If a flip of the coin had gone the other way, Dan Frack, the great-great-great-great-nephew of Frackville founder Daniel Frack, “might have just been some random Daniel Frack.”
Instead, he traveled from Virginia on Friday to participate in Frackville’s Charter Day celebration, the kickoff to the borough’s sesquicentennial celebration, which runs through this summer. Nearly 200 people gathered at Memorial Park to celebrate the town’s founding and 150th birthday Friday, which also featured the unearthing of a 50-year-old time capsule at the park’s entrance.
Frack helped recreate the historic coin flip that, as the legend goes, settled a dispute between his relative and Samuel Haupt on what to call the newly incorporated borough. It’d be either Frackville or Mountain City, Haupt’s preference. The Haupt family was represented by Samuel’s great-great-grandson, Rodney Artz, who traveled from Maine to be part of Friday’s festivities.
Obviously, Frack won the toss than and again on Friday but there is still evidence of Haupt’s preference throughout Frackville. Businesses still use the reference to Mountain City. And last month, Borough Council members voted to name the football field at Memorial Park in honor of Haupt.
Frack tells Coal Region Canary that he basically grew up unaware of his connection to a town’s founder until his grandfather began doing geneaology work and discovered the past. He says there are no actual benefits that he gains from his link to Frackville’s founding but it’s a fun story tell every now and then.
Time Capsule Dug Up After 50 Years
Perhaps the event that drew the most interest from the throng at Memorial Park of Friday was the unearthing of a time capsule that was buried a half-century ago. When the cement cap was carefully removed, it revealed mementos from days gone by.
People gathered around to get a glimpse of Frackville’s past through items like license plates, numerous photos, newspapers, and other ephemera, and even a piece of Hubba-Bubba bubble gum. More items will be revealed in the days ahead as the Sesquicentennial Committee goes through it all. Photos of what’s inside are being shared on the event’s Facebook page as well as the Borough’s official page.
Frank and Dot Susan were on hand to see if they could get a look at some of the items they placed in the time capsule back in 1976. One of those items was a photograph of their family, as it was in that moment.
“We only had four kids 50 years ago,” Frank said. After the photo was buried, they would welcome three more children into the world.
“I remember thinking, will we still be here to see when they open it up,” Dot added. “It was really fun.”
Frackville Sesquicentennial Kickoff
In addition to the two main events, those in attendance at Friday’s Charter Day event heard stories told by local historian Gary Klem on how Frackville came to be, including the legend of the coin toss that changed the course of the town’s history.
Guests were invited to baked goods from Spring Street Bakery and Mama Millie’s and Frackville families walked away with tulips as well.
Friday’s Charter Day is just the beginning of a much larger celebration of Frackville’s founding 150 years ago. The volunteer Sesquicentennial Committee – who all donned period dress to help kick off the party on Friday – has planned numerous events through this summer, including a parade they promise will be spectacular (including four string bands) on June 27.
For a full listing of events linked to the Frackville Sesquicentennial, see below or follow along on its Facebook page by tapping this link.
FRACKVILLE SESQUICENTENNIAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Show Your Support: Business & Family Banners
Support the Frackville 150th Celebration by purchasing a custom Business or Family Banner! These long-lasting, weather-resistant 24″ x 48″ banners are a wonderful way to display your family name, civic group, or business. Banners cost $300 (hardware included) and will be hung close to your location on a first-come, first-served basis. Samples are currently on display at Memorial Park and Frackville Borough Hall. For questions or to place an order, please call 570-205-5625. The deadline to order is May 15.
Family Fire Hydrant Painting
Get creative and help decorate the town by participating in the Family Fire Hydrant Painting program! Families, groups, or individuals must register to be assigned a specific fire hydrant to paint.
- Registration: Email Frackville150th@gmail.com or call Kim at 570-205-5625. Please provide all participants’ names and ages, as well as a theme for your hydrant (e.g., cartoon, patriotic, nature) to assist with judging.
- Rules & Supplies: You must provide your own outdoor paint for metal. Hydrants must be visible at night; if you use dark paint, you must add reflective tape or material to your design. You can add extra features for judging, but you must protect the surrounding sidewalks from damage while painting.
- Completion: Take pictures while painting and when finished, and contact the committee once your hydrant is done. Judging and prizes will be awarded during the Frackville 150th Celebration Week in June!
House Decorating Contest
Show off your Frackville pride! Decorate the exterior of your home in the theme of your choice. To qualify, your home must be in the 17931 ZIP code, and the words “FRACKVILLE 150 YEARS” must be featured somewhere on your property with a sign or banner.
