USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Columbia > Columbia, Pennsylvania : its people-- culture, religions, customs, education, vocations, industry > Part 4
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At one time Columbia had a public school term of thirteen years - grades one through seven -- three years grammar, and three years of high school. By the late 1920's, a 12-year term was adopted. Eight elementary grades and four high school.
In 1905 the William G. Taylor School on Wal- nut Street, between Ninth and Tenth Streets, was opened for 7 elementary grades.
Manor Street School Building at Manor and Tenth Streets provided elementary education. This building was opened in 1896.
Poplar Street School, at Third and Poplar Streets, with four rooms for elementary classes, also opened in the 1890's. It was vacated in the 1950's. The children from the north end of the town were then enrolled in Cherry Street or Park School.
THE COLORED SCHOOL
The first colored school opened in Columbia in 1869, but its exact location is not known. Three years later, in 1872, the school board purchased a property on the south corner of Avenue N and South Fifth Street from the African Methodist Evangelical Church.
The school educated the colored children until they reached fifth grade. They then attended the Cherry Street School, located on Cherry Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, until they en- tered Columbia High School.
Charles Augustus Sweeney was the first colored person to graduate from Columbia High School. He taught in the colored school in 1886 following his high school graduation. Both colored and white teachers served in the school which was closed for financial reasons by the school board in the 1930's. The school was later sold for one hundred fifty dollars, in the 1940's.
The last teacher who taught in the colored school was Miss Theodora Axley.
COLUMBIA LYCEUM
The system of social lyceums was popular in the United States for approximately twelve years. It was an association for debate and literary im- provement.
The Columbia lyceum was organized Decem- ber 2, 1835 and the meetings opened with a lec- ture delivered by one of its members or by a de- bate by members on subjects chosen by the chairman. The debates, often illustrated by sci- entific apparatus, were very entertaining. Out- side lecturers were frequently brought in but the most interesting and pleasing was the political discussion between members who represented the same political parties that elected the United States senators, in their respective states. The line of argument followed the senator each man represented and often became animated and acrimonious.
After the decline of the Columbia lyceum, members formed an organization called the Sen- ate, so named because its organization was like the United States Senate. Programs were similar to those carried on by the lyceum.
Meetings were held in the old brick school house on Third Street, close to the old Town Hall.
ST. PETER'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
Two brick houses located on Union Street above Second were purchased in 1872 by St. Peter's Catholic Church to be used as a home for Sisters and a parochial school.
These sisters from the Sisters of Charity, Mt. Saint Vincent, New York, arrived in Columbia,
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October, 1872 - to be the teachers in the school.
The Reverend Father James J. Russell, who had organized the school in 1871 had an enroll- ment of one hundred children. Because of the size of this enrollment, classes had to be held in the original church building, and the pastor's home.
By July of 1874 the number of Sisters here in- creased to seven.
An academy constructed and completed in 1878 consisted of a high school for the advanced children.
The academy was designed to be a boarding school for young ladies not members of the con- gregation and young women who lived beyond Columbia's boundaries.
Father Russell had a four-classroom school built next to the academy and convent, which was ready for occupancy in 1882. This building was torn down and the present St. Peter's Church was built on the site in 1888. Classes returned to the "Old Church" convent and the Pastor's res- idence until a new school was built and occupied July 21, 1913.
An addition was built in 1961. This addition contains classrooms and a Parish center, where cafeteria service is offered to the children. The new building rests on the site of the original church.
HOLY TRINITY PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
A school for parish children was opened Sep- tember 1, 1865 in the basement of the Holy Trin- ity Church building with sixty pupils enrolled. In 1869 the Sister of St. Francis order arrived to take charge of the school. A school and convent was erected and dedicated in 1870 on the present church property to the rear of Cherry Street. In 1873 an addition was built.
Prior to the erection of the stone church, a new parochial school was built by Holy Trinity on the southeast corner of Fourth and Cherry Streets.
This school was erected in 1914-1915. It held ten classrooms, a library, and a large auditorium on the first floor. The basement has a fine cafe- teria and a number of offices.
In 1924 Fr. Brueggman purchased the dwell- ing at 343 Cherry Street as a home for the Sisters of St. Francis.
FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD SCHOOL
In the fall of 1974 The First Assembly of God began a Parochial School called Breezy View
Christian School. The expansion of the school en- rollment is handled in a building adjacent on a 4-acre plot of ground.
