Mayor Nichols calls for planning, funding for Hawley bicentennial in 2027

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
Updated ·2 min read

Hawley Mayor John Nichols reminded the council at its Sept. 13 meeting to look forward four years, to when the borough will look back 200 years marking its bicentennial.

Hawley's centennial in 1927 was a grand affair with three parades and many other events spread over a week. A week-long program of events also marked the 150th in 1977.

Nichols, who has shown an appreciation for his hometown's long heritage through his popular private Facebook group, "You know you are from Hawley...," suggested to council that it was not too early to begin putting some money aside for an observance. "I would hate to see it fall down to 2026 and we are scrambling," he said.

Councilor Mike Dougherty replied that planning for the 2024 budget will be starting soon.

Hawley Borough officials, Sept. 13, 2023: From left, Chief Daniel Drake; Mayor John Nichols and council members Patricia Bartleson, Becky Mead, President Michele Rojas, Joseph Faubel, Ann Monaghan, Elaine Herzog and Michael Dougherty. Not clearly shown: Borough Secretary/Treasurer Andrea Racht. Pictures of some past councilors adorn the wall in back. Hawley became a borough in 1884.

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Asked later about his thoughts, Nichols said he would like to form a committee, meeting quarterly for now, and monthly when two years out. He said research needs to start now. Local organizations, churches, etc., participated in the 150th celebration.

Nichols also proposed a program, perhaps called "Home to Hawley," that would invite back "hometown-ers who live far away now." He said that hopefully there will be sponsors and lodging establishments to offer places where visitors could stay at reduced cost.

Hawley, which had a settlement as early as the 1790s known then as Paupack Eddy, began with mills tapping the power of the mighty Paupack Falls. In succession came the Delaware & Hudson Canal; the Pennsylvania Coal Company gravity railroad, which carried coal to the canal at Hawley; development of Hawley as a railroading center; a 100-year era of manufacturing, notably of glass, silk, textiles, and wood products; and, with the coming of Lake Wallenpaupack in 1926, a tourist/ hospitality economy that still thrives today.

The centennial was counted as being in 1927 by the newly founded Hawley Chamber of Commerce, apparently due to the first store opening at Paupack Eddy in 1827.

Hawley, Pa., circa 1910. A lot is different, a lot has not changed much... This was taken on Main Avenue looking north from the intersection with Keystone Street. At left is an Atlantic & Pacific (A&P) grocery market, which was replaced by the Hawley Bank in 1929. At right is the Joseph Skier Building. In the distance at left is the Odd Fellows Hall. Steam from a locomotive is visible in the distance. Louis Hensel photo.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Nichols: Start preparing now for Hawley bicentennial in 2027