without a borough organization, we never knew of a more orderly and quiet one. We came pretty nearly passing by our old acquaintance, Jacob Terwilliger, Esq., who has quite a large furniture store. He buys form other dealers as well as manufactures for those who desire home-made work. Among the nice residences we observed that of Chauncy Trench, J. M. Hultzheiser, J. M. C. Rank, Jacob Mellick, and several others. The next visit may be longer, and we may have more to say. Of course we missed a great deal; couldn’t help it, when one goes through a place on a Weston gait.