Carbon 175th celebration includes flagpole dedication to Thomas C. Gerhard

It was a birthday party fit for a county on Thursday in Jim Thorpe.

Carbon County celebrated its “demisemiseptcentennial,” or 175th anniversary, with a special commissioners’ meeting in front of past and present elected officials from every level of government, and other guests.

“It’s just a good day here in Carbon County,” Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said following the event.

“Everyone heard a little bit about the history of the county today and we got to honor some of our past commissioners and elected officials. Anyone who takes office is striving to improve the quality of life here and we’re all very fortunate to live where we do.”

The celebration marked the county’s formation on March 13, 1843, from parts of Northampton and Monroe counties.

Commissioner William O’Gurek read several historical facts about the county, many of them pulled from the late Judge John P. Lavelle’s 1994 book, “The Hard Coal Docket.”

“Asa Packer introduced the bill to separate Carbon County from Northampton County,” O’Gurek told the crowd. “He knew if Carbon became a separate county with Mauch Chunk as the county seat, his business prospects and property values would escalate.”

That bill also established the county court system. Carbon’s current courthouse, which opened in 1894, cost $125,000.

Carbon County has had 19 jurists in its 175-year history to go along with 97 commissioners.

Roger Nanovic, the county’s current president judge, spoke of the area’s Indian heritage providing town or municipality names such as Mahoning, Nesquehoning, Towamensing, Mauch Chunk and Aquashicola. He also highlighted the vast tourism and recreational draws of the county from its ski areas to white water rafting on the Lehigh River.

“We have a very proud history,” Nanovic said.

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and Congressman Lou Barletta joined state Sen. John Yudichak, state Rep. Doyle Heffley and state Rep. Jerry Knowles in commemorating the event with resolutions.

Mylee Hauser performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The Bach & Handel Chorale, with Randall Perry as director, performed the song “Carbon County,” written by John Sharpe and Laverne Miller for the county’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1993.

Former commissioners Charles Wildoner, Thomas C. Gerhard and Charles Getz were among those in attendance Thursday.

Flagpole dedication

Gerhard was also in for a special surprise as the county dedicated a flagpole in Joe Boyle Plaza, outside the county annex, in his name.

“It gives me great pride to share this special day with my father,” said Gerhard’s son and current commissioner, Thomas J. Gerhard. “Twenty-five years ago my dad stood in this place and realized the importance of replacing the old worn-out flagpole with something more sturdy and majestic. He recognized the importance of creating a firm foundation, not only for democracy, but also to show respect for the men and women who served and died for our country.”

The elder Gerhard said the flagpole was a very important project for him and vowed it “will never come down.”

Nothstein joked that the flagpole was one of the few Gerhard ideas that he went along with that didn’t end with him getting in trouble.

“I have come to learn a lot of things about Tom,” O’Gurek added. “The most important thing in his heart is honoring military veterans of this country.”