Monday, October 26, 2020

PARKE HILL DAVIS

Parke Hill Davis might be the most famous Eastonian who you’ve never heard of. He was a lawyer, an orator, a politician, and a nationally known expert on college football. 

 Intercollegiate football - in fact, football itself - began on November 6, 1869. The first football game was played on that day in New Brunswick, NJ, between Rutgers University and a team from the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University). Rutgers won with a score of 6-4. (There’s a local connection to that first game. One of the Princeton players was Easton’s David Mixsell - Easton’s football tradition goes back to the very beginning of the game!) 

 Football as it was played then was vastly different than the game of today. Each team had 25 players on the field. The field was larger, but there was no end zone. The scoring was different. There were no uniforms, although the Rutgers players reportedly wore red headbands. Running with the ball was not permitted; nor was throwing it. As the name of the sport implies, the early game emphasized kicking. Despite the disapproval of college faculties and administrations, football slowly grew in popularity, primarily among the Eastern colleges. 

The game’s rules were inconsistent; the home team often dictated the specific rules for a game. By 1873, several colleges realized that standardized rules would be helpful, so representatives of Princeton, Rutgers and Yale met in New York to start the process.  

Meanwhile, in 1871, Josiah and Susan Davis of Kiantone, NY, welcomed their seventh child, a son who they named Parke Hill Davis. The Davis family relocated to nearby Jamestown, where Parke graduated from high school in 1889. Princeton was his next stop; he played football for three seasons, as a tackle and an end. (The positions of that era don’t directly correspond with those of today.) One of the coaches during Parke’s playing days was Woodrow Wilson, a Princeton faculty member at the time. He was later elected as President of the United States. 

 Davis was a good athlete. In addition to playing football, he was a member of Princeton’s tug-of-war team. (Tug-of-war, using 4-man teams, was a serious sport in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. In fact, it was included in the Olympics for about 20 years.) He was interested in boxing; he reportedly sparred more than once with professional fighter Jake Kilrain. In 1890, he went to New York to take a boxing lesson from world-champion heavyweight John L. Sullivan - who promptly knocked one of Davis’s teeth out. (Sullivan reportedly felt badly about the incident and bought Davis some drinks as a form of apology.) 

 Following his graduation from Princeton in 1893, Davis headed west to Madison, WI, where he coached the University of Wisconsin football team to a winning record of 4-2. He returned east to Massachusetts for 1894 and coached Amherst College to a winning season, with a record of 7-5-1. While at Amherst, a student introduced himself to Davis by saying “Call me Red”. Red became an informal assistant coach for Davis; his actual name was Calvin Coolidge and in 1923, he became President of the United States. 

 In 1895, Davis came to Easton as the football coach and athletic director at Lafayette College. His 3-year tenure on College Hill was successful; 1895 saw a winning football record of 6-2. In 1896, the team’s record was 11-0-1. In 1897, the season came out at 9-2-1. His overall record for his three years was 26-4-2. Lafayette’s football success was not the result of chance. Davis and a few others worked diligently to build enthusiasm on the campus. As Davis described: “We bragged and blustered, orated and printed glowingly about our prospects. We worked the college and the town systematically up to a football frenzy.” In his role as the College’s athletic director, he used his energy to build success in baseball, in track & field and in intramural participation. 

 His most spectacular football success came in 1896. On October 24, Lafayette travelled to Philadelphia to play the powerful University of Pennsylvania. Already an underdog, Lafayette’s chances were further lowered when the team captain was stricken with appendicitis and hospitalized just a couple of hours before the game. Nevertheless, Lafayette shocked the football world with a 6-4 upset of mighty Penn. The win was not without controversy. Through some bizarre scheduling, Lafayette had played West Virginia University three times in the course of a few days and become familiar with the players. One of West Virginia’s best players was lineman Fielding Yost, who “transferred” to Lafayette just in time to play in the Penn game. Penn recognized Yost and questioned his eligibility, Yost and Davis somehow convinced them that Yost was now a legitimate Lafayette student and should be allowed to play. Within days after taking part in the big game Yost was back in West Virginia, not attending Lafayette classes. He eventually became the long-time coach at the University of Michigan, known as “Hurry Up” Yost. 

