Drums, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Drums is a small community in Butler Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It's located high up, about 1,500 feet (457 meters) above sea level, in the beautiful Sugarloaf Valley. You can find it east of Interstate 81 and north of Nescopeck Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River. The community was started by the Drum family in the late 1700s and was first called "Drum's." Its ZIP Code is 18222.
Contents
History of Drums
The 1700s: How Drums Began
The village got its name "Drum's" from the Drum family. They were pioneers who helped build the first school, post office, hotels, churches, roads, and businesses in the area. Members of the Drum family were also important leaders, like land developers, judges (called justices of the peace), postmasters, and even state lawmakers in Pennsylvania.
In 1738, Philip Drum came to America from Germany with his son, Jacob. Jacob later had a son named George in 1762. This was a very exciting time in America, as leaders like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were often in the area, especially in Bethlehem, during the American Revolution. George Drum lived near Bethlehem before moving his family to the Nescopeck Valley (now Sugarloaf Valley). There, he started a hotel and helped set up the Drums post office, serving Luzerne County.
A family story says that in 1774, when George was 12, Native Americans attacked their farmhouse. His father, Jacob, was killed, and his mother, Catharine, was taken. George hid in the fireplace and survived. When he grew up, George helped develop the town of Drums. He loved the Sugarloaf Valley, just like other early settlers. George was one of the first people to settle there in the late 1700s, helping to create both Drums village and Conyngham. His old family home in Conyngham is still standing today!
In the late 1700s, George Drum bought land in the Nescopeck Valley (which was renamed Sugarloaf Valley in 1809). This land became parts of Drums and Conyngham. George was a hardworking person who worked as a carpenter, builder, farmer, and justice of the peace for Sugarloaf Township. He built the very first hotel-tavern in Drums. This original Drums Hotel building is still there, but it's now a private home. The first Drums Post Office building is also still standing and is now a business center, right across from the old hotel. George was also a founding member of St. Johns Church and its cemetery, started in 1799. He and many of his family members are buried there.
During the American Revolution (1775–1783), George joined the war as a private when he was 19. He later became a Captain of Militia.
George married Anna Margaret Woodring, whose family came from France and Germany. Anna Margaret spoke German, Alsatian, French, and English, while George spoke German and English.
The 1800s: Growth and Family Leadership
In 1808, Philip Drum, George Sr.'s son, bought land in Luzerne County from Benjamin Rush, who was a close friend of George Washington and signed the United States Declaration of Independence. In 1810, Philip started Drums' first mill for processing wool on the Little Nescopeck River. He also opened a wool-processing mill in 1835.
Other Drum family members continued to develop the community, making Drums and St. Johns important business centers in the township. Drums became the main village in Butler Township, known for its rich farming areas. It was located on the Old State Road, about six miles from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, which was a key trading spot.
Many Drum family members served as justices of the peace, helping to keep order in the community. George Drum Sr. was elected in 1811, and his son, George Jr., also held the same job. George W. Drum, George Sr.'s grandson, was elected justice of the peace in 1860 and later served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly (the state legislature) from 1879 to 1882.
William Drum, another son of George Sr., started the first post office in Drums in 1826 and was the postmaster. Other Drum family members also served as postmasters for many years, keeping the Drums post office running for about a century. The post office finally closed in 2008 after almost 200 years of service.
Abraham Drum, George Sr.'s son, took over the "Stage Coach Stop" Drums Hotel. His son, George Drum, later became the owner. The hotel stayed in the family for generations. Abraham also built another hotel in the mountains north of town. The Drums Hotel and other family businesses were located in the commercial heart of Drums. In the 1850s, Abraham Drum also served as the sheriff of Luzerne County.
The 1900s: Modern Changes
Philip L. Drum III, a grandson of Philip Drum, became a lawyer and a Pennsylvania state legislator in 1901.
As cars became popular, the roads in Drums needed to be improved. In the 1920s, most of the town's roads were paved. In 1929, work began on Route 309 to make it easier for cars to drive up Butler Mountain. The rise of cars also brought new businesses. While Drums and Saint Johns had been the main business centers for a long time, commercial activity started to move to Route 309 by 1936.
Famous pilot Charles Lindbergh even landed his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, twice at Reifenberg Airport near Drums in 1928 and 1931.
In 1958, Susan (Drum) Walters, a great-granddaughter of George Sr., was elected justice of the peace. She served the community until she passed away in 1973 at the age of 97. The Drum family held the office of justice of the peace for 162 years, from 1811 to 1973!
In 1962, the Conyngham National Bank opened a branch in Drums. This bank later merged with First Eastern Bank.
Edward W. Drum was elected Sugarloaf County Chairman in 1990. He passed away in 2005, bringing an end to nearly two centuries of the Drum family leading the local government.
City Services in Drums
Drums is protected by the Butler Township Police Department. Fire, rescue, and emergency medical services are provided by volunteers from Valley Regional Fire and Rescue. This group was formed when the Butler Township Fire Company and Conyngham Fire Company joined together in 2005.
Schools in Drums
The early settlers knew how important it was to educate their children. At first, kids were taught at home. Then, in 1809, a log schoolhouse was built at the Union Church. Lessons were taught in German back then. Between 1830 and 1870, Butler Township built eight one-room schoolhouses. The Drums school moved to a new spot in 1870, and the curriculum was expanded to include up to 10th grade.
In 1941, the old wooden Drums school closed, and a bigger, brick school was built across the street. The next year, the small one-room schools closed, and their students were bused to the new Drums school.
In 1966, the Butler Township School District joined with others to form the Hazleton Area School District. The Drums school closed in 2001 when the new Drums Elementary/Middle School opened nearby.
Today, Drums Elementary/Middle School is part of the Hazleton Area School District. Also located in Drums is the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences (HAAS), which opened in 2013. HAAS is a special program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Soon, Drums will also be home to the Hazleton Area Academy of the Arts and Humanities (HAAH).
Churches in Drums
The Trinity Church started a Sunday School in 1844. Isaac Drum, a son of Jacob Drum, was the president. Isaac fought in the American Civil War.
St. John's Church was officially started on December 26, 1799. George Drum, the founder of Drums, was one of the first members. Many founding members of the Drum family are buried at St. John's Cemetery, including George Drum and his wife. This cemetery has been the main burial place for the family for over 200 years.
Many families in the Drums area, like Balliet, Beisal, and Woodring, are part of the extended Drum family and have helped build the community.
Today, places of worship in Drums include the Drums United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Church, Christ Reformed Episcopal Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Notable People from Drums
- Nate Eachus, a player in the NFL.
- Jack Palance, a famous film actor.
