Reprinted from an article by Mrs. Jack L. Derman for The Daily Herald in 1951.
Early in the year of 1916, a group which was known as the Tyrone Business Men’s Association realized the importance of a Chamber of Commerce for a “Bigger and Better and Busier Tyrone.”
This group embarked upon a campaign for membership that has never been equaled in the history of Tyrone. There was correspondence, a great deal of newspaper publicity, promotional dinners, and distribution of pamphlets. Committees set up for the intensive drive which was held on April 6, 1916 and resulted in a membership of over 200.
An appeal to the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County for a corporation to be known as the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated on July 6, 1916 resulted in the granting of a charter on August 8, 1916.
Subscribers listed on the charter were: William E. Hoffman, J. A. Beamer, John S. Ginter, Robert T. Garman, Claude Jones, D. S. Kloss, F. K. Lukenbach, N. N. Miller, C. E. Sill and C. M. Waple. Directors elected for the first year were: William E. Hoffman, N. N. Miller, D. S. Kloss, E. S. Hooker, Claude Jones, J. A. Beamer, R. A. Zentmyer, F. K. Lukenbach, John S. Ginter, Frank Schneider, H. C. Sprankle and Dr. J. B. Nason.
The Tyrone Chamber of Commerce was formed to advance commercial, industrial, agricultural, and civic interests in the borough of Tyrone and the vicinity. The Chamber of Commerce has no capital stock. Revenue for the accomplishment of its purposes is provided by fixed, annual membership dues paid by the members.
Sidewalks, housing codes, and a metric standard
Listed among the varied activities of the Chamber of Commerce through the years are: the improvement of roads and sidewalks; hotels and housing instigated; and backing of the World Metric Standardization Act. Back in 1920, the Chamber favored the Housing Code for the State, which was before the Legislature at the time.
Still other achievements include: the improvement of a higher standard of education in the borough, school playground facilities, train service, and the governing of store hours. The Chamber of Commerce has been responsible for many of the improvements on adjacent highways.
On April 20, 1922, a Playground Association was organized, an application for a charter was made, and officers elected. Subsequently, some of the present playground sites were purchased. On July 20, 1922, a ceremony to open the Union Furnace–Pemberton highway took place.
In past years, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual Community Picnic. In 1923, the Chamber backed the project of raising funds to complete the Tipton Race Track which, when complete, offered a great financial and business value to Tyrone.
The Jubilee of Progress and Reliance Manufacturing
A “Jubilee of Progress,” a gigantic celebration upon the completion of the greatest street improvement program ever undertaken in the borough was held in June 1940.
Credit should be given to the Chamber of Commerce for its accomplishment in securing the Reliance Manufacturing Company as a new industry for Tyrone in 1933. To celebrate the opening of the industry, a huge celebration was held. Since the Chamber of Commerce favored President Roosevelt’s National Recovery Act, there was a double celebration—the opening of the Reliance Manufacturing Company and a giant NRA parade. To climax the entire occasion, a dance was held in the newly built Reliance building featuring Tyrone’s own famous son, Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians.
In 1948, another industry opened in Tyrone. The Chicago Rivet and Machine Company had become a reality through the efforts of extremely active members of the Chamber of Commerce. The association which developed from the efforts of these men became the Tyrone Improvement Corporation.
The Chamber of Commerce along with the Tyrone Business and Professional Women’s Club honored Miss Virginia Scullin as a Pennsylvania Ambassador for 1949 at a Testimonial dinner. The advantage of the Retail and Service Division of the Chamber of Commerce is proven in the harmony displayed by the merchants regarding store hours, sales promotions, etc.
More recent accomplishments of the Chamber of Commerce consist of: the moving of the office to its present location at 21 West Tenth Street, the remodeling of the office, the opening of the Branch office of the Blair County Motor Club (A.A.A.), the erection of “Welcome to Tyrone” road signs at the entrances into Tyrone, and the presentation of a petition to the Borough Council requesting the improvement and elimination of the “Paper Mill curve.”
The Chamber of Commerce will go on trying endlessly to advance commercial, industrial, agricultural, and civic interests of the Borough of Tyrone and vicinity.
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