Smethport Web – by Les Jordan, Jr.

The hilltop area around Clermont will be busy on Sept. 12, 2009 as Clermont celebrates its bicentennial at the Clermont Fire Hall.

The celebration will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. and will feature music by the “Roadies” from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, along with food, beer and beverage offerings, raffles, and a special appearance from Bubbles the clown who will offer face painting to the children.

The kitchen will feature $5.00 lunch specials.

Dave Johnson, local knowledgeable historian on the history of Clermont, will present historical photos and a verbal history of the community which traces its roots to the founding of Instanter in 1809. Several of Smethport’s earliest pioneers arrived in the Smethport area from Instanter.

In later years, Clermont’s population grew after the discovery of plentiful underground seams of soft coal and the arrival of the railroads, then later, after the construction of the Clermont Tile Company known locally as “Kaul Clay.”

For an additional history of Clermont, please visit:
www.smethporthistory.org