JOBS DAUGHTERS
Bethel #7 of Columbia International Order of Jobs Daughters was instituted on March 17, 1957 at the Keystone Hall, 25 North Fourth Street, Columbia, Penna. Mrs. Edith Campbell, Acting Grand Guardian of Penna., presided during the institution of Columbia U.D. There were twenty- three girls initiated and five affiliated at this ceremony.
Mrs. Evelyn Duke was installed as the first Bethel Guardian and the first Honored Queen in- stalled for the Bethel was Miss Virginia Studer.
The charter was signed on November 12, 1957 with 33 names signed on it. Mrs. Campbell, Grand Guardian, presided for this ceremony, with Brenda Ziegler presiding as Honored Queen. Meetings of the Bethel were changed to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and held there until May 7, 1962 when they were moved to the Columbia Ma- sonic Center, 347 Locust Street, Columbia.
The local Bethel has had four members to serve on the Grand Guardian Council of the Common- wealth of Penna. They are: Mrs. William Dus- singer, Grand Guardian 1969-70; Mrs. Herbert McKinney, Grand Asso. Guardian 1969-70; Mr. Eugene Clyborne, Grand Asso. Guardian 1977-78; and Mrs. Anna M. Clyborne, Grand Guardian 1979-80.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
As early as 1829 interested citizens, whose names include Barber, Bruner, Forry, Given, Houston, Mifflin, and Wright, formed a stock company to buy and circulate books.
In 1834 the books were sold to the Franklin Library and the money was used to satisfy accu- mulated debts.
In 1836 the Franklin Library dissolved.
In 1862 Col. Samuel Shock, president of the Columbia School Board, offered a substantial contribution for books if the board would provide a room to be used as a library in the new Cherry Street School Building. A yearly endowment by the board was stipulated.
In 1868 the School Board bought an 1800 vol- ume library from the estate of Jacob Seitz.
In 1917 Miss Emma Hess, teacher in the first grade, who served as librarian, was elected librar- ian for the last time.
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In 1925, at the suggestion of Miss Helen Umble, Lancaster Public Librarian, the Columbia Woman's Club undertook sponsorship for a li- brary, and Miss Effie Detwiler, and her brother, Horace Detwiler, offered a room in their home at Second and Locust Streets, a room originally used by the First Columbia National Bank, for the project. Columbia School Board donated books and shelving from the Shock Library and Miss Detwiler employed trained librarians to cat- alogue and arrange the books. This, Columbia's Free Public Library, was formally opened on July 4, 1925.
Mrs. H. F. Yergey was librarian.
In 1954 a legacy in excess of $100,000, be- queathed by Miss Detwiler, established a trust fund for the maintenance of the Columbia Public Library. The will stipulated that five trustees be appointed by the court. The trustees elected Mr. Wilson Bucher as president.
An additional bequest was made to the trust fund - $30,000 by Mr. Alexander Frank. In 1959 the Charles Fruehauf Foundation contributed $5,000 toward a building fund.
On October 31, 1960, ground was broken for a new library on a plot in the Locust Street Park, donated by the Old Public Ground Company, Cornelius Westerman, president. Friends of the Columbia Public Library had organized a build- ing fund drive under the direction of Gardiner Criswell. H. Nelson Albright was named chair- man for a building committee.
The new library was dedicated October 15, 1961. In 1964 a reference room was completed and in 1970 an additional plot was donated by the Old Public Ground Company, on which the library was expanded in 1974 to include a chil- dren's wing, a multi-purpose conference room a vault and increased book storage. This expansion was made possible through a $50,000 gift from Mrs. Wilfred Ferguson in memory of her mother, Anna Shupe Dickey.
A moving spirit in creating a high standard of service and extensive material was Jessie Cleland Criswell (Mrs. Gardiner Criswell), who was a dedicated supporter of the library.
COLUMBIA WATER COMPANY
Columbia Water Company has supplied Colum- bia citizens with filtered water from the Susque- hanna River since 1823, piped to their homes. It is believed to be the third oldest business of its
kind in the state and is the oldest continuing service in Columbia.
The pumping station is located along the river at the foot of Walnut Street. The first pipes through which the water was carried to the homes were hollowed-out logs.