In his spare time, Davis had been studying law and was admitted to the Northampton County bar in December, 1897. He resigned from his positions at Lafayette in order to work full-time at his law practice. He became active in politics, affiliating himself with the Democratic party. He was in demand as a public speaker, especially for occasions which called for patriotic orations. In 1901, he was elected as the District Attorney of Northampton County. At the end of his term, he returned to his private legal practice; his cases included defending accused suspects in several high-profile cases. He was suggested as a candidate for county judge and for mayor of Easton, although neither materialized. 

Throughout his adult life, he was respected nationwide as a football expert and analyst, writing about the game for newspapers, magazines, and even the Encyclopedia Britannica. In 1911, he published a history of college football titled Football - The American Intercollegiate Game

His special interest was historic football statistics. In the 1930s, he undertook a massive project of reviewing all college football records back to 1869 and choosing a national champion for each year. (The fact that he listed his own Lafayette team as a co-champion for 1896 did not appear to greatly bother anyone.) His interest in history was not limited to college football; he acquired, and then contributed, a valuable collection of early documents related to Northampton County and elsewhere. 

For a number of years, Davis was one of Princeton’s delegates to the college football Rules Committee. He was involved in such decisions as adding end zones to the field, adding players’ numbers to jerseys, dividing games into quarters and reducing the use of the dangerous offensive tactic known as the wedge. 

Princeton announced that October 13,1934 would be Parke Davis Day at the campus, but Davis died on June 5, 1934 at his Easton home, 241 Spring Garden Street. He was 62, and died of kidney disease. He was survived by his wife, Edith (Detwiller), three daughters and a son. His burial took place at Riegelsville Union Cemetery, Bucks County; his stone there is marked with the Princeton logo and what appears to be an incorrect place of birth. His wife is also buried there, along with the couple’s son John and their daughter Elizabeth. Two other daughters, Cynthia and Katherine, are buried elsewhere.

Parke Hill Davis


Davis with Woodrow Wilson

Davis Home - 241 Spring Garden


Lafayette - Penn Game, 1896


David Mixsell, Princeton Class of 1871 
Played in first football game, 1869





Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Easton Public Schools Chronologically

Easton Public Schools Chronologically

1794

The Penn Building was at one time the old Union Academy. This building was on North 2nd Street and was taken down to build the Governor Wolf High School. In 1889 it was being used for both grammar and secondary grades.

 

1838

The Sitgreaves School building stood on North 2nd Street. The building was erected in 1838 on the school lot, and was first located at the corner of 2nd and Church Sts. (later moved north to accommodate the McCartney School building) It was built by the Easton Female Seminary Co. . When this corporation went out of existence the trustees of the Union Academy purchased it. When the public school system was adopted the property was deeded to the Easton School District. Under the public school system, the pupils were the female department of the High School. It was demolished in 1894 by John Hensler.

 

1854

The Washington School was located on South 7th Street. It was once known as the

 “West Ward Academy”. This building was said to be built in 1854. In an Easton Express Article from May 6, 1856, they describe the Academy as having 7 schools within the building. The building remains, although privately owned.

 

1856

The McCartney School building, (the High School) was completed in 1856. This three story building is located on the east side of  North 2nd Street. Along with the grounds the cost was $20, 190.98. It was built and designed by Charles McIntire and named for Washington McCartney.

 

1860

The Primary Hall/ Jefferson School was located on 7th Street, right below the Washington School. It was erected by Mr. Levi Bennett for the sum of $1,700. The building still remains and are residences.

 

1873

The Taylor School, also known as the First Ward Building, was located on South 4th St. between Ferry St. and what was Spruce St. It was completed and occupied in 1873. The land was purchased from St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1870 for $20, 250 with the cornerstone being laid on June 30, 1871.  This three story building could accommodate 130 pupils. The net cost to build the Taylor School was $96, 139.27. The building was demolished in 1962.

 

1875

The Lehigh School, known as a Seventh Ward Building, was located on Franklin St. The grounds were rented from the Glendon Iron Company and in 1875, the one story school was finished at the cost of $1,329.

