Tuesday, November 3, 2020

 Springtime Outing circa 1900



     This lovely picture appears to be taken in the spring.  The ladies are holding ferns and what appear to be lilacs and many of the men are sporting boutonnieres.  It may be of a church or school group or perhaps a wedding.  It was taken in the area of Berwick, Sugarloaf Township, or Salem Township.


     Behind the man in the center of the front row are my Great Grandparents.  William Moore is wearing a black hat and has a walking stick leaning on his shoulder.  Next to him is Fannie Kile, she has a white blouse that covers her neck and large hat that is tinted blue in the photo.  They were married in 1904, and I believe this photo was taken no later than then.


     Please let me know if you recognize anyone in this photo and I will share it.  William lived in Salem Township, Luzerne county, mostly in the Moore's Hill area.  When they married they lived near Foundryville.  Fannie was born and grew up in Guava, a small village in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County (Guava later became Laubach and is near Camp Lavigne).  Her family then moved to an area known as Town Hill, between New Columbus and Huntington Mills.  So the photo is likely to be a group of young people from these areas.


     Note:  this photo was enhanced and colorized via MyHeritage.com.  

Moore's School
Salem Township, Luzerne County Pennsylvania


     Moore's School was in Salem Township, lower Luzerne County and was a one-room schoolhouse.   Water Dam Road starts in Foundryville and it turns into Moore's Hill Road, which is the area where this school was located.  It is interesting today to see that their school year went from October 18, 1898 to April 10, 1899.   This Souvenir Card, presented by the teacher Millie Seely, also lists School Board members.  

     Moore's Church was also in this area and was burned by arson.