Posts Tagged bowling

I recently posted an article about the old bowling alley on Lawrence Avenue and the response was outstanding. As of half way through January, there have been twenty three “comments” or memories shared about the bowling alley or any of the bowling alleys in town. Mr. Dave Patterson went a step further and shared this picture from the mid-1950’s of his mother’s bowling team. Dave’s mother, Hazel Garwig Huffman is pictured in the back row, in the middle.

    Thank you Dave for sharing.

    You might remember these pictures like they were yesterday if you grew up in Ellwood City a little under one hundred years ago. For the rest of us, these pictures are hard to imagine being from our town. As you can see through the progression these pictures were taken during the construction of the Shelby Social Club in 1916. I am going to try to have another post with the background zoomed in.

“In 1917, the National Tube Company (a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation) opened a massive facility on the corner of Pittsburgh Circle and First Street that would bring recreational activities never even thought of in Ellwood City a reality. Designed as a clubhouse for the employees of National Tube, it became a recreational center for virtually all of the citizens of Ellwood City. The Shelby Social Club was home to an Olympic size swimming pool, a meeting room, a gymnasium, a six lane bowling alley, billiards, an auditorium, a soda grill, lounge room, cafeteria and a basketball court among other things.”

I know some of the automobile guys are disappointed but it looks like this was still in the days Ellwood City was train and horse n’ buggy days. The original picture (with simply the footer laid) has a wagon and team on the dirt path that is Pittsburgh Circle. As a matter of fact almost every picture has horse n’ buggies. People had to check on things back then too I guess.

The interior pictures are also very interesting to me. I have only been inside the old clubhouse since it has been remodeled a number of times to accommodate the multiple business it houses today. I am curious if the stage is still there and can only imagine the basketball that was played here. I would enjoy hearing more of your memories of the old clubhouse. Please share below or email to info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

      The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is a fraternal organization that split from the English Odd Fellows organizations which originated during the early part of the 1700′s when charitable and selfless acts were not common. The American branch became the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the number of lodges in the United States increased until every State in the United States had a lodge. The Civil War saw a great number of Lodges close as membership plummeted but rebounded a little after the war. The Great Depression also struck a blow to membership as many were unable to afford membership.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows had two lodges in Ellwood City, the Glenn Park Lodge 1016 instituted Sept 10, 1891  and the Alferetta Rebekah Lodge 142 instituted Oct 14, 1902. The Glenn Park Lodge met every Thursday in the Schweiger Building (601 Lawrence Avenue). The Odd Fellows’ ladies’ auxiliary in Ellwood City was known as the “Daughters of Rebekah”.
Ellwood City Lodge 9 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows came about by consolidation of Glen Park Lodge, Refuge Lodge, and Wampum Lodge 865 instituted Jan 22, 1874. The consolidation of the three lodges was instituted Jan 20 1932, by Grand Master Rev. Simon Sipple, other Grand Lodge officers.
The name Ellwood City Lodge No. 9 was suggested to the Grand Lodge by the secretary Lawrence Rabberman and adopted by the Grand Lodge without question. During the following years the lodge supported a softball team in the I.O.O.F. league of Beaver Valley (they won the championship in a playoff with Freedom); they also had a team in the Civic Bowling League.
The lodge contributed to the support of the Wayside Inn, I.O.O.F. home in Grove City, PA and Orphans Home in Meadville, PA. The independent Order of Odd Fellows is the oldest fraternal organization in the United States. The newly formed Lodge 9 continued for many years though last record I can find is 1967.
 

