Millville - The First 200 Years
CHAPTER V
Like It Is
By 1950, Millville had stabilized as a community and until just recently there was little growth. Businesses were static and most young people graduating from the school system left the area for employment. Several individuals did remain to make their mark and were successful.
The school system, after creating one of the first jointures in the State, proceeded to enlarge and modernize the Millville facility. Today a second expansion has been completed, thus providing a modern, well-planned junior-senior high school for the region. A new elementary school in Pine and some repairs at Madison and Greenwood permit these schools to continue service as they have to thousands of young learners before them.
The post office, which had been moved in 1947 from the corner bank building to the former farm equipment showroom of Frank Ludwig at Post Office Avenue and State Street, was moved on April 27, 1969, to the opposite corner of the square. Here diagonally across from the position it occupied till April 1, 1947, a new modern brick structure was built. With this new structure came new services. True box rental permitted for the first time access at off hours.
The post office is located on land occupied previously by many diverse interests. At first James Rote had a boot and shoe shop in the corner, in the two-story structure. later, this building was divided and barbers and beauticians tried their hand at the trade from the first floor. For many years, Dr. J.W. Biddle cured the area's toothaches from his office on the second floor, and for a few years, part of the building served as a residence.
The other building removed was the Wolfe Building. In this facility, many small business ventures were launched. The last occupant here was Ely's Pharmacy on the south half of the frontage.
The Community Hall was removed in 1966. Many, who have expanded their horizons there on lectures by "Chautauqua" and "The Society of Good Intent", thrilled to the talking pictures, played basketball or performed in their thespian production as a member of the cast in a high school play, mourned the occasion.
In 1916, the Greenwood Seminary Company razed the school building located near the present park and used part of the materials to construct a community hall further west and closer to Main Street. A committee of B.T. Cadman, J.B. Welliver, C.M. Eves, W.C. Dildine, and Ellis Greenly was authorized to put up the new building on the vacant lot. Although estimated to cost $3200.00 prior to proceeding, the final cost ran to a princely sum of $5355.02. This did not include the cost of a substantial amount of donated labor. An example: two farmers in the area brought their teams and dump buckets and dug the cellar for shares.
Until the high school stopped using the building for its assemblies and plays in 1965, many affairs were conducted here. By 1965, however, many new facilities were completed in town that could be used for group meetings, assemblies, and athletic meets. The hall had lost its purpose. At this time, E. Eugene Eves and his sister Elizabeth, having control of a majority of the stock from the Greenwood Seminary Company, deeded the property to the Millville Borough for recreational purposes.
The borough council appointed a Park Commission. The Commission attempted diligently to find a use for the Community Hall, but only one function had been held in it during the prior year. Having no success, the building was removed and the area was leveled to become a part of the park mall. For many years, the Fire Company had been holding a carnival each summer on the park grounds and new recreational equipment has been erected there, including a lighted outdoor basketball court, tennis court, new swings and bars, etc.
In 1971, following a ten-year attempt by the Los Amigos Club to provide a community pool, the ribbon was finally cut on a large, five-thousand-square-foot surface, swimming pool. This fine addition to the community was accomplished by the formation of the Pool Commission with the townships of Greenwood, Madison, and Pine joining Millville. This spirit of area cooperation indicates a favorable climate which should be productive in the future.
Other changes from private ownership or community group interest to public operation by the borough recently took place. the Millville Water Company, on January 11, 1961, sold all its equipment, lines, and property to the borough. The authority that was created to own and operate the facilities then built a larger pumping station with a settling basin, collection lines, and reservoir feed line to comply with changing state laws for pure water. Today, the town has a sufficient supply of clean water from this system.
In 1948, the State Department of Health gave the borough council notice that the sewage system completed int eh community during 1901 could no longer be discharged into the creek. The State required that th town immediately proceed to construct a treatment system at the estimated cost of $230,000. This presented thirty-one percent of the assessed value of the town. From then until 1967, when the State finally provided a program of financial assistance, the council faced possible imprisonment or the mortgaging of the town to complete the system. Apparently, the wait was rewarding for on August 14, 1969, the old system of collection was connected to the new treatment plant located in the woods behind the Millville Lumber Company. The Little Fishing Creek has been restored to a clearer condition as a result of the completion of this treatment facility.
The Fire Company carnivals have grown more popular with each passing season. Many people find this an ideal time to make a return trip to their hometown and renew old friendships. For young people, this festivity provides an enjoyable break in their summer vacation and anticipation begins to mount by the end of the school year. Area residents are given the opportunity to serve their community, and the Fire Company gains income sufficient to equip this volunteer organization with the finest equipment of any fire company its size in the State. The beautiful old carousel dating back earlier than 1900, provides a background of music for the nightly throng from the surrounding counties.
Many, many hours of work by the firemen and the local residents make possible a gross income exceeding $35,000 each year, and normally permits a yearly investment of $10,000 in new equipment and facilities for the protection of the community.
This equipment includes a new 1971 FWD tank truck, a 1960 FWD pumper, and a 1970 Dodge emergency truck. The Ambulance Association recently purchased a 1969 International ambulance to complete the emergency service equipment this fine organization has provided for the community.
The railroad, which has been so important to the growth of the community, has lost its place as the best method of transportation. The freight agent at the station was transferred in 1943 or 1944, and the railroad stopped accepting small parcels for delivery. For a short time, Pennsylvania Railroad delivered small freight packages on a railroad truck. Only large shipments are now received and dispatched from the trackage.
