I read on Twitter that if your house is more than 100 years old, someone likely quarantined in your bedroom at some point. Since many of the houses in and around Lemont’s historic district are more than a century old, I wondered what life was like in the village during the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918. So, I went to a Pennsylvania newspaper archive to learn more.

It turns out life 102 years ago in our area was quite similar to life today dealing with COVID-19. Schools, churches and local events were canceled. There were government mandates and tips on mask wearing. Locally, State College took much of the blame. Even the new Rockview Penitentiary was under heavy quarantine.

The Spanish flu entered the United States in the spring of 1918. It took 675,000 American lives and 50 million worldwide, according to the CDC.

“Most of Bellefonte’s cases came from the College there is no doubt.” – the Democratic Watchman

By mid- to late 1918 at the latest, the epidemic had infiltrated Centre County. Cases were rising in many nearby communities, according to the Democratic Watchman, a weekly newspaper out of Bellefonte. The newspaper, which ran from 1855-1940, typically featured blurbs about local happenings and issues affecting nearby communities.

By Oct. 11, 1918, the State Health Commissioner ordered hotels to close their bars; picture theatres were to close; as were pool rooms. Cigar shops could continue selling cigars, but customers were not to congregate.

The paper reported that Bellefonte was “seriously handicapped” because three of its nine doctors were overseas helping with the war effort.

Much of Bellefonte was closed despite having few cases. The Watchman said cases were on the rise around the county and an “unusual amount of people were ill.” The newspaper offered tips on wearing masks and also blamed State College. “Most of Bellefonte’s cases came from the College there is no doubt,” according to the Watchman.

Reports from State College said most of those who contracted the Spanish flu recovered. There were three deaths by mid-October.

An Oct. 18 issue had a brief update on Lemont. “There are a few cases of Spanish influenza near town, but none of them serious.” The same issue announced that College Township schools and churches were closed with a note that “regular attendants at all church services hardly know how to spend the Sabbath Day.” It credited the people of Lemont for staying home and not taking their cars out for a drive on Sunday – unless it was urgent.

Mrs. Willard Dale and her daughter Luella were allowed to return to their Lemont home after a bout with the Spanish flu, the newspaper reported. Verna Fogleman was back in town, because the school she taught at in Williamsport was closed due to the Spanish flu. The newspaper kindly reported that she returned to Williamsport in January.

The Oct. 25, 1918 Watchman said schools in College Township were reopened after being closed for a week. That issue also reported that the town of Orviston, about 40 miles from Lemont, was having a particularly difficult time, noting that “so many persons are ill.” It also included names and conditions of locals affected by the flu, including several deaths.

A Jan. 3, 1919 issue reported that Lemont schools had been closed for a month, but it’s unclaer if it was holiday related or due to the pandemic.

Combing through the issues of the Watchman from that year, there was a report of a moose dying of Spanish influenza. There was also some advice for those feeling symptoms: “With prompt attention to getting in bed and warmed up with hot foot and hand baths and red pepper seasoned hot drinks while waiting for the doctor and then following his directions to keep quiet until one’s strength is re-established, the danger of the Spanish influenza may be almost entirely overcome.”

This article was first published in the Fall 2020 Lemont Village Newsletter.