PERKASIE IMPROVEMENT BUILDING

The Perkasie Improvement Building was built in 1929 to replace the beautiful Cressman building that burnt down in 1922. Mr Roy Benner relocated his grocery business from Seventh & Market Streets to the Perkasie Improvement Building in 1942. Upon his retirement the business was owned and operated by Dorothy and Paul Meas from 1954 until their retirement in 1977.

Benners Grocery in the Perkasie Improvement Building.		Triple Crown America and Scandinavian Design on fire.

The building later became home to Triple Crown America and Scandinavian Design. These two businesses were located on the southern side of the Perkasie Improvement Building.(Benner's Grocery building) at the time of the Great Perkasie Fire of 1988.

Perkasie Improvement Building (lower left) during the fire.		Triple Crown America and Scandinavian Design after the fire.
		Triple Crown America specializes in pharmaceutical chemicals, and Scandinavian Design is a world wide natural health care product company that markets its products with health food stores and health centers, The rebuilt building with new storefront facade appears at left.

HERSTINE BUILDING

The Herstine Building located at Seventh & Market Streets was almost completely destroyed in the fire. The building was originally erected as a woolen mill in 1856. On the Market Street end of the building, the first Perkasie railroad tickets were sold out of this building, the first railroad freight and express was handled there, and the first post office operated there for a number of years.

The Herstine building when it was N.O. Fretz Shoe store.		Herstine building as viewed from the railroad tracks during the fire.
The Herstine building is seen in the background after the fire.		The rebuilt Herstine building as it appears in 2000.

MOYER- KANTNER FUNERAL HOME

Another building that had to be rebuilt was the Kanter Building, a funeral home & residence (formerly Moyer Funeral Home). The building was built circa 1870 and was a fine example of late nineteenth century architecture that appeared on the 1876 map of the town. The funeral home was one of the oldest buildings in the Perkasie area and was constructed of Perkasie made bricks. Other than a shortened front porch and parlor addition (1952) the exterior walls or footprint of the house was the same as in the 1800's.

Kantner building during the fire.		Rebuilt Kantner building.