Sinking  Spring  Golden  Amiversary  l  1413-1463  Odn    Cane CG    SINKING  SPRING  STORY OF  THE INCORPORATED BOROUGH  COVERING  FIFTY 1913.  GOLDEN  YEARS  1963  IN WORDS and PICTURES  THE SINKING SPRING  S  coup  PENA  AVE  AVE MUHL  C COOSIN  VE  AVE  d0 OCTAGON    THE STAFF  HAROLD G. FREEMAN Chairman, Sketcher, Cartoonist, Researcher  MRS. JOHN R. LAMBERT Editor and Writer  MAYOR EARL R. FOX MRS. EARL R. FOX MRS. HAROLD G. FREEMAN JOHN R. LAMBERT  Collaborators and Researchers  Published by West Lawn Printing Co. - 1963    FOREWORD  The Borough Council of Sinking Spring hopes this-a short history of fifty years of the Borough-will serve as an aid to re- membering Sinking Spring for the oldstèrs and maybe as a point of enlightenment and some interest in the town in which they live for the newer and younger generations. It trusts that you, as readers--new, young and old-will enjoy the following pages. and maybe feel a bit of pride to be a resident of the Sinking  Spring Borough, Inc.      DESCRIPTION OF THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY SEAL  OR EMBLEM  The emblem designed and described by Stephen Andruzak iss significant of early Pennsylvania Dutch influence. The heart, tulip and turtle dove, expréssions of the hopes and joys of an intensely religious people, were used extensively in decoration.  The turtle dove, symbolic of peace on earth, is always shown feeding on tender shoots of a young lily and otherwise  shown in a gentle manner, secure from all harm.  The tulip, representative of brotherhood, was used on  many manuscripts.  The heart has no purely romantic significance, but rather  symbolizing the all embracing Heart of Heaven.    "JUST A LITTLE STREET WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET TO YOU IT MAY SEEM OLD AND SORT OF TUMBLED DOWN, BUT IT SEEMS A LOT TO FOLKS IN MY HOME TOWN. ALTHOUGH I'M RICH OR POOR,  I'D LOVE TO WANDER BACK SOME DAY.  ISTILL FEEL SURE, I'M WELCOME AS THE FLOWERS IN MAY. IT'S JUST A LITTLE STREET, WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET AND TREAT YOU IN THE SAME OLD WAY."    OA WA  e  S7. VE cisg  By  - B  y  OUTLE)  74    HE LENNI-LEMAPE INDIANS NAMED THE SPRING- SUAKIN SPRING,AND LATER THE, WHITE SETTLERS NAMEO IT SINKING  SPRING.  y    JOHN H ADDAMS,FATHER, OF MIS5. JANE ADDAMS FOUNDER OF FAMOUS HoLL HOUSE, SOCIAL SETTLEMENT IN-CHICAGO ILL. WAS BORN IN THE HOTEL AAST KNOWN AS THE PICCADILLY, HOTEL. NoWI HOUSING THE NEW PEOPLES CITY AND TRUST  BANK.  JANE AODAMS  G0  *  BRS &  H.FREEMAM    EARLY SINKING SPRING Prior to 1913  7bkh GATE,  Itis only fitting in recording the history of thè Sinking Spring Bor- poration of the Borough in 1913. We recall = the date of the beginning of the settlement which was in 1793 (six years before the death of our first United States President, George Washington (1799) - one hundred and seventy years ago - (although there were settlers in this heavily timbered area, ruled over by Indians as early as 1728) - the origin of its name "Sinking Spring" (an earlier name was "Sunken Spring" given ML by the Indians) sO called from the periodic appearances and disappear- ances of a spring located at the present western edge of the new Sinking Spring Branch of Peoples Trust City Bank property--and the reason for the site (a. watering place for the livestock of the farmers in the sur- rounding vicinity). Of course at that time there was quite an amount of water there. The farmers with their animals took the shortest routes to the water. This explains the unplanned streets of early Sinking Spring. 'The cow paths became streets and finally one street at that time became part of the old Philadelphia Pike (now Hull Street); another, a turn- pike, "The William Penn Highway" (now Route 422 or Penn Avenue), boasting of two Toll Gates, one at either end of the little village. Of necessity, the primary work of the village was farming. But there were other occupations, too,-such as - mining (iron ore on the. former Oberlin farm on Cacoosing Ave.) - making of cigars (the pres- ent Oriole Building as one site) - making of razor blades, the making of underwear in the same building at different times- making of soap (now The Hofmann Industries, Inc., Columbia Ave.) - making of hosiery (886, Columbia Ave.) - pottery making (Shratters--now the Blandford residence, 1042 Columbia Ave., formerly the Grimes residence) tanning of hides at (recently Worley's office, now the Village-aire Sportswear Shop) - generating of electricity at (now Brown's Feed Milly feed and flour milling (now Brown's Feed Mill)- 1857 railroad- ing (Sinking Spring later was the junction of the Reading and Columbia Railroads) - retailing of coal, grain and feeds, etc. (in the 500 block of Penn Ave.) = cutting of ice on the old Mine Hole, which ice was stored by the hotels and butchers for their businèssès. Of course there was always buying and selling. A general merchandise store was located at 600 Penn Ave. (now Dunkle's Appliance store, (1929) and operated by Hiram Hull and later by his son Charles B. Hull. The town had two watch and clock repairmen; one's shop was locâted in the former Octagon School building at the corner of Mull and Penn Avenues and operated by. Lewis Kerschner; the other shop was operated by Charles Feichtinger on Woodrow Ave. (then Railroad St., which boasted of a board walk for a sidewalk). Another example of trading can be cited in the work of Samuel G. Wenrich, who built up. a large cattle trading business on Cacoosing (an Indian name meaning "Place of the Owls") Avenue. An industry of keen interest for "children coming home from school and looking in at the open door" was the blacksmith shop run by Joseph Machemer and located on Columbia Avenue. The shop still stands and is operated under the name of "Mil- ler Body Shop," 575 