Water is drawn through an intake pipe, laid far out in the river, into a tank; from the tank it is conveyed to a sedimentation basin where addi- tives settle dirt and other substances to the bot- tom. The water then is drawn into another tank where it is filtered, passes through clean sand, gravel, charcoal and other filtering substances, into a clear well of chlorine and other chemicals designed to kill bacteria and odors.
Analyses are made hourly in the plant labora- tory to insure purity.
Diesel motors have replaced the steam engines which were first used in the pumping operations.
Floods are always a threat to the company's operation - the two worst ones experienced were the spring flood of 1936 and one in January of 1951. A water lift set up by the Red Cross, drink- ing water from springs and other outside sources, supplied water during a week's halt in the plant operations.
News of the water lift reached across the At- lantic Ocean into England. A reporter from a London newspaper called the office of the Colum- bia News to inquire about the situation.
After complete filtering and purifying opera- tions, the Columbia Water Company stores water in a reservoir in Lockard's Hollow.
Stand-pipes have been placed in various parts of the town.
Lancaster city now has a line running to the river to augment that city's water supply.
OLD COLUMBIA PUBLIC GROUND CO.
The Old Columbia Public Ground Company actually began in 1821, for in that year the Gen- eral Assembly of the young State of Pennsylvania passed an Act incorporating "The Old Columbia Water Company". Later, in 1826, the Assembly passed another Act reincorporating it as "The Old Columbia Public Ground Company" to be administered by a Board consisting of nine Man- agers and a President elected by the citizens of Old Columbia.
The purpose of the Company was to administer the land and the rents arising thereof by leasing the public ground left to the Town of Old Colum- bia by Samuel Wright (b. May 12, 1754 - d. Sept.
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7, 1811), the original proprietor of that part of town known as Old Columbia. During the interim years from 1811 to 1821, the bequest was admin- istered by a trusteeship of citizens of Old Colum- bia.
It is interesting in considering a specific history to have some reference to other events and per- sons contemporary with the times. The popula- tion of all of Columbia in 1820 was 1891 people. Obviously, everyone knew everyone else. James Monroe was President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson was still living in Virginia. Benjamin Franklin had died 30 years earlier and George Washington just 21 years before. Charles Wilson Peale, the eminent portraitist and pa- triot, was still living in Philadelpia painting the portraits of many famous and prominent citizens who had contributed to the founding of the Re- public. He died in 1827, having preserved for us the likenesses of Franklin, Lafayette and seven Presidents: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Mon- roe, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.
On Nov. 14, 1820, at a meeting of inhabitants in the Town Hall it was decided that the accrued funds from the public ground "should be appro- priated and applied to the purpose of bringing or conveying a sufficient supply of water into the said Old Columbia for the use of the Inhabitants and to extinguish fires therein". Subsequently, a separate water company was formed in 1823 and a water system was constructed whereby water was brought from the hills north of town by means of wooden pipes and ducts.
A common or ordinary school was established for the children of Old Columbia in 1837. Later, in 1857, the Washington Institute was built and in 1869 another school building was erected near- by. Washington institute was to provide a gram- mar school level of education. In 1939, the Insti- tute buildings together with the surrounding grounds were given to the Columbia Public School District simply for assuming a $48,000 mortgage on the buildings then outstanding.
On May 5, 1828, the Ground Company, by ap- proval of the citizens in a meeting in Town Hall, passed a Resolution granting "to Major Wilson, the principal enginer for locating the Railroad from this place to Philadelphia, the privilege of locating the said road on and through the Public Ground agreeable to a route commencing on the Public Ground east of Christian Brenneman's warehouse, thence to a dead Locust tree at or
near the river road, thence south to Amos H. Slaymaker's warehouse". This was the Philadel- phia and Columbia Railroad. Other railroads with which negotiations ensued were, for exam- ple: The Pennsylvania Railroad, Baltimore and Susquehanna, Mt. Joy Railroad and the Phoenix and Eagle Passenger Lines.
In 1871, a section of land was leased to the P.R.R. with the proviso that a Round House was to be built thereon and that any expansion or improvements to the local system be made at Columbia and not Marietta. The expansion of the local facilities continued on through the early 1900's.
An indication of the general nature of the old town is given by a notation made in 1862 that a Mr. Tyson asked permission to cut the grass for hay and to pasture his cow in the Washington Institute lot for which he agreed to pay $10.00 and in addition to keep the grounds and fencing in good repair. His offer was accepted.
In 1863 the Institute was used as a war hospital by the U.S. Army.
