Let’s continue your downtown walking tour of Lock Haven (City) starting with the black granite First National Bank (Commonwealth/Santander Bank) in the Exchange Building (c.1871).

Next you’d arrive at Sylvin Klewan’s Department Store where you could shoot an X-Ray of your foot inside a shoe. The fluoroscope gadget was removed in the 60’s when determined to be a radiation hazard. Sylvin was a brother to the Realtor, Robert and his family resided on Susquehanna Avenue with Lenny, a son who played organ in local musical groups.

Klewans became the home of WBPZ Radio Station for many years. For a decade I, along with Mary Jane Kerstetter and the late Ernie Kerstetter, hosted “Organ Melodies” at WPBZ…a live music program to promote charitable organizations.

Soon you’d find Pennshire Clothes (originally next to The Masonic Temple), also overseen by Ernie Kerstetter. That space eventually became Household Finance.

Years ago you might notice the Triangle Shoe Store and moving further west came Wagner & Son Radio TV and Music where I worked from age 12 to 16. Mr. Wagner hired me at Christmas in 1962 to demonstrate a theatre organ. He pumped the music outside and in came Kathryn Johnson and I sold her the first of many musical instruments. This “training-ground” encouraged me to create the ninth largest chain of music stores in the United States.

Wagners, located on Triangle Park in the 1950’s, rented a “bicycle built for two,” and Gretchen allowed the youth to play 88 cent 45 RPM records. Gretchen’s son was Shawn Carey, who became a WBPZ DJ. Her brother, Gurney “Son” Wagner, could repair your TV and today his son, Gurney, owns New Look Kitchens on Maple Street.

Pennshire Clothes and Wagner’s shared a building that was the original home of the Shaffer, Candor & Hopkins Department Store, near the Hurwitz Men’s Store. Later it became Lynda A. [Candor] Carey’s antique shop.

In 1955, between Wagners and Mill Street, a blazing fire destroyed the “Kreamer Block” and 100 firemen from 18 companies battled the flames that caused $1M of damage. The JWC Floyd (renowned City photographer) Studio was one occupant.

Later the destroyed Kreamer Block sprung-up with J. C. Penny’s, W. T. Grants and Grossman’s Woman’s Store — now Beiters and Reese Print Shop.

Bob Grossman retired in Naples, Fla., and last year I reached his widow to reminisce about his visions for our City. Bob, whose finery woman’s store, offered only the best.

He lobbied to plant all of the trees you see on Main Street.

Another occupant of the Kreamer Block was my Uncle Bill Stoddart’s Town Tavern. He relocated to Bellefonte Avenue in a building (c.1885) constructed for Harmon Brothers, who operated a drug store in 1919. Poor Uncle Bill lost his finger when he attempted to pull a live lobster from his restaurant seafood tank!

From 1920 to 1970, the Harmon Building housed the Dickey-Grugan Hardware Store where New York & Penn Paper Mill employees cashed paychecks. The Harmon Building was acquired by Betty and Raymond Forster in 1971 and they, along with Jimmy Bressi, operated the Town Tavern. The place was always packed for Friday fish day. The new Edwards Dental Office recently completed construction on this site. In a foiled preservation attempt, I purchased the Harmon Building.

Nearby you’d find Dorey & Sabatino Home Furnishings, KB Appliance Service, Eberhart’s Auto Supplies, Shea’s Shop, Wolfe Furniture, Yokes Stationery, High & Keister Electrical and other small businesses.

Years ago there were other storefronts including A&P Retail Grocery, Lintz Store, Schreiner’s Clothing, Witmyer’s Jewelry, Myers & Seitler Men’s Store, The Barrie Shop and the Wiedhahn’s Jewelry Store.

Vehicular traffic was so heavy during the 50’s and 60’s that police officers held traffic for pedestrians every Friday night at Mill Street. The police walked Main Street checking each door to be sure it was locked.

Remember Woolworth’s, a building I purchased, rehabilitated and leased to That’s the Scoop, Dollar General, Subway and Grieco’s Dry Cleaning? Walking farther you’d come to [Don] Ricker Brother’s Florist and Art Sander’s Fashions (Guyer Building). Ricker’s is now occupied by Pearls Cafe on Main and Art Sander’s daughter operates It Is What It Is.

You’d pass Lubelle’s Dress Shop and Luria’s Women’s Store (Kunkel Building). This unique structure is now home to State Representative Stephanie Borowicz and was once occupied by E. Max and Shirley Coploff, parents of Attorney Larry E. Coploff, when they owned Lurias. It also housed The Lynch Dance Studio.

At the next corner was John Marshall’s Men’s Store. Mr. Marshall’s son is Attorney Jeff Marshall. John engaged me to perform in his show window. Lock Haven, with decorated facades and magnificent streetlights, was an annual winter wonderland.

Williamsport’s Mayor Steve Lucasi, also a good friend, decorated display windows in downtown stores. Steve was Mayor under the “Strong-Mayor” form of government and he single-handedly revived downtown Williamsport.

Or, you could also walk west from Mill to arrive at the Bell Telephone Company (formerly Architect Charles A. Grieb’s office and Anna Grieb’s Salon), [Joe] McClellan’s Insurance & Real Estate, Welsh Funeral Home, Marshall & Stehmans, Wooden Spoon Restaurant, Fredericks Drug Store, Young’s Cigar Factory, Snyder’s Peanuts & Notary, Chick & Polars Cafe, Hellman Furniture, H.E. Pursely Furniture (now Wise Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center), Kinsloe Bookstore (four-story building for my first music store), A. H. Heilman Furniture Store (Lock Haven Express), Krape Hardware, Waites Confectionary and dozens of businesses too numerous to list.

If you want to learn more about your fascinating City, meet Kathy Arndt at The Poorman Gallery (Great Island Presbyterian Church c.1850) because The Clinton County Historical Society documents local entities. Lou Bernard is also a great source for historical facts.

If you’d like to know about Blonde Boutique, Caramia’s ReLoved Fashions or all of the new stores, call Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. at 570-748-1576.

Lock Haven is one of the more interesting small towns in Pennsylvania with architecturally significant buildings. I’ve never understood the incessant desire to raze old buildings when they can be restored. The goal doesn’t seem to be restoration, but demolition. We nearly lost the Fallon Hotel! I recently commissioned a portrait of the Queen of Spain, builder of the Fallon, now on display in its lobby.

New is often a necessity…but so is preservation. Hopefully the blend will weigh heavier on preservation in the future, and we will send wrecking balls back from where they came. Perhaps young people won’t be inclined to rip down chunks of history.

“Historic” means “old and worth the trouble.” Notable Lock Haven buildings contribute to the intrinsic value of the community and there is no need to bulldoze them. Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. The preservation of old, attractive buildings will create many opportunities.

Perhaps the City might inventory remaining old buildings and mandate they be preserved?

It may be reassuring to hear politicians boast that our community is thriving, but in reality, those opinions are fabricated. Quietly, long-timers understand it was truly thriving in the past. But, you decide.

Stephen Poorman is a longtime area resident and business consultant.