      Ellwood City had a few Duck Pin lanes in town, but as for actual bowling alleys go, there were only two or three of those. The one most folks remember was the bowling alley on Woodside Avenue (Ellwood-New Castle Road or Route 65). In the last twenty years the name changed two or three times, but I believe it was Woodside Lanes the longest. Please correct if I am wrong.
      Another popular bowling alley in town was the bowling alley pictured here. The building was torn down awhile back to expand McElwain Brothers used auto lot, but many people still remember the bowling alley. The only name I could find for the bowling alley was the Ellwood Bowling Alley (1964 Phone Book) but I do not ever remember it being called that.
Do you remember the bowling alley on Lawrence Avenue? We would like to hear your memories. Please share below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

    The Ellwood Opera House Hotel was built in 1893 on the 600 block of Lawrence Avenue. If you look closely at the picture, you can see that the first floor housed a bowling alley, barbershop, restaurant, and a pool hall. The Second floor was used as an auditorium where most of town’s public meetings were held. The auditorium was used as a theatre hosting Vaudeville, usually featuring Ray & Rini Grant.  In the late 1800′s and early 1900′s Vaudeville became one of the most popular types of entertainment in North America. Each evening’s bill of performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts. Types of acts included (among others) musicians (both classical and popular), dancers, comedians, trained animals, magicians, female and male impersonators, acrobats, one-act plays or scenes from plays, athletes, lecturing celebrities, minstrels, and or short movies.

    The Ellwood Opera House later became home to the Loyal Order of the Moose until they sold the property to ESB bank and moved into their current building at 1400 Factory Ave. The Moose hosted many events for the community including Lincoln High School’s after-prom, and performances by various singers including Lawrence Welk, Guy Lombardo, & Vaughn Monroe.

   We know there were many other performances and other events held at the Moose but we need you help, could you please share your memories with us? Please either leave a reply below or email us by CLICKING HERE.

      Shoe Stores, Flower shops, Men’s Clothing, Women’s Clothing, Pool Halls, Candy Stores, Pet Shops, and of course Pe Wee’s. “Downtown” Ellwood City has been home to almost every kind of store you can imagine. From large department stores like Dambach’s and Murphy’s to the little Ma & Pa shops that have thrived here for many years.

      I can not list every single business in Ellwood City, but everyone that has ever lived here has fond memories of downtown. Whether they are memories of where you worked, shopped, or just “hung out”, there is always at least one place that you remember fondly. Whether the story you repeat the most happened at the Drug Store on the corner, or one of the multiple restaurants, maybe the flower shop where you bought your homecoming mum or the story about you and your friends at one of the movie theaters (Majestic, Manos, or the Liberty). If you are too young to remember the Majestic, ask someone a little older if they remember it. Not only will you get that story, but I will almost guarantee they can remember what was playing when it burnt down.

      It is always quite enjoyable to talk to someone and see the look they get in their eye when the memories they haven’t thought about in years start flooding back. The diners and drug stores always seem to bring back memories like nothing else can. When someone mentions the Lemon Blendd drinks from Albert Your Druggist’s or the Soda Fountain at Young’s Drug Store or the Ice Cream Sunday’s at Acme Lunch, it is almost as if the person can still taste it and are suddenly taken back to their childhood. Memories of food seem to do that. Whether it was the world famous pies from Margaret’s, the roast beef sandwiches from the Jayhawk, or the sausage sandwiches from Nick’s over in the park. Of course, as soon as someone mentions Nick’s Snack Bar the stories start flowing but I’ll save those for another time.

      The food isn’t the only memories people have of Ellwood City. Duck pin bowling alleys and pool halls have been everywhere in Ellwood. It seems that every other building in the “downtown” area has had one of these either in the basement or upstairs at one time or another. If it didn’t have one of these, it may have gotten people in the door by hosting weekend dances like the S.O.I. the Jaycees, and the Shuffle Shop. Of course you couldn’t miss the show at the Ellwood City Opera House, or one of the famous performers at one of the clubs, or the Saturday matinee at one of the movie theaters. Friday nights were spent at the local teen hangout like Willies, Winkys, or Johnny’s.