Columbia Ave. (1945). Also a lumber business was  OPEN ough, to include in it, some of the history of the years before the incor-  4    owned and operated by W. W. Webber (Penn Ave.); his office in the building, now, next to Sharman's Music Store-. Columbia Avenue at that time was the site of a vegetable farm (supplying fresh vegetables LO people of Reading) run by William Fromm. This business later be- came the Miller and Fromm Florist estabishment-now retailing at a store in Reading. A similar farm was located on South Hull Street, owned and operated by William Johnson. A "Billy" Grimes of Colum- bia Ave. was also interested in this same kind of business. At present the outstanding produce farm is the Hostetter place at the western end of Transportation was furnished by horse and. wagon, railroad (1857) and street car (1894). Communication depended largely on the Post Office. The Post Office in 1913 was located beside the hotel (Central House) on the present Blankenbiller Distributing Site (1916). The Post- master was Charles "Lottie" Steffy, who did his work on crutches (Mr. Steffy was a paralytic). Since then the Post Office has had several dif- ferent homes, loçcated at differênt sites in the town-the Kintzer home, to the old Fire Hall; 1 and also has had quite a few Post Masters. The very first postmaster was a Mr. Davenport (1827). The present site of the new Post Office (1962) is on Penn and Woodrow Avenues, with Harold G. Freeman, the twenty-second and last post master (1936-1960). You might be surprised to know that at one time Sinking Spring had four hotels-the Centennial Hotel (built and so called to entertain guests who came to the centennial exposition at Reading in 1876)-the Central House - the Hainly Hotel - the Railroad House-. Now there iso only one, owned and operated by the proprietor, John Flamish, since 1922. The name Railroad House 15 still on the glass over the door. Wherever there was a setilement. there were schools and churches. B9 Sinking Spring had schools at several locations, naming only, three- "Charter Oak Academy "a residence at present, 425 Penn Ave. (earlier the home of the famous Oberlin Pcony Gardèns)  The High School on Vester Place (then known as College Street and later School Street) 'The Eight-cornered School House, Penn and Mull Avenues (the early Baptist Church = no longer standing) - A building on the opposite corner of Penn and Mull Avenues was then. (1812) used as the Baptist School (later known as the Brunner House). There were Churches Baptist (1812), Union, Lutheran (1812), Reformed (1794), United Brethren--. Since then, the Dunkard Brethren built a church. on. Ca- coosing Avenue (1927) -founded by a few members of the faith living in the vicinity--now disbanded. The building which housed the Dunk- ard Brethren is now (1963) temporarily housing St. Peter's United And, all this and more was and is protected by the Liberty Fire Company, which is celebrating its 67th birthday, by dedicating a new building to house its equipment, and its social quarters at 836 Ruth Avenue. (This ceremony 15 part of the activities for the week of the *These reminiscences have very little to do with the fiftieth birthday of the Borough of Sinking Spring; but, they are related and might give, someone  the borough on Penn Avé. (19-10).  Penn Ave. - Ernie's  uo  Barber Shop, W'oodrow Ave. Penn Ave. next door  He is now called a supervisor.  Church. of Christ.  Fiftieth Birthday of the Borough). . pleasuré in recalling them.  GATE ChosED    SINKING SPRING The Incorporated Borough  "Fifty years ago" - that is not a long time, surely not too long a LLI time to ask-"Do you member?"-, When the committee for this project (this history) met, even for the first time, the natural question in the course of the evening's business was-"Say, do you remember . - .?" This then will be a story written up with that sort of a theme or scheme in mind. And of course this would lead into the theme of-Then - and  Now.  THEN = 1913 - 1962  While the nation was having a new president (Woodrow Wilson) - Pancho Villa was rampant in Mexico and Southwestern United States --World War I was in its making, the Panama Canal was about to be opened and Hènry Ford was using mass production on the Model-T Ford, Sinking Spring was a village (with a population of approximately 1,000) of dirt roads, with no sidewalks, no paved or graded streets, few or no street lights (only, mentioning a few of the things lacking). Prop- erties were fenced in and sometimes with high board fences. Most of the houses were without electricity and many were still. without running water facilities. Sinking Spring was in its "Horse and Buggy Days"; but, it was soon to be introduced to the automobile, "Bosty" Blimline (father of John Blimline, former County Commissioner) possessed one of the first automobiles in this vicinity.. He also maintained a garage, show- room and repair shop at the location of the present Reedy Apartments, at the corner of Penn and Woodrow Avenues. Now there-is no lack of gas and service stations on Penn and Columbia Avenues. Soon there was more and cheaper electricity to bring a bit of prosperity and ease Earlier in the story, we mentioned cigar-making as an occupation. Now, at this time it became one of the town's principal industries. One shop was located at the site of the present Sinking Spring Boro Council Hall at Penn and Columbia Avenues, operated by Pierce Steffy. How- SMOKE ever only fourteen men and women were employed there. Another; a PP much larger cigar factory was established on James Street in the build- JUPITER ing now occupied by the Hardesty-Quitner, Inc. Brass Works. (1955) CIGARS Then there also was a Sinking Spring Foundry, located at Hull Street and the railroad. Directly behind the cigar shop on Woodrow Avenue (men- tioned before) thére was located a Farmers' Creamery. There the farm- ers' of the surrounding area brought their milk supply where the cream was separated from the skim milk, The latter was taken. home by the farmer and the cream was sold to be made into butter. The milk that was not brought to the creamery, was picked up by the Reading Trac- tion Co. from platforms built along the route of the trolley car, at about 5.a.m. daily, and then taken to. its destination east or west out of Sink- ing Spring. The milk for home consumption was peddled "loose" on the streets of the borough by horse and wagon. At a later time, the milk business became, a real dairy, located on Vester Place. At the same time, the town was proud to boast of a bakery, which had been estab- The trolley had become an important means of transportation.  