100 Years of Pride
A History of
Compiled and Edited by Edith B. Shuman
Photography and Illustrations by Robert McGuire
Transcribed by Derek Davis
2004
Dedication
The History of Lopez is dedicated to the citizens of the Community, both past and present, who played an active role in the growth and industrial development of the area over the past century.
Edith Behr Shuman
The author wishes to acknowledge all help so graciously given by individuals through personal interview and correspondence, for photographs loaned, and for new photographs made by Robert McGuire
Acknowledgement
Centennial Planning Committee Officers. Seated left to right: Vera Gulich, secretary; Ferdie Marek,
Chairman; Dorothy Riordan, Vice Chairman. Standing is Stephen Gulich, Jr.,
Treasurer and Sandra Gulich, Recording Secretary
On behalf of the Executive Committee, I express profound gratitude to all who provided material and photographs for the preparation of this Lopez Centennial Book.
For her patience and enthusiasm, the Committee is deeply indebted to Mrs. Edith Behr Shuman, who compiled and edited this comprehensive publication.
To Mr. Robert McGuire of McGuire Studio--who burned the midnight oil--credit is due for his interest and ingenuity in reproducing the hundreds of old and recent photographs in the pages that follow.
Acknowledgement would be incomplete without mention of the officers, committee chair‑persons and all others who gave their time and who worked diligently throughout the entire existence of the Lopez Centennial Committee.
And finally, after seeing the pictures and reading this book, we conclude our "100 Years of Pride." Let us enter into the next century and ask the question--if this be our destiny, is this our pride?
Sincerely,
Ferdie Marek
General Chairman
Lopez Centennial Committee
Table of Contents
1. The Story of Lopez
2. The Kindling Mill
3. Growth of Lopez
4. The Mining Era in Lopez
5. New Industries
6. Recent Changes in Lopez
7. Social Activities
8. Early Schools
9. Shady nook
10. Development of the Highways
11. Scenes of Lopez
12. The Age of Bicycles
13. The Post Office
14. SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church
15. The Lopez United
16. Russian Orthodox Church
17. St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception
18. The Flood of 1972
19. Sulick Hall,
20. A Tribute to Early Photographers
Remains of
structure in foreground is probably the sawmill built by J. S. Hoffa and sold
to C. J. Wilhelm about 1882. Building at left is present Hotel Lopez. Building,
center, is present Post Office. The majority of Lopez was on the other side of
the creek. The original photograph was found in a trash can in
1. The Story of Lopez
Lopez Creek in the
winter with trees coated with soft, fluffy snow is a magnificent sight to
behold.
The
One version is that about 1816 the Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike was being built from Lake Ganoga to the Loyalsock Creek at Seemans, and thence to the place where the village of Mildred is now located. A man by the name of Lopez went with the road builders and furnished board and lodging to the men employed in building the Turnpike. He erected crude camps built of logs at different places as the work progressed.
Since one of these camps was built on the bank of the unnamed creek about five miles above its junction with the Loyalsock Creek, it is said that the stream was called the Lopez Creek after the man conducting the camp on its bank.
Or the current story is that during the construction of the Turnpike, a man by the name of John Lopez was killed by a falling tree; and the stream was named after him in commemoration of the accident.
The present site of Lopez was, at one time, a vast wilderness, and game and fish were plentiful. There was a roomy cabin built of logs and covered with hemlock bark some little distance above the confluence of the two creeks near the present H. M. Kellogg residence. This was the goal of innumerable hunters and fishermen in search of game and formed a stopping place, both going to and coming from their hunting and fishing trips.
In those days there was no bridge across the Lopez Creek. Teams had to wade through the water, except when Jack Frost had bridged the stream with ice. For people traveling on foot, a large hemlock that stood back some distance from the bank was felled. The part of the tree lying on the bank balanced the part reaching about two‑thirds of the way across the stream. It stretched six or seven feet above the water where freshets could not wash it away. The other third of the foot‑bridge was composed of heaps of rocks which formed stepping stones.
About 1876 the
The first house in Lopez was built by Reilly Steinbach, who had the contract to peel the bark from the trees west of the Lopez Creek and on the flat south of the Loyalsock Creek. This house was located where Mrs. Alice Gardner now lives.
Tar Bridge, circa 1876. This is a copy of probably
the first photo taken in the area. In all our research, this appears to be the
original "
Cars loaded with
Bark in Lopez. Bark stripping was the first actual industry in the area. Many
thousands of tons of good lumber were just burned and left to decay because
they didn't need it. All they wanted was the bark as it was up to four inches
thick. The bark was used for tanning leather.
The settlement did not grow for a number of years and
merited its name
Pictured here is a
piece of bark from the original trees that were in Lopez. At 3 1/2 inches
thick, it dwarfs the current varieties of bark now present on the trees, which
may reach a maximum of 3/4 of an inch. Just as dramatic, also, would be the
comparison between this tree over 300 years old at 3 1/2 feet in diameter and
the smaller trees that grow today.
D. W. Osler of Forksville, realizing that a booming town would soon be built at this point, erected a hotel in the winter of 1886‑87. He sold it to Deegan and Farrell. Other proprietors have been Tony Rouse, Paul Daly, Walter Yarosh, Pete Stavisky, and the present owner, Mrs. Vera Gulich.
In 1888 Trexler and Turrell purchased a large tract of
timber on the Lopez and Painter Den Creeks and built a large sawmill on the
outskirts of town. Soon houses to accommodate the workers and their families
were constructed. A large company store was erected, and the
Turrelltown still exists as an attractive community. Families purchased the homes, and over the years they have modernized them. The store building was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kwiatkowski who converted it to a dwelling house. It was destroyed by fire a number of years ago.
Jennings Brothers Hardwood Mills of Lopez, 1904.
Located at the extreme south end of town. Because cows were abundant, you
didn't have to look far to locate one.
Lopez Depot, 1904.
The Depot in this photo is just about as barren as the back ridges.
Trexler and
Turrell Company Store after it was purchased and turned into a home by Mr.
Kwiatkowski. About 1914. Pictured is mother, Catherine Warsyla Doba
Kwiatkowski, daughter, Helen, brother, Peter Warsyla, father, Martin, son, John
S. Doba. Home was destroyed by fire in 1955, at which time it was Ferdie
Marek's (grandson of Catherine Kwiatkowski) homestead.
Lopez Hotel, Lopez,
In the year of 1888 Jennings Brothers, who were operating
a sawmill on
Editor's Note: According to Dave Cathell's Jennings Brothers Railroad page:
The Jennings Bros (Worth and Cortez) came to Sullivan County in 1881, and purchase a large tract of
standing timber from James McFarlane. In 1887, they moved their mill from Wyoming Co. to Lopez.
They owned in the area of 4,000 acres. At Lopez they operated two mills for hardwood and hemlock,
which is native to Sullivan County.
