A daily feature from our surrounding historical societies.
Every town has a few residents who might be known as “characters,” people who, for a variety of reasons, eschew conformity and follow a different drummer. In Lansdale, one of those people was Ollie Bauer.
Oliver Jacob Bauer, Jr. (1911-1983) was born in Pennsburg. His family moved to Lansdale where he grew up on W. 5th St. Ollie left school after 8th grade when his father died in 1923.
He worked at various jobs and liked to travel by bicycle. Ollie worked most steadily as a newspaper carrier, delivering The Reporter to homes in Lansdale for more than 30 years. Almost everyone in town knew Ollie, or knew of him and his bicycle.
In the summer of 1970, Ollie suffered a fractured leg when he was hit by a car while riding his bike on Main St. His bike was demolished in the collision. The following month, the community came together to celebrate Ollie Bauer Day.
Ollie was transported from the hospital to the ceremony in an open decorated truck. The decorations on the truck included a large red heart made by the children of Lansdale. Ollie was presented with a brand new bike compliments of his employer and friend, Paul Fehnel, owner of the Lansdale News Agency. He was also given a new newspaper delivery bag from the North Penn Reporter in recognition of Ollie’s many years as a newspaper carrier. Fire Chief Jay Daveler and Police Chief Wallace Hendricks spoke at the ceremony.
Ollie lived for 13 more years, but suffered more health issues after the accident. He lived his last years at the Montgomery County Geriatric & Rehabilitation Center in Royersford. Ollie Bauer rests with his parents at St. Stanislaus Church Cemetery.
