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Stephen Poorman
Lock Haven
While enjoying breakfast at the bustling downtown Lock Haven Woolworth's lunch counter, the late Charles Ryan, long-time Publisher of this newspaper and proponent of the 1993 Lock Haven Dike Levee flood protection system, quipped: "Steve, did you ever wonder what life would be without memories?"
Then much younger, this one-liner didn't resonate. Yet, the "memory journey" for many might begin with a slower pace or higher quality of life.
So, close your eyes and jump-start your imagination as we travel from Avis to Lock Haven. What do you see? What businesses and services were once on this nine-mile excursion? While you'll find many new businesses along this stretch, what have we gained or lost?
Some believe Avis, a town of 1,400, was named by the daughter of J. Henry Cochran and became a borough in May of 1908. Readers may discover more accurate and interesting Avis history at The Ross Library or Heisey Museum. But the roadways changed significantly over the decades when compared with Avis Advance newspaper accounts.
I recall two captivating dining spots at Bill & Evies Take-a-Peek Inn and the former Bonner House Restaurant. After a fine dinner, you could shop at Robb's Market or visit Brown's BBQ, behind the DQ. In earlier years, Browns roasted pork on outside open pits.
Traveling into Charlton, that once had its own Post Office on the Island Road, you'd pass a German Health Food Store. You could take yourself to Dr. Carmen Spinney, take your pet to Dr. Robert Reese, watch Sam Hazelet die and weave sheepskins or marvel at totem pole carving at the Island Road and Route 150 "Y."
Going down the River Road you'd come to another restaurant, find fresh produce at Shantz Farms or pick fresh strawberries at Baird's Farm. On Route 150 you could pass the Chadam Run Feed Mill (c1831) or grab a drink at the Mangy Moose Tavern. Thousands visited the Woolrich Factory Store and along the way, stopped at a huge gift store or The Hillcrest Farm (c1874).
Heading toward Lock Haven you'd find buffalo roaming near The Buffalo Inn Restaurant, once the home of bootlegger Jake Kohlberger, featuring its famous Buffalo Burger. On its second floor was a short-lived sex club, eventually closed down by the County DA.
Next came Overdorf's Tastee Freeze. Soon you'd find the former Keystone, also where illicit sex was available from its lower level, before police raided rooms and arrested 7 local prostitutes.
The next stop is Dunnstown, which offered bowling lanes, the classy Mohawk Motel and Restaurant with its sunken bar and live music, JP's Malted Milk drive-through, Herr's Dairy Store, Probst Broasted Chicken, AAA Office, State Police Barracks, Don Welch Pontiac and a half dozen other stores and services, all located east of the architecturally significant Constitution Bridge.
One might ask: Have we seen real progress? Do you prefer today's advances in DNA, 3-D printing, cell phones and other technologies, or a slower pace and higher quality of life? You remember. You decide.