In 1899 they purchased a 2,160 tract of standing timber in Maryland and W. Virginia. On 20, Oct. 1906,
Worth Jennings died in Jenningston, W. Virginia through suicide. On July 1, 1909, the Jennings Bros.
sold operations in West Virginia and Maryland to the Laurel River Lumber Company for $1,400,000.00.
The operation closed in 1923, and all was gone due to low population and floods by the late 1980's.
Cortez moved to Bevansville, MD where he opened a saw mill, and built a small town. He may have
also resided in Salisbury, MD.
Dushore, PA
September 22, 1920
C.H. Jennings died at his home in Towanda, Thursday night at 0 o’clock.
Mr. Jennings has been ill since July 9th when he was stricken with apoplexy while on a trip to Jennings Md.
Mr. Jennings was born in Jenningsville, Wyoming County, December 1, 1855. He had excellent educational advantages, attending school at Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Wyoming Seminary, Millersville Norman and Claverack College near Hudson, N.Y.
In 1875 he was made captain of a passenger steamer running between Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke and had the distinction of being the youngest captain holding a government license.
In the spring of 1876 he received an appointment and was admitted to West Point where he remained for three years.
In June 1879 he gave up his military career going to Bradford where he took charge of his father’s lumber office. In 1880 he married Miss Florence N. Mott of Tunkhannock, who died the same year.
Mr. Jennings did not remain long at Bradford but came to Sullivan County in the fall of 1881 where he commenced lumbering for himself. When his brother B. Worth Jennings became of age he was taken in as a partner of the firm of Jennings Brothers, who for more than 40 years were known far and wide for their extensive lumber operations.
In 1899 this concern bought large holdings in Garrett County, Md and later near Elkins, W. Va. For the past fifteen years Mr. Jennings has made his home at Towanda, where he has been very active in business.
During the time he lived at Towanda he has acquired about 1000 acres of the most productive land in Bradford County and established the Jennings Farms, noted for the breeding of good horses and dairy cattle.
He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Robert E. Kizer of New York and one son, Paul B. Jennings of Towanda. Also one sister Mrs. N.A. Rinebold of Athens and one brother, William L. Jennings of Akron, Ohio.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from Christ Church of which he was a member with interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Compiled and edited by Colonel Charles Blanchard
Logansport, IN: A W. Bowen & Co., 1900
Hon. Bishop Worth Jennings
Hon. Bishop Worth Jennings, of the firm of Jennings Brothers, at Lopez, Sullivan county, Pa., is probably one of the most progressive men of the northern part of the Keystone state, and may be called, in fact, the creator of the civilization now existing in his section of the grand old commonwealth, as the reader will readily perceive by a perusal of the account of his remarkable business career, as related in paragraphs yet to follow, but it will be more prudent, perhaps, to give a slight sketch of his family connection.
Paul Bishop Jennings, paternal grandfather of Bishop W. Jennings, came from England about the year 1800 and settled in Mehoopany, Wyoming county, wher he died, after having passed a long and honorable life as a pioneer lumberman, farmer and merchant. His son, William N. Jennings, father of Bishop W. Jennings, married Miss Sarah A. Hicks, and for many years was engaged with his father in the lumber business, but in 1865 removed to Wilkesbarre [sic], Luzerne county, where he continued to pursue the lumber trade, to which he added trading in real estate, and is now living in retirement, being one of the most highly respected citizens of Wilkes-barre [sic].
Bishop Worth Jennings was born in West Pittston, Luzerne county, May 4, 1862, and was educated in the Wyoming seminary, of Kingston, in his native county. At the very early age of nineteen years he entered upon his business career, and in 1881 joined his brother, Cortez H., in the erection of a saw-mill at Seamons, Cherry township, Sullivan county--the first modern lumber-mill of any consequence in the county.
Now came in the grand enterprise which first drew to the then wilderness the multitudes of laborers. After doing business at Seamons six years, in 1887 they moved fartehr into the wilderness and established the town of Lopez, where the busy hum of machinery, churches, schools, libraries, and everyother attribute of civilized life at once commenced. But these were the sequel, simply, of the coming of the brothers, for they have made the town what it is to-day by bringing to it the better class of laborers, and where labor exists, at all valuable, there capital finds its sure investment.
The plant of the Jennings Brothers consists of three modern mills, two of which are devoted to manufacturing of building lumber of all kinds, and one to the production of hard-wood work, such as broom-handles, clothes-pins, dowels, etc., and these mills employ over 400 hands--all prosperous and, consequently, happy. To facilitate their individual progress, the firm have built a line of railroad which extends seventeen miles into the surrounding forest, and the building of this road, which penetrates thousands of acres of wild land, has proven to be of inestimable benefit to the region in whch it is located and in populating what had hitherto been a mere wilderness. The output of the Jennings Brothers' mills reaches at least 25, 000, 000 feet per annum, and in connection with this grand industry the brothers conduct a general store, at which the employees and the public at large are supplied with everything necessary for ordinary living purposes at very moderate prices.
Bishop W. Jennings was also onen of the organizers of the First National bank at Dushore, and is now the president of this sound- moneyed institution, which is a great convenience to the community and serves as a depository for the savings of the economical workmen at the mills, and others. In politics he is a republican, and as a matter of patriotism has filled all the offices wherein he could be of any practical benefit to his fellow-townsmen--not that he cared for emoluments--and among these offices are justice of the peace, school director and post-master. In 1895 and in 1896 and in 1897 and in 1898, he served as a member of the state legislature, and was the first republican in the county to be elected twice consecutively to that august body. Mr. Jennings was happily united in marriage in 1883 with Miss Ella M., daughter of John Castle of Kiantone, N. Y.., and this union has been blessed with two children, William W. and Ethel M., the latter deceased. *
Fraternally, Mr. Jennings is a "bright" Mason, and is a member of the Evergreen lodge, of Monroeton, and of the Northern commandery and the chapter at Towanda, Pa.
It may with propriety be added that, under the fostering care and progressive energy of Mr. Jennings, the town of Lopez has grown from a mere hamlet, in 1882, to a town of 1, 300 population, and no better compliment to his enterprising spirit could be paid to him. Of his high social standing and that of his family it is needless to speak.
* Editor's Note: Ethel May Jennings, the only daughter of Bishop Worth and Ella (Castle) Jennings, born May 10, 1889, died suddenly on May 12, 1896 while visiting her grandparents, probably in Kiantone, a small suburb of Jamestown, NY where her mother came from. No cause of death was given. She was buried, as the following death notice indicates, in a Dushore cemetery, although we are not told which one. Her father committed suicide in 1906, while her mother lived on until 1963. The Jennings family that lived and ran bsinesses in Sullivan County are, for the most part, buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Towanda, PA, so perhaps that is where Ethel actually is interred as well.
