Middletown - by Irwin Richman (Reprinted from April 14, 1970 Capitolist) Middletown ain't New York or even Philadelphia. Neither is Middletown the idyllic Nixonian vision of a beau tiful small town whose tree-shaded streets are lined with big white houses. It is a polygot community upon which it is easy to dump; es pecially if you only allow yourself to know it fleetingly or if you let the first amazed stares 'at your cloth ers, beard, hair, and/or beads solidify your judgement.- Middletown is an old community, as a matter of fact it is one of the oldest towns in Pennsylvania. An important stopping off point in the eighteenth century, it is located mid way (hence Middletown) between Carlisle and Lancaster. The com munity was known for its inns and taverns. In the nineteenth century the canal era brought new prosperity to the town and its neighbors, Roy alton and Falmouth, and the remains of the old canal can still be seen a long the Susquehanna outside of town. With the coming of the rail road, heavy industry developed in town: a car shop, a stove foundry, and Middletown was at its economic peak. The twentieth century until re cently has qualified the borough for a “Fickle Finger of Fate” award. The development of Olmsted Air Force base flooded, overwhelmed the town with a huge, transitory popu lation. Thousands of people were poured into the area, but most of them didn’t give a damn about it. The Pennsylvania Department of Highways also did its share in the “rape Middletown Campaign”. To widen Route 230 (Main Street) as “progress” demanded, it had to des troy the flower bedecked square and to cut down the shade trees. A Main Street exposed, a Main Street trav- Staff of the CAPITOLIST Editor: RO SCANLON Contributors: ANN OSTROSKI KATHI DOOLEY LU ANN BEROLIS TONY MrGOVERN' BARBARA HANCOCK ROGER HAWKINS MICHAEL RIX THE CAPITOLIST < Then and Now eled by heavy trucks, is a Main Street which begins-to grow seedy. Pride is lost, paint begins to peel and an emetic Seven Eleven Market replaces a landmark. The Messiah has not arrived yet, but there are new trends emergent, many of them accellerated by the closing of the Air Force Base. Pro phets of doom considered it to be the death.knell of the town, but the area surprised itself. Commercial opera tions moving into the old Olmsted facilities are providing for a more stabile population. The establish ment of Capitol Campus added a new dimension to the community a force whose full impact has not yet been appreciated. The town has been taking a re newed pride in its past and its pre sent. Planning for civic improve ment has been done. Middletown even has become one of the first com munities of its size to establish an Historical Commission as an official governmental agency. The changes haven’t been dramatic, although some events have been surprising. Before last October twelfth, who would have believed that over 700 people would have paid money to see the inside of twelve Middletown homes ? Before last year, who would have believed that Middletown would soon have a gourmet restaurant lo cated in a restored Edwardian man sion? But it is happening on North Union Street. A few houses are being painted and fixed up, a few more young peo ple are staying in town, and the whole community is supporting a fund-raising effort for a burnt out Black Church. Middletown is chang ing. Next time you’re down town look at the community and stare back at the natives, they are not really un friendly. Business Manager: RICHARD MARX Sports: MICHAEL KELLER Photographers: ERIC MURRAY RICHARD MARX September 24, 1970 Letters to the Editor OPEN LETTER to the STUDENTS of MEADE HEIGHTS Welcome to a community of people. The Board of Governors is a group of students elected to serve the needs of the community; so if you need any help, contact us at the following ad dresses : Jim—B4sß Kirtland Jim—B4sß Kirtland Barry—B49A Kirtland Donald—B49A Kirtland Stop in for a drink sometime! Four more members to the Board will be elected from the Junior Class during the third Week. Watch for the announcements! There is a coffee house in Meade Heights. It’s next to peoples’ park on Kirtland Street. Some of the planned activities are: Discussion groups- Students and Profs Rock Groups Jam Sessions Come on over and get into it! ! We’re going to come around to visit your residence in Meade Heights in the near future to answer any ques tions you might have and to help you get involved in the community. Jim McLean P.S. Get involved in some committees too! Vietnam October 31, 1970 (and always)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers