In 1911, with the hoped-for coming of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad to Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, a new development was planned at the west end of town. Named “Westmont,” this development featured small, city-sized lots that were scaled for reasonably priced homes for the new labor force that would be necessary to fuel the economic boom that the railroad would bring. In addition to a shirt factory which actually materialized, the industry planned for Gratz included the service shops for the railroad. The location of those service shops was supposed to be in the present area of Gratz Community Park. The Westmont development was within walking distance of the shirt factory and the planned railroad service shops.
Fliers were sent out to area residents so that bidding could take place on the lots in Westmont. Notably, on the fliers, were the words “no lots sold to colored people.” This was ironic because some of the earliest settlers of Gratz were African American, and African Americans who were born in Gratz had served honorably in the Civil War. The creation of this development, with this racial restriction, was typical of the bigotry that was evident in the Lykens Valley in the early years of the twentieth century. A little more than a decade later, the Ku Klux Klan held demonstrations all over the area and Gratz itself had the dubious distinction of hosting the largest rally as part of the activities of the Gratz Fair in 1924.
Westmont failed as a development, most likely because the railroad failed. In later years, many of the lots were combined and sold and houses were built on them.
See:
https://www.lykensvalley.org/ku-klux-klan-rally-at-gratz-fairgrounds-1924/
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Balloon Ascension
3 Choice Lots Given Away Free
Thursday, 2 November commencing at 10 A.M.
Second Auction Lot Sale at Westmont, addition to Gratz, of all remaining into Lots, Plots and Acres, and to be sold at Auction to the highest and best bidder. Date of Sale is Positive. No Postponement, for in event of Rain Sale will be held in Smith’s Hall, Gratz.
Free Auto at Union House to show you the property before day of Sale. Select the Lot, Plot or Acre you want. Be ready to bit day of Sale.
Springville Band will entertain during the entire day. As a booster of your own town you can’t afford to stay away, for never again in the history of Gratz will there be such an opportunity to make money Surely and Quickly as at this Sale. Remember day of Sale. You buy at your own price. After the Sale you pay the other fellow’s price. Come early. Frequently the first lot sold is the cheapest.
Terms of Sale
NO LOTS SOLD TO COLORED PEOPLE
Lots will be knocked down to highest and best bidder. Purchaser will have the privilege of three adjoining lots at same figure by notifying the Auctioneer at once. Auctioneer will settle all disputes as to bids, etc.
Speak out, nod or wink, but make sure the Auctioneer sees you.
When and How You Pay
One-third down, one-third in three months, one-third in six months, the last two payments to be secured by bankable note, or where purchaser pays all cash, a straight discount of 4 percent on last two payments will be delivered.
Buyer must immediately pay ten ($10.00) dollars to clerk when lot is knocked down. This ten dollars will be credited on your first payment. In signing receipt book with clerk, sign your name in full as to how you want deed made out. Should anyone purchase lot and fail to make necessary settlement, according to these terms, lot will be put up and sold again. All purchasers are requested to call at Union House immediately after sale in order to make settlement. A good and satisfactory deed will be given just as soon as can be gotten ready, which will be but a few days at most.
Positively no charges made for deed.
Important.—- The morning sale will commence promptly at 10 o’clock, beginning at lot No.l 91, facing the Oak Dale or Loyalton Road. Free conveyances from the Union House to the Sale and return. Afternoon Sale will start promptly at 1:15.
C. W. MILLER, Sales Manager. Office at Union House, Gratz.
H. D. KOONS, Auctioneer.
A. C. YOUNG, The Lot Sale Man. Owner and Developer. Main Office, 26 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Westmont Plan 2, Addition to Gratz
AUCTION LOT SALE, Thursday, 2 November, at 10 A.M.
Balloon Ascension and Parachute Drop by Johnny Mack, King of Aeronauts
3 Choice Building Lots Given Away FREE
You must be present when ticket numbers are called. Special ballot for each lot. Winner of first lot cannot participate in drawings for other lots, or other words we want three different and distinct parties to each receive a lot. None of our employees are allowed to deposit tickets nor to be interested in drawing. Everybody invited to attend this Once-in-a-Life-Time, Home Starting Opportunity.
Auction Lot Sale
You will be under no obligations to buy. We simply present you the opportunity to see for yourself, leaving the rest to your good judgment. If you are genuinely interested in the development and growth of Gratz and vicinity you can’t afford to stay away.
WARNING: Work on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad will, within a very short time, go with a rush, and Lykens Valley will quickly develop into an industrial district.
GRATZ is bound to grow with great strides, assuring early investors big profits.
Won’t You Get in on the Ground Floor
This Auction Lot Sale Offers You A Ground Floor Opportunity
Remember we have Lots, Plots and Acres. What interests you the most?
Better Call at Union House, Gratz. See Mr. Miller, Sales Manager
Use our Free Auto to inspect the property before day of Sale, then be ready to bid
REMEMBER IN EVENT OF RAIN SALE WILL BE HELD IN SMITH’S HALL, GRATZ
Springville Band will entertain. Arrange your affairs to be present
C. W. MILLER, Sales Manager. Union House, Gratz.
H. D. KOONS, Auctioneer
A. C. YOUNG, The Lot Sale Man, Owner and Developer
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