Monthly Archives: December 2008

Sorry, we are trying to make arrangements to get your schools pictures but have not yet had the opportunity. Please check back soon.

I apologize for the poor picture quality. These were quickly taken as my daughter was getting ready for the Wampum Christmas Parade. I at trying to make arangements to get better pictures of each individual trophy.

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    Originally located on the present site of the borough of Ellport on the opposite side of the Connoquenessing Creek from the most Eastern end of Ewing Park, The Ellwood City Country Club first elected a Board of Directors in the beginning of April 1912. Later in the same year, the Club added a dance pavilion that would also host picnics to the grounds that already sported a two room building and its own golf course (how Golf Avenue got its name).
    In 1919, The Ellwood City Country Club purchased Dr. J.M. Hazen’s farm in North Sewickley Township and some additional acreage from James Runyan. The old Hazen homestead was renovated with an improved kitchen and added a 16 foot porch for use as a dining room and dance floor.
    Transportation was made possible to and from the club when a “private” stop was added on the “Harmony Route” only a few minutes walk from the clubhouse. The nine hole golf course was in top shape for the grand opening on May 30, 1919. A large number of lots on the Southern shore of the Connoquenessing Creek were leased on extended terms to club members which quickly erected a number of summer cottages.
    The current clubhouse was erected a thousand feet south of the original clubhouse in 1926-27. It wasn’t until the early 1940’s that the club added an additional 9 holes to become one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in the area. Bob Thompson is still considered the best hacker to be a member of the club. Besides being the areas leading golfer for over 25 years, he also was crowned the Connoquenessing Country Club golf champion 18 times. Many amateur and even a couple professional golfers have golfed at the Country Club including one of the greatest of all time, Arnold Palmer.
    If you would like to share a memory you have of the Country Club or any of its members, please leave a comment below or email us by CLICKING HERE.

National Tube Company

The Standard Tube Company, was started when R.C. Stiefel & J.H. Nicholson left Shelby & started Standard Seamless Tube Co. The Standard Tube Co. was the largest seamless tube plant in the world when it was purchased by the National Tube Company in 1901. Shortly after this, the National Tube Company was incorporated as a part of the United States Steel Corporation and be known to locals as Mill A. The various seamless tube manufacturing plants are operated under the Shelby Steel Tube Company.

National Tube Works

National Tube Works

Standard Mill Shelby Tube Company

The core of Ellwood City was the development of a strong industrial base fostered in large part by the invention and development of the seamless tube industry here. The first seamless steel tubes in America were pierced in Ellwood City in June of 1895 by the inventor and engineer Ralph C. Stiefel.

Shelby Tube Mill

    The Ellwood Weldless Tube Company was the very first seamless tube company in the world and was later acquired by the Shelby Tube Company. The Shelby Tube Mill was the center of the tube division of U.S. Steel.

    The current Hartman Elementary School is located on the same property as the original building at the corner of Fourth Street and Crescent Avenue. The elementary school is directly beside the high school and Hartman Elementary was finished before the new Lincoln High School after Hotel Lawrence was torn down.  Classes started in 1923

Ivy Hummel

Classes began in the 12 room North Side Elementary school located on North St & Orchard Ave in 1916.

The current building was built directly behind the original building in the recess area.

North Side Teachers - Ivy Hummel (later Ivy Clarke) second from left in front

1892 saw the opening of a two room schoolhouse in Hazel Dell. This school was located on the southeast corner of Line Ave & College St and not to be confused with the “Old Brick School House” built in 1850 by Adam Shoemaker at the top of the old covered bridge road where Glen Ave meets 6th St. The Hazel Dell Schoolhouse was used until Hazel Dell became part of Ellwood City in September 1st, 1914.

     Later a YMCA was built on the same location but has since re-opened as the Ellwood Area Family Center.

Lincoln High School

In 1914, the Ellwood City School Board purchased the crown jewel of Ellwood City, the Hotel Lawrence located where Fifth Street meets Cresent Ave for $19,000. The School Board did not tear down the Hotel right away, instead converting the twenty-two year old building into a make-shift school house. The rooms on the first floor of the Hotel were turned into school rooms while the second story was rented out as apartments until the building was torn down in 1923 to build the current Lincoln High School.
    The large auditorium was added at the end of the 1920′s and the first assembly was held there in 1930. The football and baseball field known as Lincoln Field was moved to Ewing Park and renamed Helling Stadium in 1953. The field at the school was removed when the school remodeled again in 1961. During that particular restructuring, the South wing of the school was torn down along with the field to make room for the current cafeteria, the music department, superintendent offices, large gym, and a parking lot. Ms. Dorothy Ednie kindly pointed out that due to some of the classrooms being destroyed during this remodeling process Lincoln High School was forced to go to split school days. Half of the students would start school early in the morning and end the school day around lunchtime while the other half began after lunch and was in school until around 5pm.
    Today, Lincoln High School is part of the Ellwood City Area School District and includes students from Ellwood City, Ellport, Wampum and the townships of Perry and Wayne.  Lincoln is home to both the Junior and Senior High School for grades 7-12. The total enrollment in Lincoln High School including both the Junior and Senior High is approx. 1,080 students.
    Please share your favorite memory (or memories) of Lincoln High School by either leaving a comment just below or on the forum page, or email us by CLICKING HERE.

    You can view the Lincoln High School trophy case by CLICKING HERE.

Central Public School

In 1902, Ellwood City built the Central Public School on the corner of Lawrence Ave & 6th St. The building and land was traded to the city in exchange for Hotel Lawrence, which was used as a school until 1923 when Lincoln High School was constructed.

Central Public School

     The current Municipal building stands on the former grounds of the Central Public School and a monument stands in front with the bell that was on top of the school on display.

Central Public School