The History of Point Township

Industry: Past and Present

The early industries were for the benefit of the farmers. A large stone mill on Lodge's Run (now called Johnson's Run), two miles north of Northumberland, was erected in 1815 by George Grant. A dam was constructed in the creek about one-half north of the mill to supply the water for power. The water was backed up to a height so the water would run down a small ditch - like a canal. The water ran back of the mill and through an opening in the wall, over a large water wheel and back into the creek.

Inside the mill were large stones from 18 inches to 24 inches in width and about 60 inches in diameter. Grain was put between these stones and ground into floor.

The building was two stories high. The first floor was the power room and the second floor was the work room.

Jesse C. Horton, who purchased Oak Hall (now American Legion Post #44) from Reuben Haines' descendants in 1847, was running the mill in 1841. A later miller was Simon Showalter, and Mr. Bittinger was the last miller.

Use of the mill was discontinued in 1911 when water and age caused deterioration of the wall where the wheel was located. The mill was torn down in the 1930's and stones were used to construct the Garman home at 447 Orange Street, Northumberland. The land was sold to the Water Company. The foundation can still be seen and one of the mill stones is at Post #44.

In 1817, William A. Lloyd established a flour mill on Johnson's Run within a short distance of the Stone Mill. Mr. Lloyd also operated a carding machine, used in the processing of wool, one of the first in the county and an important feature of his establishment. The milling business was discontinued in 1887. One of the mill's stones is now at Post #44.

There were a number of distilleries in operation at one time, considering the limited agricultural territory of the township. Farmers sold their grain to local distilleries because of transportation problems for the grain. Proprietors of the distilleries were Robert Morris, Joseph R. Priestley, Jacob Dentler, William A. Lloyd, James Lemon, and George Grant.

About 1850, Chulasky Furnance, a bank furnace for the production of iron ore, was established about eight miles from Northumberland and three miles from Danville. The property included about 700 acres in Point Township and Montour County. Iron ore was mined from Montour Ridge by company employees who lived in 23 tenements located in the area now called Chulasky. A meeting house, school, general country store, and horse stable completed the community. The operations were discontinued in the 1880's because of poor quality iron ore.

One of the earlier industries in Point Township was Paul S. Crebs Moving and Storage. Mr. Crebs began business in Selinsgrove in 1920 with one truck; he moved to Kapp Heights in 1930 and began interstate long distance hauling in 1933. The trucking business now has 32 tractors and 45 trailers delivering in 33 states. In 1945 Mr. Crebs began raising Shetland ponies and expanded the pony enterprise to the former Ray Hoffman farm along Montour Ridge in 1954. Two other trucking firms in the township are Highway Express Lines and Robert E. Cook's trucking on Route 11.

In the 1930's, the Atlantic Refining Company, now ARCO, established a pipeline distribution plant along Route 11. Lewis K. Rich built storage tanks for Cities Service fuels nearby in the late 1940's.

Stuck Brothers had its beginning in 1946 when Arthur and George were in the construction and lumber yard business. They built a retail appliance and furniture store in 1956 and added brother Kenneth to the partnership in 1958. Another appliance store, Peter's Appliances, was built by Marlin Peters on a lot next to the Priestly School in 1960.

Point Township has had great industrial growth in the last twelve years. Large industries employing hundreds of men have been established in quick succession. Wickes Lumber Company, Mohawk Door Company, Danville Sales and Service, Sunbury Wholesale Sea Food, and Central Builders Supply Company quarry are all located along Route 11.

The newest industry built in 1972 is the Bituminous Emulsion Company, which is located in the Penn Central Railroad Yard. [Back to Top]

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