CLEARFIELD – County Historian Richard Hughes was recently a guest speaker at the Clearfield Rotary Club.
Hughes spoke about the work involved by a small group of volunteers to rebuild the oldest structure in Clearfield County. It was a French 1840’s Cobb outdoor oven, located in Frenchville, he said.
According to him, the outdoor oven was ready in time for the recent Frenchville Picnic festivities. In fact, he said that many loaves of bread were baked in it that day.
Hughes highlighted some of the history of Frenchville, including that 50 families originally started the town. He also said that from 1840-2009, it was one of the only locations where pure French language was spoken fluently.
Hughes and Mary Kay Royer co-authored a book about Frenchville history. It is available, along with other books he has authored, at the Clearfield County Historical Society. Profits benefit the CCHS.
Also, new Rotarian member, the Rev. Robert Stump, of the Trinity United Methodist Church was welcomed into the club.
Shown, from left, are Hughes, Stump, Rotary Treasurer Calvin Thomas and President Toni Zawisa.
Guests at the meeting included Brian Anderson and John Wright.
