James V. Brown Library - Lycoming County Digital Photo Archive

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  • Date = 1937

About This Collection

Over two thousand (2,000) local historical photographs, drawings and images of old Lycoming County, PA. can be found here. Images are shown in a small version for browsing or as a full size image for detail.
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Armistice Day, 1937
Armistice Day celebrations, Buglers
Armistice Day, 1937
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Bell in Fire House No. 2 bell tower, June 1937
Bells, Fire stations, Williamsport
Bell in Fire House No. 2 bell tower, June 1937
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Bridge over Lycoming Creek
Bridges, Lycoming Creek
Bridge over Lycoming Creek
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City and county officials at Health Conference, September 1937
Municipal officials, Meetings
City and county officials at Health Conference, September 1937
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[Construction on] Market Street Bridge, 1937
Bridges, Bridge construction, Williamsport
[Construction on] Market Street Bridge, 1937
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Fire boat
Fire engines and equipment, Fireboats, Williamsport
Fire boat
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Fire boat, 1937
Fire engines and equipment, Boats, Williamsport, Fire fighters
Fire boat, 1937
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Fire boat, 1937
Fire engines and equipment, Boats, Williamsport
Fire boat, 1937
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Fireman's Tomb: Pallbearers shove the unembalmed body of Thomas Pursell into his tomb.
Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Fire fighters, Williamsport
Fireman's Tomb: Pallbearers shove the unembalmed body of Thomas Pursell into his tomb. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds.
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Fireman's Tomb: Pursell's body, wrapped in a blanket, may emerge feet first from the vault.
Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Williamsport, Fire fighters
Fireman's Tomb: Pursell's body, wrapped in a blanket, may emerge feet first from the vault.. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."
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Fireman's Tomb: The late Thomas Pursell
Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Fire fighters, Cemeteries, Williamsport
Fireman's Tomb: The late Thomas Pursell. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."
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Fireman's Tomb: The Pursell vault is ventilated by the chimney shown on the roof.
Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Williamsport, Fire fighters
Fireman's Tomb: The Pursell vault is ventilated by the chimney shown on the roof.. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."
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Fireman's Tomb: The vault, sealed by James Miller, can still be opened from inside by Pursell.
Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Williamsport, Fire fighters
Fireman's Tomb: The vault, sealed by James Miller, can still be opened from inside by Pursell.. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."
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First Baptist Church, Fourth and Elmira Streets, October, 1937
Churches, Williamsport
First Baptist Church, Fourth and Elmira Streets, October, 1937
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Hughesville Fair Trotters, August 1937
Fairs, Horse racing
Hughesville Fair Trotters, August 1937.
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Iron bridge at Marsh Hill
Bridges, Iron construction, Marsh Hill
Iron bridge at Marsh Hill. Old iron bridge linking Marsh Hill Area with state highway.
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Lycoming County Prison, 1937
Prisons
Lycoming County Prison, 1937
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Lycoming County Prison, 1937
Prisons
Lycoming County Prison, 1937
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Maynard Street Bridge, 1937
Bridges, Williamsport
Maynard Street Bridge, 1937
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Maynard Street Bridge, 1937: Removing Surface
Bridges, Bridge construction, Williamsport
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