You’ll find Instanter’s fascinating history in Elk County, Pennsylvania, where it thrived as a bustling tannery town from 1888 to 1926. The community grew around the Elk Tannery operation, which processed hemlock bark for leather production and supported over 500 residents. After the tannery’s closure forced an exodus of workers, the town became abandoned. In 1952, Instanter disappeared beneath the waters of East Branch Lake, though its industrial legacy still echoes through the region’s preserved artifacts and stories.
Key Takeaways
- Instanter was a thriving tannery town established in 1888 at the confluence of Seven Mile Run and Instanter Creek in Pennsylvania.
- The town’s primary industry, Elk Tannery, supported over 500 residents and featured 29 tenant houses for workers and their families.
- After the tannery’s closure in 1926, the community experienced rapid depopulation as workers left to seek employment elsewhere.
- A devastating flood in 1942 led officials to consider a flood-control dam, which ultimately submerged the abandoned town site.
- The town’s remains now lie beneath East Branch Lake, with only historical markers and archived photographs preserving its industrial legacy.
Origins of a Tannery Town
When Henry, Bayard and Company set their sights on Pennsylvania’s timber-rich wilderness in 1888, they strategically established Instanter at the confluence of Seven Mile Run and Instanter Creek. Their vision centered on implementing advanced tannery technology powered by the region’s abundant hemlock resources.
You’ll find the town’s industrial roots took shape when they convinced the Pennsylvania Railroad to construct the Johnsonburg and Clermont Branch, ensuring efficient transport for their operations. Norm Schultz and J.B. Hoyt, Jr. laid the groundwork by organizing bark harvesting before the railway’s completion.
In 1889, Henry Schimmelfeng built the tannery, supported by a specialized logging railroad along Seven Mile Run. The community quickly grew around this industrial hub, transforming from wilderness into a purpose-built town dedicated to leather production. His mill’s daily production rate averaged between 60,000 to 70,000 feet. The tannery continued operations until a devastating fire in March 1897 significantly impacted its functionality.
Life in the Industrial Boom Years
During Instanter’s industrial peak in the late 1800s, you’d find a bustling community of over 500 residents whose daily lives revolved around the town’s thriving tannery operations.
You could catch the “Jerry Flyer” train for transportation, though it wasn’t known for speed, or opt for horse and wagon to get around town. The town’s baseball club drew crowds as it competed against rivals from neighboring communities. Social gatherings centered at St. John’s Episcopal Mission chapel, while prominent homes like the Henry Schimmelfeng house hosted community events.
The town’s economy hummed with diverse industries – from the main tannery operations to coal mining on the western hills, and later, lamp black manufacturing and stone quarrying. You’d see workers hauling hemlock bark for leather production, while others maintained the essential railroad lines that connected Instanter to neighboring communities. The aggressive harvesting of trees for tannery bark and lumber led to widespread deforestation that would ultimately contribute to the town’s decline.
The Heart of Elk Tannery Operations
Located at the confluence of Seven Mile Run and Instanter Creek, the Elk Tannery established itself as Instanter’s industrial cornerstone in 1889. The tannery operations centered around processing hemlock bark for tannic acid, essential for leather production.
You’d have seen a massive 150-foot brick smokestack dominating the skyline, serving as the facility’s most recognizable landmark.
The tannery’s industrial resilience was proven when it quickly rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1897. Connected to the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Johnsonburg and Clermont Branch, the facility efficiently moved raw materials and finished products. Like the mills in early Beech Bottom, the tannery relied on water-powered machinery for its operations.
Under the ownership of Norman Schultz and J.B. Hoyt, Jr., the tannery thrived for decades as part of the United States Leather Company empire, until resource depletion and market changes forced its closure in 1926. The facility also supported its workers by constructing 29 tenant houses for employees and their families.
Transportation and Railroad Impact
As the backbone of Instanter’s industrial growth, the Johnsonburg and Clermont Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad transformed the region’s economic landscape in 1888-1889.
You’ll find that railroad expansion was driven by Henry, Bayard and Company’s vast timber holdings, which convinced Pennsylvania Railroad to establish this essential link.
The railroad’s impact on Instanter was profound, with daily passenger service costing just two cents per mile and freight transportation supporting the significant tannery operations. The Pennsylvania Railroad’s experience in double-tracked lines from its inception helped ensure efficient service delivery to the region. The railroad was leased to Pennsylvania Railroad in January 1862, setting the stage for its major expansion across the state.
The 18.4-mile line connected you to regional hubs like Glen Hazel, Straight, and Clermont, while a dedicated logging railroad along Seven Mile Run enhanced timber operations.
When the tannery closed in 1926, railroad activity declined sharply, and by 1927, the last train ran through Instanter, marking the end of an era.
The Beginning of the End: 1926 Closure
You’ll find that Instanter’s fate was sealed on December 21, 1926, when Elk Tanning Company announced the permanent closure of its tannery after 37 years of operation.
The closure triggered an immediate exodus of workers seeking employment elsewhere, while those who remained watched as the tannery’s 150-foot brick smokestack was demolished and its materials, equipment, and finished products were transferred to the Wilcox facility.
Like the mining town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, the community’s spirit diminished alongside its economic prospects, as social gatherings dwindled and the final blast of the tannery whistle marked the beginning of Instanter’s transformation from a bustling industrial town to an eventual ghost town beneath the waters of East Branch Lake.
