When Chambersburg was "peach and apple orchards, wheat and corn fields."
Above is a fascinating and historical view of very early Chambersburg. As told by
John Schimmel, a Chambersburg pioneer.
This is a fascinating photo showing a house mover's progress in moving a structure from Elmer Street as seen from So. Clinton Avenue. The colored photo to the right is what I believe to be the same view as seen via a Google Earth, which I modified somewhat to bring the photo into the area I believe was the subject of the 1909 photo. Note that in 1909, offset newspaper photos were very primitive and lacking the fine detail found in today's news media.
This article tells of the growing unemployment problem among the Italian immigrants to this area.
4 comments:
Tom, our family was from the odd numbered side of the 800 block of S. Clinton. We were pretty familiar with the even numbered side, up through Beatty Street. The three story building at the corner was in our day, the Chambersburg Community House, which was kind of like a after school get together place for kids that could afford it. That building was number 840. In 1900, that building was the photographic studio for William H. Sharp. His portraits are very commonly found on EBay. Sharp's residence was 551 Brunswick Ave.
Next door was the home that where the Frederick Schimmel family resided, but also there was a George Beyer, a paper hanger. In the 1920s, apparently beer was sold on the premises.
According to the City directory, John Schimmel, the elder lived at 218 Fulton St., and his son John Jr. was the drug clerk.
At the time, our family was still located down on Hancock St., and had not yet moved uptown to S. Clinton. [It's pretty amazing how you can put together a neighborhood history from 3000 miles away and good sources.]
Great post, Bill. These are the kinds of posts that enhance the historical value of this site. Thanks.
Tom
Tommy
this was the first chance I had to comment on your Fridays article about Chambersburg and the situation with the Italian immigrants then Real interesting stuff. I was able to envision what my grandparents went through when they landed . My maternal grandfather was a baker and his 2 sons too. They lived on Mott street. My paternal grandfather aw2as a grocer on 412 Hudson 3 doors down from Dilorenzo's tomato pie store. My father and his 4 brothers started doing that and later expanded to wholesale grocery and later to other things including moving to Hamilton in 1942 and Rowan school for me.
Trenton IS TRULY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU TO BRING BACK THESE KIND OF MEMORIES. you are one of a kind.
your buddy
Lee
Oh Lee, how I do love to hear from you. Sorry you are so far away. We are having a reunion luncheon at the Mercer County Park Boat pavilion in April. I have been working on the lunch with Lucy Spera DiPolvere and Jim Peeney. This will be our last. I'll keep you updated. By the way, my email address is tglover320@optimum.net
Tommy
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