Preserving Souderton's Legacy at Holly's Hill Park

The sign provides visitors with a deep dive into local history, detailing how Adam Holly introduced Handkäse, meaning "hand cheese,”—a traditional German sour milk cheese—to the region in the 1870s. His sons later moved the thriving business to Souderton in 1892. The signage also commemorates Holly House, an elegant Queen Anne-style home built in 1911 that once stood on the very grounds where the park is now permanently preserved.

To ensure the sign’s design reflected this heritage, the family chose an Old English typeface inspired by original cheese wrapper labels, set against a green background to echo the park setting. The project was a true family effort, with 22 descendants contributing to exceed the fundraising goal. The remaining funds were donated to the Souderton-Telford Historical Society, which provided details about the Holly family and their business, helping clarify parts of the family's timeline and business history, and to the Souderton-Telford Rotary Foundation, which plans to plant trees and develop a pollinator garden at the park. 
 
When selecting a manufacturer, the family sought a partner that offered both quality and a local connection. Regarding their experience, the Holly family shared:

Pannier provided quality assistance and quick adjustments as directed by our family. The final sign looks professional and sturdy, and we believe it will stand the test of time, inspiring visitors to the park for generations to come. Our family thanks everyone who supported our project, including the Souderton-Telford Historical Society, especially Cory and Ron Alderfer; Souderton Borough, notably its Public Works crew, Borough Manager Sarah Jarrett-Eaton, and Mayor Daniel L. Yocum. We also appreciate Ursula Heinzelmann, a scholar and food historian from Berlin, for her interpretive feedback on the Holly Bros. cheese, Handkäse, and Douglas Scott, a designer and historic preservationist, for his feedback on the sign’s graphic design.

By blending family archives with professional fabrication, this project ensures that the industrious spirit of the Holly family remains a visible part of the Souderton community.