- Prizes: 1st Place: $75 | 2nd Place: $50 | 3rd Place: $25
- Details: Submit your application by June 15. Decorating must be completed by June 30. Judges will review the exterior of homes on July 1 and 2 (homes with lighting features will be judged after dark; you do not need to be home). Winners will be announced at the Frackville Fireworks on July 3!
Monday, March 30
Family Fire Hydrant Painting Begins
- Time: All Day
- Location: Assigned hydrants throughout Frackville
- Cost: Free to enter (participants supply their own outdoor metal paint)
- Details: The official painting timeframe begins today! Make sure you have registered to receive your assigned hydrant.
Friday, May 1
Basket Auction: Shop & Drop
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Frackville Boro Hall-Gym, 42 S. Center St.
- Cost: $10 per ticket
- Details: Browse over 150 baskets and drop your tickets. Proceeds benefit the Frackville 150th Homecoming Celebration. (Small Games License #10153)
Saturday, May 2
Basket Auction
- Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Location: Frackville Boro Hall-Gym, 42 S. Center St.
- Cost: $10 per ticket
- Details: Browse over 150 baskets and drop your tickets. Proceeds benefit the Frackville 150th Homecoming Celebration.
Sunday, May 3
Basket Auction: Drawing
- Time: Noon-2 p.m.
- Location: Frackville Boro Hall-Gym, 42 S. Center St.
- Cost: $10 per ticket
- Details: The drawing for the basket auction! Proceeds benefit the Frackville 150th Homecoming Celebration.
Friday, May 15
Business & Family Banner Order Deadline
- Time: All Day
- Location: Call 570-205-5625 to order
- Cost: $300 per banner
- Details: Final day to order your 24″ x 48″ custom weather-resistant banner to display your family name, civic group, or business for the celebration.
Sunday, May 31
Family Fire Hydrant Painting Deadline
- Time: All Day
- Location: Assigned hydrants throughout Frackville
- Cost: Free
- Details: Today is the final day to finish painting your assigned fire hydrant. Remember to contact the committee to let them know you are done and to submit your photos!
Monday, June 15
House Decorating Contest Application Deadline
- Time: All Day
- Details: Final day to submit your application for the House Decorating Contest.
Saturday, June 27
🎉 MAIN EVENT: FRACKVILLE SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMUNITY PARADE 🎉
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Frackville (Follow Facebook page for full route)
- Cost: Free
- Details: Don’t miss the highlight of the 150th Celebration! Join the whole town for the grand Community Parade. For more details, updates, and additional events, be sure to follow “Frackville PA Sesquicentennial” on Facebook.
Sunday, June 28
Free Concert: Cressona Band
- Time: 2-4 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Enjoy live music in the park with a performance by the Cressona Band.
Free Concert: Maggie & the Mutts
- Time: 6-9 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Evening concert in the park featuring Maggie & the Mutts.
Monday, June 29
Free Concert: JFK
- Time: 7-10 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Evening concert in the park featuring JFK.
Tuesday, June 30
House Decorating Contest Completion Deadline
- Time: All Day
- Details: All home exteriors must be fully decorated by today to be ready for judging!
Frackville’s Art Show
- Location: Frackville Borough Hall-Gym, 42 S. Center St.
- Details: View a room full of art by talented Frackville citizens! If you create art—including painting, drawing, needlework, sculpting, carving, sewing, or photography—you are invited to display it. To register to show your work, email boych@verizon.net.
Frackville’s Got Talent
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Frackville Borough Hall-Gym, 42 S. Center St.
- Cost: $2 cover charge
- Details: A night full of talented Frackville citizens entertaining us with juggling, singing, and playing musical instruments. Come watch your friends and family compete! Proceeds benefit the Frackville Ministerium Food Bank.
Wednesday, July 1
House Decorating Contest Judging
- Location: 17931 ZIP Code
- Details: Judges will be reviewing the exteriors of entered homes today (homes with lighting features will be judged after dark).
Free Concert: Strange Agents
- Time: 7-10 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Evening concert in the park featuring Strange Agents.
Thursday, July 2
House Decorating Contest Judging
- Location: 17931 ZIP Code
- Details: Judges will be reviewing the exteriors of entered homes today (homes with lighting features will be judged after dark).
Free Concert: JB Sound
- Time: 6-7 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Evening musical performance by JB Sound.
Free Concert: SakesAlive
- Time: 7-10 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Evening concert in the park featuring SakesAlive.
Friday, July 3
Frackville Fireworks & House Decorating Contest Winners Announced
- Location: Frackville Fireworks
- Details: The winners of the House Decorating Contest will be officially announced during the fireworks celebration! First place wins $75, second place wins $50, and third place wins $25.
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