Historical Records
Contact Information
Historical Records
County Courthouse
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-4600 Ext. 4021
Fax:
1909 Time Capsule
On September 5, 2024 during the early stages of construction on new front stairs to the Courthouse, workers unearthed a time capsule. The glass container was buried June 26, 1909, during the last repair work done to the Courthouse steps.
Interred by county officials, the time capsule laid undisturbed for 115 years and remained in good condition. The contents include a letter by William Foster, a letter by Selden Munger, two ballots from the June 5, 1909 primary election, and copies of the Evening Transcript, Independent Republican, Montrose Democrat, Nicholson Record, and Susquehanna Ledger.
County officials at the time included:
President Judge, Ralph B. Little
County Commissioners, W. H. Tingley, Andrew. J. Cosgriff, and James E. Hawley
Sheriff, Harrison S. Conklin
District Attorney, Harland A. Denney
Register and Recorder, Milton E. Birchard
Prothonotary Wm. A. Titsworth
Treasurer, William G. Morgan
Coroner, Dr. A. E. Merrell
Janitor of the Court House, E. G. Foot
The July 2, 1909 edition of the Independent Republican reported the following on the event.
THIS WILL KEEP POSTERITY GUESSING
Commissioners' Clerk Foster and Attorney Selden Munger Place Sealed Jar with Papers and Information Concerning Local Officials in Steps of Court House. Ages Hence What Excitement They Will Create.
Saturday morning Commissioners' Clerk W. H. Foster and Attorney Selden Munger did a little dedicatory stunt on the steps of the hall of justice while awestricken passersby stopped with bared and bowed heads, assisted in the last sad rites.
They had a glass jar (the kind like mother used to keep jam in) and in this jar they placed—not jam—oh, no! but copies of the Montrose Republican and Democrat, Susquehanna Ledger and the Nicholson Record, together with a typewritten sheet on which was inscribed the names of the county officials. This airtight jar was encased in concrete at the base of the steps, now being re-laid, in the belief that future races that then people the earth will discover these rolls of papyrus and it will bring up memories of us ancients and greatly edify the scientists of that time.
Tears stood on the bronzed cheeks of those who witnessed the solemn event as they thought how this day would go rolling down the aeons of time and thunder to those who are to come the giants we have in these days.
The contents have been scanned and are available for review.
- Documents from the 1909 Susquehanna County Time Capsule
- Evening Trasncript from the 1909 Susquehanna County Time Capsule
- Independent Republican from the 1909 Susquehanna County Time Capsule
- Montrose Democrat from the 1909 Susquehanna County Time Capsule
- Nicholson Record from the 1909 Susquehanna County Time Capsule
- The Susquehanna Ledger 1909 Susquehanna County Time Capsule
2024 Time Capsule
On October 16th, the County Commissioners buried a new capsule under the front steps of the courthouse to replace the 1909 capsule found during construction.
This capsule contains letters and documents from each department, local newspapers, and a selection of items ranging from office supplies to photographs.
A marker will be placed on the finished steps noting the time capsules location for future retrieval.