Author: SPY

General Edward C. Shannon, Columbia's War Hero

Columbia History – Did you know?
Major General Edward C. Shannon in 1917
In September of last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs inducted General Edward C. Shannon into its Hall of Fame, recognizing his exceptional service to the department, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and Pennsylvania veterans.

At the ceremony, Mayor Leo Lutz said, “The Borough of Columbia has been the home to many brave men and women who have served their country, some who have paid the supreme sacrifice and some who have distinguished themselves in service to their country. The citizens of the Borough of Columbia are honored to have Major General Edward Caswell Shannon as one of its distinguished generals and greatly appreciate the honor you have bestowed on him today.”

Edward Caswell Shannon was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania on June 24, 1870, and grew up in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He studied metallurgical chemistry at Lehigh University and Lafayette College. He later completed a course in metallurgical chemistry in the laboratory of the Phoenix Iron Company, and then worked as a chemist and blast furnace superintendent in the iron and steel industries. In 1899 he married Maud Radcliffe Lucas (1877-1943). Shannon later worked as Treasurer and General Manager of Lucas Manufacturing, a clothes-making business in Columbia owned by his wife’s family. He was also a president of the Columbia Water Company and a director of the First Columbia National Bank.

His military career began in 1889, when he enlisted in Company C, 4th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard. He advanced through the noncommissioned officer ranks and obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1893. He had attained the rank of Captain and command of a company by the time he volunteered to serve in the Spanish–American War.

Shannon remained in the National Guard, and by 1915 had become commander of the 4th Infantry with the rank of Colonel. He commanded his regiment on the Mexican border during the 1916 Pancho Villa Expedition. During World War I he continued in command of his regiment, which combined with other units and federalized as the 111th Infantry, 28th Infantry Division. During the war Shannon earned the nickname “Two Yard” because of the reputation he developed for leading his men from the front (“two yards” ahead) during their attacks on German positions.

Commemorative “Two Yard” stick – a tribute to Shannon from his men
(Courtesy of Columbia Historic Preservation Society)
Shannon was cited for distinguished and exceptional gallantry at Foret de Fere in 1918.  He was presented the Distinguished Service Medal by General Pershing at the end of the war. Pershing said of Shannon: “He proved himself a forceful and capable military leader.” He was also awarded the Silver Star for “personally reconnoitering in front of his lines under heavy machine gun fire.”
After World war I Shannon was promoted to Brigadier General as commander of Pennsylvania’s 1st Infantry Brigade. He later commanded the 52nd Cavalry Brigade.
As Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor, 1934
In 1919 he was elected Prothonotary of Lancaster County. From 1930 to 1935 he served as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. Shannon unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1934.

Shannon watches two women tack up a campaign poster in Philadelphia on April 30, 1934 during his run for governor of PA.

From 1933 to 1939 Shannon served as Major General and commander of the 28th Infantry Division. He succeeded William G. Price Jr., and was succeeded by Edward Martin. During World War II he was chairman of his local draft board.

Former home of General Edward C. Shannon at 500 Chestnut Street
Shannon lived at 500 Chestnut Street for about 20 years and died at home on May 20, 1946. He is buried at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens, Columbia.
Associated Press obituary of Shannon
Shannon’s gravestone at Laurel Hill
Much of the information in this article was drawn from Shannon’s Wikipedia entry.
Columbia Spy is planning to publish more articles on General Shannon.

Columbia trolley starts its rounds

Columbia’s new trolley, the “Columbia Trolley Works,” has been spotted around town. It started this year’s run yesterday, Saturday, May 27.

The cost to ride the trolley is $3 for adults and $1 for children. Season passes are also available. @page { margin: 0.79in } p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120% } a:link { so-language: zxx }

In December 2016, Columbia Borough Council voted to purchase the trolley, a 1993 model, from Elite Coach of Ephrata for $39,900.

The backstory of the trolley purchase can be found HERE and HERE.

DESECRATION! Graffiti vandals strike again

Graffiti vandals have struck town once again, this time at the Buddhist temple on South Second Street. Two white marble statues at the front of the temple were spray-painted with black paint with what appears to be the word “IDOL” on each. The face of the Buddha was painted black. The Chua Phap Hoa Temple imported and installed the statues a few years ago.
In a possibly related incident, a train car on the tracks near the intersection of Florence, Barber, and Mill Streets was spray-painted with religious messages, black being the color of choice. The train car is shown in the last photo in this series.

Lot from burned-out Bigler building now for sale for $124,900

For a mere $124,900 this can be yours.
The lot from a recently “demo-ed” building owned by Samuel and Cynthia Bigler is now for sale for an asking price of $124,900, according to a listing on realtor.com. The structure, at 421/423 Avenue G (sometimes referred to as 421 Walnut Street), was formerly a 6-unit apartment building that was condemned in June 2015 and suffered a fire the following September. The building was considered historic, because it was originally a 19th-century livery stable. 
421/423 Avenue G as it appeared after the 2015 fire.
At an August 17, 2016 meeting of the Historic Architectural Review Board, Samuel Bigler laid out costs for a proposed restoration of the building totaling over $400,000. He said the numbers were based on an assessment by a restoration company and by three engineers, two of whom specialize in older buildings. The Biglers sought permission from HARB to instead demolish the building. 
Sam Bigler said he had received $308,000 from his insurance company, because the building was a “total loss,” as determined by three engineers.
The Biglers sought permission from HARB to demolish 421/423 Avenue G at its August 17, 2016 meeting.

Bigler said, “We’ve known for sometime that the building is a total loss.”

During the discussion, Cynthia Bigler said, “It sounds like you’re saying we didn’t really care about this building. This building is one of our larger investments. We’ve cared about this building for more than 20 years. Anytime we had any issues with anything they were addressed. We have this building, that now we don’t have. We had $800 times five per month. That property was up kept.”

Permission was granted, and the building was subsequently demolished a few months ago.

The current “for sale” listing is shown below: