The Arts in Claysburg Music, Bands, Shows, Theater, Events, Entertainment By Rich Allison Page #1
The Arts in Claysburg Going back as far as oral stories have been passed down in the area, our ancestors had a knack for playing instruments, singing and entertaining. Whether it was a fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, horns of various types, drums and even kazoos, the Claysburg area has been entertaining since the first settlers arrived. A lot of these talents were brought from the Mother Country of the arriving immigrants and passed down through the years. Others were taught, trained and cultivated to become performers some more natural than others but all doing well. Probably the initial form of singing and playing instruments came from church services after the settlers arrived. Other forms of entertainment began developing. As a matter of fact, Claysburg can boast of one of the oldest town bands in the state. It is now the Claysburg American Legion Band. People needed a way to be entertained before travel became easier. Local places like Musselman s Grove, Mayberry Claar Grove and Barnhart s Grove provided them with local talented people some of whom moved on to be quite successful through the years. Claysburg has always had more than its fair share of talent. Raw talent needs cultivated and natural talent can always be improved. However, when it is time for a show in Claysburg whether it is a church play, a school play a community theatre event, a parade, community days entertainment, minstrel shows, art shows or a special celebration, the people of Claysburg always come through with stunning performances. When it comes to performing, many of us cannot play an instrument or carry a tune, but we still have talents. People have volunteered to carry flags in parades, to tell jokes in a minstrel or variety show or to act in stage plays. We all have special talents, but when you look back through the years at Claysburg s shows, parades or celebrations, we have had an overwhelming amount of talent. We have also been blessed with leaders in moulding and shaping our performances whether musical or non-musical. Take a look at this section, have a laugh, revive a memory, put a smile on your face and remember, Claysburg is a talented place! Page #2 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
Musselman's Grove Musselman's Grove located in Klahr at one time was home to some of the most famous Country Western music stars in the 1940's. Doc Williams and the Border Riders and his wife, Chickie would rent the Grove and bring big name stars to the Claysburg area. Doc who was a longtime star of WWVA, Wheeling, WV brought in named starts like Grandpa Jones, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, the Carter Family with Mother Maybelle, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff and Hawkshaw Hawkins. The best crowd was Lulu Belle and Scotty from Chicago with almost 9,000 paid listeners who were hanging on top of trees, on top of buildings and automobiles to see the show. Musselman's Grove was also home to the Annual Claar-Walter Reunion which was started in 1901. By Rich Allison Tickets to Doc Williams Show at Wheeling, WV Page #3
Musselman's Grove This sale bill is undated for the year. However, it is believed to be from 1954. Musselman s Grove was in its heyday in the 1940 s and 1950 s. Traffic would get so heavy on Route 220 coming to Musselman s Grove that it would cause a traffic jam! Coming up the Klahr valley during an event was a traffic jam in itself. During the 1960 s other entertainment venues began to erode the markets for Musselman s Grove. By the early 1970 s, the Grove was limited to family reunions and a special occasion every once in a while. Today the Grove sits idle. However, it has made its mark on history through the years, and until a few years ago, if you used Mapquest for directions, the directions to and from Claysburg, PA showed Musselman s Grove as the originating point. A lot of songs were sung, a lot of people were entertained and a lot of wonderful food was served at Musselman s Grove. Page #4 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
By Rich Allison Jim & Jane Claar and their Western Vagabonds and the Wagon Shed --Queen, PA Anyone who has lived in the Central Pennsylvania area anytime during the 1930 s through the 1980 s has probably heard of Jim and Jane Claar and their Western Vagabonds or their Wagon Shed which was located outside of Queen, PA. Jim and Jane both grew up near Queen, PA in the Scrubgrass area. Music was their first love -- playing, singing and entertaining the fans. They married in 1936 and for years travelled throughout the country performing with big name stars. Eventually they settled closer home and performed in State College, thenwilliamsport and then Lewistown before returning home to their farm near Queen in the 1950 s. By this time, they had three children, Connie Rose, Audrey and Ricky. In the 1950 s, they performed locally as a family and with other groups and did DJ work locally. In 1957 they built their Wagonshed on the farm near Queen, and it was an instant hit. Large crowds were there every Saturday night. During the same period, they were hosting a show on WFBG TV (now WTAJ TV). It was also a hit and continued into the 1960 s. The Wagonshed closed in 1961. Shortly after, their TV show went off the air due to a lack of sponsors. Jim and Jane decided to slow down from the music profession and live life on the farm. Jim did some truck driving, and Jane lived on the farm during the 1960 s and 1970 s. Then in 1986 they performed again at Hyndman, PA and did that yearly until 1990. Jim died in 1991, and Jane died in 2011. Son Ricky lives outside of Bedford, daughter Audrey lives beside the farm and Connie Rose lives between Bedford and Everett. Many people would have loved to have seen the Wagonshed continue and the TV show, but as with all good things, they must come to an end sometime. Page #5
