In 1922, the Susquehanna and New York (S & NY) constructed this building, smaller than the freight depot, (20' by 84'). This one-story building of steel lath covered with stucco has an asbestos roof. The station had three rooms: ticket office, . . . — — Map (db m109653) HM
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his . . . — — Map (db m153873) HM WM
The American Hotel is the oldest remaining hotel site in Towanda. This imposing 20- room hotel was built in the early 1800's by General William Patton, a leading Democrat, lawyer, author and biographer. The Greek Revival three-story structure is . . . — — Map (db m109675) HM
Formed on February 21, 1810 from Lycoming and Luzerne counties. Named Ontario County until 1812; renamed for the second U.S. Attorney General, William Bradford.
County seat of Towanda was incorporated 1828. Famous for Sullivan's March and David . . . — — Map (db m312870) HM
Among the most prominent historic buildings in Towanda and a good example of beaux arts classical style architecture is the third Bradford County Courthouse. Ground was broken in April 1896 and the cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies . . . — — Map (db m90323) HM
This imposing 18-room structure is a cross between Italianate and Greek Revival architecture. It is sometimes referred to as “Foster Hall” because of its association with Stephen Foster’s family. Ephriam Baird, a Philadelphia lawyer who is buried . . . — — Map (db m129815) HM
Prominent Towanda attorney David Cash served as Bradford County District Attorney and Prothonotary. He was interested in the construction of the North Branch Canal and Barclay Railroad. He lived at this home with his wife, the former Mary Ann . . . — — Map (db m201086) HM
In 1949, the Bradford County Historical
Society, then located in the courthouse
annex, initiated the first Century Farm
program in Pa. Based on NY's Order of
Century Farmers, the program recognized
farms that had been owned and operated . . . — — Map (db m201059) HM
This Tablet
was here placed on the
Thirtieth day of May
1868
by the members of
Post No. 68, Dept. of Pennsylvania
Grand Army of the Republic,
to show their appreciation of, and to keep alive in the memory
of their . . . — — Map (db m201080) WM
The second Bradford County Courthouse, located directly behind the present Courthouse, was constructed in 1847 and occupied in 1850. It was not long before the growing business of the county caused the Courthouse to become overcrowded. An annex was . . . — — Map (db m90320) HM
This solidly built multi-story brick Italianate style building has a hipped roof; a stained glass window on the west side; and arched brick surrounds. This River Street building just south of the former American Hotel has a varied history. It was . . . — — Map (db m109663) HM
This handsome building was built in 1896 using stone from the same quarry as the Courthouse, Old Jail and Christ Episcopal Church. The building is Italianate style with a hipped roof and pressed metal cornice with paired brackets and dentils. The . . . — — Map (db m90322) HM
The great Free-Soiler, who began the fight on slavery extension with the Wilmot Proviso in 1846, lived in this house. Republican Party founder; its first candidate for Governor. He died here in 1868. — — Map (db m90310) HM
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude
shall ever exist in any part of said territory,
except for crime whereof the party shall
first be duly convicted." — — Map (db m263362) HM
Bacteriologist for the US Department of Agriculture who discovered that brucellosis bacteria found in raw milk caused undulant fever in humans. Despite gender discrimination in her field, she published a report in 1918 and promoted milk . . . — — Map (db m122322) HM
Dr. Samuel Huston (also spelled Houston) came to Towanda with David F. Barstow and John C. Adams in 1827 from Essex County, Massachusetts. Dr. Huston married Emeline Mix, oldest daughter of Col. Hiram Mix of a prominent Towanda family. Huston . . . — — Map (db m153951) HM
In 1820 a lawyer named Edward Overton came to Towanda from Athens. His father, Thomas Overton, was one of the principal owners of the land in the new town of Towanda. Edward also became interested in land and owned the coal deposits, which Barclay . . . — — Map (db m109744) HM
Mustered Feb. 25, 1864; Oct. 1864, he was captured
at Carter's Creek, TN, and was a Prisoner of War
in Alabama. He was paroled toward the end
of the war, on March 15, 1865. — — Map (db m263334) WM
On Oct. 25, 1825, the First Congregation of the Presbyterian Church met in Towanda. Church services were held at the county’s first courthouse, which had only been completed for nine years at the time.
