|
History of Centralia And Conygham Township:
Centralia:
Centralia was first known as the "Bull's Head", and
the first house in the town on the Catawissa road was built in
1841 by Jonathan Faust, and called the "'Bull's Head
Tavern". This Hotel subsequently passed into the hands of
Reuben Wasser, but retained it's former name throughout it's
natural life. It was a stopping place for travelers, and for
about 12 years comprised all of Centralia that then existed.
Jonathan Faust did not own the land on which the house was
built; he did not even buy the lumber but appropriated it
without compunction, and his right of possession was never
disputed.
The "Bull's Head Tavern" was originally a log house
and in 1916 it was razed to make way for a store. Patrick
Dempsey, a contractor, erected the property which was used as
a fruit and seed store and a residence. Mr. William Weidensaul
conducted the tavern as a saloon till 1867. He was follwed by
James Goldsworthy, and later it became the property of Mr.
Andrew Zimbo.
In 1860 Jonathan Hoagland opened the first store opposite the
"Bull's Head Tavern". two years later he was
appointed postmaster. for a few years the village had been
know as centerville, but as an office of that name already
existed in the State, at the insistence of the postal
authorities, Centralia was suggested by Mr. Rae.
In 1865, the Lehigh and Mahanoy Railroad Company, later known
as the Lehigh Valley, Built a line through the town on what is
appropriately known as Railroad St. A freight and passenger
station was then built on the Western extremity of Railroad
Street. With this new entrance into the town several new
collieries were opened and the town began to grow in size,
population and wealth.
Increasing lawlessness caused an application to be made for
incorporation, and at the February session of Columbia County
Court, Bloomsburg, in 1866, the Borough of Centralia was
formally chartered. James Dyke was
elected first mayor, or chief Burgess as it was then called.
Conynghm Township:
Conyngham was the seventh and last
township formed out of the original territory of Catawissa.
After being embraced successively in Roaring Creek and Locust,
the extreme southern part of the county, at the February
court, 1856, was erected into the township of Conyngham. It
was named in honor of the president judge, Honorable John
Nesbitt Conyngham, and by an unforeseen coincidence the
township which perpetuates his name was formed at the last
session in Bloomsburg over which he presided. The propriety of
this tribute in appreciation of his upright character and
unswerving integrity is attested by his eminent ability and
untarnished record as an impartial judge and an honorable man.
Until the year 1830 Conyngham
township, and indeed the western middle coal field, was known
only as a wild, mountainous country, whose fastnesses were the
haunts of the deer, the fox and the catamount. The region was
not, however, entirely unknown. The Sunbury and Reading state
road passed through Ashland, just at the foot of Locust
mountain, and from that point a rough wagon track led over the
mountains northward. About the year 1804 the Red tavern was
built on the top of Locust mountain by John Rhodeburger.
Subsequently, when in 1816 or 1817 the bridle path was so
improved as to be really a good road, there was an almost
ceaseless stream of travel past the Red house. Stage-coaches
dashed down the level grade above, while the echoing horn
intensifies the hurry and confusion of the always noisy tavern
yard. Four hostlers emerged from the stable door, ready to
grasp the bits and undo the fastenings of the coach horses the
moment they were stopped; others brought out the relay that
had been resting, and the coach was ready to renew the journey
before the jaded passengers had scarcely become aware of the
stop. A new driver mounted the box, deftly grasped the reins,
uttered a quiet signal to start or noisily cracked his whip,
and the coach disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Nearly the whole of Conyngham
township was surveyed about the year seventeen hundred and
ninety-three. No one, at that time, would have supposed that
beneath it's rugged surface were the store houses of a vast
mineral wealth. But during the succeeding thirty years rumors
of discoveries of coal and iron began to be circulated and
credited. The confirmation of these reports caused
Con't Here
|
Ritamarie Long