tot the community.  lished for some time.    Workers no longer needed work in Sinking Spring. They used the trol- ley to the industries east of Sinking Spring. Sinking Spring was now Recreation was largely provided in the home or furnished by the Church and School. But, during the winter there was ice-skating on the mine hole and on Grimes' pond on Columbia Avenue. In summer there was a baseball field at the rear of the mine hole on thè mine's "pitch' ' At this. place the town's. first baseball teams played under the name of "Cincos  for the cigar maker, Pierce Steffy, at one time. Some of the best ball players in the surrounding area played on this Championship team.. The basketball teams played in a compact hall on the property owned by Joel Hainly, which property now. belongs to the Peoples Trust City Bank (also having a fiftieth birthday this year). In the early 1800's the property was owned by Samuel Addams, grandfather of Jane Addams (founder of famous Hull House, Chicago) *. It. was reported that Jane Addams visited with relatives in Sinking Spring in 1930. The Sinking Spring is on this property as stated previously. Basketball was also played later In thè Gottshall Dance Hall, Hull Street-now the Bell Telephone Another source of recreation, which was the rage then, were the Medicine Shows, held at the Central House (the present site of the Central House, cattle sales were held (a sort of recreation for some folks). The cattle for these sales were driven right through the middle of the town on Main Street to the place of sale. Rodeo shows also took place thére. Shooting matches (fying boards, live pigeons and later clay pigeons) were run at Hainly's Hotel. A unique recreation was the result of elections, at those times. The losing party had to take a ride to oblivion, up the "salt river ' An occasion of this kind afforded great fun and pleasure to the winning party-. The last "salt river" parade cele- brated the inauguration of President oodrow Wilson.  primarily. residential but still rural.  Building.  Penna. Power and  and  .BA4E  Light building  Esso Gas Station).. Behind this  CONTINUING WITH "THEN"  The first Borough Council should receive its just dues. The task of organizing a borough was rather stupendous. Streets had to. be laid out, graded, named, renamed; street lights had to be considered; side- walks had to be planned, etc. The property owners had to be pérsuaded to give up land sO that the borough community could be laid out to the best advantage for all concerned. 1913 loomed as an important year. The Borough was incorporated officially March 10, 1913, and the first election was held in April of the same year. The organization was:  First Burgess First President of Council First Members of Council-  John H. Glasmyer Thomas J. Oberlin  H.L. Fisher A: B. Madiera H. C. Lambert J.B. Machemer D. G. Miller J.P. Reeser T.J. Oberlin  *Source of information-The Berks Co. Story"--Richard Moll 1953.    Of these members, only one, J. B. Machemer, is now living. Meet- ing nights were the first and third Thursday of each month, which have continued the same until the present time. The street ocmmissioner's salary was twenty cents an hour. The first constable, Mr. Monroe Bender, received fifteen dollars per year. The President of the Board of Health was William H. Fromm. Some of the things accomplished in 1913 were -the naming of the borough streets, approved at the fourteenth meeting -resurfacing of Penn Avenue with gravel and stone at one dollar per In reorganizing the Council in 1914, Charles B. Hull became bur- gess; Thomas P. Werner beçame High Constable. This Council estab- lished a six-mill tax for the borough: now the millage is fourteen. Two years later the Bell Telephone Co. was granted permission to come into  PENA  ton-wages decided for workers of the borough...  AO 15 MIMVTE PAASa  PARKE the borough. Fourteen signs "Danger Run Slow" and ten signs "End SIDE ZHIS of 15-mile speed limit" were purchased. In 1917 the state highway  through the borough was Route No. 149.  In 1914 the town felt the pinch of anxiety for the world because World War I was on. Thé situation worsened until 1917, and the Unit- ed States was at war with Germany in'the world. In that year all Sink- ing Spring men in the United States government service were exonerated from paying any personal borough tax for the year 1917. Sinking Spring served weil in World War I, as the monument on the school grounds Maybe the military situation in the world and country had some- thing to do with instigating the Boy Scout movement, which was started in Sinking Spring in 1916 by a Mr. Davis. But Sinking Spring always thinks of John Fromm as the leader of the Boy Scouts in Sinking Spring. About twenty years later the Cub. Scouts were started in Sinking Spring in 1936 under the leadership of Donald Ganser. Two outstanding scouts, Gary Erb (1962) and Francis Seidel III (1963) won Ist prize in During this period of. World Crisis (World War I) the Borough High School became a three-year high school (1916) and a four-year In a little village like Sinking Spring, world-shaking events do not reach too deeply and life with little variation goes on from day to day asa matter of course. But the "fu" epidemic (tho' also national and international) reached Sinking Spring with terrific force and took its After World War I came to an end Sinking Spring could now turn 1o its own needs and interests. Safety for citizens began to come to the fore. There were proclamations against fire crackers, etc., May 1919- petitions for less nuisances near residences, such as cattle pens 1919-an- mouncements against speeding through town September 1919-. In April, 1920 the Sinking Spring Water Co. offered the borough the sale of the spring which supplied the borough with water, but no speci- hed price was offered-the subject was discussed and it was decided to take no action on it until after a decision could be handed down by the Public Service Commission. The borough now does not own the Water  testifies (first erected at Penn and Mull Avenues-1920).  Unit 156 for skill in oratory. high school in 1920.  toll in lives in 1918.  Company.    RECREATION AND SAFETY WERE PROJECTS Recreation then as now was of great concern to the community. The churches and schools provided some very wholesome pastimes, as was said before. The High School inaugurated the Lyceum Courses (1920- 28). The Churches through the Men's League did their share during this period by importing noted lecturers--such as-William Jennings Bryan who lectured to an overflowing church crowd at the St. John's Reformed Church in 1921. In 1922 Senator Willets from Ohio had the honor. The next year was to repeat such an event by having Russel Conwell (founder of Temple University) lecture on his famous "Acres of Diamonds" in the new High School Auditorium (1923). Still working in the. interests for safety, the Council received a letter from the Liberty Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. I of Sinking Spring stating that they had several thousand dollars to be invested for fire- fighting at such a time and in such a manner as said company and the council should agree upon. The apparatus must have been purchased and at the appropriate time. For in the winter of 1921--Second Christ- mas to be exact-Sinking Spring received a tremendous blow. The high school building burned down. It. was not entirely rebuilt until 1923 and the schools were held in the churches. Of course right after the school was rebuilt, the churches had to be repaired and remodeled. Between. 1922 and 1925, the Borough still kept on taking steps to improve the community. Sinking Spring now had a bank (1922).The Board of Trade was authorized to procure street: signs for the borough streets. An ordinance was passed May 4, 1923, granting the Consumers Gas Company, the right to construct underground conduits, ducts and pipes to furnish and supply gas in the borough. In 1925, special officers for the borough were' appointed by the council. They were George Gottshall, Leon Lambert, and Charles Binkley. Later that year, the Sinking Spring Board was asked to draw an ordinance for numbering the houses in the borough. The ordinance was passed in 1926. The num- bèring led to free mail delivery to the homes that. same year.  THE ROARING TWENTIES ROAR!  During the prosperous and roaring "twenties "Sinking Spring still, as mentioned before, went about its usual business of living with little variation. But in' the autumn of 1926, it was to have a jolt from this camplacency. The St. John's Reformed Church (the present United Church of Christ) suffered a second building catastrophe. A hurricane blèw the steeple (built in 1851), into the Church after it had been struck Then, during the prosperous "twenties' : Sinking Spring expanded- mostly westward. New avenues were opened from Evans Avenue west. Sinking Spring was growing-but not for long. The depression of 1929 struck and struck hard. The Sinking Spring Bank had to close its doors. The bank then had been sponsored by a Reading, Bank. That Bank failed ànd the Sinking Spring Bank closed its doors, only for a. short time. Through the. loyalty of its directors, stockholders and depositors, the bank was reopened for business and had become strong, enough to have become a part of the Peoples Trust City Bank by 1954. The years of the depression stopped building expansion. People  by lightning several weeks before (1926):    &  were concerned only with keeping alive. Teachers were not paid; kids in school were hungry; parents were out of work; and how. many more? Those who worked often received no pay; some worked for vouchers which bought groceries. But projects (Federal and State) like the C.W.A., P.W.A., W.P.A., N.Y.A., and C.C.C. (Civilian Works Adminis- tration, Public Works Administration, Works Progress Administration, National Youth Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps) gave as- sistance to the needy in Sinking Spring by giving work to people who were paid by the government. Through these projects Sinking Spring was richer by a painted school house (outside and inside) and by a rain water sewer for Hull street and Penn and Columbia Avenues, and a hill- During thesè depression years, the community was invited to use the Socialist Grove (now called Willow Glen) for. picnics, etc., without charge. To give a bit more pleasure to the children of the community, the Council decided to buy. and plant a spruce tree on the school grounds to serve for the annual Christmas Tree around which there was to be ap party every year. By July 1936, Sinking Spring had a recreation board and a playground was opened with W.P.A. supervision. In the. beginning of the story of Sinking Spring, the community was proud to have the trolley as a. means of transportation. But, in 1935 the trolley was outmoded and a petition was drawn up and sent. to the Public Service Commission to abandon the Trolley Line through the borough. Buses took its place in the name of progress. In 1939 the trolley traicks were removed to facilitate the paving of route 422 which was begun in the same year. In the name of progress a snow plow (a blessing) was purchased for $262.50 in 1936; also a lawn mower for $10. 