Story of Susquehanna's Creation

Jackie Lamb Nagorny found this article in a box of old papers. She does not however, know what newspaper it was published in or the date of publication.

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Before Axmen Came, Foliage Was So Thick That Hills Were Invisible

Here is the story of the creation of Susquehanna borough as recorded in the history of Susquehanna County

By men floating down the Susquehanna river over one hundred years ago, saw on the left, where Susquehanna Boro now is, two precipitous hills closely and stubbornly abutting the river, and against each other, separated only by Drinker Creek on its way to the river from Fox's Pond a small lake about five miles to the south.

The eye resting on these hills fell only on the placid heavens and the dense setting of unbroken verdure. Not an opening could be detected from the summit of the hills to the river's bank. So dense was the foliage that the creek itself was hidden from view, as well as the rocks along the banks of the river. Seemingly not satisfied with individuality in her display. Nature, as with ties of union had bound together many of these trees with numerous vines of wild grape and ivy.

But a few years after the woodsman's axe resounded through these hills and was re-echoed from the river below, uncovering a surface rugged and defiant. To the historian it is evident that nature never intended that man should build a town here for such a presumption would imply an intermission of reason, and an utter disregard for convenience. Yet man's indomitable purpose to bring everything under subjection to him has here so far been achieved as to cover these precipitous hills with shops, stores, hotels, offices and dwellings occupied by about four thousand people.

The land embraced in this borough was included in the Drinker tract, purchased by Henry Drinker late in the last century; subsequently conveyed by him to John Hilborn, and from Mr. Hilborn to succeeding grantees until 1846, when it was owned by Wm. H. Sabin, William B. Stoddard and William P. McKune. The farms owned by Messrs. Stoddard and Salisbury were soon after sold to the Erie Railroad Company; the one owned by Mr. McKune, to James H. Smith; Mr. Sabin's to Sedate Griswold. The railway company locating its shops at this place caused its land to be run out into streets and lots. Mr. Smith following the company's example. A number of year's later Mr. Griswold's farm was also run out to conform with the plans. On account of the deep chasm through which Drinker Creek flows but one street (Main) entirely intersects the town from east to west, and this crosses the creek near its mouth.

But on both hills, on either side of the creek nearly all of the streets converge toward Main Street, so that in going from one part of the town to the other; one must pass directly through the centre, as if drawn by gravitation.

In the sidewalks of many of the streets are flights of stairs with rests at intervals; otherwise footmen would find progress exceedingly difficult, especially in winter, and along these streets teams never attempt to pass. Yet after ascending to the plateaus on either side of the town, there are good building lots on which are to be found many comfortable and pleasant dwellings, the homes of hundreds of machinists and skilled workmen, that find employment in the shops below, into the tops of whose ponderous and lofty smoke stacks their families can almost look.

In 1846 ground at this place was first broken for the railroad, and in 1848 the road was completed to Binghamton, the first passenger train running over the road to that city in December of that year.

It then became evident at this point opportunities of rare importance were presented to businessmen; and these opportunities were not long left un-improved. Elliot Benson was the first on the ground. He erected a hotel on the corner of A and Drinker streets. This was called the Harmony House. Soon after a number of stores were erected by the following named persons, in the order in which their names appear, and at the places designated; James M. Ward, corner of A and Main and First streets; Messrs. Wm. Smith and R. H. McKune; L. S. Page; James Bell and Mr. Bell selling out to Mr. Hibbard, erected another; Dennis McDonald; Dr. Bronson; Dr. West and Wm. G. Shrimpton, a jeweler'' store and bakers.

In 1852 James Kirk erected another hotel and a little later others were erected-one by Drs. Smith and Shutts and another by James Kirk known as the Chaffee House.

Soon after Henry Perrine opened a meat market and about the same time that the above mentioned enterprises, were being carried on, of a little later other business men came to Susquehanna and engaged in various pursuits. Among the number were Robert Nicol, Gaylord Curtis, C. A. Miller, C. S. Bennett, Thomas Carr, D. W. Norton, Thomas Ingstrum, John Lannon, A. H. McCollum, A. W. Rowley, Timothy Boyle, Washington Boyle, Miles Creegan, Brace Gilbert, Agustus Gilbert, A. J. Seymour, S. Seymour, Wm. M. Post, Walter Barber, J. H. Cook, M. H. Eisman, David Lyon, F. D. Lyon, Samuel Falkenbury, J. Van Barriger, D. R. Pope, A. C. Parliman Thomas Canavan, Wm. Clark, Lewis Freeman, et al.

In 1853 Susquehanna Depot Borough officers were elected. Lewis H. Page was the president of the first Town Council, and Robert Nicol, R. H. McKune, John Ward, A. W. Rowley and William Hubbard were members.