Other business changes in the area have affected the railroad by their actions. The Harbison Milk Company receiving station had used the railroad for years to transport the area's milk to Philadelphia- first in cans and later in bulk milk cars. Trucks reduced the expense of transportation; thus, the dairy changed to over-the-road tankers. Even the receiving station closed as a result of changes in the industry. Bulk cooling and storage of milk on the farm permitted trucks to pick up the milk directly without the use of cans. Therefore, the station closed in August 1961, after serving the area farmers for many years as a market for their milk. A transfer facility where the smaller trucks used for farm pick-up could be unloaded into larger tanker trucks was built to replace the receiving station by Zerbin Kline and his son, Jim. It is located on the Rohrsburg-Millville road in Greenwood township.
The grist mill was another staunch supporter of the railroad. IN 1913, this one business shipped fifty rail-cars to distant markets. As the feed and flour business changed, the railroad became less important. During the fifties, a few cars were shipped, but nothing like the volume of former years.
Today, an occasional diesel switch engine and caboose will bring in a car or two or make a pickup, but this happens irregularly. Millville Lumber receives a few cars a year of finished lumber; Girton's ships a large piece of equipment several times a year, and the local walnut log dealers ship several cars of logs to Japan each summer. Little else is handled on the "old S.B. & B." trackage. The station, which had fallen into disrepair, was sold to Paul Girton and was removed in 1971.
Local industry in the last decade has made many changes affecting the area. The addition of I.L.C. to the community has added substantially to the work opportunities in the ara. This new operation expands the types of industry in the community and helps diversify employment; thus, reducing the dependence on a few types of industry.
The lumber industry around Millville has changed significantly in this recent period. Large wooded areas have been lumbered extensively here and only small commercial stands remain. The local sawmills around the town have nearly all closed. Only four continue in daily production: the mills of Dennis and Dale Farr, Bruce Bitler, Ed Johnson, and Bruce Charles. This reduction of local rough-cut supply and the fact that a large number of logging crews have retired from this strenuous profession made changes necessary in the processing plants in town.
Niles Lumber, the former Sones Lumber Company, closed the sawmill in 1967 and the entire mill and lumber working plant have been removed leaving a void in the landscape of manufacturing buildings on the southwestern side of town. The supply store and small custom woodworking shop with only one craftsman remain.
Millville Lumber, after their costly fire in July 1959, built a new lumber products plant behind the old tannery. This modern building has made possible the production of pallets and reels for use by many firms on the eastern coast. Even the old tannery walls have been roofed and these buildings are now a part of the warehouses for this wood products firm. The supply of raw materials is delivered by truck from other more densely forested areas of the state and is supplemented by he occasional railcar of southern pine from South Carolina. The old creamery buildings are also being used for the offices of this manufacturing operation.
The mill for which the town was named closed its water gates and set the blocks in the gears of the water wheels on March 31, 1966. Thus ended a business dating from the earliest days of the settlement. The mill still stands on the banks of the waters which gave it its force- its life. A warehouse is its present destiny.
The mill dam which for years provided the reserve for a thriving business, now adds only to the appearance of the adjoining properties and the general tone of the community. The race collects the waters not only from the dam on the creek but also from Battin Run and the street drains of the community. The focal point of the area watershed is the dam. Here passes or collects all the sediment and pollution of the area. But, in spite of these potential problems, the dam remains a place for youthful adventures and leisure fishing for young and old alike.
The real tragedy of this period can be expressed in a single word- war. War of major proportions during two periods since 1950. Young men from the area were called to defend their country's position at the risk of their life or their health and vitality.
The Korean War seems so distant. Yet for those who mourn the loss of a relative or friend, it is remembered deeply. Several young men from this area gave their lives in this 'limited engagement'.
More quickly recalled is the present struggle. Its ever-containing pace has called many to the shores of a distant land. Gone there to preserve the principles which were defined in another war, the war for independence by our ancestors. No local residents have yet to be called for that supreme sacrifice and hopefully, with the continued reduction of forces, the community may be spared of this sorrowful event. Only time will permit an accurate recording of this war and its true merits or failures.
Some of the major changes in the community are taking place slowly but surely as the result of a road built nine miles from the community. For years the politicians from this part of the state had pressured to no avail, for a major four-lane highway from the state's eastern boundary, through the northern tier counties, to the west. Finally, their appeals were productive. During the decade of the sixties, work progressed on various sections, but it was not until 1970 that the entire length was opened through the state.
This route of the Interstate system connects New York City and Chicago with the West Coast. Number Route 80, it has changed and is changing the area in ways yet not completely determined. But, a new expression has entered the local language. Today, 'summer people' are coming into the area. A farm here and there, purchased by a family from 'Jersey', has been removed from cultivation or the soil bank to be used as a summer retreat, a weekend hideaway, or a hunting lodge. The families who have come to use these facilities (the summer people) have stopped in town for their groceries or came back later to the hardware store for a piece of stovepipe and wire. They have added to the community. As others come, for surely they will, they can change this area and the small communities in it to a marked degree.
The history of this present period can not be recorded here only an attempt to recount the current events of the past two decades has been made.
Additions and corrections made for this Second Edition.DBG
Second Edition- Copyright Dean B. Girton Dec. 30, 2022
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