Tunkhannock, PA
May 22, 1896
Ethel Jennings, six years of age, only daughter of B. Worth Jennings of Lopez, Sullivan county, died at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Castle of Jamestown, N. Y., where she was visiting, on the 12th instant The death was sudden, she having been in good health when leaving home a short time before. The remains were brought to Sullivan county, where the funeral took place on the 14th, with interment in the cemetery at Dushore. Her father was a native of this county, having been raised in Mehoopany, where he had always lived until starting in his extensive lumber business at Lopez, and he has many relatives still living in this vicinity. He is a cousin of John B. Jennings of this place.
Hardwood mill and
pond, from the rear. Photo taken approximately from Ferdie Marek's present
residence.
Family portrait in
front yard--taken about 1915. Little girl is Helen Kwiatkowski, mother is
Catherine Warsyla Doba Kwiatkowsi, father is Martin Kwiatkowski.
Jennings Brothers Hemlock Mills. Taken from the
present town site of the creek, you can see the ramp crossing the creek and
part of the concrete dam beyond. Foreground left shows horse drawn wagon load
of supplies crossing bridge.
Jennings Brothers Hemlock Mills. Stacks and stacks
of good lumber line the railways. Mill was erected in 1897. It had circular and
gang saws. The
Jennings Store. The original
Jennings Store. A large addition to the store.
Bridge,
Jennings Store. It appears as though the folks are
all dressed up for Memorial Day. Note the 44 or 45 star flag. The store shows
more improvements. With lumber readily available, large, fancy buildings could
be built.
2. The Kindling Mill
In order to provide work for the women of the community
and to utilize the slab wood from the mills, a Kindling wood factory came into
being. The first one was erected in 1888 by McCartney and Hall. It was located
along the Thorndale Branch of the railroad on the flat near the Gordon Papke
home. It was burned down in 1890 and was rebuilt the same year. Later it was
sold to the Standard Kindling Wood Company of
In 1895 the Fisher Kindling Wood factory was built on the flat below Walsh’s and six months later was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1896, and it again burned down during the same year. Sixty days afterward the factory was rebuilt and in operation. It was again visited by fire in 1897, and the packing room burned. The damage was soon repaired. When the Lopez Mills ran out of timber and closed in 1905, the kindling wood factory continued to operate using wood from Trexler and Turrell at Ricketts until it was destroyed by fire in March, 1907. At that time it was the only industry still operating in Lopez.
In 1894 J. W. McCartney built a clothes pin factory near
the Jennings Hardwood Mill. Eventually it was sold to the Jennings Brothers who
operated it until their lumbering operation was transferred to
Bundle of kindling.
Smaller pieces of scrap lumber were made even smaller at the Kindling factory.
The small pieces were arranged into an oval shaped bundle about 7 x 9 inches by
about 2 l/2 inches deep. A machine would compress the bundle while a laborer
would tie it with twine. A tag was tied on and was used to light the bundle.
The factory made about 16,000 bundles a day. One bundle sold in
Kindling Factory,
1902. 16,000 bundles of kindling a day were produced from this factory.
Kindling wood
factory, Lopez. Manufactured kindling wood bundles.
Another view of the
kindling wood factory. Lopez in the background.
New Kindling Wood
Factory, Lopez, rear view, 1908. Another peek into history from the other side.
Jennings Brothers
clothes pin factory, 1904. Called Lopez Manufacturing by an early Lopez
photographer, it was established in 1896. It manufactured 259,200 clothes pins
per day. It also made broom handles, curtain poles, etc.
Jennings Clothespin Factory. Here are more logs to
be turned into clothes pins and broom handles.
Steps in making
clothes pins: A clothes pin started with a rectangular piece of wood, was then
turned to the round shape of a clothes pin and partially split to form the
legs.
3. Growth of Lopez
By 1890 Lopez had become a lumbering center with a population of over a thousand people. To meet the needs of the citizens, a number of business places were established. In addition to the large general company store of the Jennings Brothers, Clark Brothers built a general store near the location of the present day Grid Iron. Henry Castle and C. A. Johnson were the proprietors of prosperous general stores. Wes Johnson erected the present Post Office Building and operated a store there. Herman Schram was the proprietor of a candy store.
There were three restaurants. John H. Yonkin erected the building which is now Catherine's Gift Shop and had a restaurant there. William E. Steafather was the proprietor of a restaurant in the building where John Decker now resides. Reed Frutchey operated a saloon and restaurant in 1904-05, and then he sold it to James P. McGee who converted it to the McGee Hotel.
Jacob Per of Hughesville opened a branch clothing store.
H. M. Kellogg was the proprietor of a well-stocked jewelry store; and in partnership with Dr. J . L. Christian, he operated a drug store.
Harry Brewer had a draying business at the George Adams house.
A. L. Dyer conducted a meat market and also a livery stable.
D. W. Pealer had a combination shoe repair and harness shop and residence where the Andy Decker family now lives.
Johnson's grocery
store in late 1800's. Right to left: man standing is William Johnson, barber,
girl in front is Evelyn Johnson Adams, Ethel Johnson Black, boy unknown,
bearded man is Mr. Hawk (Stella Raub's father), Diana Hawk Johnson (Dorothy
Johnson Springer's mother), girl unknown, child behind unknown, little girl in
front is Merle Johnson Hurst, man behind is C. A. Johnson (Dorothy Johnson
Springer's father). Rest unknown.
Hotel in Lopez. This
Hotel, long known as Chesonis, is now the Grid Iron. When this photo was taken,
the name John Nestor appeared after Hotel on the sign. At present there is no
information concerning John Nestor. The man in foreground may be Joseph
Haubenak.
C.A. Johnson's
Grocery store, in early 1900's. Left to right: 3 children unknown, George
Meckes, C. A. Johnson, owner, Theresa Walsh, Merle Johnson Hurst, Eugene Schock
(Albert Neubauer's father‑in‑law), Fred Miller, Harry Hoag, clerk,
Justus Johnson (delivered groceries), Mike Fenton, boy unknown, Squire Dunn,
unknown, a Mr. Mergo. The horse's name was "Harry."
Main Street, looking north from bridges, Lopez. The third building in on the left, a one
story building, was Dan Pealer's shoe shop. It was located in the now Andrew
Decker driveway. First building on left is now Kathleen's Gift Shop.
There were three barber shops owned by W. L. Johnson, Lawrence Dunn, and L. R. Carrington. The Barber Shop of W. L. Johnson, in which later Becky Johnson sold post and greeting cards, now houses McGuire Studio and Hobby‑Photo Shop.
A wholesale liquor store was run by J. P. Gorgg.
Dave and Marty Brown erected a large hotel building which is now the Grid Iron. The chief attraction was several bears in pens. They sold to Henry McDermott who in turn sold the building to H. W. McKibbins.
