Then and Now: A Tour of Neffs, Pennsylvania with Paul Schneck

In August 2022, Paul Schneck, age 91, did a walking tour through Neffs with his daughter, Darlene. Neffs is located in eastern Pennsylvania northwest of Allentown. Paul was born in 1931 in nearby Rising Sun, and he has lived in the Neffs area all of his life. His Pennsylvania Dutch (German) ancestors, who were Lutheran, came to this region in the 1740s and settled among the other Reformed (UCC) and Lutheran people who put down roots there. These were farmers and tradespeople, who spoke a dialect that is still spoken today, mostly in Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities. In 1840, Abraham Neff (1811-1882) laid out the village now known as Neffs. Originally called Neffsville, the name was changed in the early 20th century to avoid confusion with Neffsville in Lancaster County. For more than two centuries, the PA Dutch residents in this part of Lehigh County held onto their ancestors' language and culture. (Paul, a 7th-generation American, is fluent in the dialect.) In this video, Paul describes life in Neffs in the early and mid-20th century, when the countryside was still rural and potato farming was the predominant industry. Paul worked at Neffs Farm Equipment from 1949 to 1955 and witnessed the transition from horse-drawn farm equipment to tractors. Featured sections:
0:02:10 Downtown Neffs: Neffs Hotel & Store, Neffs Bank, J. M. Snyder, Post Office
0:10:03 Neffs Fire Company
0:11:27 Main Street, bakery
0:18:33 Dr. George Heintzelman's house
0:19:25 P. W Frantz Bros. Coach Factory
0:22:00 Henry Lumber Co., Moser's Park, Neffs Farm Equipment
0:37:29 Union Church grove
0:43:13 Union UCC Church
0:46:55 Paul's story of climbing the steeple in the 1940s
0:50:53 History of the three church buildings, old cemetery
0:58:56 Paul describes the farms and businesses in the Neffs/Unionville area in the 1940s
1:02:47 Downtown Neffs, then and now

[@badge2045]

Beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed. Ty so much

[@edbelledin9600]

I’m old farm boy born and raised in the lower Bucks county area and now residing in the Wescosville area of Lehigh County and I love this historical vlog about Neffs. It brings back so many memories of an era and times passed; a much more community spirited and loving way of life . It was interesting listening to you father talking about the IH dealership and how they converted some horse drawn implements to tractor ones… a sicklebar mower and dump rake were two I well remember.. His conversation about this , moving on from horses and mules, used mainly in the South, to tractors was very interesting. If one peruses the Agricultural section of the 1960 U. S. Census, they will discover the statistical fact that it was not until 1954 that the use of tractors surpassed that of using horses and mules. For farming. Thank you both for making this insetting history of Neffs. Happy New Year, and God Bless. Edward M. Belledin

[@darleneschneck]

Ed, thank you so much for your feedback! I forwarded it to my dad. He loves hearing from folks. That is an interesting statistic you cited, I did not know that! I learned a lot by making this video with my dad, and it’s jaw dropping to realize that I just missed the horse era (born 1956). I find that transition era so fascinating, and I’m grateful my dad is still around to talk about it. Thank you for watching. You might enjoy our Schneck barn video where he talks in deeper detail about daily farm life in the 1940s. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGKpkGWqd5iIacU

[@hunsickerd]

This is an absolute treasure. Thanks for sharing.

[@darleneschneck]

Thank you, David!! He is indeed a treasure!

[@joshbingham9170]

I am not impressed by much, but that video of Neffs is off the charts with local history! Thank you!!!

[@darleneschneck]

Thank you, Josh! We had great fun going back there and reliving the past. While making this, I dug deep into various archives, and learned some amazing things I never knew. It was really a treat putting this together to share with everyone. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@julieshaffer7140]

Thank you for taking the time to share the history of Neffs. It's a charming tour.

[@darleneschneck]

Thank you, Julie! It was a morning with my dad I will always remember, and we are grateful we could share it with you!

