Second edition of "Terre Hill Borough" available

"This book was first published in 2007 for the 100th anniversary of Terre Hill," said Bob Jackson, referring to the copy of "Terre Hill Borough Reflections From 1907 to 2007" on the table at the Terre Hill Area Historical Society (THAHS) location in the community center on Main Street. "In 1907 the town was incorporated as Terre Hill. It was Fairville before that."

The society decided to reprint the book after receiving many requests from local residents. The 2007 hardcover book was compiled by Linda M. Shirk and her son, Craig S. Shirk. Linda served as the secretary for the Terre Hill Borough for a number of years. "It took a couple years to get it organized and in the proper form to print," said Jackson, who noted that Masthoff Press was the original publisher. According to THAHS member John Nagle, Linda took orders for the original book, and he believes 100 were printed.

"By making it a softcover, that makes it the second edition," explained Nagle, who noted that the society received written permission from both Linda and Craig to print the 100 softcover editions with only a few changes on the publisher's page. Three errors in the original - on pages 154, 241, and 248 - are in the reprint as well. A correction paper will be included with each book.

The book is divided into eight sections including general history, borough government, institutions, and businesses. The institutions section includes facts about banks, schools, churches, and fire companies. For example, the building located on College Avenue adjacent to the cemetery, which now houses apartments, was built in 1898 for $5,600. The school was in operation until 1972, but the last graduating class completed its schooling there in 1957.

The institutions section also includes information on large fires that occurred in the borough, including the fire of 1912 that affected two stores, the post office, a house, two barns, and a coal shed. The 1927 fire that damaged a cigar factory and three dwellings is also discussed.

A section called "Odds and Ends" covers the Terre Hill Timbers, the Fairville Cornet Band, the Terre Hill Trolley, and the 100th anniversary celebration. "Scenes" is a section that includes photos of Terre Hill from 1908 to 2007. One photo is of the house at the corner of Main Street and Route 897 built by John Renninger in 1895. "My grandfather built that house for the employees of his cigar factory," said Nagle. "Back in those days, they didn't have cars. (The employees) came in to work on Monday morning and stayed all week."

The book includes the story of the name change from Fairville to Terre Hill based on the need for a post office. Because a post office in Chester County was already named Fairville, the name was changed to Terre Hill. Before that time, the area was referred to as "The Hill." It is speculated that the first postmaster, Simon N. Klauser, added the French word "terre," which means land.

The book concludes with memories shared by local residents. Wilbur Horning, former mayor of New Holland, details how his passion for baseball has its roots in Terre Hill, and James Frankhouser, former mayor of Terre Hill, remembered a snowstorm that blocked the roads so that food was delivered by helicopter to a plowed spot in the park.

The THAHS will have a booth during Christmas in the Park, which will be held in the Terre Hill Park, 210 Lancaster Ave., Terre Hill, Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 6 through 8 and 13 through 15, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each evening. "We will have a model train and some items on display," said Jackson, who noted that books will be available for purchase at the event.

"This book is our go-to when people have questions," said Jackson. "It's kind of our encyclopedia. There's a lot of interesting stuff in there."

Readers who would like to purchase books or learn more about THAHS may contact the organization by searching for "Terre Hill Area Historical Society" on Facebook.