Lifestyle

Art in Sacred Spaces
Art in Sacred Spaces

by Ron Alderfer | Jan 2026 | ,

‘Art in Sacred Spaces’ honors our legacy Historical society invites community to uncover hidden treasures The United States is marking its Semiquincentennial this year — 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone invites us to reflect on the freedoms that have shaped our country: to seek a better life, to live in peace, and to worship as we choose. These ideals brought new communities such as Souderton and Telford to life and inspired remarkable creativity. To honor this special national anniversary, the Souderton-Telford Historical Society is proud to hold its first fund-raising event: Art in Sacred Spaces. In partnership with six local churches and the Mennonite Heritage Center, we invite you to join a self-guided driving tour celebrating the artistic and historical gems in our own backyards. The idea for Art in Sacred Spaces was inspired by a tour guide in Ireland, who told a group of American visitors that we ignore the history in our small...

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Legion and VFW
Legion and VFW

by Edie Adam | Dec 2025 | , ,

Veterans’ service continues at home, thanks to American Legion, VFW posts with research by Cory Alderfer The work of winding down World War II was well under way when the Souderton Independent reported on Dec. 6, 1945, that Cpl. Nicholas Rohs had arrived at his father’s home in Hilltown Township to begin rest furlough. He had been captured at Corregidor in the Philippines in 1942 and spent three years, 11 months, and four days as a prisoner of the Japanese. Rohs, the newspaper reported, was “well on his way” to full recovery. For World War II veterans — and generations before and since — a return to civilian life was just the beginning. Many would look for comradeship and advocacy in organizations that had been founded for those purposes. Fortunately, veterans here could turn to two such groups: In Souderton, American Legion Post 234 had been present since 1919, chartered in the shadow of what was then called the Great War. In neighboring Telford, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5308...

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Recipe for a fun life? Sell a fun product in your hometown for 50 years.
Recipe for a fun life? Sell a fun product in your hometown for 50 years.

by Richard Detwiler | Sep 2025 | , ,

Scott Landes once told a reporter he was “a Souderton boy through and through.” Known by everyone as Scooter, Landes marked 50 years in town as a small business running his bike shop. You may know the story of how he got his start back in July 1975, but when the Souderton-Telford Historical Society interviewed him, Scooter also shared a range of memories of growing up and working in town. STHS: So, basically my assignment from the historical society was inspired by someone who saw you peeking out the door in the mural photograph in the restaurant. Scott Landes: The first time we ate there, I took my wife. We’re walking out. I love these old pictures of Souderton.  I did like a double take. I went, “Oh my gosh, what?” Then I said to our young waitress, “Hey, see that guy there? That’s me.” And she looked at me and said, “No way”. I grew up here in Souderton. My father was an internist at Grand View (hospital, now part of St. Luke’s). I went to Souderton, went to Albright College, and...

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100 years of vision, courage, action, generosity
100 years of vision, courage, action, generosity

by Cory Alderfer | Jul 2025 | ,

Researched and written by Cory Alderfer Souderton was grossly behind the times. Unlike other towns located along the Reading Railroad, there were no public parks for children to play safely. This, among other issues, was an unfortunate state of affairs. By the late 1800s, adults had begun creating numerous athletic, social, fraternal, and volunteer opportunities for themselves within Souderton and Telford. But no dedicated safe play space for children had yet been built. In 1921, nine-year-old Ernest Walter Hunsberger was killed by a car while riding his bike.  Even after that loss, it was another three years — 1924 — before residents of Noble, East Broad, and South Front streets took matters into their own hands. With the help of their children, the adults sold refreshments that summer, raising money to purchase a sliding board to be placed on an empty lot on Noble Street. The many failed attempts to raise interest in organizing a Souderton Playground Association were one of the...

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The Fickle Belsnickel
The Fickle Belsnickel

by Mary Caruso | Dec 2023 |

If you’ve been naughty, the Belsnickel, dressed in furs and carrying a switch, just may pay you a visit at Christmas. Read all about this old traditional charcter!

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Art thou a witch?
Art thou a witch?

by Edie Adam | Oct 2023 |

A witch? Here? The subject of witches has a dangerous side, and the good folk of Telford had to take it seriously when one of their neighbors became the target of a whisper campaign in 1882.

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Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery

by Craig Silsbee | Jan 2023 |

Souderton Borough and the Historical Society work together to restore the neglected walls of Hillside Cemetery. Here is the story.

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Small-town Farm Boys Go To Sea
Small-town Farm Boys Go To Sea

by Peggy Reiff Miller | Nov 2022 |

Guest-author Peggy Reiff Miller recounts the story of two “Seagoing Cowboys” – local teens Herbert Wenger and Marvin Garis, as they serve during World War II.

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Telford Whale
Telford Whale

by Edie Adam | Jun 2022 |

A mysterious discovery causes a local sensation. But like many sensations, is it what it seems?

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A Sense of Community
A Sense of Community

by Doug Shupinski | May 2021 |

Guest-author Doug Shupinski paints a warm portrait of his life and memories growing up in our local community; and what we can all learn from it.

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Independent-isms
Independent-isms

by Cory Alderfer | Nov 2020 |

Most small-town newspapers have their quirks, and items that seem humorous today. So it is with this collection from our own Souderton Independent. Smile!

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The Groundcherry
The Groundcherry

by Jason Searock | Jul 2020 |

Guest-Author and historian Jason Searock serves up a delightful portion of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage with this story of the Groundcherry.

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The Herman Funke House
The Herman Funke House

by Craig Silsbee | Nov 2019 |

Herman Funke was one of many who found a place here in Souderton. A place to live, marry, and start a business. Member Craig Silsbee relates the story of his current home, and of Herman’s life here.

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100th Anniversary of World War I
100th Anniversary of World War I

by Rev James Shelly | Nov 2018 |

On the 100th Anniversary of World War I, we get to read about some local family connections to that fateful event by guest-author Rev James Shelly. Thank you to all who have served.

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Zion Mennonite Fisk Organ
Zion Mennonite Fisk Organ

by Jon Leight | Sep 2018 |

Among the many unique things about our Souderton /Telford communities, here is one hiding in plain sight! Jon Leight tells of the history and special nature of the organ at Zion Mennonite Church.

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This ‘Oldish’ House
This ‘Oldish’ House

by Cory Alderfer | Jul 2018 |

Member Cory Alderfer tells us about her “oldish” house, and what characteristics make it charming and precious. Hopefully, this makes you proud of your house as well.

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The County Line Hotel
The County Line Hotel

by Wendy Leshinskie | Jul 2017 |

As the 19th century evolved into the 20th century, the County Line Hotel was an important landmark and gathering place in Telford. Here is a bit of that story.

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Baseball in Telford
Baseball in Telford

by Wendy Leshinskie | Apr 2017 |

Summer, ice cream, and baseball. Memories as American as it gets. In this issue, historian Charles H Price passes along some of those memories as they apply to Telford’s history.

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Churches
Churches

by Souderton-Telford Historical Society | Jan 2017 |

How much do you know about the earliest church in Souderton? Here is an interesting article about that very thing!

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The Telford Bank
The Telford Bank

by Wendy Leshinskie | Sep 2016 |

Did you know that Telford once had its own bank? Here is a quick story of that bank, its origins, and the people involved.

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Home of Henry O. Souder
Home of Henry O. Souder

by Cory Alderfer | Aug 2016 |

Our second ever newsletter – fittingly enough – tells the story and history of Henry O. Souder and his home on Main Street Souderton

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