'63 Alum Donates Historic Map
The quote, “There’s no place like home,” spoken by Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, certainly rings true for Capt. Edward B. Hontz, USN (ret.), of Altadena, CA, and a native of Watsontown, PA. Ted graduated from Warrior Run High School in 1963 where he participated on the track, football, baseball and basketball teams. After high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, graduating in 1967 and serving as a Surface Warfare Officer on cruisers and destroyers at sea and in numerous positions while ashore. Ted saw war action in Da Nang during the Vietnam War and as Captain of the USS Princeton during Operation Desert Storm, retiring from active duty in 1995. After his navy career, he supported the navy for another 30 years in a small company doing engineering work for navy shipbuilding and missile systems. Ted notes, “I have not yet retired!”
During this long career serving his country, home (Watsontown) was frequently on his mind. Recently, he stated, “I spent over 30 years in the Navy and traveled around the world to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. No matter where I went, being fortunate enough to grow up here in Watsontown was never far from my mind. My Quaker ancestors came to Pennsylvania with William Penn in the late 1600’s. My Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors came here in the 1700’s. My historical interest in Pennsylvania never slowed down. When I saw this fascinating historical map about Native American lands where I could see Warrior Run on the map, I thought it might be better suited for the Warrior Run schools rather than in my home.”
The original hand-colored lithographed Pennsylvania folding map by cartographer P.W. Sheafer published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1875 shows the Native American names of streams, villages, and paths of travel. It includes sites of old forts and battle fields, and successive purchases of tribal lands.
Of great importance to Ted was the designated location of Warrior Run Creek and site of Fort Freeland, located on the Warrior Run School District complex and preserved by the local Warrior Run - Fort Freeland Heritage Society. Annual Heritage Days have been held at the site since 1981 commemorating the Battle of Fort Freeland on July 28, 1779, a significant battle during the Revolutionary War.
A consistent supporter of the Warrior Run Community Education Foundation, Ted and his late wife Jackie had already established a Library Education Fund with the WRCEF to facilitate continued learning experiences for Warrior Run students. He also felt strongly that this map should return to the Warrior Run School District for display and use in educational classrooms. He then approached the WRCEF to gift the map to the WRSD through the Foundation, which was enthusiastically welcomed. Preserved and framed, the map now resides at “home” in Warrior Run country thanks to Captain Edward B. Hontz, USN (ret.).
------------------------------------------
The map was presented to Supt. Dr. Thor Edmiston and the School Board by WRCEF President Jean Hormell on June 23, 2025 and will be on view in the Jr/Sr High School Library.