Genealogy has become a hobby for me over the last 10 years. For me, it's like a puzzle, I love fitting the pieces together. But over the years, I've researched a lot that does not pertain to our family lines. Some for extended family, some for close friends, and some because I was trying to rule out lines to figure out where our line went exactly. I do not want these notes on my Heather's Genealogy Notes blog - because they are not our lines. But I do like to share all of my research, in case it benefits others. That is what this blog is for - research I have done that does not apply to our own family lines, but may be helpful for someone else.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

The Watsontown Bridge 1925-1928


As early as 1911, a bridge between Watsontown and White Deer was being discussed. But the war made costs especially high, and the project was tabled for many years.  In 1925, new plans were being discussed, and the Shamokin Coal area was not pleased that "just 400 residents"  might get a new bridge "connecting two insignificant hamlets", while there were long stretches  south of sunbury with no bridge access.  At this time, the coal region produced the bulk of the counties tax revenue, and at one point they even considered breaking off and joining Union county  over this bridge issue.   The Mount Caramel  Item and Shamokin New Dispatch were both extremely critical of the bridge project - but they were not alone.  The bridge project had to actually be taken to the state supreme court, twice, before it was built. 

 Northumberland county was to assume 85% of the cost of the bridge, with Union County paying the additional 15%. Estimated cost was $400.000 and 15% of that cost was repeatedly reported as enough to bankrupt union county.In April of 1925 the headline read "Bridge Issue Is Pushed By Union County".  People of Union County had employed counsel from Williamsport, to get the bridge built.  Less than a year later, in March of 1926, the headline read "Union County Will Take Up Fight Against River Bridge".  The second article elaborates "The stand of Union county against the bridge involves the alleged heavy expense of building an approach to the White Deer end of the proposed bridge.  Not only would Union county have to make an extensive fill, but a new creek bridge a the approach of the river bridge will also be required.  Union county officials say this work will cost nearly $100,000 in addition to their share of the regular bridge costs, and that the county is unable to finance the work."  In later articles, from the bridges completion in July of 1928 all the way into 1930, the swampy incomplete road on the white deer side of the bridge continues to be an issue.

 The same article in March of 1926 explains why this bridge is wanted - not only would it cut 21 miles off ,trips "to the west", but it would provide Watsontown connection to the Reading Railroad.  "Watsontown residents have been jubilant over their victory in the courts to secure the bridge.  It would be of untold benefit to them, providing connection with the Reading railroad on the west side of the river, it was pointed out yesterday, and would tap a large farming district.  School children must cross the river from the west shore to Watsontown, it is pointed out.

Watsontown is one of the most important industrial towns of its size in this section, ikt is pointed out, and is the largest carload lot shipper along the Reading line between Williamsport and Philadelphia.  Thirty five million bricks were produced in Watsontown last year, and in addition wood working plants in the town were large shippers."


 While the bridge was being built, one worker plummeted from the structure, avoiding death but severely injured.  A deer carcass was recovered during construction, and charges were being filed.  (We regularly have deer carcasses dumped on our farm, if it is illegal, it's no longer a law that is enforced.  I'm unclear on the issue here - was the deer out of season, or was the issue the dumping of the carcass?)  In early 1928, builder George Rockwell took a trip to Florida, and he did not return until the county settled a debt of nearly $300,000 for the bridges construction.  At the completion of the bridge in July of 1928,  Rockwell was heralded for his quick and well done build.  But just a few days after the bridge was dedicated, Rockwell closed the structure, as it had not been inspected by both counties.  Even after it was inspected, there was no completed road on the white deer side, and there were reports of merchants crossing the bridge only to have to turn back around because of the mud and water on the white deer side.  Additionally, the Reading Railroad had not completed a bridge so that it could cross the creek - that did not occur until 1930.

 Controversy continued for years after the bridges completion, with the Shamokin and Mt Caramel newspapers criticizing the structure in nearly every other issue.  If there was ever discussion of a tax increase, or a poor road condition, the article was sure to blame the Watsontown Bridge.   In 1930 the state took control of the county bridges.

 Below are many news articles regarding the creation of the bridge.  This is not nearly all of them, even though there are many here.  This issue was a very large one in local news for several years.

Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
04 Apr 1922, Tue  • Page 5


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
27 Jan 1925, Tue  • Page 3


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
13 Mar 1925, Fri  • Page 1


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
17 Apr 1925, Fri  • Page 2

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
02 Jan 1926, Sat  • Page 1



The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
11 Jan 1926, Mon  • Page 4

The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
10 Feb 1925, Tue  • Page 3

Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
17 Feb 1926, Wed  • Page 5



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
02 Mar 1926, Tue  • Page 5


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
28 Apr 1926, Wed  • Page 3


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
19 Aug 1926, Thu  • Page 7



Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
24 Dec 1926, Fri  • Page 5



The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
16 Mar 1927, Wed  • Page 1

The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
25 Feb 1927, Fri  • Page 1

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
28 Feb 1927, Mon  • Page 2


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
16 May 1927, Mon  • Page 8



The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
06 Aug 1927, Sat  • Page 6


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
09 Sep 1927, Fri  • Page 1


The Evening News 
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
13 Oct 1927, Thu  • Page 17


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
01 Dec 1927, Thu  • Page 8


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
06 Jan 1928, Fri  • Page 3


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
01 Feb 1928, Wed  • Page 7

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
29 Feb 1928, Wed  • Page 3




Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
11 Apr 1928, Wed  • Page 4

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
08 May 1928, Tue  • Page 8


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
09 Jun 1928, Sat  • Page 1


Williamsport Sun-Gazette 
(Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
03 Jul 1928, Tue  • Page 4


The Wilkes-Barre Record 
(Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
05 Jul 1928, Thu  • Page 24



Harrisburg Telegraph 
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
05 Jul 1928, Thu  • Page 3

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
13 Jul 1928, Fri  • Page 1

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
14 Jul 1928, Sat  • Page 5



Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
14 Jul 1928, Sat  • Page 1

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
17 Jul 1928, Tue  • Page 1




Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
07 Aug 1928, Tue  • Page 1


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
28 Dec 1928, Fri  • Page 8



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
16 Mar 1929, Sat  • Page 2



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
18 Mar 1929, Mon  • Page 1


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
13 Jan 1930, Mon  • Page 9



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
04 Mar 1930, Tue  • Page 3



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
02 Aug 1930, Sat  • Page 2

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
19 Sep 1930, Fri  • Page 2


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1 comment:

  1. UnknownMarch 4, 2017 at 7:02 AM

    I really enjoyed reading the articles about the bridge; but the article about the shooting in N.J. and the sentence imposed was great!
    Shamokin News-Dispatch
    (Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
    11 Apr 1928, Wed • Page 4

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