      Ellwoodians have special memories of each and every business In Ellwood City. Even those that haven’t lived here in over twenty five years still love their hometown. Like the memories Bruce Brenneman from Houghton, New York shared with us of Blochers Jewelery Store and that black marble front. Or the memories of her dad’s Barber shop (Turners) at the end of Lawrence Avenue that Linda Tidemanson in California shared with us. Once you live in Ellwood City, you are an Ellwoodian. No matter where you may move to, folks always consider Ellwood City their hometown.
We would love to hear from you and about your favorite place to go downtown and the stories you have because of it. Please share your memories of downtown Ellwood City with in the “comments” section below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

      The massive facility known as the Shelby Social Club or the Shelby Clubhouse was built only a very short walk from Shelby Works Park located on the corner of First Street and Fountain Avenue. Mrs. Thornhill shared with us that she remembers the park had an outside swimming pool, tennis courts, playground, a place to wash automobiles and a rooming house.
      The clubhouse on the corner of Pittsburgh Circle and First Street was home to an Olympic size indoor swimming pool, a meeting room, a gymnasium, a six lane bowling alley, billiards, an auditorium, a soda grill, lounge room, cafeteria and a basketball court among other things.  The one thing it was missing was a baseball field, but the tube mill already had one; Shelby Field in the Shelby Land Company’s Plan (later to become Ewing Park.)
      Situated directly beside the P.H.B.&N.C. trolley tracks (today Joffre Street) and Foch Street, the tube mill already owned perhaps the most popular recreation of the time, a baseball field.
      An excerpt from “Hack” written by Bob Boone; “People frequently walked far out of their way just to pass Shelby Field to watch Lew (“Hack” Wilson) bat out long home runs and slide on his belly around the outfield. Careful coaching from (Connie) Wardman combined with Lew’s natural talent produced a ten-year-old who played as well as boys many years older. Most of the adults who came to watch this talented youngster also noted that he did little to conceal his pleasure at playing before an audience.”
      When you combine the Shelby Clubhouse, Shelby Park, and Shelby Field; there is not a popular recreation that is not accounted for. The large recreational plan was all within walking distance of work at the tube mill and the employee’s homes in the Shelby Land Company’s Plan.
      We would enjoy hearing from anyone else that remembers Shelby Works Park. There is very little evidence of it’s existence today except this photograph that simply says “Ellwood City” across the back and the memories of but a few. Please share below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

     Ellwood City has always had good bowlers, in fact very good bowlers. The town has housed numerous bowling alleys and duck pin lanes all the way back to it’s earliest days. One team in particular was so good that they were invited to the A.B.C. Tournament in 1946 held in Buffalo, New York. The team consisted of Joe Beatrice, Ang Sanders, Chuck Cole, Frank Moskal, (front row, dark shirts) and Nick Bauer (standing, same shirt).
    We know there are many, many more bowling stories to be told of those from Ellwood City. Please leave any comments you might have below or email us any pictures or stories at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

      From the time it opened in the early summer of 1891 until W.G. Clark from Altoona took over, Hotel Lawrence was named Hotel Oliver. Hotel Lawrence was a summer resort for people from the cities and was surrounded by a beautiful park and picnic grounds. The hotel itself had electric lights, steam heat, pool halls, and a bowling alley.

      Mr. Clark had already been in the hotel business for many years when he took over the lease, changed the name of the hotel, and became the manager of the Hotel Lawrence. W.G. Clark ran the hotel but the popularity of the beautiful hotel and park continued to decline. Finally in 1915, the building and land were sold to the Ellwood City school board and converted to a school building and apartments until it was torn down in 1925 to make room for the newly planned civic center that included Lincoln High School, Hartman Elementary School, a public library and more. 

     The civic center obviously never happened due in a large part to the Great Depression and the lack of money needed for a project so large. If you would like to leave a comment, please do so below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

    The Shuffle Shop opened in 1944 as a teen dance hall operated by local citizens inside the former Circle School Building. The school was built all the way back in 1895 and today is the location of the Circle Playground. The Shuffle Shop was where many of the area teens spent many many hours playing games, dancing, and enjoying the “coke” bar.
    If you do not remember the shuffle Shop (also known as the “Can”) you may need a lively imagination to picture the dance floor crowded to the limits with enthusiastic jitterbugs. The dance floor was lined with the soft drink bar, bright red tables, the popular easy chairs, and a line at the front door waiting admittance. Those that made it through the long line would get their hands stamped “MEMBER” in big black letters. The dance floor was only the beginning as there was a bowling alley in the basement and the second floor sported two ping pong tables and a “get-together” room with comfortable chairs and small couches.
Those that have shared their memories with us recall a large piano that would challenge the juke box which would only get louder.
We recently heard from a gentleman that grew up in nearby Beaver Falls, but he shared with us that one of his fondest memories growing up was the Ellwood City Shuffle Shop. He recalled that he and his cousin would come up to Ellwood City on the weekends to attend the dances that were held in the old Circle School.
    If you remember the Shuffle Shop and would like to share your memories, please leave a comment below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

