Every month this year, the Nicholson Sesquicentennial Committee is hosting special events to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. March’s program is “Nicholson’s Historic and Distinctive Stores & Businesses.” The presentation will be held on March 29, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Nicholson Tourism Center (21 Lackawanna Trail, Nicholson).
Committee member Kathy Steele will share a presentation about the town’s early stores. Before the railroad, most businesses were in Bacontown, which is located just south of present-day downtown Nicholson. When the railroad arrived, the stores moved closer to the depot and formed a thriving shopping district. In the 1930s, thousands of people would come to Nicholson on Saturdays to shop.
Guests will also learn about the unique stories behind Nicholson’s businesses. For example, the local furniture store owners often doubled as undertakers because they had the supplies and tools build coffins. Also, many buildings housed more than one store. Shoppers could visit multiple stores from the basement up to the third floor.
One particularly interesting business was The Rink, an indoor roller skating facility built in 1884. The Rink became a hub of entertainment over the years. It hosted dances, plays, movies, the fire company’s fair, church services, commencement for Nicholson High School, Grand Army of the Republic meetings, and other events. The Rink burned down in 1915 and was never rebuilt.
The Nicholson Sesquicentennial Committee will continue to hold programs throughout the year. An official celebration will be held on the weekend Saturday, August 23, 2025. For the latest news, visit nicholsonsesquicentennial.com or follow the Nicholson Sesquicentennial on Facebook.