In 1834 the congregation built their first . . . — — Map (db m90321) HM
On land once owned by William Means, Frank Overton had this handsome residence designed by architect W. B. Camp of Athens. The contractor was William Welch of Towanda. Frank Overton was married to Elizabeth Means who inherited the land from her . . . — — Map (db m153935) HM
J.O. Frost's Sons Furniture establishment first operated on Charles Street. Later their block-long factory located on River Street between Pine and Bridge Streets was the hub of Towanda economy until 1933. Chairs, tables, bedsteads and bureaus . . . — — Map (db m109676) HM
The architecture of this structure is often referred to as "Gingerbread Victorian." It features a series of sharply peaked escalloped gables: four on the east side, three on the south side and one at the north. The narrow, high windows have . . . — — Map (db m201096) HM
This lawyer from Towanda was instrumental in enrolling Bradford County men. Severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville, he recovered and returned to service only to be killed in Petersburg, VA, at a location known as Hare House, shot . . . — — Map (db m263342) WM
The First National Bank of Towanda opened on this site July 28, 1863. For over 100 years this was the sole place of business for the bank. The original building was demolished in 1874 to make way for construction of the current Classical Revival . . . — — Map (db m109679) HM
Pearl Harbor
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941,
a date which will live in infamy,
the United States of America was
suddenly and deliberately attacked
by naval and air forces of the
Empire of Japan."
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt, . . . — — Map (db m154418) HM WM
[Photo of Flag Raising]
Raising the US Flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jim, 25 February 1945 during WWII in action against the Empire of Japan; photo by Joe Rosenthal.
There are six Flag Raisers on the famous Iwo Jima photo; four in the front . . . — — Map (db m153932) HM WM
Built in 1897 by J. A. Decker, a wealthy lumberman and banker, this home is a frame free classic variant of Queen Anne Victorian style. It has a wrap-around porch with pedestaled columns and spindled balustrade; arched pedestaled columns at the . . . — — Map (db m153948) HM
Mustered June 21, 1861, his regiment was among
those who accompanied Major General Warren's
raid along the Weldon Railroad. Harris was killed
by guerrillas during that raid in December 1864. — — Map (db m263327) HM WM
In the late 1800’s James H. Hawes built this magnificent Queen Anne home displaying twin gables and very elaborate spindled porches, including a porte-cochere. Born in London, England, James came to this country with his father, a toy manufacturer. . . . — — Map (db m129819) HM
Enlisted Aug. 24, 1861; Killed in Action May 31, 1862,
at Fair Oaks, VA
1st officer of the county to lose his life in battle;
just before crossing Seven Mile Road, he turned to
his captain and said, "My dear Proctor, if anything . . . — — Map (db m263357) HM WM
Hon. Ulysses Mercur was the 8th Judge of Bradford County and 12th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He was regarded as the most scholarly man in the county and a faithful member of his church. His widow, Sarah, presented a . . . — — Map (db m201087) HM
James Macfarlane built his 1854 Greek Revival home on land given to him by his father-in-law Edward Overton, lawyer, landowner, and successful local businessman.
Macfarlane, lawyer and trained engineer, managed the Barclay Mines. In 1873 he . . . — — Map (db m109801) HM
John C. Adams built this impressive Greek revival 15-room home in 1854. The family of William Maxwell occupied the home for nearly 100 years. He was president judge of Bradford County from 1912 until his death in 1925. He came to Towanda and entered . . . — — Map (db m90319) HM
This Greek Revival mansion was built by Peter
Egner for William Means, "the town founder," in
1816. He was the first settler in what is now
Towanda Borough and was married to Elizabeth
Fox, daughter of Rudolph Fox, first settler
(1770) of . . . — — Map (db m256744) HM
Citizens of Bradford County
Sgt. Stephen Rought
Co. A 141 Infantry
Cpl. Francis A Bishop
Co. C, 57th Infantry
Pvt. Orren Bennet
Co. D 141 Infantry — — Map (db m110395) WM
When the first European settlers came to Towanda it was covered with a dense growth of timber and shrubs from which came its first name "Canewood." The name Towanda is an Indian term. Awandae in the Nanticoke tongue signified "a burial place." . . . — — Map (db m109677) HM
Enlisted April 18, 1861, at 26 years old,
writing his name on Capt. Mason's enlistment form
At the East Troy Encampment in May, before being
mustered into Co. F of the 34th Penn., he became ill
and died within two weeks, never actually . . . — — Map (db m263308) HM WM
The old jail is located in the center of Towanda’s Historic District. Avery Frank, architect and contractor from Montrose, designed and built the jail. His plan included a stone dwelling for the sheriff and his family. A three-story cell block and a . . . — — Map (db m90329) HM
Formerly known as Ogehage was an ancient fortified town of the Andastes located fifty rods northeasterly from this marker near the junction of Sugar Creek and the Susquehanna River. Here passed the Sheshequin Trail to the west branch of the . . . — — Map (db m90307) WM
VETERAN: The term brings to mind the foremost notion of American patriotism and self-sacrifice. Dating back to our Revolution, near 50 million men and women joined the armed forces to defend our nation and its interests, knowingly putting their . . . — — Map (db m111265) WM
Here we present our vision of the perfect U.S. soldier
He is the absolute embodiment of military perfection
coupled with an eye toward compassion
He is motivated to put a quick end to hostilities by
whatever means necessary
Our soldier is . . . — — Map (db m110401) WM
Indian trail joining the Iroquois country and the Shamokin area, passed near here. Conrad Weiser took this route to Onondaga, capital of the League, to represent the Province in council with the Iroquois. — — Map (db m33162) HM
The great writer of folk songs and ballads lived in Towanda in 1840-41. He attended Towanda Academy on the hill a short time and stayed with his brother William, a canal official. — — Map (db m90311) HM
Father John O'Reilly built a plain wooden church in 1841 on the present site of the Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. In 1869 during the rectorship of Rev. Patrick Toner, the present fine, brick church was begun. It was finished and . . . — — Map (db m201092) HM
WWII Combat Veteran
U.S. Army Battery B 68th Anti Aircraft Artillery
Anti Tank And Infantry Support
5th Army And 7th Army
Gen Mark Clark • Gen Geo. Patton
From North Africa to Germany
Invasions North Africa - Sicily
Italy - Anzio - . . . — — Map (db m263382) WM
A member of Co. F. 5th Reg.