1936 also marked the beginning of a conference with the Highway Engi- neers to lay a three lane highway from East End to Shillington Road. At this time a health problem raised its head. The drinking water of Sinking Spring tasted of gasoline. The Council requested the State Department of Health to test the water in the springs and wélls of the vicinity since the citizens were not using the public system because of the aforesaid pollution. Pure water was imported to the borough by trucks. The use of the trucks was offered by Harold Webber, a lumber dealer of Penn' Ave., Sinking Spring. All health problèms were in the hands of the Sinking Spring Health Board until 1955; when the duties of it were turned over to the State. Board of Health. This plan exists today. Incidentally did you know that Sinking Spring is one of the few communities that started and is still offering free collection of garbage  less Columbia Avenue.  and rubbish to its residents?  DATES SET THE BEGINNING OF THE BUSINESS  (Everywhere in the Story)  Somewhere in our story above, it was mentioned that Sinking Spring became primarily residential. This, generally speaking is still true; yet when an official count was made of the businesses and indus- tries, there was a list of seventy-three with approximately one thousand employees (including only about 250 employees that are residents of Sinking Spring). Among these (and not mentioned above) are the Hot- mann Industries, Inc. (1938). Someone said that with their moving into    Sinking Spring, the community received an impetus toward growth. At first this industry was the Broom Industry, located on Hull Street. It now includes the old Sinking Spring Foundry, a very modern foundry- in fact, one of the most modern automatic foundries in the country-also the. tube factory on Shillington Road, with their offices nearby; but these offices are in Spring Township and not in the community of Sink- ing Spring. Other industries not mentioned before are the Graffius Vault Works (1939); Sinclair Oil Company (1932); Stief's Poultry In- dustry (1947); Kurtz's Drug Store (1925); Weaver's Art Shop (1960); Sharman's Music Store (1959); Hirshland's Furniture Store (1960); Kohl's Roofing (1950); several hairdressing establishments (7); several barber shops (4);P.P.&L. (1930); : Holtzman's Hardware Store (1920); Penn Dale Hosiery; Commerce street; Heck Texaco Distributor, Miller Builders Supply (1931), Schneck Coal Yard, Schlottcraft, all on Moun- tain Home Road. Then there are factories, such as-Valley Forge Flag, Cacoosing Industries Plastic, Milroy Enterprises, Ivan Hoffman Cabinets. In addition there are tinsmiths-Harting and Machemer; a plumber, Charles Reedy; several butchers-Wenrich, Furlow; one restaurant- Stoudt's (1950) in the building where a combination store ànd restau- rant had formerly been set up in (1834); Royal Dry Cleaners; several stores not mentioned before-State Liquor, Berkenstock's, Meckley Hats, Weber Sports Leather, Matz's Boats, Walter Appliances (1958); two insurance men-George Balthaser and Brooke Stitzer; one excavating contractor, Herbert S. Stine; a carpenter and builder, Paul Reber; Deg- ler and Whiting-school and ornamental equipment (1956); one under- taker, Francis Seidel II (1946); one warehouse, Sears; one bowling alley, Berks Lanes; last but not least, the promoter of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Sinking Spring Borough, chairman of the Golden Anniversary and the president of the Golden Anniversary Cor- poration-Stephen. Andruzak, 1163 West Penn Ave. (1954). With the listing of all these business activities in the community-making for an industrial community for the citizens of Sinking Spring-the town is still residential and rural. The latter is proved by having farms located on the main streets of the borough-The Hostetter Farm and James' Place on Penn Avenue and the Stief's Grandview Acres on Columbia Avenue. Enough of industries, businessés and such, for a while. Time and space must be devoted to the so-called finer and higher things of life. By this is meant things of religion, culture, professions, social affairs, education, institutions of culture, etc. Sinking Spring is only a small community. Progress of this kind was and is siow. Only when people have leisure time, it is possible to expand into a finer civilization. As long as work to exist is the main object of living then there is very little time for dreaming. There must be time for sitting and thinking.  CULTURE 1 1913-1963  The result--new things or better things.  