Towamensing’s Historical Commission honored two local citizens for their efforts toward preserving a landmark property in Trachsville.

Commission chairman Karl Rolappe announced Elise and Kevin Binder as the recipients of the annual Historical Preservation Award during the township’s supervisors meeting on Thursday.

Commission member Paul Hoppel nominated the couple for the award to honor their efforts in maintaining the structure of the old Buck’s Store in Trachsville, which closed its doors in 1988.

Doris Behler, mother of Elise, accepted the award on behalf of her daughter and son-in-law.

Behler’s parents, Stella and Clyde Buck, opened the store as newlyweds in the 1930s, and Behler and her siblings, Lois and Clyde Jr., spent a good amount of time there as children, providing assistance when needed.

To have the next generation of her family invest so much effort to preserve a part of their past touched Behler’s heart.

“I think it was wonderful, I’m really proud of them for doing that. It was a lot of work, and a lot of money,” she said, noting that her own parents would be thrilled with the family’s efforts to preserve a part of their heritage.

Rolappe said that just about anyone in the area could fondly recall visits to the store, which sold everything from grocery items to sewing supplies to hardware.

“I remember going there as a child, I used to ride my bike there in the ‘70s, get ice cream and candy, and go fishing at the creek that feeds Beltzville Lake,” he said.