[@peterkesseler9898]

Hi Darlene. Another good video from your dad and you. My 89 years old father (his birthday is in september and he will be 90) can also tell lots of stories from the past. It is impressive how many people with german heritage live in this area. Nearly every name you mentioned in the video is german. And it seems, as if your father is able to speak a little bit german. Machs gut 🙂

[@darleneschneck]

Hi Peter! Yes, everyone in my family, and many of my neighbors growing up, were Pennsylvania Dutch. Lehigh County had (and still has) a high population of people of Germanic descent, which is why they held onto their culture and dialect for so long. Church services were held in German through the early 20th century. Have you recorded your father’s memories? I highly recommend that! Machs gut!!

[@pamarner5616]

Did your Daddy say “Creitz ?” Did they have BBQ .. picnics or specials ? My grandparents MET at Creitz BBQ… always wondered about it . Thank you Darlene … these are wonderful

[@darleneschneck]

Yes, there was a Creitz farm and hotel along rt 873 near Union Lutheran church. I talked with my dad this afternoon and he doesn’t remember a Creitz barbecue, but we wonder if it was Reitz’s in Schnecksville where they met? In the 1960s and 70s there was an ice cream stand where the diner is now, and they also sold fast food. Thank you for watching!

[@pamarner5616]

@@darleneschneck thank you gor asking your father … this would have been creitz BBQ 1937 … No one seems to know . Even the caretaker of the union cemetery Slatington had no idea … You are a smart woman … how I wish I had asked more questions while I had the chance . Thank you for sharing time on your Sunday to answer

[@darleneschneck]

@@pamarner5616 I just got the answer to your question by searching on newspapers.com! The Creitz hotel that my dad mentions in the video WAS called Creitz Barbecue. I don't know why my dad didn't remember that. It apparently was quite the hopping place back in the 1930s and 40s! They had dances there, and served clams and barbecue, beer and soda, and ice cream. If you want me to share some articles with you, send me a message through Messenger (are you on Facebook?) and I can send you some interesting articles about it.

[@pamarner5616]

@@darleneschneck oh my yes . So it was on the Right side heading out of Neffs toward Slatington?? I will send my email

[@darleneschneck]

@@pamarner5616it was at the corner of Washington st and route 873 on the right as you are heading into Neffs!

[@marjoriereagan5604]

Once again, your Dad has charmed me with his anecdotes and stories of the old days and PA Dutch culture and history in that area. I visited that cemetery recently to find my Schneck and Clauser ancestors. Thanks for the tutorial you two!

[@darleneschneck]

Thank you, Marjorie, I will share your comment with him (he's not on social media but he loves the attention 🤩)

[@marjoriereagan5604]

@@darleneschneck well he’s a real character and well worth the attention!!🤣

[@CharleneRauch]

I loved Paul's excellent memories of Neffs, I lived and grew up in town from 1948 till 1964 knew all those town folks you spoke of and even worked/ helped at Neffs Farm Equipment and JM Snyders after school during my early years. I'm sure you remember me, Stephen (Stevie) Rauch, Great Video!

[@darleneschneck]

My dad says he remembers you! He wonders if your father had a hat shop along Route 873? My dad bought his first Club Cadet that originally belonged to that Rauch. Mr. Rauch then sold it to David Hamm, and my dad bought it from David. (David is the husband of my dad's cousin.) My dad had that Club Cadet until recently when he sold it to a collector.

[@barbaraedgley2634]

Love this,thank you so much.

[@darleneschneck]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@austinyanders4379]

What a great video! I’ve lived in Schnecksville my entire life (I’m 25) right down the street from the church at Neffs Laurys and Tannery and over the year living here I’ve found a few pieces of history in the yard. (Horseshoes, bricks and railroad ties.) pretty neat! Also thank you for taking the time to make this video so my generation can learn how Neffs came about and retain its history.

[@darleneschneck]

Thank you, Austin, I will share your comments with my dad! I'm so glad you have an appreciation for the local history of this area, it's incredibly rich. As I get older I appreciate what my parents gave me by being their child--such an amazing, interesting heritage going back to colonial days. I love that in many ways Neffs still has its original charm. And two of Abraham Neff's buildings are still standing!! Thank you again for commenting!

