THE HISTORY OF SMITHTON, PENNSYLVANIA FROM 1800 TO 1950
PAGES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
 .

Work done by the members of the Auxiliary includes three afghans made and sent to Veterans Hospitals, one afghan which was chanced off to make funds for the organization and many, many nut cups and tray covers which are made and sent to Veterans Hospitals almost every month. The present membership of the unit is 52. Two of our members, Mrs. Elizabeth Hall and Mrs. Ethel Forsythe are Gold Star Mothers. The present officers are: Mrs. Ethel Crilley, president; Mrs. Janet Pittavino, first vice president; Mrs. Flossie Axel, second vice president; Mrs. Lena Silvasy, chaplain; Mrs. Twila Toth, seceretary; Mrs. Hazel Durstine, treasurer; Mrs. Vivian Keedy, historian; Mrs. Lola Hoak, sergeant-at-arms. The Volunteer Fire Company, with L. L. Barthels as Fire Chief, is another community organization whose sole purpose is unselfish service to the town. The personnel of this group changes from time to time and it would be impossible to single out anyone person for special mention. They perform an invaluable piece of worthy service. In September of 1946, school opened with three rooms and three teachers, instead of the four we had previously. Enrollment in the Public School had dropped to less than one hundred, which according to State Law does not justify the employment of the fourth teacher. Since 1941, the Smithton Borough School District has provided free bus transportation for High School students to South Huntingdon High School. By 1948 the traffic situation through town had become such a problem that the need for a police officer with authority to arrest traffic law violators was felt. Accordingly, town council appointed Lawrence Gongilli as the first police officer. Exact population figures are not available at present, but the population is roughly around 750. For several years the need for room to expand has been keenly felt. The lack of building space tended to keep population figures stationary. In recent months, however, the outlook in that direction is brighter. Two new real estate developments have been announced. A plan of lots called Smithton Heights has been opened for building purposes by William Barthels and Edward Wagner. It is located on top of the hill known locally for many years as Christopher’s Hill. The other project is headed by Mr. Al Thompson, and is located in the field which lies between Third and Fourth Streets and the river. In an earlier edition of this history, published in 1940, the writer acknowledged the help of many people in gathering the material for it. Of these, Mr. Saul Smith, Mr. Daniel Hough, Mr. and Mrs. N. E. Rhoades, Mrs. Ella Pancoast, and Mr. J. K. MacDonald are no longer with us. There remain Mr. Reed Lynn, Mr. R. F. Smith, Mrs. Orton Rhoades, Miss Hettie Williams and the historian’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Rhoades. In addition, for later facts given for this edition, Mrs. Flossie Axel and J. R. Kruper have been most helpful.
Site design, concept, and non-submitted information copyright 2001 - 2006 southhuntingdon.com. southhuntingdon.com is a non-profit site.
Please read the Terms and Conditions.