Danielle K. Murphy
Stories (1/0)
What Makes Smethport, PA Great
Hamlin Lake Smethport, Pennsylvania My 1997 Graduation Picture From Smethport Jr. Sr. High School Smethport, PA What can I say about Smethport, Pennsylvania? Well, its a very small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania near Erie, PA and Bradford, Pa and 2 hours south of Buffalo, NY. I was raised in this beautiful quaint town in a farming community part called Farmers Valley, PA as my paternal great grandparents, my paternal grandparents, my paternal uncle and aunt and my parents all lived there since the early 1900's and my father and my uncle and my cousin still live right beside each other. My maternal grandparents lived in the town of Smethport. I was raised there with my 4 siblings Heather, Kathleen, Colleen and Thomas Jr. and my parents Thomas Sr. and Noressa (my mother passed away in 2018) my father was a supervisor for the local gas company and my mother was a secretary for the local refinery (the refinery was first oil company, then made a piece for thermostats and now International Waxes which makes the wax for a popular candle company). My siblings and I attended Farmers Valley Elementary School in Farmers Valley until I was in 3rd grade and the new Smethport Elementary school was established in 1988 if my memory serves me correctly and my whole family and my paternal grandfather a janitor (in the 1970's) at Smethport Area Jr. Sr. High School, we were known as the Smethport Hubbers, as we were the wheel hub (hence HUBbers) of the region and other towns were the spokes of the wheel of the region. Our town of Smethport is very proud of are athletic sports and the athletes of SAHS and my family was in sports from the 1950's to 2005 and I, myself, was in Girls Golf, Weightlifting Club and Track n Field (field events) this town though is most proud of the Smethport High School Football Team. Whats around our little town? Our courthouse (pictured) was first established in 1807, however, it burnt down 3 times the current courthouse has been there since 1942 and has luckily has not burned down. There was a famous case in the 1800's about Ralph Crossmire that is now making this Pennsylvania's 6th most haunted place at the old Smethport Jail which was behind this courthouse, he had killed his parents, got tried but before sentencing he hung himself in the jail and promised to haunt the old jail forever, its now a museum with ghost tours. The other famous place of Smethport is the former Christmas Store (now a different business) but it was so loved by the community it had the best Christmas items! We have a lake? Yes, it is called Hamlin Lake! It's the beauty that makes Smethport! (pictured) My maternal grandparents had their house near the lake and it was great going to the park and have picnics! There are also, so many great churches in the community and they are so helpful to the community! There is sparcity to job availability unless you travel to your job for 30 minutes or more and most people do travel for their jobs. But that's the least of the spectacle of Smethport, they have the best restaurants, especially what is called The Tasty Freeze which has been there since the 50's and still loved for its hoagies, french fries, sundaes and milkshakes, its been a staple for people living there and traveling through. One last thing that's great is we have the McKean County Fair and its the most joyous time and great activities to see and participate in especially the Monster Truck Show, Racing and Amusement Rides and our great farming animals! I best not forget to mention and pay homage t0 Smethport's Wolly Willy!! This is what makes Smethport, PA so great to travel to or live in and I now live in Grand Island, NY but I really miss my hometown and the great things about it, especially the people who live there, its like a hometown family!
By Danielle K. Murphy3 years ago in Families