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| HERE AND NOW |
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The businesses, events and personalities of Schuylkill Haven as we know
it today will someday be looked upon as the past just as we now look back
to our childhood and beyond as we view the history of our town. This
section highlights a unique business, organization or person in Schuylkill
Haven today, providing information future researchers may appreciate.
Each month a new story will be featured.
it today will someday be looked upon as the past just as we now look back
to our childhood and beyond as we view the history of our town. This
section highlights a unique business, organization or person in Schuylkill
Haven today, providing information future researchers may appreciate.
Each month a new story will be featured.
REILEY & STERNER USED CARS
At one time it was possible to shop for a new or used automobile in
Schuylkill Haven at multiple locations with a stroll through town. As late as
the 1970s, cars could be purchased at Earl Stoyers Cadillac Oldsmobile at
Columbia and Berne Streets, Dinger Chevrolet on St. Charles Street, Haven
Motors on Columbia Street and Hummel Buick on Center Avenue. Today
there remains but one establishment within the borough limits where you
can purchase a car in variety*; Reiley and Sterners on Center Avenue.
Perhaps appropriately, it's location is the site of the last new car dealership
that existed in town, that being Hummel Buick.
Reiley and Sterner is owned by John Reiley and Michael "Elmo" Sterner.
The pair began their business at 29 West Main Street in October of 1979.
They had bought the Exxon gas station at that location from Bobby Hoy. In
1981 they expanded from servicing cars and selling gas to selling used cars.
On July 1, 1993, they moved their business to the larger location at 312
Center Avenue, the former site of Hummel Buick. John and Elmo became
friends while playing CYO Biddy Basketball, John for St. Patricks and Elmo
for St. Ambrose. Both worked at Dave Wingle's Atlantic gas station on Main
Street (current the site of Fredericksburg National Bank) where they began
learning car mechanics. After Dave Wingle's death in a car accident in 1973,
Elmo went to work for Haven Motors on Columbia Street in town while John
joined the Marines, both continuing learning their trade. When John
returned from the Marines in 1979, he and Elmo went into business. Their
establishment is known for quality cars and quality personal service. For
now they will also be known perhaps as being the last automobile business
in Schuylkill Haven.
Schuylkill Haven at multiple locations with a stroll through town. As late as
the 1970s, cars could be purchased at Earl Stoyers Cadillac Oldsmobile at
Columbia and Berne Streets, Dinger Chevrolet on St. Charles Street, Haven
Motors on Columbia Street and Hummel Buick on Center Avenue. Today
there remains but one establishment within the borough limits where you
can purchase a car in variety*; Reiley and Sterners on Center Avenue.
Perhaps appropriately, it's location is the site of the last new car dealership
that existed in town, that being Hummel Buick.
Reiley and Sterner is owned by John Reiley and Michael "Elmo" Sterner.
The pair began their business at 29 West Main Street in October of 1979.
They had bought the Exxon gas station at that location from Bobby Hoy. In
1981 they expanded from servicing cars and selling gas to selling used cars.
On July 1, 1993, they moved their business to the larger location at 312
Center Avenue, the former site of Hummel Buick. John and Elmo became
friends while playing CYO Biddy Basketball, John for St. Patricks and Elmo
for St. Ambrose. Both worked at Dave Wingle's Atlantic gas station on Main
Street (current the site of Fredericksburg National Bank) where they began
learning car mechanics. After Dave Wingle's death in a car accident in 1973,
Elmo went to work for Haven Motors on Columbia Street in town while John
joined the Marines, both continuing learning their trade. When John
returned from the Marines in 1979, he and Elmo went into business. Their
establishment is known for quality cars and quality personal service. For
now they will also be known perhaps as being the last automobile business
in Schuylkill Haven.
| Co-owners "Elmo" Sterner (left) and John Reiley (right) with employee Bud Bittler ready for business in October 1979. |
The same location about fifty years earlier.
| Reiley and Sterner as it appears today on Center Avenue. |
| The same site with Mackey's Tavern, an old stagecoach stop, occupying the ground |
*Bruce's Auto Mall exists on Center Ave but deals
almost exclusively in Corvettes.
almost exclusively in Corvettes.
| STONE HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST |
At one time, Schuylkill Haven had it's share of hotels offering overnight accommodations.
During the twentieth century, the Columbia Hotel on Columbia Street near the bridge, the Central
Hotel on Main Street and the imposing Hotel Grand at Main and St. John Streets among others
provided rooms for weary travelers.
