This Was Doylestown, 1912

Editor's note - In 1912, Doylestown celebrated the 100th anniversary of its selection as the seat of Bucks County. The County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week took place from Sunday, June 9 to Saturday, June 15. Each day had a different theme except for Monday, when no events were held. The following is a day-by-day account of the weeklong celebration, using the original headlines. The dates in parentheses are when the articles ran in the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer.

"Religious Day" Opens The Centennial With Address By Dr. J.J. Lansing

(Monday, June 10) - Residents of Doylestown, returning sons and daughters of the town, and Sunday visitors saw the opening of the County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week on Religious Day.

Trains, trolleys and automobiles brought hundreds from a distance, and other hundreds from the surrounding communities motored or drove to the County Seat, so that only standing room was left in the court room when the union services opened.

Nothing finer than the address by Dr. J.J. Lansing, of New York, has ever been heard here. It was not a review of the stories of the past, but a prophesy and inspiration for the future--a plea for improvement in the civic and social life of the community; a spur to a cleansing of community life of all that is unworthy, as seen by the sociologist; a picture of what Doylestown could be.

Dr. Lansing's address was so exceptionally fine in sentiment, choice of words and oratory that it is impossible in a brief newspaper abstract to quote him with exactness or do him justice. yet the sentiments he expressed were of such a striking character that an effort is made to give at least the impression made.

"The visitor to Doylestown today," he said, "cannot help but notice the preparations for some great event in its history. The dates, '1812-1912,' indicate that it is a centennial, and the predominance of the national colors in the decorations shows that there is no inconsiderable amount of patriotism connected with it. Passing further, he notices the word "Welcome" and with it comes the impression that it is not only for strangers but for returning sons and daughters.

"You have much history, undoubtedly, but that part is not for me to dwell upon. Your local historians have written it, your newspapers have no doubt published much, and your signs marking the sites of old buildings recall a great many things. ...We must remember what has been to see what will be.

"If I were going to plan for Doylestown I'd have a civic committee to find out the facts. Out of it would grow a sense of community life. There are people here who do not know twenty people in the town, I dare say, and who know nothing of the other churches. They should know the people of their community and something of the other churches for the benefit of the common life."

Court Of Honor Illumination Formally Opened The Celebration

(Tuesday, June 11) - With the turning on of the electric current which lighted the hundreds of incandescent lamps along the court of honor on Main and Court streets Monday night, the County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week really started.

Before that time--though there were crowds in the town, more or less hustle and bustle and indications that something unusual was going on--the holiday spirit of the occasion was not here. It needed the glitter of lights, the unusual illumination which made night like day to make the crowds "sit up and take notice."

They did. From the time the court of honor was illuminated until a late hour, that part of the town was filled with people admiring the decorations along the way, particularly the illumination of the Court House, watching the promenaders and anticipating the excitement of the morrow.

"The Intelligencer's illumination is one of the most attractive in town," said Deputy County Treasurer William Murphy. Illumination of the Fire House on Shewell avenue has been greatly admired.

The souvenir committee reported that the official programs and souvenirs were selling rapidly, and the program committee was authorized to accept 4,700 of the programs instead of the 5,000 contracted for, as there had been 300 spoiled in the printing.

"Society Day" Celebration Successful Beyond Expectations

(Wednesday, June 12 ) - Streets of Doylestown were blocked Tuesday by the crowds of people who flocked in for the "Society Day" parade, the first of the big days of the County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week.

"Society Day" was a bigger success than even the more sanguine had imagined. As the first day of parades and exercises it was expected to be the smallest, but the gloriously fine weather drew crowds from all parts of Bucks county, and nearly every organization which accepted was in line.

Bathed in sunlight, cheered by the excitement of the gala occasion and delighted with band after band of music, the crowds kept in the best of humor. Hopes for continued fair weather are strong; with four more days of unclouded sunshine the events prepared for Historical, Educational, Industrial and Firemen's days will go down in the history of the county as its greatest event.

Popular opinion appeared to give the palm for the finest entry in the parade to the Red Men. Watach Tribe, of Willow Grove, made a particularly good appearance in bright new Indian costumes. Pokanoket Tribe, of Kintnersville; Sciota Tribe, of Doylestown; and Packenah Tribe, of Langhorne, each had a great many men in line in uniform, but Pokanoket's papoose in full Indian garb made a big hit.

