(From the Monthly Progress in 2004)
In the Second and Norris Streets area, there were any number of factories, breweries, and slaughter houses, where many of our club members were employed. Namely Burks Slaughter house which was located at Third Street and Girard Avenue. Burks, who only slaughtered hogs, sheep and calves was known for their Veal Loaf, comparable to “Leber Kase”. Their livestock arrived by train which traveled south on American Street and past Girard Avenue, and down to the many piers on Delaware Avenue.
Burks was also known for their hot dogs which came in five pound bundles and would hang behind the counter on a hook. The butchers would always give the kids a hot dog to eat. (Ed. Note-Illg’s meats still gives the kids a hot dog) The butchers also wore straw hats with solid woven brims to stop their cleavers from hitting themselves on the head.
The famous Stetson Hat Company was located at 5th Street and Montgomery Avenue. Many men were employed there including my father, grandfather and my father-in-law, Mathias Stoffel. This company was known for the hats made for the cowboys out west. They also made hats for the Armed Forces during the First World War. The Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Troopers hats were also made here. The Stetson factory also included a hospital. All employees had to wear a hat, if not, they would not be allowed to work. The employees were given a hat every year. Wages were paid in cash, all coins. they did use bills. In those days U.S. Currency included 2 1/2, 5, 10, 20 dollar gold coins. At Christmas time every worker was given a turkey and a $5. gold piece
F.P.W.
(to be continued)
EDITOR’S NOTE: this was written and originally published in Monthly Progress, Volume 59, No. 11– November 2004 and No. 12-December 2004. It has been re-published here in 2026 with minor edits. Misspellings of names, capitalization and punctuation have been preserved as originally published.
Any editor’s notes within the text were published at the time by then Editor, Emily Fricker.
