When the Johnsonburg Market Street “brick block” first opened in 1891 it was known as the “Arcade Building.” Arcade in architecture means a “a covered walkway that provides access to adjacent shops.” The name never caught on.

The Bradford Era wrote 7-29-1891 about the Brick Block “This is a row of 12 large business rooms built into one huge block, two and three stories high. The appearance of the block in keeping with the general air in Johnsonburg. Money has been put in it lavishly. It is built of brick with a bounteous sprinkling of stone copings, facing and decorations. Unfortunately the rooms below have been sacrificed some for the comfort of the rooms and offices above. But that will not be noticed as the whole block is so desirable as an institution that its acquisition if it were dyed green and had no front doors would still be a thing for most any town in the country to be proud of.

On 8-27-1891 it is reported that E. F. Cummings & Co. has moved into their new offices in the Armstrong Block. Edward Francis Cummings was born in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on January 17, 1858. When he reached the age of 12 he took a position as a store clerk, at age 18 he became a station agent for the Allegheny Valley Railroad. In 1881 he moved to Ceres, Pennsylvania and took charge of the office of the Bradford, Eldred. and Cuba Railroad. In 1890 Mr. Cummings came to Johnsonburg as the station agent for the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad Company. In May 1891 he retired from railroading and opened his own office in concert with the Adams Express Company; Mr. Cummings sold insurance along business lines. Eventually, he moved across the street to an office in the Opera House. In 1901 he sold his insurance business to Donnelly & Smith. Mr. Cummings occupied the northern most store in the Brick Block, he was the first tenant. The U. S. Post Office was the second tenant at the southern most store on the block.

It was also noted on 8-27-1891 that all the rooms above the stores have been rented and will be occupied within 30 days. W. H. Chafee of Bradford rented a room for business shortly after E. F. Cummings rented the storefront. Mr. Chafee was a bookkeeper.

In November 1891 Dr. William Palmer, one of Johnsonburg’s earliest physicians moved his office into the Brick Block. He graduated from the State University of Medicine at Buffalo, New York in 1887. On November 3, 1920 his automobile slid on ice and crashed near the bridge at Deckertown on his way to work. He died within the half-hour. At the time of his death he was chief Surgeon at the Ridgway General Hospital. He was 56.

More chips later,

Reg Barwin

Author: Kevin “Reg” Barwin

Kevin Barwin, a Johnsonburg native, who spent his youth peddling newspapers in Johnsonburg and reading the newsprint, while walking his routes, acquired a taste for the past.
THE PAPER BOY FROM THE PAPER CITY, More on his book: here