Lopez was the only lumbering community in the area which
allowed liquor to be sold; therefore, on pay day "woodhicks" from
Ricketts and other nearby communities came to spend their hard earned money as
quickly as they could drink it away. There were four hotels: The Lopez House
with James P. McGee, proprietor; the McKibbins House, H. W. McKibbins,
proprietor; the McDermott House, Henry McDermott, proprietor; and the
There were four churches that conducted regular religious
services in the town. In the year 1890 a group of Protestant fold gathered in
the school house for instruction in the Scriptures. This group wished to be
recognized as a regularly organized body, so they set a meeting time for
congregational organization. After the Annual Conference had made its
examination, the body was formally recognized as the
Main Street, Lopez. Surrey
with two horses in front of McGee's Hotel. Jim McGee standing on the porch.
Worship services were conducted in the school from 1890 until 1896 when a congregational meeting was called for the purpose of providing a church building. Jennings Brothers donated lumber, and a church building was erected that same year. It was dedicated by the Pastor, the Reverend I. E. Spangler.
The Methodists erected an edifice on
A Roman Catholic Church, commonly known as St. Mary's
Chapel, was located over Mrs. Mary Collin's Store. It was a
With the exodus of the lumber interest in the summer of
1905, many of the people engaged in lumbering followed the Jennings Company to
McGee's Hotel. Jim
McGee with daughter Alice.
Evangelical Church,
and four houses on
Evangelical
Jackson
4. The Mining Era in Lopez
Murraytown Breaker.
Commencing business in April, 1902, breaker Number One was, in its day, said to
be the largest anthracite breaker in the world. It stood 165 feet high and had
a capacity of 1,000 tons of coal per day.
In 1902 the Murray Brothers came from
Mason's Silk Mill
An Old Postcard Photo Taken Between 1914 and 1930
Source: An unused postcard published by W. L. Johnson,
Photographer and Dealer in
Souvenir Post Cards
Auctioned on eBay in March 2008
Photo by Carol Brotzman
The young women of the miners' families provided a source
of labor, and the Mason Silk Mill was erected near the site of Jennings
Hardwood Mill along the
Mason's Silk Mill
Another Old Postcard Photo
dated 1915
Source: A used postcard sent from "M. Bovee"
Auctioned on eBay in February 2012
Photo
by Scott Tilden
A building boom was on once more, and Albert Dyer opened a building supply and hardware store. Building contractors were the Steafather Brothers, John Gavlick, and Fred Leyfert.
During the days when the coal industry was at its height,
there were quite a number of stores in the village. On the
Mason's Silk Mill.
Erected in 1914, the factory employed mostly women.
Dyer's Hardware
Store,
There were three hotels with bars. They were McGee's Hotel, Rouse's Hotel, and Chesonis's Hotel.
Several saloons came into being and Steve Hallabuk bought John Yonkin's Restaurant and converted it. Eventually he built a new saloon near the Walsh’s' home and sold the former one to Fred Leyfert. William Steafather's restaurant became a saloon, and some of the proprietors were Sam Yarosh, William Urban, and John Decker.
In the days when the automobile was just coming into its
own, Arthur L. Seeman built a garage and repair shop across Route 487 from the
school grounds on the present
For recreation there were two ice cream parlors, each with a pool room in the rear. The proprietors were C. E. Donlon and Fred Leyfert.
Lopez also boasted of the first moving picture theater in
The health of the community was not neglected. Dr. J. L. Christian, a very fine physician, practiced medicine there. The dental needs of the residents were taken care of by Dr. Lewis White. When he died as the result of burns sustained when a kerosene lamp exploded, Dr. M. B. Warburton came to take over the office.
In the winter of 1918‑19 an epidemic of Spanish Influenza, which was sweeping the country reached Lopez. Whole families became ill which meant that there was no one to nurse them, provide food, or keep fires going to heat their homes. Dr. J. L. Christian realized that it would be necessary to provide a center to care for the many influenza patients. He contacted the Red Cross, and they rushed in beds and supplies. An emergency hospital with two hundred beds was set up in Rouse's Hall. Dr. M. B. Warburton, the dentist, and nurses Sadie Cangley and Anna Finan assisted in caring for the patients. Townsfolk who were able assisted in preparing food, doing laundry, and other necessary tasks. Because of the expert care given to the patients at the hospital, the death rate was low.
Main Street looking
south, 1907. The bridge and trestle is seen in this photo. Note the space on
the left before the bridge which will be occupied by "New Theater" in
the near future.
McCarthy's General
store, interior. Charlie McCarthy on the right and Dan Pealer with apron on in
the center. Note old sled, lanterns, pails and oil cloth on the rack.
McCarthy General
Store, Charlie McCarthy standing in front of his general store. He sold a wide
line of goods.
Lopez New Theater,
1918, operated by Teitelbaum Brothers. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday
evenings, from 8:45. Four reels cost adults 10 cents, children 5 cents. Serials
were popular. Later turned into Decker’s Bar.
Main Street, in
winter, Lopez winters can be quite rough. The best way to get around then was a
horse drawn sleigh.
5. New Industries
Stone Quarry. The
drum on the concrete pilings holds the cable that lowered cars full of
sandstone to the Sandstone plant. The pilings still stand.
During the years a number of enterprises were started.
Many of them were of short duration. One of the first of these was a stone
quarry which was operated for a couple of years. A fine yellow sandstone was
obtained from the ledges back of
In 1911, the Stony Brook Lumber Company was formed. A
sawmill was erected on the site of Jennings Mill on the Loyalsock. In order to
reach the timber in
In the early twenties Joseph Smith came from
Smith Manufacturing Company
Later Became Weldon Pajama Company
Lopez 1933
Source: An Old Postcard auctioned on eBay in September 2012
Photo Submitted by Scott Tilden
Another industry which flourished for a few years was a
brick plant which was erected near the pajama factory. The clay used in making
the bricks was obtained from the Daddow Estate on
Sandstone Plant,
about 1907. Located about where the brick plant is. Started construction
August, 1906, finished in November, 1906.
A company from Pittston acquired the pajama factory and opened the Sullivan Woodcraft Company. They employed a number of local men. Their specialty was custom furniture. After a couple of years of operation, the structure was destroyed by fire. Although it was a thriving business, it was not rebuilt.
There were changes in the churches of the area, too. With
the moving of families as the lumbering days came to an end, the
Sandstone Plant. Taken
from south end of
Sandstone Plant,
1908. The sidewalks in Lopez business district are made of sand from this
plant.
Stony Brook Lumber
Company. Sawmill being erected and nobody identified. Judging by this photo,
early buildings were extremely well built.
Stony Brook Lumber
Camp. Time out for a photo break at a typical lumber camp of the early 1900's.
Smith Manufacturing
Company, manufactured pajamas. Ten pair of pajamas were manufactured at this
plant for the movie "Pajama Game."
The Lopez Pajama
Factory, then Sul Pen Wood Products, was completely destroyed by fire in 1963.
Onlookers and fire fighters are at the scene as the fire pays no heed and
continues to burn.
