Memories | Souderton-Telford Historical Society

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

by Richard Detwiler | Sep 2025 | Lifestyle, Memories, Personalities

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...

100 years of vision, courage, action, generosity

by Cory Alderfer | Jul 2025 | Lifestyle, Memories

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...

We’ll Always Have Ice Cream

by Mary Caruso | Feb 2025 | Lifestyle, Memories

Ice cream in the summer is fondly remembered by many. So is the “Frostie Cup” ice cream stand. Here is the story highlighting the dairy industry in our area.

The Purple Death

by Cory Alderfer | Sep 2024 | Memories

While many have heard of the Spanish Influenza, far fewer know the details of this disease, or how it affected the families of the local community.

A sweet life

by Edie Adam | May 2023 | Memories

A bit of local history through the eyes of Ernie Hange.

A Hillside Avenue Memoir

by Marian Eide | Jan 2022 | Memories

Guest-author Marian Eide shares a rousing game of “Do You Remember?” as she recounts the memories of her youth, growing up on Hillside Avenue.

Delivering Lessons in a Milk Truck

by Matt Shupinski | Sep 2020 | Memories

This issue highlights something that many of our readers have never experienced – a local milkman. These illustrations honor a time and a lifestyle that is now gone; but still valuable.

I Remember Telford

by Lois Kulp | May 2020 | Memories

No aspect of our local history may be quite as fun and satisfying as hearing first-hand stories of “the way things were”. Guest-author Lois Kulp recalls many such memories in this issue.

“A Glimpse of Henry C. Krupp and the Souderton/Telford Area (from the 1888-1929 Diary of Henry C. Krupp)”

by John Derstine | May 2019 | Memories

There are many ways to preserve and share our area memories. One way is through someone’s personal diaries; and the Historical Society is pleased to have access to several. Here, we visit the images of the past through the diaries of Henry C Krupp.

Souderton School District Memories

by Wendy Leshinskie | Jan 2019 | Memories

No matter our age, we all have memories of our school days. In this issue, we read about some of Wendy Leshinskie’s memories as she moved through the Souderton School District’s facilities.

The Great Fire of Telford

by Wendy Leshinskie | May 2018 | Memories

Recalling some of the “highlights” of the Great Telford Fire of 1903.

Shared Telford Memories

by Wendy Leshinskie | Jan 2018 | Memories

All memories are precious. But shared memories may be the best. Here are some great Telford memories from the late Phylis Horning.

The Railroad

by Wendy Leshinskie | Feb 2017 | Memories, Transportation

Many people alive today have no concept of how the railroads shaped the world a century or more ago. Here is a brief look at the railroad’s history in our towns.