Monthly Archives: October 2009

    The Ellwood City Romanian Club was established in 1907, but we have not had a lot of luck uncovering where the first meetings were held. We do know that in 1923 the club built their large yellow brick clubhouse between Third Street and Fourth Street next to the St. Ilie Romanian Church. The club had both a good location (close to Aetna Standard) and a good representation from Fourth Street until the end of the 1960′s when the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was built in front of it on the corner of Fourth Street and Park Avenue.
    The Romanian Club is no longer an active club in Ellwood City but occasionally we will hear from someone who has a fond memory of the club. Whether it is the members, the parties that were held there, or even a memory of when their grandfather would take them to go see Santa Claus in the basement. We would really love to hear any memories you may have of the Romanian Club or its members. To share your story, please leave a comment below or on the forum page, or simply email us by CLICKING HERE.
    When Ellwood City celebrated its one hundredth birthday in 1992, the President of the Romanian Club was Sam Ursu, the Vice President was Nick Savu, Helen Savu was secretary, and the tresurer of the club was Pete Neghiu. Other positions in the club included Rae and George Berson as the Trustees, Zina Neghiu handled the sick visitations, and the Board of Directors included Marion Gib, Anna Tirlia, Ester Ursu, Francis Sesaran, & Andy Gib.

     During the summer of 1928, the Ellwood City Airport was acquired by the Ellwood City Aircraft Company. The airport was located on the McKim farm only a few miles from downtown on “over 100 acres of level ground lying between hills that blocked cross winds, running along railroad tracks made it an ideal spot for a landing field”.  The airfield also housed a large wooden hanger that housed three airplanes though five planes were kept at the airport.
    With the large industrial base in Ellwood City and the fact that Ellwood City had the highest per capita payroll in the state, very important people were coming in and out of town fairly consistently. Air travel was not very popular at the time as long trips were usually by train and boat but the foresight was there, though never fully taken advantage of. The planes that were housed at the airport were not owned by any of the large companies of Ellwood City, but mostly by individuals. One airplane was owned by Ellwood City Aircraft Company, two planes were owned by W.R. Wright and his son Kenneth, one was owned by E.K Cole, and the other was from Beaver Falls. Plans were made for an additional hanger, but never constructed.
    The Aircraft Company begun as a group of young men realizing the need for an airport in Ellwood City and held a meeting for all interested residents thus forming an aero club. In 1928 K.E. Fox served as President, Henry Campbell Vice President, N.F. Rearic Secretary, and W.F. Kegal was treasurer. The instructors at the aviation school at the airport were W.H. Thomas (former Army flyer) and George Danseith (former Navy flyer).
    If you have a memory or know something we forgot to mention, please leave a comment below or email us by clicking HERE.