Heard and Seen: Cambridge Springs happenings 100 years ago

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Some interesting things were going on 100 years ago in Cambridge Springs, according to research done by local historian Dale Docter.

• Sept. 3, 1920: A corn roast was held at Peiffer Beach near the Cecil Peiffer cottage. Prof. Kwasnik and his family from the Polish College returned to town after the summer. His time to have been spent in Poland helping to rebuild education never happened. He was unable to secure passports.

• Sept. 7: Lord & Drake Hardware (the former Smith's Hardware building) was getting a new storefront. Work was expected to be completed by Sept. 17. The pharmacy began a campaign to raise money for uniforms for the high school football team. By Sept. 21, the amount raised was $303.

• Sept. 14: A weekend meeting of Polish College alums began the previous Friday in the auditorium. Their purpose was to urge those in attendance to organize, for the good of the school, an alumni association if you will. The last I knew Alliance College still has an alumni association of sorts.

• Sept. 17: Efforts were begun to reestablish a Cambridge Springs band. The city had uniforms and some instruments from earlier bands. A rail freight strike was delaying the arrival of equipment to Spirella Corset Co. and delayed the opening.

• Sept. 21: The sixth annual Riverside Golf Tournament began. Pros and well-known amateurs from Pittsburgh, Erie, Youngstown, Cleveland and Buffalo were signed up for the event.

• Sept. 24: Perry Drake caught the best muskie of the season on French Creek. The 43-inch, 19-pound fish was caught in front of the Riverside dock. The record on the creek was 28 pounds. Work was begun on the old New American Hotel. It had stood vacant since Prohibition started and the owner sold the furnishings. New owner T.S. Hanson was a leather goods dealer and sawmill operator.

• Sept. 28: A special Farm Convenience Train of modern farm and home equipment would be making a stop at the Erie Railroad depot on Oct. 12 for 90 minutes. The display from Pennsylvania State College hoped to interest farmers and others of up-to-date methods. The five-car train had three cars fitted with conveniences, one a living coach and the other a lecture coach. It would visit 135 stations around the state. Spirella was set to open on Oct. 4 with 40 employees to start. More would be hired when a second row of machines was added.

• • • 

On Sept. 26, Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 257 Church St., will hold an outside "at dusk" movie in the parking lot. The name of the movie is "Overcomer." Free hot dogs, popcorn and drinks will be available while they last. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on; masks will be worn and social distancing will be observed. The movie starts around 7:30 p.m.

• • • 

Also that day, Common Grounds picnic facility will hold a barbecue chicken dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Common Grounds is located between Venango and Saegertown on Route 19. The dinner is a fundraiser to maintain the facility. You can eat at the picnic tables or takeout will be available. Donation is $10.

• • •

On Oct. 4 from noon to 2 p.m., Hayfield Grange will have a drive-thru barbecue chicken dinner. You must order by Sept. 25 by calling (814) 768-5190 or emailing hayfieldgrange@gmail.com. Please give your name, phone number and indicate what time you will pick up your dinner: noon, 12:30, 1, 1:30 or 2 p.m. Donation is $10.

You may submit your Cambridge-area news to correspondent Janet Beanland by mailing her at 257 S. Main St., Apt. 143, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403, by calling her at 398-2384 or by emailing her at janetbeanland2020@gmail.com.