This photo shows
all that is left of the once thriving brick plant.
6. Recent Change in Lopez
Hotel Lopez. Don't
know why, but the "Z" in Hotel Lopez is backwards. Notice the old
rocking horse on the porch and the watering trough by the porch, and, of
course, the new auto.
In more recent years there were more changes made in the village. Rouse's Hotel has had a number of proprietors. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Daly took over the management upon the death of the Rouses. When the Dalys retired, Walter Yarosh took over and ran the hotel until he joined the Army at the beginning of World War Two. Mr. and Mrs. Pete Stavisky became the new proprietors. After a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Gulich purchased the business, and Mrs. Vera Gulich is the proprietor at the present time. Somewhere along the way the name was changed to Hotel Lopez.
The Chesonis Hotel changed hands. Today it is known as the Grid Iron with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Reese as the proprietors.
Joseph Hrubenak (Motsko) purchased Leyfert's Ice Cream Parlor and Pool Room and carried on the business for a number of years. Today the building houses Catherine's Gift Shop where one finds many lovely and unusual items offered for sale. The proprietor is Catherine Decker.
There were three beer gardens which were operated by Mrs. Hallabuk, John Decker and Andrew Decker.
When Charles McCarthy closed the Company Store, Joe Ellis opened a grocery store there with James V. Christini of Mildred as the manager. The business continued for several years. Today the Post Office is housed there.
Ernie Fiocca was the proprietor of a barber shop in the
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Ortlieb of Dushore became the proprietors of Johnson's Store and operated it for many years until their recent retirement.
For many years John Hurray, Jr. conducted a Shoe Repair
Shop in the
Alex Stavisky established a greenhouse, nursery, and
florist shop on
7. Social Activities
During the years when Lopez was in its hey day, the social life was interesting and varied. Rouse's Grove was the center of activity in the summertime. Frequent dances were held in the large pavilion. Fred Leyfert showed movies in his building there. On holidays the whole community turned out for picnics. There was even a merry‑go‑round to entertain the children.
In the winter months activities took place in Rouse's
Hall. The opening highlight each year was the Election Day Dinner and Supper
which were prepared by the Ladies Aid Society of the
Dances, plays and concerts were presented in the Hall throughout the winter months. At that time Lopez had its own band under the direction of William Bellas.
Sulick's Hall furnished its share of entertainment for it was there that the popular Voelke (Big) Balls were held.
Another attraction was basketball. A town team composed of
Paul Dyer, Wilbur Johnson, Glen Springer, John Zondory, and Andrew Kozemko
earned a reputation for skill in playing the game. They were challenged by
teams from as far away as Towanda,
As Lopez approaches it Centennial, it has become a sleepy
little town nestled in the hills of
Citizen's Band of
Lopez. No one in this photo has been identified at the present time. Maybe some
of you readers will be able to pick out a familiar face.
Lopez Boy Scouts.
Left to right: 1. Dan Pealer, 2. Rev. Remaley, 3. Dr. Loomis Christian, Scout
Master, 4. Andrew Paiko
A gathering of some
sort by a factory, not positively identified, just under construction. Number 7
is Mrs. Kleiner and Number 17 is Mr. Jake Kleiner (parents of Alex Kleiner).
Lopez Little League
Champs, about 1951. Bottom row, left to right: Ed Cole, manager, Bobby Decker,
Don Springer, Ted Kozemko, Butchie Cahill, Pat McDonald, Sonny Decker, Butchie
Cole, Adam Gutosky, Leo McDonald, Sr., manager. Top row, left to right:
Unidentified boy, ? Hartzig, Dan Borick, John Murray, Dave Kachmarsky, Frank
Gutosky, Fred Dyer, David Miller.
Lopez Orchestra.
Left to right: Harold Leyfert, Loomis Christian, Otto Neubauer, Paul Dyer,
Albert Neubauer, and Harry Hoag.
8. Early Schools
Lopez
The people of Lopez took great pride in their school. In 1889, a one‑room building was erected at the foot of Jackson Hill. Two years later another room was added. During this time the school enrollment was growing so rapidly that it was necessary to enlarge the building; and in 1893 two rooms were added, making a four‑room building. In 1895, two more rooms were built directly back of the other building. At that time there was no course of study, and each teacher planned her own work. The school was not completely graded, but was composed of the Primary, Intermediate, and Grammar departments, and the pupils were divided among the two, four, or six rooms as the enrollment increased.
Again the school system had become inadequate to meet the needs of the growing community as the mining industry flourished. During the summer of 1911 a six‑room building, equipped with a modern steam heating plant, was erected by the Ortliebs of Dushore. Proper attention was given to lighting and space requirements, making it the most spacious and pleasant to be found in the County.
By 1918, the school population had increased so that more
room was needed. The Steafather Brothers built a large one‑room building
alongside the school. There the first and second grades met in half‑day
sessions. Two rooms of the Old Schoolhouse were reopened, and later the
Children in front
of the old school at the turn of the century. Some students at the old
School and Honor
Roll. Memorial Day services held at the intersection in Lopez. The school, now
closed, is the property of the Lopez V.F.W. Note part of the little school
building on extreme left side.
Unveiling of new
monument at the dedication ceremony. This is the monument that replaced the one
pictured above.
9. Shady Nook
Dyer's Sawmill,
1906. Another good mill of the lumbering era
When Jennings Brothers began cutting timber along the side to the mountains lining the Loyalsock, they planned to haul the timber to their mill in Lopez by sleds in winter and to float the logs down the stream in the spring and summer. A splash dam was constructed across the Loyalsock at a point west of the iron bridge at Shady Nook. The logs were cut and rolled into the ponded stream until it was full. Then the flood gates were opened and the men made a log drive to the mill.
A settlement of a number of houses accommodating the
woodsmen and their families grew up there, and the
"Concrete."
This is all that remains of the concrete abutment that Stony Brook Lumber
Company built to form their splash dam. More recently a popular swimming place.
This can be seen from
Lopez 1903.
Photograph taken from the south. The south side of Loyalsock Creek showing the
town quite built up.
Early photo of
10. Development of the Highways
Lopez Main Street,
about 1920, with three autos. Railroad tracks in foreground. Buildings on left
house McGee's, Post Office, Ohrt's, McGuire's and Stavisky's.
In
the early days, the first roads were trails or paths over which pedestrians or
men on horseback traveled. Gradually these trails were widened, and teams of
oxen could be driven over them.
The late Otto Behr told of the hardships experienced when
he, as a boy in the late sixties, traveled to Dushore. A group of neighbors
composed of Mr. Hopkins, F. A. Behr, and John Moss set out on their semi‑annual
trip to Dushore with a team of oxen. Since the road was rough and rocky, they
used a sled although it was summertime. The wooden runners became worn out
every few miles, and the men would then cut down trees with their axes and
fashion new ones. The road led to Seeman's along the Loyalsock where it joined
the Turnpike. The stream was forded there, and they dragged the sled on the
Turnpike which led over the hills to where Mildred is now located, and then
onto where
As the lumbering industry grew, the roads were improved and made passable so that teams of horses with wagons could haul loads over them. In swampy areas trees were felled and placed side by side over the roadbed and became corduroy roads. At Seeman's a covered bridge was erected across the Loyalsock.
