What was Norristown Pa Like in the 1940s?
Growing rapidly after the Civil War, it swelled to 22,265 people by 1900 and by 1940 it was home to 38,181 Norristonians, making it the most populous borough in Pennsylvania before declining in the decades after World War II. At its height, Norristown was an industrial, retail, banking, and government center.
When did Norristown become a borough?
It was not until March 31, 1812 that Norristown was officially incorporated as a Pennsylvania State Borough (the first in Montgomery County). Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, Norristown developed into a thriving industrial and retail center.
Where is Norristown in Montgomery County PA?
Show map of the US. Norristown is a borough (with home rule status) in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located along the Schuylkill River approximately six miles from the Philadelphia city limits, Norristown has a population of 34,324 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.
What is The racial makeup of Norristown PA?
As of the 2019, Norristown's population is 34,341, which represents a 0% increase since 2010. The municipality's population is 37.2% black or African American, 27.9% white (non-Hispanic), 27.1% Hispanic and two or more races 6.4%.
How many men graduated from Norristown College in 1896?
In addition to three years of the college’s catalogs, we also have a graduation booklet from 1896. That year, the Norristown College graduated 53 men and 64 women in a ceremony at the Grand Opera House. I don’t know how long the college lasted.
Who painted the cafeteria mural at Norristown High School?
Among our recent acquisitions was a collection of slides, photographs and papers of the Peruvian artist Francisco Espinoza Duenas. He might be best known to our readers as the artist who painted the cafeteria mural at Norristown High School.
Where was Schissler's second school?
The following year, Schissler founded a second school in Norristown. Housed in the Albertson Trust Company building at the corner of Main and Swede Streets, it had classes during the day and in the evenings for both men and women. Example of shorthand from the 1896 prospectus.
When was Norristown PA incorporated?
When a collection of communities decided to form Montgomery County in 1784, Norristown was named the county seat of government. It was not until March 31, 1812 that Norristown was officially incorporated as a Pennsylvania State Borough (the first in Montgomery County). Slideshow Right Arrow. Slideshow Left Arrow. 1.
Where is Norristown, Pennsylvania?
Located 15 miles northwest of Philadelphia, along the scenic banks of the Schuylkill River, Norristown's history is a story of hard-work, economic prosperity, and the endeavor to adapt to changing times.
Who was Norristown founded by?
Our Founding. The land from which Norristown was founded was acquired by the family of Isaac Norris, a prominent Quaker merchant and former mayor of Philadelphia during the early 1700s.
What was Norristown known for?
Industrial Boomtown. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, Norristown developed into a thriving industrial and retail center. The following industries called Norristown home and provided ample employment for skilled laborers and artisans including: Factories. Foundries.
1931 Flood
On July 14, 1931, a storm hit central Montgomery County, dropping so much rain that several local creeks flooded, causing $1,000,000 in damage according the Times-Herald (that’s not adjusted for inflation).
Early days of Norristown
Our hardworking trustee and volunteer, Ed Ziegler found a great map of the early days of Norristown this morning.
The trial of Blasius Pistorius
Since it's the dog days of summer, I thought we could revisit one of our earliest blogs. Ok, I'm super busy and our curator in on vacation, so we're running a repeat.
Holy Saviour Parish
Norristown didn’t have a Catholic Church until St. Patrick’s opened in 1834, mainly to serve Norristown’s Irish population. In the latter half of the Nineteenth Century, immigrants from southern and eastern Europe began coming to America, and Norristown became home to hundreds of newly arrived Italians.
Unraveling a Mystery
In preparation for our upcoming exhibit, Montgomery County Hospitals, we attempted to unravel a mystery regarding General Winfield Scott Hancock. On July 3, 1863, during the third day of the battle of Gettysburg, General Hancock was shot while on his horse. The bullet went through the saddle and lodged in the General’s upper thigh near the groin.
Atlantic Baseball School
Recently, we received a group of unidentified photos at our back door. They were left anonymously, so we don’t know much about them (again, please don’t anonymously leave things at our back door).
A very literary county
Rumors of the death of the book have been greatly exaggerated. Hardcover sales are strong and audiobooks are increasing in popularity. People frequently like to share what they're reading and their thoughts about books on Goodreads, Litsy, and LibraryThing.