When my family lived on Montoursville's Spruce Street in the mid 1970s, we were just a short walk away from our own neighborhood ice-cream shop, the Hurr's Dairy Store on Arch Street. Specifically, I have memories of getting milkshakes and Tastykakes, walking home and enjoying our treats while sitting on the front stoop.
Coincidentally, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette — Williamsport being a few miles west of Montoursville — published an article this past June by Wendy Chestnut titled "Fond memories of neighborhood ice cream shops." The article begins: "The wonderful idea of using cream to make ice cream in the late 1920s and ’30s didn’t go unnoticed locally. Some businessmen, such as John Hurr, rose to the top, just like the cream from which he spun his sweet confection."
The article goes on to say that Hurr's Dairy began in 1921, had its base of operations in South Williamsport, had its name on a dozen stores in the area (including in Montoursville) and spread its footprint across 11 counties. It concludes with this quote, about Hurr's, from George Holmes of Montoursville:
"It was a hang-out after school before we were of driving age. It was the 1950s so there was not a lot of spare money. We could get a one- or two-dip ice cream cone for 10 cents or a milkshake for 25 cents. The basic flavors were vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, teaberry or butter pecan."While there was more than one Hurr's location in Montoursville, Holmes might be referring to the same Arch Street location that my family walked to in the 1970s. That Arch Street site was also just a stone's throw from Montoursville High School and was likely inundated with hungry students at the end of the school day.
I could not, however, find much else online specifically about the Arch Street Hurr's. So I turned to the "You know you're from Montoursville PA if..." Facebook group for help. Here are some of the great responses I received to my July 21 query:
- Doug Boyles confirms that it was Hurr's ice cream on the corner of 4th Street and North Arch Street, on the east side of Arch. This jibes 100 percent with my memory.
- Crystal Miller said: "It was owned by my husband's family, along with more than a dozen other locations, started by my husband's great grandfather and John Hurr."
- Lou Ann Tom said: "That was Hurr's Dairy Store. My Dad Bill Miller owned the whole business and there were about 30 stores total in the area. He has the whole story about it written but doesn’t know who to give it to to print/publish it."
- Denny Derr said: "328 Arch Street. It was first run as Murray's (my grandmother), then by my dad (Derr's — following WWII). When my dad moved our store to the Golden Strip, Hurr's occupied the Arch Street store. Gary Williams bought the property when my grandmother sold it mid to late 60's. Since then it’s been only a residence."
- Eileen Vernarec Craig said: "Monday nights in summer was Dime Night — ice cream cones for a dime."
- Vicki S. Miller said: "Anyone remember 'dime night' at the Hurr's store? People would line up down Arch Street to get an ice cream cone for a dime. I remember working there one of those nights when someone came in and ordered 20 cones and wanted them wrapped in wax paper and placed in a paper bag. Crazy night!"
- Linda Taylor Fitzgerald said: "Hurr's had the best peanut butter fudge sundaes. I've spent my life trying to duplicate that recipe."
The Facebook thread raised many memories of Hurr's and other Montoursville family stores — including Eder's and a penny-candy shop. And there were so many mentions of peanut butter fudge. Someone should put together a book with photos and recollections, perhaps one of those Images of America volumes, before it's too late!
- Our house on Willow Street
- Other sites around the borough (TWA Flight 800 Memorial, Cellini's, the community pool, etc.)
- Old postcards
- Final thoughts
When I lived as a 10 year old kid on Randall Cirle in Williamsport, we used to bike to a Hurr's stand by the road that was shaped like a malted milk glass or mixer. I think it had a huge fake straw sticking out the top, anybody remember that, it would have been 1943, when the TNT plant was being built.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Montoursville Hurr's Dairy from High School through college. My manager was June Scott and she was a wonderful lady. I have fond memories of my co workers and remember my high school chemistry teacher lived on the other side of the building. A wonderful Montoursville memory (and the peanut butter fudge sundaes have never been replicated!)
ReplyDeleteMy aunt was connected to the Millers and gave me this recipe: Hurr's Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce Boil together 3/4cup sugar + 1/2cup water. Then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 16 oz of Hershey's syrup + 12 oz. Peter Pan peanut butter. Beat with electric mixer (slow) till smooth. Refrigerate. You can serve it warm or cold. Enjoy. Makes about 1 qt.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Thank you for posting and what a wonderful recipe that appears to be. I do imagine some of us will try it!
DeleteI worked at the Hurr’s Store on N. Arch Street in Montoursville PA from 1972 - 1976. I lived with my parents in a house between the High School and the Hurr’s store. I would come home from school, change into the mint green uniform, watch the Soap Opera “General Hospital”, which I still watch today, and run up the side walk to work. June Scott was the manager then and was the kindest person. I remember dime night ice cream cones. The first night of the event I was working alone. I sold out of ice cream. My work area had so much melted, slippery ice cream I could slide on it. Customers would come in with huge mixing bowls and tell me just fill it up.
ReplyDeleteI have so many good memories from that time. When I got off at 11:00pm all the neighbors from both sides of the street would watch that I got home OK. I did not know this until a few years later. I was scared because Arch Street was lined with trees that anyone could jump out at me.
Gary Williams did own the building (a double house) at that time. He told me if anyone comes in to try and hurt you or rob you just knock on the wall. Very nice idea but probably not possible. Luckily I never had any problems.
Now I am 69 year old widow living in Phoenix, Az. 🔥🥵☀️
I would love to chat with anyone who might remember anything from that time. My last name then was Derr.
Hurr’s Store also had Peanut Butter Ripple ice cream that I have not been able to find in all (lots) of places I have lived since then.
DeleteThanks for taking the time to share these memories, Susan! This is the most specific remembrance I've come across regarding the Arch Street location. There's a good chance I was in the store at some point when you were working from 1972 to 1976, as we lived right around the corner in the mid 1970s. I hadn't remembered the mint-green uniforms, so that's a neat detail. Peanut butter ripple remains one of my favorite types of ice cream and I agree that a quality version of that ice cream is difficult to find. And what a coincidence that we were both in Montoursville in the mid 1970s and now we're in Arizona: you in Phoenix and me down here in Florence. Regarding your last name, are you related to the Mr. Derr who taught science at C.E. McCall Middle School? He was one of my teachers in the early 1980s. I can be reached by email at chrisottopa@gmail.com.
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