 

1875

The Lafayette School, known as the Third Ward Building, was located at Parsons and Porter Sts. on College Hill. The school was finished in 1875 and was a two story brick building modeled after a plan published in the “Pennsylvania School Architecture.” In the end, the cost of the building was $8,650. In 1914, the building was converted to a firehouse. The building was demolished on February 15, 1971 to make way for a new fire station.

 

1876

The Centennial School, also known as a Seventh Ward Building, was located at the corner of 12th and Ferry Sts. The lot was purchased for $2,000. This two story brick building was finished in 1876 (probable reason for the name of the school). The total cost of the building and lot was $12,763.34. Presumably, the building was torn down in the 1970’s.

 

 1883

The Stevens School  was named after Thaddeus Stevens and was built in 1883. It was located at Wilkes-Barre Street near Coal Street on the South Side of Easton. This was South Easton’s High School. In 1901, it became an elementary school in the Easton School District. Presumably, it was torn down sometime in the mid 1960’s.

 

 Unknown & 1905

The Webster School was located at Iron and Lincoln Streets on the South Side of Easton. The old Webster School was torn down in 1904 and a new Webster School was erected on the same site. Presumably, it was demolished in 1979.

 

 1884

The Franklin School, or Sixth Ward Building was erected in 1884, at Walnut and 9th Streets. This two and half story building accommodated over 400 pupils. Presumably, the building was torn down in 1962.

 

 1889

The Monroe School was located on Monroe Street on College Hill. It was opened in 1889 and was closed the school year of 1913/14. Presumably, the building was torn down in 1962.

 

 

  1889

The Vanderveer School  was erected in 1899 and named after Reverend Vandeveer. It was located at 11th and Spring Gardens Streets. Presumably, this building was demolished in 1979.

 

 1891

The Porter School was erected in 1891 and named after the Honorable James M. Porter. It was located at Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre Streets on the South Side of Easton. It was torn down in 1979.

 

 1891

The Cottingham School building was built in 1891 and is located at 8th and Northampton Sts. Named after William Cottingham,  Superintendent of Easton Schools. In 1962 it was converted to the school administration offices. The building was put up for sale around 2013 by the school district. As of 2017 it still stands. It is currently apartments.2024

 

 1893

The Governor Wolf High School was built in 1893 on North 2nd St., site of the former Easton Union Academy.  This was the High School until a new High School was built in 1925, then becoming a Junior High School. In 1961, it was an elementary school. In July 1976, the building was sold for $57,501 and remains privately owned today.

 

 1896

The Asa Packer School was finished in 1896 and pupils started in this school on October 5. The location was at Lehigh and Nesquehoning Sts.and was constructed by Jacob Raub at the cost of $24,000. (I have a description of the school)  J.M. Stewart of Easton was the architect. When opened there were grammar, secondary, and primary classes. On Sunday May 5, 1968 the school had caught on fire (suspicion of arson as the next day a vacant home on South Side was torched). The building ( the address is now Valley and Nesquehoning Sts.) had been abandoned by the Easton School District, as Cheston School had opened last year, however Title I and Head Start programs were headquartered there and leased the building for $1 a year.

Nothing but the outer walls remained after the fire and at a School Board meeting on September 9, 1968 a contract to demolish the building was given to Miller & Brown Construction at $5,700.

 

 1903

The Traill Green School  building was erected in 1903 and is located at 13th and Washington Streets. It was named after Dr. Traill Green. In 1977, the building was sold and converted into apartments.

1913

The Francis A. March School  building was erected in 1913 as an elementary school. It was named for Professor Francis March and is located at Monroe and Reeder Streets on College Hill. Later it became a junior high school and then once again, reverted to an elementary school and remains this to this day. It currently serves students grades K- 5th from College Hill and parts of downtown Easton.

 

 1925

The Building at Northampton and 12th Sts.

Easton High School, school board pays $107,00 for the lot on 12th St. The school is built in 1925, in April 1935 a new gym is dedicated.

