Bruceton Celebrates 100 Years with Time Capsule Opening

Bruceton residents, past and present, young and old, as well as their family members, gathered at Templeton Park on Saturday, June 14, to celebrate the town's Centennial with the long-awaited time capsule opening.

Bruceton Mayor Robert T. Keeton, III welcomes attendees to the time capsule opening. Photo by Jesse Joseph

The capsule was sealed and buried in June 2000, and contained letters, photos, keepsakes, and other mementos contributed by dozens of Bruceton families. Many of them were on hand to open the envelope their younger selves or loved ones had sealed away.

Mayor Robert T. Keeton III welcomed the crowd and shared a message from U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn.

She wrote, “I extend my warmest regards for 100 years of history and community in Bruceton. This Centennial is not only a recognition of the town’s founding, but also a celebration of the generations who continue to reflect on the past and work ahead with perseverance. These values represent the very best of our great state.”

Keeton noted the peaceful nature of the day’s celebration, saying, “There may be protests and demonstrations across the country today, but here in Bruceton, the only thing we’re worried about is whether or not the leaf machine is going to work.”

The Town's History

Former long-time teacher at Central High School, and lifelong area resident, Buddy Smothers, delivered a presentation on the history of Bruceton.

“This town grew up around the railroad,” he said. “If something came through here, someone in Bruceton helped move it. The rail yard gave people a reason to stay.”

Smothers credited L.K. McMackins, Jim Bayless, and others.

Buddy Smothers gives a brief history of the Town of Bruceton, from the area's early settling in the 19th Century to the closing of H.I.S. Photo by Jesse Joseph

He outlined Bruceton’s transformation from farmland to a planned city with electric power and railroad infrastructure.

“Bruceton had power before just about anybody else,” he said.

Smothers mentioned that the town had undergone several name changes before being called "Bruceton".

"They first called it Hollow Rock Junction, and then Junction City," he said.

The town's earlier names caused confusion when it came to mail delivery. Smothers noted that "Hollow Rock Junction" was confused with "Hollow Rock" and "Junction City" got confused with "Johnson City".

He noted the formation of Hollow Rock High School in 1914, the opening of Central High School in 1927, and the arrival of manufacturing in when Honesdale Manufacturing set up shop.

“That’s when Bruceton really began to grow,” Smothers said.

He spoke of the town’s industrial rise, led in large part by Honesdale Manufacturing, which ramped up operations in Bruceton during World War II, making jackets for U.S. troops.

“In 1949, when Henry I. Siegel died, his 19-year-old son Jesse took over,” Smothers recalled. “He later renamed the company after his father, and that factory [H.I.S.] employed generations of people here.”

Industrial changes in the 1990s, including the impact of NAFTA, took their toll.

“The layoffs began in 1995,” he said. “By 2000, the last 55 HIS employees were let go. That was the end of an era.”

Still, Smothers emphasized the strength of community organizations like the Lions Club (formed in 1933), the American Legion, and the Women’s Club.

“It’s the people of this town who carried it forward,” he said.

Opening the Time Capsule

The time capsule itself was opened in advance by town officials to ensure its contents were intact. Thanks to a careful sealing process—items were stored inside large Ziploc bags within sealed buckets—the mementos were well-preserved, and one by one, families were called forward to retrieve them.

Among those who received items were the children and grandchildren of Thomas and Brenda Pekarchick.

Kayla Moon reads a letter to her husband Eathon, who is currently stationed in Kuwait, that his grandparents left for him in the time capsule. Photo by Jesse Joseph

One envelope was addressed to their granddaughter, Brenna Johnson, and included a photo of her rollerblading around the age of eight. Brenna's mother, Michelle Johnson, and aunt, Dana Pekarchick, also received letters, which had messages filled with love, pride, and encouragement.

“They wrote about how proud they are of everyone,” Dana said, “how much they love us, and how they hoped all our dreams had come true.”

Colton, Shelton, and Ethon Moon also received items from their grandparents.

Ethon is currently stationed in Kuwait, and could not attend in person. His wife, Kayla, read his letter to him over FaceTime.

After all the names were called, attendees were invited to City Hall for cupcakes, a sheet cake, and punch.

Inside the building, there are displays of the town’s history, including portraits of all 15 Bruceton mayors and newspaper clippings lining the walls.

Though State Representative Brock Martin was scheduled to deliver a gubernatorial proclamation, he did not attend.

Mayor Keeton announced that plans are already underway for a new time capsule, which will be buried in November.

Bruceton Celebrates 100 Years with Time Capsule Opening

HUNTINGDON POLICE REPORTS | June 4–13, 2025

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