During the presidential campaign of 1936, Northampton was visited by one of our state’s most famous visitors, Gifford Pinchot. His name is barely recognized by most Pennsylvanians today. He was a man of character who had outstanding leadership skills.

Pinchot was born in Simsbury, Conn. He was a graduate of Yale University.

Pinchot later studied abroad and became the first American to make forestry a career. As chief of the bureau of forestry under President Theodore Roosevelt, he helped preserve millions of acres of forests. Both men popularized a new term — conservation. This movement made Americans more aware of the importance of preserving our precious natural resources.

Pinchot, a Republican, served two terms as governor — 1923-27 and 1931-35.

During his first term, he accomplished something foreign to many politicians today. The state debt was $20 million, pocket change today. He proceeded to eliminate the debt by a program of lowering expenses of government by savings instead of increasing taxes.

The state debt was retired in two years. The state was placed on a pay-as-you-go budget. The number of departments in the state were also cut.

In his second term, Pinchot faced a Depression, which hit Pennsylvania extremely hard, with millions of workers unemployed or working part time.

Interestingly, Pinchot was a dry fan; he favored Prohibition. Later, Prohibition would be ended with the passage of the 21st Amendment, and the state created a chain of stores to control the sales of alcoholic beverages.

In Northampton, Pinchot held one of the largest rallies ever in the Cement Borough. The rally was held at the Garfield Republican Club on Main Street, today the Gin Mill. The club was organized in 1902 in honor of President James A. Garfield.

Pinchot supported Alfred Landon, who opposed Franklin D. Roosevelt in the election of 1936, saying he “formerly supported Roosevelt until he discarded his campaign promises.”

Pinchot gave credit to FDR when credit was due but was merciless in his condemnation of many of the means Roosevelt was taking to restore prosperity. Pinchot appealed to the public to strongly to support Landon in the election.

Enthusiasm was at a high pitch throughout the meeting with applause for the speakers. The chairman of the meeting was Dr. E.J. Balliet, well-known local veterinarian, with Henry A. Miller, owner of Miller’s Department Store.

Balliet, in those days, was always busy when the area was filled with family-owned dairy farms. Where have all the farms gone?

His grandson, Dr. Edgar Balliet, one of our fine former Northampton High School students, continues the legacy of his grandfather, specializing in the care of horses.

The election of 1936 was held amid the Great Depression. Roosevelt was seeking his second term; he would eventually be elected to a fourth term in 1944. As Election Day approached in 1936, voters continued to have confidence in President Roosevelt. FDR carried 46 of 48 states. At the time, the United States only had 48 states. Roosevelt won by a landslide, as voters supported his New Deal policy.

Pinchot’s name is still remembered in Pennsylvania, when you visit his summer home (Grey Towers) in Milford, which is now a national historic landmark. Guided tours are available at Grey Towers, giving visitors a glimpse back to the life and times of a governor and conservationist. This is a great place to visit!

In our next column, we will be visiting Cementon and Coplay. Come along!