CHURCHES AND MUSIC  The churches have always been the champions of culture and learn- ing. To accomplish anything in this activity there must be leaders, which usually are the, ministers of the gospel. In this category may be named the reverend Messrs. Lazarus, Atkinson, Sowa, Jentsch, Kershner,    77  Rhoads, Stoudt, Harwick, Fridinger (1913) the first U. B. Minister, Mil- ler, Romig, Fortna, Beamsderfer, Luckers, Sheetz, Hostetter, Smith, Mentzer, Snyder (and eight other supply and student ministers). In the church there was always musical training through choirs, choruses (glee clubs). These activities. were usually in the. care of the Choirmasters, namely--Mrs. Katie Saltzer, Charles Specht, William Unger, Carl Seltzer, Russell Sterner, Mrs. William Ehst, Pastor Jentsch. Then all churches boasted of. libraries which later became part of the Public Library lo- cated in the school house on Vester Place. Now there is no public li- brary in the town, because there was no room available in the school and all books worthwhile were given to the High School Library. While reminiscing on musical activities, one must not forget to boast of Sinking Spring's Paul Specht, an orchestra leader, who playèd for the crowned heads of Europe and traveled the world with his new kind of syncopated rhythm music. Maybe the height of his. career was play- ing at two of the inaugural balls of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The function of a school is disseminating learning and culture, which is required of it as its primary function. Learning must be pro- moted by leaders also, as in the church. Among these leaders may be named B. H. Weidman, Russell Hunter, Harry Sowers, A. D. Steckel, Roy T. Merkel, Norman Hopp, Sidney Stocker-all supervising prinçi- pals or principals with assistant principals-George Weida, Clarence Yenser, Wayne Kinsey, Robert Gates, Paul Freed, Mrs. Maybelle Y. Lam- bert, Robert Fisher. Speaking of teaching and learning, the town must be reminded of the Latin Grammar professor (the first president of Sinking Spring Borough Council) Mr. Thomas J.. Oberlin, who took up botany as. a hobby. He became sO proficient in his hobby that the Her- barium which he composed is now on exhibition somewhere in the Reading Museum in West Reading. Very much later, Oberlin and his son Reuben made one phase of this hobby. (peony propagation) their life's work. On the death of the Oberlins this work-propagation of tree peonies-was continued on a very. small scale by one, of Oberlin's workers, John R. Lambert. He is persuing this peony work as à hobby.. In addition to the school being the center of promoting education, it became the center of the community for plays, minstrels, operettas, chautauquas, lyceums, lectures--all dispensing culture-very high or very low. At one time the town could boast of a band. called "The Sinking Spring Cornet Band l',and a glee club-"The Clef"--directed by H. Au- In this story of culture, the doctors and dentists are members of professions to be mentioned also. In our community these names have been and are esteemed--Drs. Schearer, Gaul, Binkley, Herbein, followed by Hain, Matterness, Hain (son of the former Hain), Scholtes, Lessig, Huntzberger, Wummer, Loder, Scholtes, Reigel, Bernheimer and Dries- May social affairs be listed in the category of culture? If sO, men- tion may be made of the Lion's Club and its auxiliary, of which Wil- liam T. Embree was the first president in 1932. Of the Charter mem- bers of the club, Charles G. Reedy, has had a perfect attendance record for twenty-five years. Mention, too, may be made of church societies,  SCHOOLS  gustus Meyers.  bach (the latter four, dentists).    the lodges (at one time five of them-then), the auxiliaries to the various RATION organizations, the social clubs (Orioles, 1924; Fire Company Club, 1933; STAMP The "Vets" 1946; Athletic Clubs, etc-all items of local interest. As mentioned before, a small community's life is very narrow and selfish, but off and on, World shattering events do touch the town. In 1941 the town faced such an event-World War II. It brought business and prosperity to the community as it did to the whole nation, but it also brought great sorrow and a few hardships. To honor our men in the armed forces, a Roll of Honor, sponsored by the Lion's Club was erected at Penn Ave. and Hull Street on the Reformed Church property. In the fight the town lost good citizens as casualties of the war. To WAR commemorate all the War Dead, the Memorial Park and Marker were RATION placed by the Lion's Club (1946) and is maintained by the community BOOK When World War I ended, Sinking Spring went wild with celebra- tion, but when World War II ended, a drum and a drummer and a few followers paraded the streets. Was the event too sacred? (1945) Well, the spirit of solemnity, sacredness and respect was carried over into put- ing up the Municipal Memorial Park between St. John's Lutheran Church and the United Church of Christ. The land was donated by the Reformed Church and the transaction of property cost one dollar. (1946): To this park was added a 57 mm. gun on carriage-costs for which were borne by the Lion's Club. Did you know that the Valley Forge Flag Company has donated all the flags used thus far in Munici- Sinking Spring was interested in the site where the sinking spring isl located and asked the owner of the"Blue Lantern" (Hainly's) to pre- serve the spring. From an interview with the owner, it was reported  NO.1  on Penn Ave.  pal Park?  that the SPRING was to be closed. (1948)  PEACE TIME FOR GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT After the war, Sinking Spring became interested in itself again. Pro- tection was a project again which was illustrated by. the erection of a light on the Reedy Apartments roof to protect the police when directing traffic on Penn and Woodrow Avenues. (1949) This light is still used. Again thinking ot safety, the school board engaged a Frank Becker to be school guard three hours per day at the eastern end of the borough at the bank (1953). In the same year the problem of automatic gates at. the rail- load crossing of Woodrow Ave. was. also considéred. The gates became a reality in 1959. Writing about safety projects and problems, now and then a tragedy occurs which cannot be controlled by man. In the winter of 1954, the community had a scare such as it never experienced before. During the night of January 14, 1954, an earthquake shook up Sinking Spring. The town was not damaged, but frightened because the resi- dents were helpless against an