Moving forward about 100 years, a plot of ground was given to the Columbia Library Asso- ciation to aid in building a public library. In 1967 additional ground was given which later permit- ted an addition.
Over the past 150 years, through the attrition of selling to promote industrial development and by gifts for community services, the land of the Old Ground Co. has diminished to the now re- maining River Park (part of the original grant of Samuel Wright) and Locust St. Park pur- chased from a second John Wright and the Mifflins.
"The boundaries of 'Old Columbia'." When superimposed upon the present day street plan of the Borough of Columbia, the boundaries are somewhat irregular and in places difficult to de- lineate verbally. Nevertheless, I shall give you a general outline of the boundaries as follows, keeping in mind that the four major compass points are used here in a general manner and not survey exact.
It can be started on the West, at the Susque- hanna River, along the south side of the old rail- road bridge and pass east, along the north side of Bridge Street to the west side of Commerce Street where it crosses Commerce Street diag- onally and southerly to the east side to a point about 175 feet from the north side of Walnut Street.
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Next, it passes eastward, fairly parallel to Wal- nut, to a point on the west side of Third Street approximately 65 feet south of Avenue G; thence, at approximately 45 degrees, to a point approx- imately 60 feet east of east side of Third Street and 80 feet north of the north side of Avenue G.
Thence diagonally almost due east to a point on the west side of Fifth Street approximately 65 feet north from Locust Street and continues along the west side of Fifth Street to the north side of Avenue K.
Next, down the north side of Avenue K to the east side of Stump Avenue and along the east side of Stump Avenue to the north side of Avenue J. Then west along north side of Avenue J to the east side of Third Street where it turns north along the east side of Third to the north side of Cherry Street. Then west along the north side of Cherry about 320 feet where it turns north at a right angle to the north side of Avenue I, then west at a right angle along the north side of Av- enue I to the east side of Second Street where it turns at a right angle north along the east side of Second Street to the north side of Locust Street. Here it makes a right angle west along the north side of Locust Street to the east side of Bank Avenue (Brenneman's Feed Store there at one time) .
Now, along the east side of Bank Avenue to north side of Avenue H. Turn a right angle west along the north side of Avenue H to the east side of Bank Avenue again (a dog-leg exists at this intersection of Avenues). Here, another right an- gle north along the east side of Bank Avenue for approximately 80 feet, another right angle west to the Susquehanna River and, finally, north along the river shore to the point of beginning.
Only property holders living within the bounds of Old Columbia are eligible for candidacy as Managers. All citizens residing within the bound- aries of Old Columbia are eligible to vote in the election of Managers.
INDUSTRY
LUCAS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Lucas Manufacturing Company is a manu- facturer of children's dresses, sizes 1 to 14, which are sold all over the United States, and in some foreign ports. This business began its operations on March 12, 1889 in two frame houses on South Fourth St. next to the Gottleib-Young Brewery.
It was known as the Triumph Shirt Co., and they first manufactured white bosom shirts.
The company moved to its present location at the rear of 420 Walnut Street in 1907. At this time, they began to manufacture children's dresses. They employed approximately 90 people with annual sales of $283,000. Since then the company has expanded to more than 400 employ- ees and annual sales of over ten million dollars. The physical facilities were increased by new con- struction on five different occasions, including modern office facilities.
The company purchased the Marietta Silk Co. building at Second and Chestnut Streets, which is used for warehousing and shipping. This build- ing is equipped with racks and a modern con- veyor system capable of hanging 50,000 dozen dresses and ship an average of 10,000 dozen dresses per week.
The company has rented facilities at Third and Linden Streets which is used for warehousing and mail order shipping. This department han- dles the catalog shipping for Sears, Roebuck & Co., J. C. Penney Co., Montgomery Ward, and Spiegel's. The company also has rented facilities at Fourth and Union Streets. This building is used for piece goods storage.
The company maintains sales offices at 112 West 34th Street in New York City. The company trades under the name of Kahn, Lucas, Lancas- ter, Inc. Some of the larger accounts are practi- cally every major chain in the U.S.A.
ITT-GRINNELL CORPORATION
1917 - L. R. Zifferer purchased Columbia Mal- leable Castings Company located on North Sec- ond Street, Columbia. This was brought about because Mr. Zefferer operated the U. S. Expan- sion Bolt Company in York, Pennsylvania, and was unable to secure enough castings for his expansion bolt business. There was also a mort- gage on the Columbia Malleable foundry which was assumed by Mr. Zefferer when he purchased the business. There was very little cash involved in this purchase transaction.