Penn. Vol. R. C.
Died at Washington, D. C.
January 2, 1863,
from wounds received in the
Battle of Fredericksburgh.
Aged 27 Yrs. 8 Mos. & 17 Days. — — Map (db m263361) HM
Groundbreaking for Towanda's Colonial Revival
style borough hall was June 6, 1934. Modeled after
historic Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the
edifice has a hipped roof and center bell tower
with an octagonal cupola. It was dedicated Jan. . . . — — Map (db m256738) HM
The cornerstone for First United Methodist Church of Towanda was laid Sept. 17, 1895 under the direction of Rev. James Crowe, Pastor and Dr. David S. Pratt, President of the Board of Trustees.
The architecture is Richardson Romanesque style with . . . — — Map (db m109854) HM
Perhaps one of Towanda's most unusual buildings is the Public Library, donated to the town in 1897 by Frank Welles. He chose Flemish Renaissance Revival style characterized by tall steeped gables; steep roofs with lacy spires; fanciful faux dormer . . . — — Map (db m109804) HM
One of the most important public improvements of Towanda's early days was completion of the first Towanda river bridge. A company incorporated under an Act of Legislature March 24, 1831 built the Old Wagon Bridge. John Bottom, a practical bridge . . . — — Map (db m109674) HM
Col. Harry Spalding built one of the town’s few structures of federal style architecture in 1812. He erected a combination tavern and dwelling at 1 York Ave. It is the oldest house in this borough and third oldest in the county. The building was . . . — — Map (db m129817) HM
One cannot over-emphasize the importance of railroads to the continued development of Towanda as a commercial center beginning with the first Pennsylvania and New York (PA & NY) train in September 1869. In the 1870's approximately six passenger, . . . — — Map (db m109655) HM
1909
1909 — US Army Signal Corps accepted its
first airplane from the Wright Brothers.
Named the 1st Aero Squadron a small group
of Army Airmen became the genesis of our
modern day Air Force. . . . — — Map (db m117334) HM WM
1773 - 1917
16 December 1773 - "The Boston Tea Party"
19 April 1775 - "Shot heard round the world"
Lexington & Concord, MA
15 June 1775 - The first Continental Congress
elects George Washington as the first military
Commander in . . . — — Map (db m110397) HM WM
1775 - 1917
"In 1790 a predecessor of the U.S. Coast Guard was established by the First Congress of the United States. This newly formed maritime force did not have an official name. Rather, it was referred to simply as "the cutters" or "the . . . — — Map (db m154404) HM WM
1775 - 1917
New Providence, Bahamas Tripoli
War of 1812
Battle of Chapultepec, Mexico - Spain
China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion)
Battle of Peking - Nicaragua
Vera Cruz - Haiti . . . — — Map (db m117235) HM WM
1775 - 1917
John Paul Jones captures the HMS Drake.
Battles of Lake Champlain & Lake Erie —
Francis Scott Key writes our National
Anthem during the bombing of Fort
McHenry 09/13/1834 [sic - 1814]
War of 1812 — . . . — — Map (db m117293) HM WM
The present two-story brick Gothic Revival structure with a gable and tower; arched tracery
windows; and narrow bays was completed in March 1877. Before that, services were held in the
Bradford County Courthouse. Plans were drawn by W. Fleming, . . . — — Map (db m263307) HM
Here we see a representation of the desolate and absolute carnage of war. This tree once proudly stood amid peaceful stones welcoming morning breezes and warm sunshine. It has now become a bullet riddled and grenade shattered
vestige of its once . . . — — Map (db m110417) WM
The major new industry begun in Towanda in the 1880’s was James H. Hawes’ Toy Factory, located just north of the Historic District in a neighborhood still called Toytown. The Hawes firm became one of the Country’s largest. About 1894, James’ son and . . . — — Map (db m129818) HM
In honor of the men and women of Bradford County who strove as soldiers, sailors, marines and nurses in the World War at home and overseas for the perpetuation of American ideals. — — Map (db m90325) WM