Smokey Pleacher Eugene Pleacher grew up in the Claysburg, PA area. He started doing comedy routines locally and became a hit. Nicknamed Smokey he joined with Jim and Jane and the Western Vagabonds in 1945 and was performing in the State College and Williamsport, PA area. By 1947 Smokey had left the local performances to join with Doc Williams and the Border Riders and was performing in Wheeling, West Virginia as part of the WWVA Jamboree. Smokey also performed in Nashville. In his later years, he found time to return to Claysburg to perform with Doc Williams in the early 1970 s on a few performances. Page #6 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
Mayberry Claar Grove This is the only remaining building at the Mayberry Claar Grove in Queen, PA Mayberry Claar Grove was located on the outskirts of Queen on the Beaverdam Road that leads toward Pavia. It is believed that the picnic area was built around 1935. The Knisely Reunion used to be held locally at Wilmer Claar s until Mayberry Claar Grove was completed, and then it moved there for many years. Also, a different group of the Claar-Walter family held their reunion there after they had split from the group that help one in Klahr. Jim and Jane Claar performed there in their early days as did Jane s sister, Ethel also known as Texas Lil. Smokey Pleacher began his performances there with Jim and Jane and later moved on to be with Doc Williams. By Rich Allison Page #7
Mayberry Claar Grove Additionally Mayberry Claar Grove had other entertainers performing mostly on Saturday and Sundays depending when a reunion was being held. Movies were also played at the Grove with a large wooden screen built over the stage for watching the movies. Mayberry Claar Grove was the springboard for many local talented musicians who eventually moved on to bigger and better things. It was also the entertainment center for the people of Queen and surrounding areas. Page #8 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
By Rich Allison Barnhart s Grove - Claysburg, PA Barnhart s Grove was located in Claysburg, PA along Bedford Street. It was the place for church picnics and town socials for the people of Claysburg. It was located where the old F.D. Roosevelt Elementary School was and adjoined the old original yellow brick high school building on Bedford Street. The Barnhart land stretched for quite a distance and reached to Route 220 and as far north as where the current school bus business is located on the Pine Hollow Road. The original farmhouse and barn were located behind where the current bus business is located and was the site of the old Pine Hollow Road before it was re-routed to its current location. The Barnhart property basically stretched across the entire bottomland where Route 220 is located to the current Claysburg High School. Barnhart s Grove was the scene for many picnics and family get togethers. Picnic tables were available. However, there was no stage for entertainment. The Grove no longer existed after the land was acquired to build the elementary school in the mid-1930 s. Page #9
Picnics in Claysburg at Barnhart s Grove - Claysburg, PA Page #10 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
Greenfield Picnics Hawaiian Aires performed at Greenfield on August 9, 1941. Left to Right: Bruce Lindsey (seated), Paul Burket, Junior Cox, Clarence Lindsey and Smokey Pleacher (kneeling). Note: Paul Burket was killed during World War II in the invasion of Normandy, France and is buried there. Greenfield Picnics were held in the wooded area behind the Greenfield Church on Imler Valley Road. By Rich Allison Page #11
The picture is of the Claysburg Concert Band. The date is unknown. However, there are cars in the background that probably date this picture to the 1920 s. Claysburg Area Bands Claysburg has had a community band since 1879 and was known as the Claysburg Coronet Band. Later the name was changed to Claysburg Community Band, and in 1934 the band became known as the Claysburg American Legion Band. The Claysburg Legion Band is the second oldest band in the area surpassed only by the Fishertown Band. The band continues its long standing tradition of parading in Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades in other towns as well as all local parades. Claysburg Band - Approx 1885 This is probably the oldest photo of a Claysburg Band known. 1st Row: #2-Mont Smith, #3-Joe Dibert, #6-Austin Dively Back Row: #2-Gilbert Feathers Page #12 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
Claysburg American Legion Band Estimated Mid-1930 s This photo of the Claysburg American Legion Band is probably right after they were renamed the Claysburg American Legion Band from the Claysburg Community Band. The Legion Band was formed in 1934 shortly after the Claysburg American Legion was chartered. Look at the next several pages for a larger blow up of this photo to give you more detail on the individuals. By Rich Allison Page #13
Claysburg American Legion Band Estimated Mid-1930 s Page #14 Claysburg - Then and Now History - The Arts
Claysburg American Legion Band Estimated Mid-1930 s By Rich Allison Page #15