The devastating July 1942 flood ultimately prompted officials to consider building a flood-control dam upstream, sealing the town’s underwater destiny.
Economic Impact and Exodus
The devastating closure of Instanter’s tannery in December 1926 marked the beginning of the town’s rapid decline.
You’d have witnessed the immediate economic decline as the Elk Tanning Company transferred machinery and inventory to Wilcox, crushing any hope of recovery. The once-vibrant community’s resilience couldn’t withstand the loss of its primary employer.
Watch how the town’s spirit crumbled with each passing day. The familiar tannery whistle no longer called workers to their shifts, and families began leaving for other industrial towns.
You’d have seen the dramatic demolition of the 150-foot smokestack, symbolizing the death of Instanter’s industrial era. Local businesses faltered as the consumer base shrank, transforming this once-thriving economic hub into a ghost town.
Workforce Dispersal Patterns
Instanter’s workforce faced mounting challenges well before the tannery’s closure, with signs of economic strain evident throughout 1926. You’d have seen the first signs of workforce migration after the devastating August mine explosion that killed 44 miners, creating immediate uncertainty among the remaining workers.
As news spread about the tannery’s impending shutdown, economic instability pushed skilled laborers to seek employment in neighboring towns. The final closure on December 21st triggered a mass exodus, with workers dispersing to other mining communities and industrial centers.
When the iconic work whistle fell silent, it marked the end of Instanter’s industrial era. What remained was a diminishing community where salvage operations provided only limited temporary work, eventually transforming this once-bustling settlement into a ghost town.
Community Response and Aftermath
When news of the tannery’s closure reached residents on that December morning in 1926, a heavy gloom descended over Instanter’s streets.
You’d have heard the company whistle sound one final time, marking the end of 37 years of industrial life. The community’s social cohesion quickly unraveled as workers and their families faced difficult choices.
Despite attempts at community resilience, you would’ve witnessed the rapid decline of local businesses and social gatherings.
The orderly dismantling of the tannery, including the demolition of its iconic brick chimney, symbolized the town’s fate.
From Ghost Town to Lake Bottom
After its decline as a ghost town in the late 1920s, Instanter faced complete erasure through the East Branch Flood Control Project launched in 1948. The federal government acquired the land, leading to the demolition or relocation of remaining structures, including the iconic 150-foot brick tannery stack.
You’ll find no trace of the former industrial town today – it’s all underwater. The construction of an earthen dam near Glen Hazel transformed the landscape, submerging Instanter beneath a new reservoir.
This environmental change shifted the area from an abandoned industrial site to an aquatic ecosystem. While the town’s physical presence disappeared under lake sediment, its historical significance lives on through photographs, oral histories, and local historical societies, joining other Pennsylvania ghost towns that met similar fates through dam projects.
Preserving Instanter’s Legacy
Though the physical town disappeared beneath East Branch Lake, dedicated preservation efforts guarantee Instanter’s legacy endures through multiple channels.
You’ll find extensive historical preservation through local archives, photographic collections, and publications by historians like George & Margaret Rupprecht and John Imhof. The Elk County Historical Society maintains digital galleries and exhibitions, while interpretive markers near East Branch Lake highlight key industrial sites.
Community engagement thrives through educational programs, guided talks, and local school curricula that emphasize regional development.
You can explore oral histories from descendants, examine digitized company records, and participate in volunteer programs that maintain historical trails.
While no original structures remain above water, relocated buildings in nearby towns serve as tangible links to Instanter’s rich heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Average Salary of an Elk Tannery Worker in 1900?
You’d have earned about $11-12 per week working in historical wages at tannery operations, typically making $1.50-2.50 per day depending on your specific role and skill level.
How Many Families Lived in Instanter During Its Peak Population Years?
During peak population years around 1890-1900, you’d find 80-125 families living there, based on family demographics showing typical households of 4-6 people within the total 500+ resident community.
Were There Any Schools or Churches Established in Instanter?
You’d think a bustling tannery town would have numerous institutions, but records show only St. John’s Episcopal Mission Chapel existed. There’s no documented school history, though nearby towns likely served students’ needs.
What Happened to the Cemetery When the Town Was Flooded?
You won’t find definitive records of the cemetery’s fate. While flood impact submerged the area in 1948, there’s no clear documentation about cemetery relocation or whether graves remained in place.
Did Any Original Artifacts From Instanter Survive the Flooding?
You’ll find very few original artifacts survived due to pre-flooding demolition and water damage. What remains are mostly scattered bricks, concrete foundations, and rusted nails, limiting artifact recovery and historical preservation.
References
- https://jonestownship.com/instanter/
- http://www.smethporthistory.org/instanter/smithbrosstore.htm
- https://visitpago.com/instanter-the-town-lost-to-flood-control/
- https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/history_of_instanter
- https://visitpago.com/ghost-towns-of-the-clarion-river-corridor-lily-pond/
- https://elkcountyhistoricalsociety.org/instanter-photo-gallery/
- https://www.monroehistorical.org/articles_files/090107_tanning.html
- https://visitpago.com/chronological-history-of-ridgway-elk-county-pennsylvania/
- https://lumberheritage.org/heritage/our-roots/the-boom-and-bust-of-pennsylvanias-lumber-era/
- http://www.smethporthistory.org/instanter/instanteraerial3.htm
