A daily feature from our surrounding historical societies.
This vintage photo shows its age, but it still gives us an interesting look at old Lansdale.
The couple in the buggy are Mr. & Mrs. A. H. Clayton. We’re not sure how the Claytons were connected to Lansdale— maybe one of our readers can provide that part of the story— but we do know that they’re driving west on W. Main St. at Richardson Ave.
We also know the story of the house directly behind the buggy. It was built on the corner of W. Main St. & N. Richardson Ave. by Samuel B. Conver (1845-1914) when he and his wife, Susanna moved to Lansdale from Hatfield around 1877.
(Credit: Lansdale Historical Society)Samuel built a wood planing mill behind the house where he specialized in building window sash. He also entered an embalming school and went on to establish a solid reputation as an undertaker. His obituary states that he conducted 7,000 funerals during his career.
And what happened to the house? It was purchased by Univest, and the house was razed in 1989. The property is now part of Univest’s front lawn.
(Credit: Lansdale Historical Society)
(Credit: Lansdale Historical Society)If you’d like to trace the history of an older home, but you don’t know where to start, be sure to attend our community program tonight at Borough Hall. Jeanne Sorg, Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, will show you how to search the county’s database for current and historic deeds on your property.
The program begins at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge.