In 1905, the coal industry was developing, and the present highway from Lopez which went through Murraytown and O'Boyletown to Bernice was constructed in 1908 appreciably shortening the road to Dushore.
11. Scenes of Lopez
Passenger Car at
Lopez Depot. The little girl on the street is Anna Sulick Waldron, she tells
us. Passengers traveled on these cars daily here at Lopez. (About 1928)
Lumber was in plentiful supply and inexpensive. The roads
were dusty in summer and muddy at rainy times, so the town fathers constructed
a board walk from the center of the village up Jackson Hill, up
The early settlers could not step around the corner to buy
food supplies, so each family had to provide its own. Every family owned one or
two cows to furnish milk, cheese, and butter. The meadows and yards were enclosed
by fences, and the cattle were turned out to graze on the cut‑over land.
Each morning over a hundred cows, with their bells clanging, meandered down
the
The
12. The Age of Bicycles
Main Street, 1904. Hotel Lopez on right with weigh
scale (small shed) near tracks. During the warmer time of year the street would
be filled with bicycles. It was from this point people would begin their 100
mile trips.
When the roads were well established, a more convenient way to travel without hitching a horse to a wagon was common and bicycles came into vogue. By the year 1897, thirty‑seven people in town had bicycles. They joined a national organization known as the League of American Wheelmen. Within the group the younger, more athletic members formed a Century Club. Each Sunday throughout the summer months they rode a hundred miles. Frequently a few of the members became exhausted and had to be returned home by horse and wagon.
13. The Post Office
The establishment of a Post Office brought changes to the
village. Formerly it had borne the name "
The first postmaster was Truman T. Landon who served for
approximately six months. The post office was set up in a room of Jennings
Store. On December 8, 1887, B. Worth Jennings was appointed. On December 24,
1888, C. J. Wilhelm became postmaster, and the post office was moved to his
store in back of McGee's Hotel. On May 10, 1889 Cortez Jennings succeeded Mr.
Wilhelm and the office was transferred back to Jennings Store. On June 24,
1893, Richard J. Clark took over as postmaster and moved the post office to his
store where the Grid Iron is now located. On May 2, 1894, George Musselman
became the postmaster, and moved the office to his store. On April 27, 1898
Cortez Jennings received the appointment and again the office was transferred
to Jennings Store. He was succeeded by Worth Jennings in 1900, and he remained
as postmaster until 1905 when he moved to
14. SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church
On December 15, 1905 the members of the Byzantine Catholic Church purchased three acres of land from Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Christian, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Dyer, Mr. and Mrs. James P. McGee, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Lepsch for the sum of one hundred fifty dollars.
Steve Hoodak recalls that as a small boy he watched the men of the parish cutting trees which had been donated by his father and hauling them to Dyer's Sawmill to be cut into lumber for the erection of a Church. The church was built by the Steafather Brothers in 1908 and dedicated the same year by Father Nicholas Chopey. During the early l900's, the Church membership reached a total of sixty families. A resident priest, a flourishing Sunday School, and regular worship services every Sunday served the needs of the Parish.
The building, an attractive wooden structure, has always been kept in excellent repair. The Reverend Andrew Ivanshism hand built the side Altars and extended the main Altar while here. The interior was completely redecorated in 1956 at an approximate cost of two thousand dollars.
In 1914 a parish house was built on the lot adjoining the Church property. Mr. Fiocca of Dushore was engaged to build a retaining wall around the church property and landscaping was done at the same time--probably the year 1916. For twenty‑five years, the parish house was occupied by a resident priest, the last being the Reverend Andrew Ivanshism.
In 1967, the Church was renovated. A new floor, new carpeting, and rewiring were done. Pews from St. Mary's Chapel in Lopez were donated to the Church, and new kneelers were purchased, considerably improving the interior. A new roof was put on, the exterior was painted, and the cross atop the dome was refinished.
Sts. Peter and
During recent years the Church membership has decreased, the Sunday School has disbanded, and for a time Services were held the second Sunday of each month.
Father Nicholas Chopey served the Parish for many years,
as did the Reverend Andrew Ivanshism, the last priest to occupy the parish
house. In 1956, Father Silas Tretyak, from the Wilkes‑Barre Diocese,
became the priest. After him various priests from the Sybertsville Monastery
served the Parish. Then the Reverend John J. Pakan from
Among the early families of the Church were the following: Mike Buk, Nicholas Chessock, Mike Chessock, Steve Hoodak, Mr. Vancko, Michael Sulick, Peter Hurray, John Grega, Joe Hrubenak, John Minarik, Andrew Drabo, Nicholas Homza, Mr. Selepetz, Nicholas Faltovich, Mr. Fetcho. Steve Hallobuk, Andrew Brunosky, Andrew Kooch, Andrew Rosinko, Wasil Hallobuk, Andrew Baran, Steve Decker, John Decker, John Washington, Andrew Kozemko, Walter Ewancho, John Patrician, John Polinsky, Mike Krakoski, John Sheleman, Mike Walosin, Mr. Bello, Andrew Rusko, Mr. Musick, Mr. Hine, Mr. Urena. Andrew Romania, Mr. Arenda.
Greek Orthodox
Church and Parsonage, Lopez. The center section of the spire was removed by
Peter Huray, Sr. and helpers, year unknown.
15. The Lopez United Evangelical
Church
In the year 1890 a group of Protestant folk interested in the Christian Life, gathered in the public schoolhouse for instruction in the Scriptures. That first sermon was preached by the Reverend J. D. Shortess on June 29, 1890. His text for the founding message of this newly established group of worshippers was 1 Peter 2:7--"Unto you therefore who believe He is precious; but unto them who be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner."
This group then wishing to be recognized as a regularly organized
body, set a meeting time for congregational organization. After such
preliminary measures were taken and the Annual Conference had made its
examination, the body was formally recognized as the
In the early years, the Lopez appointment was served on
the Dushore Charge: first by the Rev. J.D. Shortess, and in 1892 by the Rev. H.
Minsker. At the Conference Session of 1894, held at East Prospect,
Evangelical
Church Street with
Worship Services were conducted in the school building from 1890 until the year 1896. At that time Jennings Brothers donated lumber for the purpose of providing a church building. A building committee and a Board of Trustees were elected, and in 1896 a church building was erected and dedicated by the Pastor, the Reverend I. E. Spangler.
