Lock Haven
Spotlight on:
Lock Haven
THE CLINTON TRUST BUILDING by Lou Bernard
If you’ ve ever been in downtown Lock Haven for any reason, chances are you’ ve been right past the Clinton Trust Building at 124 East Main Street. It’ s listed on Historic Resource Survey Form 035-LH-254. Assuming you’ re not me, which I feel is a safe assumption, let me explain that to you. These are forms filled out by a committee in the 1980s to designate historically known buildings in Pennsylvania. They don’ t give a building any special status; they’ re just to convey information. The“ 035” part means Clinton County; obviously“ LH” is Lock Haven, and then the 254 is just the order they come in.
The Clinton Trust Building was built in 1906, a hundred and twenty years ago. It was built for the Clinton Trust and Safe Deposit Company, a local banking business that was run by R. W. Fredericks as president, with R. H. Stewart and M. B. Rich as vice-presidents. Ross Barrows was the secretary and treasurer, and S. H. Fredericks is listed in the 1910 city directory as“ assistant.”
The architect for the building was Lester Kintzing, the son of Gravestine Kintzing, a local businessman who built an elaborate home at 220 West Main Street. Lester was also responsible for designing the Clinton Country Club in Mill Hall, and a lot of buildings in Philadelphia and Washington.
The Clinton Trust and Safe Company was in the building for a number of years, but by the 1940s the building had been turned over to other businesses. The 1948 city directory--- I keep running up to my office to get these documents--- lists the place as home to Heffner Insurance, Clinton Credit Exchange, the Lock Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Merchants Bureau, Lock Haven Suburban Water Company, and the Lock Haven Construction Company.
The building still stands--- I have a couple of friends who live there, which inspired me to write this piece. And, hey, now you know about the Historic Resource Survey Forms, so we all benefited today.
- Lou Bernard is a local writer and can be reached at loulhpa @ gmail. com.
10“ Good News”-- May-- www. bearcountrygoodnews. com
Photo courtesy of Maria Boileau.
Great & unique gift ideas for mother and father ' s day!
Candles • Jewelry • Mugs • Woven Baskets • Stuffed Animals Tie Dye T-Shirts • Homemade Honey • Handmilled Soap Garden Flags • Homemade Dog Treats • Art Prints Custom Cutting Boards • And Much More!
8 Bellefonte Avenue( inside Fleming ' s Mercantile Eatery), Lock Haven creekuniquecandlesandmore. com / find us on Facebook