Forty-three years ago this month Montgomery began a community renewal project that saw the removal of some old buildings that changed the face of the town into the one we know today.

1976 marked the nation’s bicentennial, and Montgomery decided it would be a good year to make some changes. In February of 1976, a former hardware store and a private home were torn down to create the municipal parking lot that now sits on the corner of Main and Houston Avenue. The additional parking was deemed necessary along Main Street, and it was especially true before Main Street was widened in the mid-1980s.

Across the street from that location, the old Houston Hotel was torn down. The once towering five-story hotel had been out of business for several years, and a fire had occurred there in the 1950s. The grounds were later converted to the Richard K. Stackhouse Memorial Park.

The Montgomery Hotel was also torn down and is currently the site of the Uni-Mart.

The other building that was razed in the project was the Montgomery Opera House, a building that once hosted live performances and featured a roller skating rink. It sat between the old bank and former Clinton Baptist Church, and was converted into a parking lot.

It’s fascinating to me to look at the old photographs of these places and wonder what it was like to live in Montgomery when two sets of railroad tracks were constantly busy. There were over a dozen locally-owned factories, lots of stores, and multiple theatres that featured live shows and silent films. I wonder what a marvel it would have been to see an automobile going down the street for the first time. It’s kind of funny to think that the everyday routine things we do will someday be captivating to future generations.

THOT “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Congratulations to Laura Ulrich, an eleventh grader who was recently selected to be part of the District Chorus. She got to sing alongside of students from eight different counties.

Due to the amount of snow days the school has had this year, snow make-up days will be held on April 18, 22, and 23.

If you are interested in joining the Montgomery Lions Club, please call Roger McRae at 570-971-2825 for more information.

Volunteers are needed at the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company and the Clinton Township Fire Company. Positions for emergency responders and non-emergency personnel are available. If you would like more information please contact the MVFC at 547-1380 or CTVFC at 547-1000.

If you would like a birthday, anniversary, or special event recognized in this column, please e-mail it to news@muncyluminary.com and specify that it belongs in the Montgomery column.

Montgomery Events

Thurs. Feb 21 The Montgomery Area Historical Society’s Third Thursday presentation will be about Alvira and the White Deer Valley before the Ordnance. Paul Metzger will be the guest speaker, and he has recently released a book entitled “Deeds of the Valley.” The presentation begins at 6:30. p.m. Everyone is welcome and admission is free.

Fri. Feb. 22 Family Story Time will be held at the library at 5:30 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 23 volunteer training at Sunny Brook Meadows terapeutic riding center for special needs children and adults in the area. Up to 3 volunteers per rider are required to ensure a safe riding experience. Anyone over the age of 15 can be trained to be a volunteer as a side walker, and 13 to 15 year olds are welcome to volunteer in the barn caring for and preparing the horses. The program operates Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Friday mornings. Riding season starts the first week in March. For more information call 734-536-0956.

Mon. Feb. 25 There will be a Pajama Party at the Montgomery library at 5 p.m. Come jam at the library in your pajamas!

Mon. Feb. 25 The Clinton Township Supervisors will meet in the Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m.

Tues. Feb. 26 There will be a Teen Advisory Group meeting and Teen Game Night at the library at 6 p.m.

Sat. Mar. 2 The Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company will be having a Chicken BBQ from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the fire house. The menu will include half a BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, a roll, and desert, but there is the option of purchasing just chicken. Eat in or take-out.