The construction of the Lykens Valley Bank at the southeast corner of Main Street and Market Street, Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, marked a turning point in the history of the town. A two-story frame building on that corner was being replaced with a modern, three-story edifice that would symbolize the progress the town had made toward modernization and economic sustainability.
In 1906, the Lykens Valley was in the throes of a major coal strike. However, the Elizabethville Echo of April 5, 1906, reported that with major building projects going on or part of future plans, Elizabethville would hardly realize that there was a coal strike.
Workmen began digging on Tuesday for the foundations and cellar of the new Lykens Valley Bank building; Harry Campbell and others have excavated a cellar for Aaron Swab‘s double residence on East Main Street; Clinton enders is preparing to finish his double dwelling; and there are two or three more double houses to be started later on in the East End, while in the West End, to single houses are being erected; and on North Market, Nathaniel Miller will build a double brick block. It is possible, that then the able home builders get started in our village, that the demand for homes will be supplied, although the young people are making strong efforts to keep up the demand, – one after another of them are getting married, annd prospects are bright for more weddings in May and June, some of them being partial to the month of roses. Therefore, there is little causes for lamenting, even though the anthracite miners have quit working. Out villagers will not lack for fuel, – the mountains covered with it, is nigh, there’ll be work enough for those who like to work, and Elizabethville will hardly realize that there was a coal strike.
Reports on the progress of the construction of the bank building appeared in editions of the Elizabethville Echo throughout 1906 and into 1907, until construction was completed.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, January 4, 1906:
S. P. Shadle has purchased the property of Dr. J. C. Stroup, corner Main Street and Market Streeet, and it is understood that in due time the Lykens Valley Bank will thereon erect a creditable block. Progress Continues.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, February 22, 1906:
The old land mark [Polm Building] is no more, and in April, work will begin on a handsome, 3 story brick block, to be erected on the southeast corner of Main Street and Market Street, by Lykens Valley Bank. Messrs. H. H. Weaver, I. S. Daniel and John D. Hartman were appointed by the Board as the Building Committee, and the much desired improvement to this important section of the town, will surely and speedily come, in charge of these men possessed of push and energy.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, March 8, 1906:
Mr. Sands of Reading, Pennsylvania, representing the Montello Brick Company, attended the meeting of the Lykens Valley Bank directors on Monday, explaining the good quality of the brick manufactured by his Company.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, April 5, 1906:
Workmen began digging on Tuesday for the foundations and cellar of the new Lykens Valley Bank building….
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From the Elizabethville Echo, April 26, 1906:
The foundation walls for the new Lykens Valley Bank Building is now about half completed, the rain having considerably retarded the progress of the work.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, July 12, 1906:
Contractor Charles S. Lebo, of Berrysburg, with his force of men are placing the timbers, joists &c in position on the walls of the new Lykens Valley Bank Building, and next will be the bricklayers. A number of carloads of brick have already been unloaded, and more are added to the supply every day.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, September 13, 1906:
Day by day as the walls of the Lykens Valley Bank Building go up, the more apparent it becomes to the public that we shall have a substantial business block on the corner – one that will further prove that this is a town of stability and enterprise.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, March 14, 1907:
The new Lykens Valley Bank building will soon be ready for the plasterers.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, April 11, 1907:
The Bell and Wiconisco Telephone Company’s office was moved from A. M. Romberger‘s sore to the second loor of the new Lykens Valley Bank Building last Friday evening.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, April 27, 1907:
James W. Hoke and sons will complete the plastering of the Lykens Valley Bank this week, and will go to Halifax next Monday, where they will be engaged for some time.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, June 13, 1907:
The mammoth door to the vault in the Lykens Valley Bank building has been put in place by Charles S. Lebo and his men.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, October 10, 1907:
President, C. M. Kauffman, Cashier, W. E. Kahler, of the Tower City National Bank, and Mr. Schoffstall, a Director, were in town on Monday afternoon inspecting the building and furniture of Lykens Valley Bank.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, November 14, 1907:
The new three story Lykens Valley Bank Building is now heated throughout with steam heat.
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Featured photo from Elizabethville Echo, May 15, 1913, and news articles via Newspapers.com.
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