Locally, one of the most striking floats was that of the Doylestown Nature Club. In a wagon decorated with evergreen trees and foliage were two of the members, one of the fair sex gazing intently into a tree with the aid of field glasses.

From Bristol came a company of 50 members of the Italian society, each with a small American flag, while in the lead were magnificent flags of both their native and their adopted country.

Ivanhoe Commandery, marching in the form of a cross, was applauded many times along the line of parade.

Governor John Tener's arrival with Mrs. Tener in the early evening was the source of great pleasure, and he was given an enthusiastic welcome as he was escorted to the stand in the court house during the evening exercises.

"Historical Day" Pageant Portrays Admirably Events Of A Century

(Thursday, June 13) - So much that was of surpassing excellence and interest was crowded into "Historical Day" of the County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week that it took alert eyes and ears and active brains to see, hear, understand and appreciate it all.

Thousands came Wednesday to see and hear Governor Tener, witness the wonderful historical pageant and the tableaus, hear the addresses at the Bucks County Historical Society's building and enjoy the costume ball of the evening.

By noon the streets were crowded, for again the Weather Man was in cheerful and accommodating mood and kept so until evening when there was a slight shower, which, however, did not interfere with any of the program.

Where a few persons were expected to impersonate historic characters or classes of early settlers or soldiers, there were as many as fifty, all in costume, so that when the pageant was formed it was found that it far surpassed in every way, in general excellence and numbers, what had been planned--as the outcome of the great interest aroused by the enthusiasm of Dr. Frank B. Swartzlander, the director, and his assistants, Frederick J. Shellenberger, Henry C. Mercer and Warren S. Ely.

Mere words are feeble factors in describing the completeness and amazing attractiveness of the colorful and gorgeous pageant. The harmony of display, the beauty of dress of scores of the actors and the fidelity with which others were copied after the originals, the loveliness and grace of the girls and young women who impersonated the fair sex of the early years of the county, the truthfulness with which each period of the history was depicted--these are but a few of the things which held the crowds along the streets spell-bound or caused them to break out in rounds of applause as the pageant passed.

Having formed on East Court street, the pageant moved to Broad street, to Main street, to Court street and into the Court House, having marched around the Court House square twice.

Among the historical tableaus were: Lenni Lenape Indians, William Penn and the English Quakers, Pennsylvania German Settlers, "The Walking Purchase," "Tools of the Nation Maker," General Washington and Staff, General Morgan and his Riflemen, "Coryell's Ferry" Group, Sons of Veterans Fife and Drum Corps of New Hope, Hessian Prisoners and Continental Soldiers, the Doan Outlaws, "A Ball in 1812" and Moving of the Court Records.

"Educational Day" Parade Success; Justice Fell Lays Corner Stone

(Friday, June 14) - "God bless the babies! That's a crop that never fails in Bucks county," exclaimed patriarchal former County Superintendent W.W. Woodruff in his address on Educational Day of the County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week on Thursday, after about 1,000 bright-faced school children and the teachers and directors had paraded in the street before the laying of the corner stone of the new school building [an annex to the 1889 Doylestown Public School at Broad and Court streets].

The fact that it was a fine "crop" must have been impressed upon the crowds who lined the streets as the children passed by. The reproduction of "Ye Old Time School," rude in architecture and the home of the most primitive educational methods, stirred imagination to a comparison with the present handsome building and advanced course of study, and a realization of the great strides made in the last century.

In the school, the master, A.J. Gayman, the veteran principal of the Sandy Ridge High School [in Doylestown Township], and a number of children dressed in the bright "prints" of many years ago, were "in session." The desk of the master was rude and the seats for the pupils were plain board benches.

Nearly five hundred Doylestown school children marched by twos in a line that extended for more than two squares [blocks], the girls carrying bouquets of flowers and the boys flags. Six girls and boys mounted on ponies were another striking feature.

School children, teachers and directors of Bristol, Morrisville, Hulmeville, Doylestown township and Newtown joined with those of the County Seat in the parade and exercises.

After the parade the school children formed along the side of Broad street en masse facing the school building and opened the corner stone laying ceremonies by singing "Pennsylvania." Prayer was then offered by Rev. C.W. Jefferis, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Hugh B. Eastburn, president of the Doylestown School Board, made the opening address in which he reviewed the history of the schools of Doylestown and referred to the progress which has been made in that time. Chief Justice Newlin B. Fell, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, presided over the laying of the corner stone.