[@teechui2401]

Hello Darlene - Thanks so much for sharing this invaluable lore from your father! I had a few questions with regard to Schnecksville and surrounding area history as I have some collectibles (old advertising memorabilia from long-gone businesses) that raised some questions in my mind. Do you know where Main Street in Schnecksville was? I have a bottle opener and glass ashtray from Parkland Beverage that lists an address of 2361 Main Street Schnecksville but I cannot find this on Google maps. Also, do you happen to know how the name "Parkland" developed? All I could find on that was that in 1949, South and North Whitehall consolidated their schools, but I couldn't find anything on how they chose the name Parkland. I also would be curious if you knew where Rte 29 was, as that is where Wotrings was supposedly located, per another ashtray that I had seen in an antique store.

[@darleneschneck]

Greetings! Do you use Messenger? If you send me your email address I can send you the information you are looking for. I have a couple articles on the naming of Parkland. Thanks for watching!

[@rodger7029]

Maybe the only photo I ever saw of the church with the two-room schoolhouse

[@darleneschneck]

Yes, that is a rare photo! It was reproduced on the back cover of the 1995 "History of Union Church" booklet created for the 200th anniversary of the Union Lutheran Church. That is a wonderful booklet, filled with old photos and historical facts about the early church and Neffs/Unionville area.

[@cweditor]

My mom worked at Wotring's for awhile. Also had a bank account at Neffs' Bank, too. Some of my friends got married at the church in Neffs...

[@ut4552a]

My wife and I lived on a portion of what used to be Lauchnors farm since 1980. I recently retired from MACK trucks after 50 years. I was told Jack Mack was killed on the farm in an accident with a trolley. I’d love to know where. Maybe someone can tell me where. Thanks GREAT JOB very interesting. Paul is amazing.

[@darleneschneck]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting! We enjoyed making this video very much, I think it is my favorite video we've done! Your story is intriguing. I hadn't heard of this before, and so I went to newspapers.com to search for it. I did find details that will help you in your search! First, Edwin A. Lauchnor (1879-1944), whose farm you lived on, was a brother to my great-grandfather, James Lauchnor (who owned a farm along the Coplay Creek in Schnecksville and then built a retirement house next to Neffs Bank). Until today I hadn't heard of James' brother, Ed. It's fascinating about Ed's connection to the famous Jack Mack. Jack was killed in 1924 when the car he was driving collided with a trolley car near Ed's farm. Here's what the newspaper reported: "... the accident happened about a quarter of a mile north of Neffsville on the trolley crossing just a few rods south of the farm of Ed. A. Lauchnor...the trolley runs upon private right of way crossing from the western to the eastern side of the road going southward.... The line-car was proceeding southward...Mr Mack was proceeding north at a high rate of speed..." I asked my dad and he has never heard of this story. If you would like to read the newspaper articles, contact me through Facebook Messenger and I will send you the articles. This was a tragic and horrific accident. I come across so many from that era, when cars were beautiful but far from safe, and collisions with trains and trolleys happened way too often.

[@cweditor]

When did the Lutheran congregation build its own building down the street? Was it in 2000 or 2001? I remember interviewing for a job with the Lutheran congregation when I was in college around the time they had just moved into the new building, but I never got the job because I was in my last semester at Kutztown University and was not able to work the hours they had wanted due to my classes.

[@darleneschneck]

Their website says 2000. I assume that’s when the congregation moved to their finished building.

[@cweditor]

@@darleneschneck Thanks! It sounds like that's when the congregation officially moved into the finished building. I think the congregation had been in their building about a year when I interviewed for the job, so it must have been the summer of 2001 when I had interviewed. I wish it had worked out for me to work there, since the job description included publicity for events and compiling the church's newsletter (I was a journalism major at the time, but my class schedule in the fall of 2001 plus an internship my last semester before graduating in 2002 would have been more than I could handle with a full time job.)

[@cweditor]

There had been a stone building in Bethlehem near the Old Chapel (use also as a charnel house in winter to store the bodies for burial in God's Acre when the ground thawed out enough to have the funeral.) Somehow it got torn down when the modern funeral practices became more common place, but there is a photo of it floating around on Facebook and Instagram.

[@darleneschneck]

I have seen a photo of that, it was quite ornate. Too bad they couldn’t move it and save it for some other use.