Today there is but one establishment in the borough with overnight accommodations and that
is the Stone House Bed and Breakfast at the corner of Main and Dock Streets. The business is
run by Theresa Lonergan, a native of Ashland. The property is well known in town as a two family
residence built in 1930 for Henry Snayberger and Frank Keller, co-owners of the Walkin Shoe
factory. Theresa initially purchased one half of the building in 1981 and the other half in 1991. At
that time she realized it was too large for a single family and she decided to create a bed and
breakfast which opened in December of 1995.
The meticulously maintained property has a traditional look with deep window sills, original
woodwork, high ceilings and hardwood floors. The rooms are tastefully furnished with items
Theresa had accumulated over the years. No structural changes have been made to the rooms.
Theresa's clientele include business persons but are more likely to be what she calls travelers, as
opposed to tourists. They are people generally here for a specific event or reason. Many repeat
customers fill her rooms keeping her busy with her "labor of love" as she calls it. There are five
rooms: Seascapes,Victoria,Foxhollow,Garden View and Janet's Place.
To the rear of the property is a memorial garden created in 1952 by Snayberger to honor his late
wife. It has a stone enclosure and a fountain and pond along with gardens. The Stone House Bed
and Breakfast, whose rooms exude charm matched by the proprietor, remains Schuylkill Haven's
only place of rest for travelers and is certainly worth a visit.
During the twentieth century, the Columbia Hotel on Columbia Street near the bridge, the Central
Hotel on Main Street and the imposing Hotel Grand at Main and St. John Streets among others
provided rooms for weary travelers.
Today there is but one establishment in the borough with overnight accommodations and that
is the Stone House Bed and Breakfast at the corner of Main and Dock Streets. The business is
run by Theresa Lonergan, a native of Ashland. The property is well known in town as a two family
residence built in 1930 for Henry Snayberger and Frank Keller, co-owners of the Walkin Shoe
factory. Theresa initially purchased one half of the building in 1981 and the other half in 1991. At
that time she realized it was too large for a single family and she decided to create a bed and
breakfast which opened in December of 1995.
The meticulously maintained property has a traditional look with deep window sills, original
woodwork, high ceilings and hardwood floors. The rooms are tastefully furnished with items
Theresa had accumulated over the years. No structural changes have been made to the rooms.
Theresa's clientele include business persons but are more likely to be what she calls travelers, as
opposed to tourists. They are people generally here for a specific event or reason. Many repeat
customers fill her rooms keeping her busy with her "labor of love" as she calls it. There are five
rooms: Seascapes,Victoria,Foxhollow,Garden View and Janet's Place.
To the rear of the property is a memorial garden created in 1952 by Snayberger to honor his late
wife. It has a stone enclosure and a fountain and pond along with gardens. The Stone House Bed
and Breakfast, whose rooms exude charm matched by the proprietor, remains Schuylkill Haven's
only place of rest for travelers and is certainly worth a visit.
The eye catching sign on the left draws clients to the 1930 built home now known as the Stone House Bed and Breakfast.
Pictures from left: first floor foyer,dining room,sitting room,upstairs hall,Seascapes,Foxhollow,outdoor garden,Victoria,bath.
Pictures from left: first floor foyer,dining room,sitting room,upstairs hall,Seascapes,Foxhollow,outdoor garden,Victoria,bath.
CURREY JEWELERS
Family owned jewelry stores were once common in small towns such as Schuylkill Haven
much as other specialty shops were before modern transportation and later malls and
chain stores. Many residents of town may remember Sam Kurtz's shop on St. John Street,
John Fehr's on Main Street or George Butz's on Dock Street. While many people think of
chain jewelery stores for their needs today, there still remain family owned shops such as
Currey's Jewelers in Schuylkill Haven.
Located at 101 East Main Street, their store is the last of it's kind in town. The business
is truly a family business, owned by Justin and Patty Currey who are ably assisted by their
sons Justin and Jason and daughter Melissa. They started their business in 1981,
spending one year in the former Kurtz location on St. John Street before moving to their
current location. The present shop was the last location of Fehr's Jewelers before owner
John Fehr retired.
The shop itself is rich with Schuylkill Haven history. The owners related that former
jeweler Benny Crossley told them that the building was once a feed mill with facilities in
the rear for care of horses. Grain would be bought there or loaded onto boats on the
canal along River Street. The current facade of the building is different from those days as
there once was a set of swinging wooden doors with brass hardware at the front entrance,
still in possession of the current owners. The ornately decorated safe on the premises
was once in the shop of George Butz as were the beautiful wooden display cases which
were custom made to fit into the living room of the Butz home which housed his business.
In addition they also utilize work benches from both the Kurtz and Fehr businesses.
