Sayre Pennsylvania History

Sayre is a small, upstate Pennsylvania Victorian Era town in Pennsylvania with an enormous footprint in the history of the state. Sayre’s history includes being a major hub for the former Lehigh Valley Railroad and the location of the renowned Robert Packer Hospital and Guthrie Clinic.

Howard Elmer, Charles Anthony, and James Fritcher purchased the much of the land where Sayre is now. Elmer convinced Robert Sayre to build the new Lehigh Valley Railroad repair facility in the area. It became the largest employer in the area with over 1200 individuals.

Before Sayre, It Was Pine Plains

Howard Elmer, Charles Anthony Jr., and James Fritcher purchased the property between Waverly, New York, and Athens, Pennsylvania, in 1870. Mr. Elmer convinced the Lehigh Valley Railroad work shops in Pine Plains.

It is said Howard Elmer arranged a party of railroad men to get a look over the Susquehanna River at the Valley where the Sayre reservoir stands, Robert Sayre, President of the Pennsylvania and New York Railroad, along being the superintendent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, announced, “What a magnificent location for a great city.” Elmer in responded, “If that is your option Mr. Sayre, we will build a town and call it by your name.” On January 27, 1891, Sayre became incorporated.