THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY K. SMITH, MARCH 26, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 26, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Commemorating the rich history and sesquicentennial anniversary

of the Borough of Dunmore.

WHEREAS, During the latter part of the 18th century, William

Allsworth founded the geographical area that is today known as

the Borough of Dunmore; and

WHEREAS, Before being renamed Dunmore in 1835, the

geographical area was originally known as Bucktown, which was a

reference to the abundance of deer that populated its verdant

landscape; and

WHEREAS, The Borough of Dunmore derived its name from

Scotland's Dunmore heritage, which was revered and respected by

the early settlers of the area; and

WHEREAS, In 1849, Dunmore opened its first post office with

George P. Howell serving as postmaster; and

WHEREAS, In 1850, as a result of the extensive anthracite

coal mining activities in the area, the completion of the

Pennsylvania Coal Company's Gravity Railroad gave rise to a

spike in population and employment opportunities in Dunmore; and

WHEREAS, On April 10, 1862, following fragmentation and

municipal independence within the Township of Providence,

Dunmore was incorporated; and

WHEREAS, In 1863, the Dunmore Police Department was

established; and

WHEREAS, On December 5, 1864, the Cemetery Association of

Dunmore was formed to establish proper public burial boundaries

for borough residents; and

WHEREAS, In 1868, due to its burgeoning population, Dunmore

constructed its first high school; and

WHEREAS, On March 25, 1885, Dunmore established its first

fire department, known as the Columbia Hose Company, which later

changed its name to the Independent Hose Company, No. 1; and

WHEREAS, In 1887, Dunmore erected its first borough hall on

South Blakely Street; and

WHEREAS, Also in 1887, Calvin Spencer served as the borough's

first burgess, and F. D. Brown served as the borough's first

clerk; and

WHEREAS, In 1899, the Dunmore Police Department became a

permanent organization, and George Dierks served as its first

chief of police; and

WHEREAS, In 1890, Harry W. Dony launched the borough's first

periodical, "The Dunmore Pioneer"; and

WHEREAS, In 1891, a two-story high school known as the

Central School was constructed in Dunmore, and its first four-

year class graduated in 1903; and

WHEREAS, In 1902, the Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank of

Dunmore, the borough's first bank, was founded; and

WHEREAS, On May 15, 1906, a group of altruistic Italian

immigrants formed the San Cataldo Society of Dunmore which,

despite language barriers and other hardships, was effective in

contributing to the rich and multicultural heritage of Dunmore;

and

WHEREAS, In 1910, the bank later known as the First National

Community Bancorp, Inc., was founded; and

WHEREAS, From 1912 through 1965, a weekly periodical called

"The Dunmorean" was published; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates constructed a

factory and manufacturing plant in the borough; and

WHEREAS, The Dunmore School District has completed major

renovations on a continuing basis from the 1960s to the present

to modernize and improve its learning environment; and

WHEREAS, Dunmore is the hometown of esteemed individuals such

as oceanographer John F. Ropek; Second Lieutenant Carol Ann

Drazba, RN; Brigadier General Christopher F. Burne; Former

National Football League Pro Bowl Center Tim Ruddy, Hall of Fame

Umpire Nestor Chylak and retired NASA astronaut Paul William

Richards; and

WHEREAS, On November 12, 2007, the Dunmore Historical

Society, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve

and foster appreciation of the history and culture of the

borough, received its approved charter from the Commonwealth;

and

WHEREAS, On November 9, 2010, the Pennsylvania American Water

Company, in collaboration with the Dunmore Historical Society,

opened a nature trail on 83 acres of land which encompass the

Dunmore No. 1 Reservoir; and

WHEREAS, On January 28, 2011, the nature trail was certified

by the National Habitat Program as a sustainable wildlife

habitat; and

WHEREAS, On April 10, 2011, the borough proudly celebrated

Heritage Day; and

WHEREAS, April 10, 2012, will mark the 150th anniversary of

the Borough of Dunmore; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting to commemorate this important

milestone due to the important contributions the Borough of

Dunmore has made to this Commonwealth's history; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the

rich history and the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Borough

of Dunmore.