On August 6, 1909, the Board of Trustees met to decide
upon the purchasing of a local residence on
At the Conference Session of 1930, the following action
was taken: "Resolved, that the Dushore and
Pastors who have served the Church are: 1890‑92 John D. Shortess; 1892‑94 Harry Minsker; 1894‑95 Frank H. Foss; 1895‑98 I. E. Spangler; 1899‑1901 D. F. Young; 1902‑04 J. F. Hower; 1905‑08 B. F. Keller; 1909‑10 J. M. King; 1911‑12 J. F. Schecterly; 1912‑14 W. H. Rhoads; 1914‑16 C. E. Jewell; 191618 C. B. Shank; 1918‑21 F. E. Remaley; 1922‑23 W. H. Warburton; 1924‑25 M. W. Dayton; 1926‑27 C. S. Messner; 1927‑28 B. F. Rogers; 1928‑29 H. S. Entz; 1929‑30 M. A. Bateman; 1930‑31 W. H. Heisley; 1932‑33 G. R. Mergenthaler; 1934‑39 C. F. Gunther; 1940‑41 L. C. Bailey, Jr.; 1942‑44 W. F. Woods; 1945‑46 G. E. Aderhold; 1947‑ L. A. Fuhrman, Ray Schloyer, Clyde E. House, J. Roy Bower, Norma Kinard.
Commemorative tray
with
Church Street. More houses have been built. Being
erected is the Gulick house, now the Andy Matychak home.
16. Russian Orthodox Church
St. Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church building in Lopez was purchased from Albert Dyer in 1907, for the sum of $700. The structure was built in 1899 by the Methodist Protestants, who under the leadership of the Rev. C. M. Krump, held services in the church for many years.
As the group became depleted by death and the moving of families, the building was purchased by Albert Dyer, and later sold to the Russian Orthodox denomination. A complete renovation then took place, and under the enthusiastic direction of the choir master and the local church leader, Metro Ivanyko, the remodeling program gradually developed into an elaborate proportion.
The serious efforts of the small group challenged the whole‑hearted support of the Russian Orthodox Resurrection Church of Wilkes‑Barre. In the summer of 1907, the sister church in Wilkes‑Barre chartered a special excursion train, and the entire parish came to Lopez with ample provisions for a community dinner, and soft drinks, ice cream and other food supplies for sale at special side booths. People from all parts of the county crowded the grounds and the sponsored project was not only a financial success, but also an outstanding demonstration of a cooperative community spirit.
The parish has always been small, the membership at no time exceeded seventy‑five families. The property has been improved and kept in excellent repair over the years. About 1910, a property joining the church grounds was purchased as a Parish House for a cost of $400. The house was completely remodeled and restored. During the years 1912‑1916, the church purchased new ikonstasis at a cost of $5,500, and also purchased twenty hand painted ikons to adorn the walls, the royal doors and the ikonstasis.
In August 1955, fire destroyed the interior of the church, and many of the beautiful paintings were lost. The damage was estimated at $25,000, the loss was partially covered by a $12,000 insurance policy. In 1956, plans were formulated for financial assistance from the Russian Orthodox Council of New York to completely restore the paintings .
St. Vladimir's
Orthodox Church (exterior).
St. Vladimir's
Orthodox Church (interior).
The congregation observed its Fiftieth Anniversary in 1957.
More than thirty priests have served the
Among the early families of the church were the following: Theodore Shimansky, Frank Kozemko, Stephen Betsay, Theodore Smith, Joseph Stavisky, Frank Kiwatisky, Andrew Hurray and the Borick Families.
Lopez looking
south. Some points of interest:
17. St Mary's Church
of the Immaculate Conception
The first settlers of the Catholic Faith came to the Lopez area in the 1890's; and since there was no church nearby, some of the more than one hundred attended services in St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Mildred which had been erected in 1895 and others were sent to the Catholic Church in Laporte which had been built at an earlier date.
In 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Rouse built a new, larger
dance hall to replace the original building which housed a general store,
conducted by Mrs. Mary Collins, on the first floor and an auditorium complete
with a stage on the second floor. That same year the Rouses gave permission to
have the second floor converted to a Roman Catholic Church, commonly known as
St. Mary's Chapel. It was a
The First Holy Communion, with nineteen members in the class was celebrated on December 19,1923. The last time there was a First Communion was on June 22, 1930, with twenty‑five members.
On October 26, 1930, there was a Confirmation Class of fifty‑two members. There were ten members from Murraytown in one class.
Two weddings were solemnized in the Chapel. In 1911, Emma Cangley and Pat Cahill were married there during a rebuilding of St. Francis Church in Mildred. The second marriage to be performed there was that of Nancy Chernak and Richard Huber sometime after St. Francis Church had been destroyed by fire.
At least two children were baptized in St. Mary's Chapel.
Priests who served the Chapel are: John A. Enright, May 8, 1894 to Oct. 15, 1922; Michael C. King, Nov. 5, 1922 to Oct. 23, 1927; John E. McHale, Feb. 12, 1928 to Aug. 30, 1942; Leo E. Gilroy, Sept. 20, 1942 to June 30,1946; H. F. McGranahan, July 7, 1946 to May 28, 1950; Luke F. Halley, July 16, 1950 to May 18, 1970.
St. Mary's Roman
Catholic Chapel (interior).
18. The Flood of 1972
The
Flood of 1972, which was brought on by rains from Hurricane Agnes, did not skip
Lopez, as witnessed by these photos. Rising waters caused many of the beaver
dams to break loose, throwing thousands and thousands of gallons of water down
Lopez Creek and
19. Sulick Hall Centennial
Museum
Much thanks should
be given to Len and Anna Sulick Waldron for their time and materials in
preparing their building to be used as the
In 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Sulick, Sr. purchased a
property on
The building became a two‑story square with two large rooms on the street floor in front and living quarters in the rear. The second story had a large hall the full length of the building, plus living quarters in the rear. The basement also had rooms which were rented mostly to newly married couples.
The same year, 1911, the Sulick's started a butcher shop business in one large room. The other room was rented to Jake Weinstein. In 1919, John Huray, Jr. leased the room formerly rented by Weinstein and there started a shoe repair shop. He remained in that same spot for almost 50 years, until he retired.
The hall of the building became a versatile room, the scene of many activities. Miners used it to hold noisy union meetings, brides chose it for their wedding receptions which sometimes lasted three days, but best of all, there were the "Vellky Balls," which in Slovak means "Big Dances."
There was no baby sitting in those days; the whole family attended the balls. When the children became tired, they were simply put to sleep in the Sulick's beds.
In 1914 the hall was used as a school room due to the fact that the school building became over‑crowded.
The building still stands and in this Centennial year is being used as a Museum.
This invoice shows
one order of the many items that were in this building at one time. A few of
these casks are still there, though empty. A thousand dollar order in 1921 was
quite a large order.
Wooden Butter Bowl.
Whether handmade or machine made, these bowls were very useful in early
Lopez. Their main purpose was to wash
freshly churned butter. Now these bowls are used for salads.