act of God. The town realized it could have been lots worse and were thankful it was not. There were several other tremors, but not very severe in the weeks following. Somewhere in the story of the Borough, it. was noted that there was a period of expansion in building, etc., but was suddenly stopped by the depression of 1929. Now, since the end of World War II there has been a population explosion and Sinking Spring had to take care of its part in the explosion, sO building developments sprang up on the outskirts  IA    HEIDELBERG  SUTH  :  I  Cp - -  ROAD  STREET  C  dIHSNMOL    of settled Sinking Spring. Milbeth and part of Wilshire are examples of this expansion. But expansion to the west and south ends also took place: With the population growth, also came an educational problem. The schools had to be enlarged. Sinking Spring, schools jointured with the Wilson School District of Spring Township in 1954. A jointure of this kind assured the residents of the borough that their children would have better educational advantages in a larger system. The school is Maybe it was noticed that throughout the story of the borough, the underlying theme was one of improvement and achievement. By the proper interest, loyalty and perseverance, a goal was partially re- alized when Sinking Spring received recognition for outstanding achieve- ments in local projects "during the past year" (1956), by receiving two checks of two hundred fifty dollars each and a bronze plaque for fourth place in a state-wide contest in Class C for communities under 2,500 population. This contest was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. But not only one recognition was received for one year (1956), but for a year before that in 1955 and two years after that in 1957 and 1958. The recognition of the years '55, '57, and '58 were cer- tificates. of achievement with honorable mention. Speaking of growth the population had increased from 1270 in 1920 to 2244 in 1962. Not only in. population, but in other phases of borough life, improvement  now called "The Wilson Joint School System "  was noticed all round.  NOW - 1962-1963  Heas HeAR  Beginning in 1962 and completed in 1963, Sinking Spring had. a rash of things happening. To mention some-a new post office-new additions to the Lutheran Church and the United Church of Christ-a new church congregation (for the present meeting in Sinking Spring) I Weiss Store-a renovated elementary school-a- new bank-Boscov's- Acme Market-a new Fire Hall-Weber's Leather Goods Store-two new mushroom industries-the Village-aire Sportswear-Furlows celebrating On February 21, 1963, it was announced in the Reading Times and Reading Eagle that the Sinking Spring Borough Council completed ne- gotiations for the purchase of Peoples Trust City Bank, Sinking Spring branch property at Penn and Columbia Avenues. The council antici- pated completion of the alterations to have the hall dedicated on its Aftieth birthday celebration June 16-23, 1963. That was to be home for the Council. The job has been accomplished today. The Sinking Spring Borough Council has its own home at long last in the community. Their old place of meeting for thé last fifty years was the old Fire Hall on Penn Avenue. Very near this same time authorization to apply for a grant of $163,370 for planning and constructing a sanitary sewer and treatment plant was given by the Council to the borough authority, showing there was an eye for progress and for improvement always.  forty-three years in business, etc.  Thus ends the saga of the community of Sinking Spring-a story of the benefits of living under the organization of a borough government-  up to. June 23, 1963.    May this story help everyone always to be MINDFUL of, RESPECT- FUL of, APPRECIATIVE of, THE PAST-but yet-EAGER for, HOPE- FUL for, ZESTFUL for, ENERGETIC for, and DEDICATED to-THE FUTURE, making for a positive attitude for living and reach for a maturing wisdom in THAT LIVING, making everyone - AMERICANS  in ACTIONS.  PRESENT COUNCIL  EARL R. FOX, Mayor RICHARD MILLER, President LUTHER BATZEL, Vice President ELMER LONGENECKER IRVIN BORTZ B. E. TALBOTT JAMES SMITH R. LEWIS WENRICH CATHARINE E. GERHARD, Secretary appointed May 22, 1940 and still holding office. Council Committees L. Batzel, Chairman E. Longenecker B. Talbott I. Bortz, Chairman E. Longenecker L. Wenrich E. Longenecker, Chairman J.s Smith L. Wenrich B. Talbott, Chairman L. Batzel J. Smith L. Wenrich, Chairman B. Talbott I. Bortz J.Smith, Chairman LE Bortz L.1 Batzel  Street-  Trees  Lights-  Water- Law-  Finance-  Present Police Department  John L. Angstadt-Chief Jack K. Brady-Patro.man John A. Schenner-Patrolman  Thomas P. Werner-Special School Policeman    ACKNOWIEDGMENIS  The Committee responsible for this story wishes to thank everyone who was sO very willing and cooperative in supplying data to make the  story possible.  Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers  have set."-Proverbs 22:28.  Time consecrates; and what is gray with age becomes  religion.-johann Schiller.  A NOTE OF APOLOGY  The committee makes an humble apology for all errors, misrepre- sentations, discrepancies and omissions in the story. The time element was against the committe in research and writing. Not weeks-but  months - of time should go into work of this kind.    First Burgess JOHN H. GLASMYER  Only Living Member of the First Borough Council JOSEPH B. MACHEMER  Last Burgess CLARENCE J. NOECKER  Present Mayor EARL R. FOX    At one time located at Penn and Mull Aves. No. longer standing. Once a Baptist Church (1812), after that a school. Before it was razed, it had become a residence.  The. home of the Charter Oak Academy, later the Oberlin residence, home of the fam- ous Peony Gardens-now a residence, at 425 Penn Ave. The picture of the dog, the guardian of the place in the days of the Oberlins.  