November Program: Exploring the First 100 Years of Halifax

halifaxpahistory
1 day ago
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By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member

December 2, 2025

HAHS Board Member and November presenter, Danean Walker, stands with some of her favorite Halifax history artifacts, including Halifax's old U.S. Post Office sign due to her husband being a USPS worker. Photograph by Dylan Bowman.

What This Town is Made Of

Halifax has a long and what some would even consider complex history. But then again, what history isn't complex? Every single addition, demolition, rebuilding, restoration, renaming, birth or death comes with a new change to the books that causes historians everywhere to both jump up and down with excitement and roll their eyes at the same time. And the reason is obvious...because the documentation process just grew and became a larger story that has to be tracked.

The HAHS Museum Curator and local Halifax historian, Danean Walker, can say this for most of the buildings (both those that remain and those that were lost to time or change) in Halifax. As an avid lover of the history that flows through our streets, hills and fields in The Valley, she has long poured over the Halifax Area Historical Society Archives, discovering many deep and wide histories, including those associated with the building and businesses that made Halifax the town that we know and love today.

Visitors listen in shock and awe at stories of Halifax history reiterated by Danean Walker. Photographs by Dylan Bowman.

Giving Thanks for Our History

Danean's presentation explored the first 100 years of Halifax, Pennsylvania, particularly surrounding the buildings and businesses that made Halifax. A full-house of 56 individuals came out to enjoy the community gathering and hear Walker's stories. From barbers and Boy Scout troops, to shoe factories and banks, railways and robbers, all areas were touched on, including the Native Americans of the region, the founders, and the movement of industry in the town. What struck me with the most interest was the small things Danean had found and brought to life; like a building on the corner that had once been a bar among other things, before becoming the vacant building that it is now.

A postcard view of Halifax used in Walker's presentation. Document procured from HAHS Museum Archives.

Sometimes...many times...I'd say we all forget and take for granted the buildings and places we have in our midst. Places that had once been alive and thriving with memories and people, before they are gone forever, and new generations like myself hear nothing but stories and, if we're lucky, a photograph. I feel this way about The Tropical Treat all the time. Man, what I wouldn't give to go back in time and experience that gem where the Mid Penn Bank now sits.

With the holidays (cough, and Belsnickel, cough cough) right around the corner, we look at the people and places around us, and begin to think more outwardly about our history and the places we've been as individuals, family, friends, and a community of neighbors. We at the HAHS are so excited for what comes next, and hope that you will be there with us to make history!