I found this brief history of Shenandoah in the meeting program honoring my father at "Governor Jim Simons Day" by the Rotary Club of Shenandoah. It was held at the Necho Allen Hotel in Pottsville, Pa. on July 10, 1946.

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SHENANDOAH, PENNSYLVANIA

SHENANDOAH is located in the heart of the anthracite coal fields, approximately midway between Allentown and Sunbury and within overnight shopping distance of all the primary markets of the eastern United States.

HISTORY
Shenandoah was founded in 1833. The first house was built by Peter Kehley who, in 1857, relinquished his title to the land to Philadelphia interests. The Philadelphia Land Company, anticipating the tapping of the richest vein of coal in the world, sent P.W. Sheafer to survey and lay out the town. The influx of people began with the opening of the colliery and continued until Shcnandoah, acccording to the 1940 census had a population of 19,470 persons. In September 1865, one hundred freeholders of the settlement petitioned the court in regular form to have it incorporated and on the 16th day of January of the following year Shenandoah became a Borough. In the spring of 1866 the first borough election was held; in 1875 the apportionment was made which divided the borough into five wards as constituted at present.

The Columbia, Shenandoah's first fire company, was organized on August 1, 1871. At the present trme there are six fire companies and volunteer fire departments of which Shenandoah is proud.

Shenandoah has eight public schools and tour parochial schools. The Shenandoah Public High School was the flrst to be completely equipped for radio reception. A new intercommunication system has recently been installed and will he in operatopn when school opens in September.

There are more than three hundred retail establishments, and fifteen wholesale houses in the town. Shenandoah has a Chamber of Progress, Rotary Club, Lions Club and fraternal organizations of all denominations. Mining is, of course, the principal industry. There are more than 6,500 miners employed at the eight collieries in Shenandoah and immediate vicinity. Coal companies operating in Shenandoah are: the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Co., the Locust Coal Co., East Bear Ridge Collieries Co., Hammond Coal Co. and the William Penn Coal Co.

Shenandoah has an outstanding record of military service and achievements during the past five years. The town is really proud of the people who served. Approximately 3,600 men and women served in the various branches of the service.

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