1928 - On September 4 ground was broken for construction of the Columbia Malleable plant on former U.S. 30, East. The foundry was completed and started operation in August, 1929.
1929 - Ground was broken for the first tap- ping shop building on former U.S. 30, East, and this building was completed in 1930.
1930 - The tapping shop building was rented
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to Grinnell Corporation who supplied the tap- ping machinery and the galvanized equipment and operated as a tenant of the Columbia Mallea- ble Castings Company with supervision and man- agement personnel supplied by Grinnell Corpora- tion.
1931 - On February 19, L. R. Zifferer died, and the entire stock, which was closely held by the Zifferer family, was acquired by Grinnell Cor- poration, and the final transaction occurred on May 28, 1931.
1935 - In February of this year the Foremen's Club was organized. This club represents a group which is vitally interested in the welfare of the Columbia community and has made outstanding contributions to community projects. This organ- ization is now known as the ITT Grinnell Man- agement Club.
1944 - In September the original conventional type foundry was converted to a mechanized foundry with the latest melting and molding fa- cilities. Also during this year the International Molders and Allied Workers Union, AFL-CIO, be- came the bargaining unit for the production work force.
1955 - On December 30 Columbia Malleable Castings Corporation was merged into its parent company, Grinnell Corporation.
1967 - On November 27 ground was broken for a fully automated electric foundry addition to the Columbia plant.
1968 - On December 2 the Electric Foundry began production operations. This foundry is fully automated with electric melting facilities and is among the most modern in operation.
1969 - On October 31 Grinnell Corporation merged with International Telephone and Tele- graph Corporation and is now operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of ITT.
1971 - In August of this year, air pollution control equipment of the very latest engineering design was put into operation. Assistance in the selection of this equipment was given by repre- sentatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Air Pollution Control, and Emission Control Engineers of the American Foundrymen's Society. Also in 1971, ground was broken for construction of a modern, fully auto- mated Cupola Foundry Extension and new ad- ministrative offices.
1972 - On July 15 the corporate name was changed to "ITT Grinnell Corporation". On Au- gust 30 the expanded facilities and office building
were dedicated with an impressive ceremony and open house which accorded the public an oppor- tunity to tour the entire plant. Refreshments and a souvenir were available for all visitors.
Columbia Plant produces only ferritic mallea- ble iron castings which consist of pipe fittings, pipe hangers, pipe unions, and some jobbing work. Products are shipped to all parts of the United States as well as to export accounts.
Present employment of the Columbia Plant is in excess of 1,200 employees with an annual pay- roll amounting to approximately eighteen mil- lion dollars.
Plant Managers who have served the Columbia Plant are:
William Kay, 1931-1933; H. Nelson Albright, 1933-1964; Harold N. Myers, 1964-1970; Dale J. Waterhouse, 1970-1971; Thomas W. Cook, 1971- 1972; William H. Kloidt, 1972-1974; and George H. Goodman, General Manager, 1973.
COLUMBIA WAGON WORKS
The Columbia Wagon Works, no longer in op- eration, at one time made and shipped wagons of many varieties throughout the United States, plus many foreign countries.
Going to South America, Cuba, Europe, Aus- tralia, South Africa were the Columbian Eli; O.K. Farm and Freight Wagon; Joseph F. Day Dumper; plus 60 different styles of carriages - buggies - surreys - spindles - roundabouts.
Organized on June 7, 1889, the officers were: W. T. Garrison, president; H. F. Yergey, treasurer and manager; and Ed. B. Smith, secretary.
THE COLUMBIA LACE COMPANY
The town's oldest textile industry, Columbia Lace Company, was established in 1892 by Clel- and, Campbell & Company of Glasgow, Scotland, for the purpose of manufacturing Nottingham Lace curtain goods. The firm, which originally had its factory in Darvel, Scotland, and manu- factured lace curtain goods for the American trade, moved part of its machinery to Columbia when the Mckinley Tariff Bill made an American location more profitable than the Scotch one for catering to the American trade. The original mill, of which Columbia was a branch, is still operated in Darvel, Scotland, by Edward Cleland, nephew of James Cleland who was president of Columbia Lace Company from 1892 until his retirement in August, 1951.
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