The Currey family is the fourth owner of the business that existed on Main Street. As
stated they occupied the site previously used by John Fehr, who had succeeded John
Price who had succeeded S. M. Rupley before him. At one time the shop was located
several doors west of it's current location.
The Currey's do all work on site, selling new pieces including custom made objects and
doing repairs and restoration on antique or older items. No piece is sent out as all work is
done by the Currey's themselves, most in the same way it has been done for many years as
technology has not infiltrated this trade.
Justin received his training at the now defunct Bowman Technical School in Lancaster
and began his trade in Delaware doing watch repairs. At one time he did work for both
Fehr and Kurtz. He related that at one time he would meet Sam Kurtz and exchange newly
repaired watches with Sam for those needing repair.
Justin had many interesting stories of which I will relate two. Benny Crossley of town
assisted Justin during busy periods. When Benny had gotten out of the business, he had
one tray of diamonds left which he sold. Benny proceeded to take the cash and go to a
race track where he quickly lost the last profits of his business, but did so without any
regret as he enjoyed what his trade had brought him. Justin also spoke of a Waltham
pocket watch which wound with a key that had an interesting family history. His great great
grandfather had assisted the country of Japan in livestock raising. As a reward he was
presented with an elaborate watch by the Emperor of Japan. The watch remained in the
family for many years.
Take the time to visit this history filled location, view the fine pieces offered by the
Currey's and absorb a little bit of Schuylkill Haven history.
much as other specialty shops were before modern transportation and later malls and
chain stores. Many residents of town may remember Sam Kurtz's shop on St. John Street,
John Fehr's on Main Street or George Butz's on Dock Street. While many people think of
chain jewelery stores for their needs today, there still remain family owned shops such as
Currey's Jewelers in Schuylkill Haven.
Located at 101 East Main Street, their store is the last of it's kind in town. The business
is truly a family business, owned by Justin and Patty Currey who are ably assisted by their
sons Justin and Jason and daughter Melissa. They started their business in 1981,
spending one year in the former Kurtz location on St. John Street before moving to their
current location. The present shop was the last location of Fehr's Jewelers before owner
John Fehr retired.
The shop itself is rich with Schuylkill Haven history. The owners related that former
jeweler Benny Crossley told them that the building was once a feed mill with facilities in
the rear for care of horses. Grain would be bought there or loaded onto boats on the
canal along River Street. The current facade of the building is different from those days as
there once was a set of swinging wooden doors with brass hardware at the front entrance,
still in possession of the current owners. The ornately decorated safe on the premises
was once in the shop of George Butz as were the beautiful wooden display cases which
were custom made to fit into the living room of the Butz home which housed his business.
In addition they also utilize work benches from both the Kurtz and Fehr businesses.
The Currey family is the fourth owner of the business that existed on Main Street. As
stated they occupied the site previously used by John Fehr, who had succeeded John
Price who had succeeded S. M. Rupley before him. At one time the shop was located
several doors west of it's current location.
The Currey's do all work on site, selling new pieces including custom made objects and
doing repairs and restoration on antique or older items. No piece is sent out as all work is
done by the Currey's themselves, most in the same way it has been done for many years as
technology has not infiltrated this trade.
Justin received his training at the now defunct Bowman Technical School in Lancaster
and began his trade in Delaware doing watch repairs. At one time he did work for both
Fehr and Kurtz. He related that at one time he would meet Sam Kurtz and exchange newly
repaired watches with Sam for those needing repair.
Justin had many interesting stories of which I will relate two. Benny Crossley of town
assisted Justin during busy periods. When Benny had gotten out of the business, he had
one tray of diamonds left which he sold. Benny proceeded to take the cash and go to a
race track where he quickly lost the last profits of his business, but did so without any
regret as he enjoyed what his trade had brought him. Justin also spoke of a Waltham
pocket watch which wound with a key that had an interesting family history. His great great
grandfather had assisted the country of Japan in livestock raising. As a reward he was
presented with an elaborate watch by the Emperor of Japan. The watch remained in the
family for many years.
Take the time to visit this history filled location, view the fine pieces offered by the
Currey's and absorb a little bit of Schuylkill Haven history.
| Currey Jewelers on Main Street as it appears today. Justin Currey believes the original building consisted of only the front portion of the property with the red brick. |
| To the left are two work benches from the Kurtz jewelry shop. On the right is a bench from the Fehr business. At one time a pulley system using a treadle helped operate equipment on this bench. |
| On the left is the ornate safe from the Butz jewelry shop and at right are the custom built cases from the same shop. |
Click on each picture to view in greater detail.