Delaware Cannery

Port Penn Cannery

While on the walking tour of Port Penn there are some interesting pieces of history to see along the way. While at the old Port Penn school house I noticed something about the local cannery.  Unfortunately, the building is no longer visible, where the building once stood is an empty lot. Port Penn's history shows the community was full of hard-working citizens.

W.B. & J.S. Zacheis, Inc.

 

The cannery workers were important to the economy. The W.B. & J.S. Zacheis, Inc. served as a major employer for the community. It is set directly across the street from the Port Penn schoolhouse on Market Street. It opened in the early 1900s until sometime after WW II, canning peaches, tomatoes, and other local produce. Not only selling their product locally but exporting them to markets beyond Pennsylvania and Maryland. 

Clues

Jackpot of Clues

It appeared as a standard photograph of a home with no clues behind the photo. Yet after some closer observation, I noticed a tear.  Therefore, as any curious individual or better yet researcher would do. I carefully removed that photo from the page. 

The name was written across the bottom, Helen Elwood is the only information I have. Did I mention this photo was in a family photo album purchased off eBay? Nope, oh well sorry now you know. (Insert smile and a wink.) So now you understand why my information was limited. Some would call it luck, I’m just happy to find information on the back.

A quick transcribed portion of the back of the photo. Clearly, you can tell there is quite a bit of information I have now. Not only do I have names, relationships, employment with the residence. I also have a birth announcement. Typically, I’m not fond of removing mounted photographs but this proved to be a success. 

 

 

Port Penn Schoolhouse

Schoolhouse

A noticeable building along the historical walking tour of Port Penn. This two-room Port Penn schoolhouse now serves as a museum for those who visit Port Penn, Delaware. Built in 1886 for the purpose of educating eight grades of children in the community until 1961. 

Pin Me

Shortly after it closed it was converted into a bait shop before reopening in 1975. Reopening as the Port Penn museum you can venture in and learn about the community and surrounding wildlife. It sets on Market Street directly across the street from an empty lot. In the early 1900’s you would have seen the W.B. & J.S. Zacheis, Inc. Cannery in that lot.