Educational Day lacked pomp and pageantry and spectacular display, but it had the charm of things nearer the home--the sight of happy, intelligent little children with flowers and flags marching in celebration of an enlightened civilization which has overcome prejudice and opposition and won for the masses opportunity for intelligence and culture once reserved for the few.

"Industrial Day" Parade And Crowd Hold The Record Of The Centennial

(Saturday, June 15) - Twenty thousand people is the estimate made by several men of the crowd that witnessed the "Industrial Day" parade of the County Seat Centennial and Old Home Week on Friday.

Whatever the number of men, women and children in town, there is not the slightest doubt that it was the greatest crowd of the week. People were not only massed in the centre of the town, the pavements were crowded for squares in all directions and every part of the town saw unusually large groups.

The parade was undoubtedly the largest the town has ever had. Nearly one hundred automobiles took part in that section of the pageant and most of them were profusely decorated, some with flowers and nearly all with flags, plumes, bunting and the town colors, red and white. They paraded about half an hour before the industrial section in order to avoid running so slowly that engines would suffer. Leading this parade were machines with the members of Town Council and the county officials.

Industrial floats followed the automobiles. The reproduction of the "William Penn Brewery," once at Penn's Manor in Falls township, was possbily the most costly and complete float in the parade. It depicted in an artistic manner the brewing methods and brewery of 1685, complete in every respect.

Floats entered by four Doylestown firms advertising their general merchandise business won compliments all along the line of parade. They were those of Robert L. Clymer's department store, A.S. Hellyer's Sons Co.'s department store, William P. Ely & Son's clothing house and Joseph K. Musselman's large store.

The Clymer float was drawn by eight horses. This one was especially handsome and decorated with the town colors. On it were swings, refrigerators and other articles for the home. Ely & Son's float won much applause. Men upon it were costumed to contrast the styles of clothing of 1812 and 1912. The Musselman float was richly decorated and exhibited models of suits for women. Hellyer's float had unique pillars of linoleum with rolls of matting at each of the four corners and an attractive display in the centre.

"The Modern Dairy," shown by A.C. Larue, was as attractive as any of the floats. On a covered float of pure white was a pedigreed Guernsey cow and in another part were the immaculately clad dairy maids and a milk cooler.

The State Equal Suffrage Association, as the guest of one of the Bucks county clubs assisted by local workers, occupied an auto and float in the procession. Their colors bore the legend, "Votes for Women," while their banners proclaimed them "Civic Helpers."

Doylestown's Eventful Centennial Week Closed By Firemen's Parade

(Monday, June 17) - Doylestown's County Seat Celebration and Old Home Week ended Saturday night and the people have again settled down to the even tenor of their ways after the most delightfully eventful seven days in the town's history, satisfied that the century-marking celebration was a complete success in every way, thankful for the delightful weather that had such a conspicuous part in the success, grateful for the assistance citizens of other communities gave and proud of the excellent order which was maintained with the aid of the State Constabulary and other officers.

"Firemen's Day" was marred by the only unpleasant weather of the week, but while this interfered to some extent with the celebration, there were thousands of visitors in the town and nearly all of the fire-fighters who had expected to come were here and kept in good humor as they paraded through the slippery streets lined with spectators. Rain fell from about noon to 4 o'clock.

At 2 o'clock, there was a solid mass of people along both sides of all of the streets in the centre of the town along which the procession was to pass. Nearly an hour's delay was caused by the late arrival of the Newtown firemen, but the fine showing they made repaid the spectators for the tiresome wait. When the first blast of the shrill siren sounded, the parade was formed but it was about 3 o'clock before it could start.

The parade extended from State street down Main to Hart avenue and up Clinton to Ashland. Forty members of Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1, led by Chief Daniel G. Fretz, marched in blue uniforms. Other fire companies came from Bristol, Jenkintown, Perkasie, Quakertown, Norristown, Southampton, Chalfont, Richlandtown, New Hope, Lambertville and Morrisville.

Immediately after the parade, a panoramic picture of all of the companies in line was taken in front of the fire house. As soon as this was over, the firemen flocked to the booth where attractive little souvenir steins were given out by the local firemen, and a little later were guests at supper at the armory. In the evening, there was a ball at the armory which was a complete success.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of June 9-15, 1912