A  H  Before the fire in 1921-  facing Vester Place  The rebuilt High School and elementary grades - recently remodeled on the inside for the elementary grades. Fac- ing the railroad and Colum-  bia Ave.  Elementary School (inside) Mr. Stocker and Mrs. Wach-  ter.    Looking east on Main Street: residénce, the Burgner resi- On the left, the Krick home- dence and barber shop (earli- now Dunkle's Apartments, est house in S. S.); a small and Matz's, the old Fire Hall house; Matternes Log House; and several homes east of the Jessie Ruth's housé; the Ruth hall. On the right, Hull's home (early). Store, now Dunkle's; the Hull  Looking east on Main Street: Stitzer home; Krick home On the left, the old St. John's (now. Dr. Wummer's); Gott- Reformed Church. On the shall's barber shop; Binkley's right, "Bosty" Blimline's wag- residence. (now Yenser's); Dr. on and carriage shop, Rail- Hain (Gottshall's); the restau- road and Main Sts. The pres-. rant; Hull's Store; Burgner's. ent Brehm home; Brooke Notice stage coach at left.  nn a En DA!  -  Main StSIRUE  Looking east, Main Street: eight-cornered school. house; On the left, Hoffman resi- U.B. Church. dence (now Webber's); Ruth. On the right: Hainly's Hotel residence with trees; old Toll (now the Peoples Trust City Gate house. (Weidman's, then' Bank). Furlow's, no longer standing);    Looking west from Oberlin owned by Pierce Steffy. On the left, Levi Miller home On the right: Hauder resi- and store; a row home. (3), dence; Dr. Schearer home, owned by. George Peiffer, fence and wall, now the Sei- then by Wharen's; entrance del properties; Beidler estate, to Columbia Ave.; homes now the Spatz residence.  Estate, 425 Penn Avenue -  Looking west at Cacoosing Ed. Schrack (one of the bur- Ave. On the left: Pierce Stef- gesses) home. fy's cigar factory; Levi and On the right: Esterly Hotel; Emma Bohn house (now old Post. Office, now Blank- Plowfields); Dan Ruth'shome; enbiller's.  n  E-  Looking west on Main Street Krick home, then Moses Hart- at the old Fire House. On man (now Moyer's); Sarah the left: Hull's Store (now and Hannah Krick home (now Dunkle's); Louis Gottshall H. G. Snyder); Gottshall Restaurant (now Stoudt's); home (now.. oçcupied. by Mil- Dr. T. Binkley home (now lers and, Wessners); Al Unger Yenser's); Dr. Herbein home, home (now Lebo's); Jacob then Henry Clouser's (now Krick home (now Dr. Wum- Harvey Moyer's); Francis mer's); Centennial House.    The old Reformed Church (St. John's), built in 1794, with the high steeple, built in 1851 --also the present Duilding.  AA    Fcrmed  The old Baptist Church School, 1812-later the Brun- ner House and The Unit- ed Brethren Church, Penn  Avenue.  DE   St. John's Lutheran Church, on Penn Avenue, with a re- cent. new addition.  Dunkard Church, now St. Pe- --Cacoosing Avenue.  TIT ter's United Church of Christ  :    Esterly Hotel or Central House-now the P. P. & L. and Esso gas station.  Old Hainly Hotel, and Dance Hall-now Peoples Trust City Bank, Sinking Spring Branch.  Old Centennial House = now the site of the new Post Of-  M HE BIN  fice.  Flamish Hotel - only hotel in Sinking Spring.    ALN  Old Fire House' and social  EUD DEBDEL  its  quarters.  A  Old Post Office-now Blank-  enbiller's.  The Electric Plant now Brown's Mill site.  The Railroad Station    The Hofmann Industries, Inc. Offices (1956). Now not in Sinking Spring, but in Spring Township. The industries are in the borough.  -  AREFIRSIANDE  Hirshland's Furniture - Penn Ave.  -  Furlow's Food Market Penn Ave.  -    T E E  Dunkle's Appliancés - Penn Ave. and Hull St.    EISIARKETS  Weiss Markets 1 Shillington Road  Hofmann Industries, Inc. Shillington Road  Hofmann Foundry James Street  - B    URE  Flag Factory - 335 Hull Street  T  IT01 ARASTHE    Hardesty-Quittner Brass - James Street  Sears Roebuck Co. Warehouse Queen Street  Cacoosing Industries - 333 Hull Street  -  Reedy Apartments - Woodrow and Penn Aves.  ER BEI n    New Post Office - Woodrow and Penn Aves.  n  RESTAURANT  Stoudt's Réstaurant - Hull Street and Penn Ave.  ME  World War I Memorial School Grounds  A  World War II Memorial Park. --Municipal Park, Penn. Ave.    Old blacksmith shop, owned and operated by Joe Mache- mer (only surviving member of the first Borough Council). Inside of the building, then.  Charles J. Miller Auto Body Shop, 575 Columbia Avenue. Same building as old black- smith shop-outside of the building today.  Pensylvania Power and Light Offices, Penn Avenue; also Blankenbiller's Distributing Agency-today.  Supermarket - The Acme Store, Penn Avenue, opened very recently.    The old Sinking Spring branch of Peoples Trust City Bank- Penn Ave. at Columbia; also the jail belonging to the Brothers of the Brush Club (organized for the duration of the celebration of the 50th birthday of the borough of Sinking Spring). Here the incorrigibles of the Brothers were to be incarcerated.  Bcah a  Boscov's. West - Penn Ave., opened in the latter months  of 1962.  The new Fire Hall, 836 Ruth Ave., begun in 1962 and fin- ished in 1963. The housing of the fire fighting equipment is taking place this week-June 16-23, 1963.  Sinking Spring Playground- the land for which was ac- quired by the Fire Co., devel- oped by the Fire Co. and the Recreation Board.    New Bank, Penn Avenue  Vets' Home, Columbia Ave.  Seidel's Funeral Home, Penn Ave.    PAOL SpECHTs ORCHESTRA PKAYING-ONE OF HIS FIRST JOBS AT THE ALAMAC HOTEL: N.Y. .1923. AND HATER PKAYED TO THE HIGH CROWNS OF EOROPE, AND MANY OF OUR PRESIDENTIAL NAOGORATION BALLS INI WASHINGTON, D.C,  PAOL WAS A NATIVE SON.  PAUL SPECHT ORCKESTRA.    MI  BROTHER OF THE BRUSH  Eg  GOLDEN BELLE  BABY PARADE  KANGAROO  COURT AND-  SAIL  BROTHERS OF THE BRUSH JAIL  FIREMENS PARADE  POLICE BODSO  H.FREEMAN    a  9