Tiny Beavertown hopes to honor Davy Jones and get a local boost from the late Monkee

David Wenner | dwenner@pennlive.com By David Wenner

on March 05, 2013 at 11:17 AM, updated March 05, 2013 at 11:50 AM

Imagine the bronze likeness of Davy Jones of the Monkees towering a dozen feet above in a former church. That’s the vision in tiny Beavertown, Pa., where they plan to plan to unveil a statue of the late 1960s teen idol June 15.

But first they must raise $6,000 to coat the donated statute in bronze. And it would help if Jones’ daughters and widow would settle differences related to the former church that will hopefully become a museum.

Davy Jones memorial program in Beavertown, Snyder County. Davy Jones’ home in Beavertown, Snyder County. Davy Jones, lead singer of The Monkees, died of a heart attack on February 29, 2012. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

But if comes to together, it might mean a little excitement and revenue for the town of about 950 where Jones spent much of the last 22 years of his life. Beavertown sits in Snyder County farmland 60 miles northwest of Harrisburg. The nearest towns with much in the way of hotels are Lewistown and Sunbury.

“It might be a bit of a hassle to accommodate all the tourists, but it would be good for the economy. It would be a nice thing to have,” said Mayor Cloyd Wagner.

Wagner, 82, considered Jones a friend, as did many in Beavertown. So it also would be nice to honor him and complete the museum which Jones worked on during his years in Beavertown, Wagner said.

Jones first came to Beavertown to visit a book collaborator who lived there. He took a liking and bought a large home once occupied by a prosperous family that owned a local tannery.

The home, about two blocks from the center of town, gave him room to raise horses. At the time of Jones’ death last Feb. 29, his house had peeling paint and ongoing renovation and looked more like a typical Beavertown home than a star’s mansion.

A native of England, Jones lived there full-time for about 15 years and more recently lived part-time in Florida, where he died of a heart attack at 66. He walked to the local post office and stores, and sometimes rode a horse, which isn’t unusual in Beavertown.

via Tiny Beavertown hopes to honor Davy Jones and get a local boost from the late Monkee | PennLive.com.