Watsontown Historical Association

Watsontown Historical Association Visit MY Watsontown.com to view facts about the town! https://www.mywatsontown.com/

We will also be open the first and third weekend of every month, Saturday 1-4 and Sunday 1-4

We will add his name to our "Wall of Honor" in the museum.
06/07/2026

We will add his name to our "Wall of Honor" in the museum.

UPDATE # 2

AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, John and I have decided we are not going to release the name until the day of the funeral. Given the volitile and harsh Social media atmosphere these days, we do NOT want anyone judged for what happened. Nobody knows the situation, given the mental, financial or physical state someone may be in at the time this decision was made.

WHAT WE DO ASK is that everyone keeps their mind and heart open and realize that this was placed into the hands of a man that cares. John himself is a Combat Veteran and Purple Heart recipient.....I can think of nobody better to have found this package and to make the call he did that set this all in motion. That is what the VFW & American Legion are about....not a bar BUT Veterans Service Organizations!

We look forward to honoring this Army soldier who served in Vietnam for a year from 69-70.. earning the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and an Honorable discharge.

Thank you all for showing our communities care for our Veterans.

Respectfully,
Andy Kline & John Taylor III

**** UPDATE..

SATURDAY August 15th, 11am .

Watsontown Cemetery, we have a plot in Watsontown Cemetery and the Borough has agreed to handle the burial of the urn at NO cost. More info to follow, but I just wanted to give everyone this bit of info now.

Tomorrow I will list his name, dates of service and his awards. Please bear with us as we are trying to move a fast and efficient as possible....while being respectful and professional.

Thanks again for all the offers of help.

-Andy

Post 323 is proud to announce that we will be working with Milton VFW Post 1665 to provide a burial plot , headstone , burial and a military funeral for a Vietnam Combat Veteran of the US Army. We are in possession of this man's DD-214 but at this time we are not going to publish his name until we have a date and time finalized for his burial.

Recently , box was dropped off on the porch of the Milton VFW after hours one night and nothing but an urn, a dd-214 and a the hand written sign "will you please see to my burial". Commander Taylor contacted me and immediately we both saw the need to get both our Posts involved as well as our communities. Watsontown Legion has a few member plots at the Watsontown Cemetery, so Post 323 offered 1. The Watsontown Borough Manager was proud to offer their assistance with the actual burial. Commander Taylor and myself are going to contact the government for a veteran headstone.

Please check back as we are planning a burial with full military honors and it is our hope the public will attend , young and old, to pay your respects to this combat veteran. A proper burial is the right thing to do.

I want to thank Commander John Taylor III , the Milton VFW, Watsontown American Legion Post 323, the Watsontown Borough and everyone that is going to make this possible.

Respectfully,
A.E.Kline
Commander, Post 323

06/06/2026
Thank you to Amy & Terry, who planted Van Fleet roses at the museum for us last year.  They have been taking care of the...
06/04/2026

Thank you to Amy & Terry, who planted Van Fleet roses at the museum for us last year. They have been taking care of them for us, and this year the bushes produced beautiful roses to enjoy!

Walter Van Fleet (1857-1922), son of Solomon Van Fleet and Elvira Van Fleet, née DuBois, was born in Rockland County, New York, and moved with his family to a farm just outside of Watsontown when he was thirteen years old. He journeyed to Brazil as part of the Madeira Mamoré Expedition of 1877-1879. Van Fleet used this experience to learn more about the flora of the tropics and returned home to become a world-renowned botanist especially in regard to roses.

Graduating from Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1880, he received his medical license the following year. Dr. Van Fleet opened his practice on Main Street below Second Street and in 1882 married Sarah C. Heilman (1861-1943). Later, the couple moved to Renovo, and eventually Dr. Van Fleet left medicine to become world renowned for his botanical work with roses.

How many have ridden on this bus?
05/30/2026

How many have ridden on this bus?

Result of heavy rains-date unknown, but I am guessing 1950s?  Thoughts?
05/29/2026

Result of heavy rains-date unknown, but I am guessing 1950s? Thoughts?

Need your help on this one.  I'm curious to see where you think this happened and when!
05/28/2026

Need your help on this one. I'm curious to see where you think this happened and when!

05/22/2026

We have been asked what time the cannon will be fired. We posted the Legion's announcement and pinned it on our FB page. The event starts at 2:30 in the afternoon with the Legion first, and then the Sons of the Union Veterans. We have no idea what time the cannon will go off, but guessing after 3 sometime.

Please note, the cannon pictured is located in the cemetery. Although it is from 1862 and Civil War era, it is NOT the one being fired.

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Address

109 Main Street, Box 4
Watsontown, PA
17777

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