Easton Junior High School became exclusively the Junior High School in 1961

Easton Middle School

Paxinosa Elementary School Current

 

1924

The S. E.Shull Junior High building was built in 1924 at Berwick and Seitz Sts. at South Easton. It was named after Samuel E. Shull, former Superintendent of the South Easton Schools.

Classes ran into the 1970’s. IU20 held classes in this school until 1993. There was also a Senior Center and a branch of the Easton Area Public Library. The school board sold the building for $100,000 in 1994 to a private builder, who later converted the building into senior apartments

 

 1954

The Palmer Elementary School was built and opened in 1954. This school started as part of Palmer Township School District but by 1958, Palmer Twp. joined Easton School District. It is located on 3050 Green Pond Road. This was always been an elementary school.

It  served students grade K- 5th from Palmer Township. Last year open was 2019.

* Torn down and rebuilt

The New Palmer Elementary School was opened nearby in  2023.

 

1958

The Forks Elementary School was opened as part of the Easton Area School District in 1958. Prior to that, it was an independent school system. An addition was added in 1989. It is located on Richmond Road in Forks Township. This is and has always been an elementary school. It currently serves students grades K- 5th from Forks Township and Martins Creek.

 

 1962

The Easton Area High School  was dedicated on May 12, 1962. In 1959, a $5,300.00 bond was issued for this school located off William Penn Highway and 25th Street in Palmer Township. This is grades 9-12.

 

1967

The Ada B. Cheston Elementary School was opened in 1967 and is named after former South Easton teacher, Ada B. Cheston. It was located on Coal St. in South Easton. This was always been an elementary school. It currently serves students grades K- 5th from Easton’s South Side.

*demolished and rebuilt in 2020 on the field across the street from old Cheston School

 

 1968

The Edward Tracy Elementary School was opened in 1968 and was named after former Easton Superintendent, Dr. Edward Tracy. This school is located on Tatamy Rd. in Palmer Township. This is and has always has been an elementary school. It currently serves students grades K- 5th from Palmer Township and Martins Creek. During the school year of 2017-18 the students of this school reported to the Easton Area Middle School, while renovations were being done to the school on Tatamy Rd.

 

 1971

The Paxinosa Elementary School was opened in 1971 and was located on Echo Trail in Southern Forks Township, north of 13th Street on a 57 acre tract of land. When it was built, it could accommodate 900 pupils and replaced Traill Green, Vanderveer, and Centennial Schools. In 2009  this school was renamed to Shawnee Elementary School. Currently, the school building located at Northampton and 12th Sts. where the former High and Junior High School were located, is now named Paxinosa Elementary School. It currently serves students grades K- 5th from the city of Easton and the West Ward.

 

 1978

The Shawnee Intermediate School was opened in 1978 for grades 7 and 8

and was located on Echo Trail in Southern Forks Township.

 

2007

The Easton Area Academy is located on Edgewood Ave. in Easton. This school is alternative education for students grade 6- 12. The Easton Area Academy was started in 2007 after merging with the Success Academy and the Twilight Academy.

 

 2008

The Easton Area Middle School  was once Shawnee Intermediate School and is located on Echo Trail in Southern Forks Township. Starting in 2005 and ending in 2008, a three story addition was added. The Easton Middle School was formally opened to 5th and 6th graders, along with the 7th and 8th graders already there. Currently, 6th. 7th , and 8th graders are at this school.

 

 2009

The Shawnee Elementary School was renamed in 2009, after being renovated. Formally this school was Paxinosa Elementary School. This school currently serves students grades K- 5th from Forks Township. It is located at Echo Tail in Southern Forks Township.

 

     Notes

 Around 1919 Martins Creek built a school named Centerfield School. For a few years, this was part of Easton School District. A fire in the spring of 1974, destroyed the building and all pupils who attended this school was sent to March or Palmer Schools.

There may have been an elementary school in Rieglesville, Pa.

 

 While there were school buildings during the early years of Public Schooling, many classes were still held in “private” locations. *In Sept. 1855 a school or classroom for “colored children” was established at the property of Aaron Huff. By the middle of March the next year, it was voted to be discontinued.

 ( *this was in the School Board minutes )

 

Nov. 2017

updated Sep. 2024