Salladasburg Borough

Stay safe and have a happy Memorial Day

July 8, 2020 History lesson- Jim’s Inn and Cohick’s Trading Post The history of Salladasburg would not be complete without the history of Jim’s Inn and Cohick’s... Trading Post. The following edited excerpts are from the book- Jim and Mildred Cohick-The Trading Post and Other Ventures by Carl B. Taylor: The Trading Post began in the spring of 1924, it began no more than an open-air summer stand. It was a 16 feet square building which was screened in. The grand opening was on Decoration Day and the principal items for sale were ice cream, candy, chewing gum, cigars, and soft drinks. The first customer was Mrs. Ambrose Clark, who bought two quarts of ice cream, but this was not Jim’s homemade product. That would come later. During the first summer, the ice cream was shipped by rail to the Larry’s Creek Railroad Station from brother-in-laws Bob Pepperman in Wellsboro, packed in tubs of salt and ice. It was then transported to the retail outlet via the Model T. With the arrival of cold weather, the business had to be closed until spring, but during the winter Dick installed windows. Preparations were being made for producing homemade ice cream for the second summer, with two of the principal ingredients, eggs and milk, being available at home. Ice was cut from the frozen creek nearby and stored in an old ice house near the meat market. A two burner propane gas stove was installed, together with a lunch bar and three of four stools. The menu offerings were expanded to include hot dogs and sandwiches. Coleman mantle lanterns provided the lighting. A Kalamazoo heating stove was added as cold weather approached in the fall: and thus was born Jim’s Inn. The building would expand over time and with the expansion in 1928 the Inn became a combination store-restaurant followed by sporting goods and various items in the hardware line and agricultural supplies. The first order for groceries came from S.M. Flickinger’s Wholesale in Elmira by rail to Larry’s Creek. Jim bought a Red and White store franchise, and the business was given its second and final name Cohick’s Trading Post. Jim Cohick realizing there was no place in the area for swimming. In 1931 he had sand trucked in from Montoursville for the building of a beach,and erected a swimming pool. He had a bath house built, which included an office, booths for changing clothes, metal lockers and shower stalls. The admission was children under 14 10 cents, adults 25 cents, season tickets children under 14 2 dollars a season ticket for adults 5 dollars. The water was piped in from a spring in the woods on the other side of the spring. The depression recreation was immensely popular for ten years. Cohick’s Trading Post is also known for the red bar stools with Hollywood stars name on. In the 1930’s Hollywood stars Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and others vacationed at Ogontz Lodge not far from Salladasburg. They would frequent the store during the summers that were spent at the lodge. The General Store is also known for the stuffed large black bear that stood in the back corner. The bathhouse building is still standing, and you can still see a glimpse of the Cohick business on the side of the building. The store was sold to the Waltz family, ending over 80 years of the Cohick family business. The Waltz family has continued the tradition of a restaurant and homemade ice cream by opening Waltz Creamery and Farm House Café in 2015. They also serve teaberry ice cream, one of the flavors Cohick’s Trading Post was famous for. Sources: - Jim and Mildred Cohick-The Trading Post and Other Ventures by Carl B. Taylor, Photos of Ogontz Lodge and Katherine Hepburn stool photos- Susquehanna Valley.blogspot.com Tomorrow- How much do you know about Level Corners?

Stay safe this weekend. Watch for pedestrians as your driving.

Salladasburg it's Clean up day. If you have unwanted items bring them to the dumpster at the fire hall. If you need help let me know.

Get out and Vote people, the primary is just as important. Also the referendum is on the ballot