See What Hellertown Looked Like 60 Years Ago in Old Home Movies

In 2015 Hellertown is experiencing one of its mildest Decembers in recent memory, but nearly 60 years ago–in the winter of 1956–the borough was covered in heavy snow.

That weather was one of the things documented by Dr. Walter Filipek, a well-known Hellertown physician at the time who was also an amateur documentarian.

He was born in West Hazleton, Pa., in 1919, and practiced in Hellertown from 1947 until 2003, passing away in 2004, according an online biography.

Filipek’s granddaughter, Maryann Orwan, recently shared two of his color 8mm films–from the winters of 1956 and 1961, respectively–in the You Know You Are From Hellertown Facebook group.

Orwan graciously agreed to share the digital files with Saucon Source in order to help readers who are interested in the history of the town view them more easily.

The 1956 clip begins at what was then a Mobil gas station next to the Plaza (today it’s Sunoco) and depicts various snow-covered streets throughout the borough.

The 1961 film shows the fountain covered in ice as well as the adjacent gas station.

Enjoy watching these movies, and see if you can recognize any of the buildings and people in them!