Foot warmer. This 1
1/4" x 7" x 9" block of soap stone with a wire carrying handle
was the common method of warming your feet on the cold winter nights in Lopez.
Late afternoon, it was placed in the oven to be warmed. It was carried to the
bed and placed at the bottom to put your feet on when retiring. They were also
put in sleds during the cold winter rides.
Early wooden pants
stretchers, adjustable. When not in use they locked together for easy storage.
Cabbage shredder.
An original, hand powered wooden shredder.
Locomotive No. 5
about 1900. Log train on
Locomotive No. 1,
Stony Brook Lumber Company. A load of logs on their way to the mill.
Lopez Depot, 1908.
Some travelers awaiting the arrival of the train. When it pulls in, many people
will run to watch the people coming in and going out.
Old 77 at Lopez
Depot, about 1894. The Good Old 77 was a much favored locomotive when it was
scrapped in 1912.
Depot Square, 1906.
Trestle and C.
Jennings Home, looking west. Ice is still on the creek in this March, 1907
photo showing the L.V.R.R. Trestle. The trestle and tracks are gone but the
concrete abutments still stand. The
Lopez taken from
the hill on the way to Murraytown. This photo shows bared ground and ledges due
to the lumber industry and the quarrying. Flat Street is in the foreground.
Highway guard rails at the bottom of the photo. Sandstone plant is in the
background at the left. (About 1911).
The Huray Family,
summer of 1923. Left to right: Peter Huray, Jr., Mary Huray Annear, Mary Huray
(mother), Ella Huray Tomasak, Margaret Huray McGuire, Peter Huray, Sr.
(father), Anna Huray Gorsky, Sue Huray Delovich. Photo was taken in front of
the Greek Orthodox parish home. This picture, of the grandparents of Robert
McGuire, portrays a typical miner's family.
Lopez Hollow, 1904.
More of the south side of Lopez is being developed as the boom continues. The
white window framed building was located between the creek and the new Peter
Stavisky residence. At the time of this photo Stavisky's was not yet built.
Lopez fire truck
was a 1923 Reo Speed Wagon. Though the top speed was 40 M.P.H., the pumper will
give most modern day trucks a good run for their money. Driver Jack Leskoven,
passenger Ken Riordan, running board Robert Hoover, tail gate John Stavisky.
Artesian Well.
Another natural beauty mark of the Lopez area. Between a drop in water levels
and stones forced in the pipe by vandals, this natural water fountain is
reaching only a fraction of its original height.
The Pokey.
Originally the Lopez Jail House, this is now used for elections and township
supervisors meetings. Many an over imbibed individual and other law breakers
have spent some time in this two cell jail house contemplating their sins and misbehavior.
Also seen is the newly replaced "Necessary Room."
Old Home Day. The
big day in Lopez each year is the annual Old Home Day gathering to renew old
friendships and make new ones. The town really filled on these gatherings and
everyone had lots of fun and stories of old times to tell.
Loyalsock Creek
west of
Lopez Depot, 1940.
This George Hart photo shows the closed Depot and the death of railroads in
Lopez. The passenger cars were used as rooms for the workmen that were taking
up the track known as Bowman's Creek Branch. This line ran between Lopez and
Noxen.
The first light
bulb in
Old Lopez Honor
Roll. Because of deterioration, the old Honor Roll was replaced with a smaller
granite one. Lopez had the highest percentage of men in the nation, that went
to war. Many gave their lives for the nation, town and people they loved.
Upper
Icicle cave in
Lopez. Because temperatures in the cold winter can plunge to a minus 40
degrees, conditions are ideal for icicles to grow from the ground up. Robert
McGuire, Jr. is seated to show which end is down.
Editor's Note: In April 2008, Pat Foley forwarded to us a poem about Lopez winters she received from Robert McGuire, Jr.:
Where gentle breezes blow
At seventy miles an hour
And thirty-five below.
Oh, how I love my Lopez
With the snow up to my butt
You take a breath of winter
And the nose gets frozen shut.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I really can't leave Lopez
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!
GOTCHA! These young
pranksters were recorded on film by remote camera. The camera was set up inside
McGuire Gift and
Bears are not the
Number One calling card for hunters in Lopez, but they are very much present.
While three Bruins were frequenting the local land fill, photographer Bob
McGuire ventured out night after night to capture on film many photos of these
furry creatures. One night, with a remote camera set up about twenty feet from
the stump, Bob waited for the Bruin to walk the path he walked previously,
which brought him out at the stump. At that time, the remote camera was fired.
As the flash lit up the area, the photographer noticed the coarse texture of
Bruin's nose. Bruin then turned and went down over the bank.
Another bear episode
happened this past year when a bear came up from Lopez Creek, crossed Church
Street by Delovich's and meandered through Mrs. Kriel's yard. He ventured
across Maple Terrace and continued up through Mike Fedorchak's lawn, where this
second photo was snapped by the Lopez photographer. During his leisurely
stroll, he had stopped several times to look around taking in the view and also
keeping one eye on the photographer, always giving his most photogenic side. He
then continued into the woods and ledges. This July 23,1975 visit brought an
exciting moment to the people of
20. A Tribute to Early Photographers
I would like to take a minute to give credit and attention
to the known and unknown photographers of the past. Without their efforts, the
photographic part of this book would not exist. Detailed information on the
photographers of Lopez is sketchy but present. The only marked photograph of E.
K. Sturdevant is dated 1902 but there were at least fourteen different photos
that he sold commercially at 25c each or 5 for $1.00
Ranald Douglas was deaf and dumb. He was called Dummy but he could handle a camera and darkroom. His studio was first a barber shop located just across the bridge on the right--across the street from the now Bill Hoover residence. "R. D." photos are dated 1904 to 1908. This does not necessarily limit the time he was here.
Carl Krumb, it is said, next took over
William L. Johnson was the next Lopez photographer. Though primarily a barber and not having an actual studio, he had photographic talents and produced many excellent post cards of the area.
In 1965 I bought the Johnson Barber Shop building and converted it to a Photography Studio and photo hobby shop. From 1965 to present I have done magazine, post cards, weddings, portraits, advertising and various other types of photography. This era of photography is fortunate enough to have the dimension of color films.
I feel that there were other photographers in the area of whom we have no information. Some of their pictures may be in this book. To them we also have sincere appreciation for their contributions.
I want to thank all persons who loaned us the original photos from which these copies were reproduced.
Bob McGuire
McGuire Studios is in the process of establishing a Photographic Archives. We will accept old photos of Lopez and area to be placed in the collection. We would also like to borrow old photos that you may want to keep, long enough to copy. Copying does not harm in any way the original photos. Contact McGuire Studios, Lopez.
Crest on back cover
is the die cast metal Centennial plate, produced to commemorate Lopez's first
century. The limited edition plate, designed by Robert S. McGuire, depicts the
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