     In 1917, the National Tube Company (a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation) opened a massive facility on the corner of Pittsburgh Circle and First Street that would bring recreational activities never even thought of in Ellwood City a reality. Designed as a clubhouse for the employees of National Tube, it became a recreational center for virtually all of the citizens of Ellwood City. The Shelby Social Club was home to an Olympic size swimming pool, a meeting room, a gymnasium, a six lane bowling alley, billiards, an auditorium, a soda grill, lounge room, cafeteria and a basketball court among other things.
     It did not take long after construction that the basketball program became one of the finest in the area. The first team to play on the basketball court was the Shelby Social Club’s semi-pro team. In 1918, the court became home to the Ellwood City High School basketball team also. Ellwood City was without a high school team before that because the school did not have anywhere to play or practice. The high school played at the Shelby until they got a gym of their own in 1926 at the newly constructed Lincoln High School. Today that gym is known as the “old” gym or “little” gym. 
    Basketball continued to grow in popularity in the predominately baseball minded community but public interest truly gained at the start of the city wide church league in 1920. First Baptist dominated the church league with their only loss in the first two years was to Bell Memorial (First Baptist had to forfeit the game). The 1921-22 all-star team consisted of Merit Book, Chief Parillo, Dewey Cunningham, Ralph Adams, Sing MacDonald, Ray Johnston, Jimmy Guy, Cooper, Fike, & Dip McDaniel.
    In 1925 the sport got another boost when National Tube started an Inter-Departmental League. Teams included Hot Mills, Mechanicals, Office, Specialty, Finishing, Cold Draw, Hot Finish, Inspection, and consisted of All-Stars Dip McDaniel, Sing MacDonald, Joe Latiano, Joe Reilly, and Earl McCandless). The league expanded in 1936 with the additions of Lincoln High Faculty and Italo Balbo. The Inter-Departmental League ended in 1940.
    1930 marked the return of the Semi-Pro league at the Shelby Clubhouse. The Ellwood City Manhattans began play in the Allegheny County League playing the best teams in Western Pennsylvania and posting an 11-11 record. In the clubhouse’s last ten years other basketball leagues played at the Shelby including Junior & Intermediate leagues, an Industrial League, and a Municipal League. The Municipal League included teams such as Moose, Catholic Center, SOI, North Side, Eagles, Chippy’s, and Oasis.
    The same year the Inter-Departmental league ended (1940), the Shelby Social Club put a team in the Beaver County Basketball League. The Socials lost its first two games against Slippery Rock University & the University of Pittsburgh, then the Socials went on to win their next nineteen games in a row finishing the season 30-4. 
    Basketball was not the only thing people remember about the Shelby Clubhouse. Beginning in 1918, the day school let out for Christmas vacation, the clubhouse was open to all children in grade school in Ellwood City & surrounding townships. Children not yet old enough to be in kindergarten were also invited but required a ticket that was available with a donation. The kids would climb the stairs to the third floor auditorium to see a huge decorated tree, view a Christmas themed film, sing carols, & see Santa come down the fake chimney. After Santa appeared, each kid got a brown bag treat which during the Great Depression may have been more than some of the children got for Christmas.
    Then, during the summer of 1950 without any big announcements, a small article appeared stating that the Shelby Clubhouse facilities had been sold to Aetna-Standard for an engineering and office building. The small announcement was the end to the recreational center that meant a whole lot to Ellwood City.
    After U.S. Steel closed the clubhouse, the club moved to the office space in the old hospital building on the mill grounds. The final Christmas party was Dec 23, 1960. It was estimated that 6,000 children gathered for their Christmas treat that year though in previous years the number reached as many as 8,000. 

    We are pretty sure that more than a couple of people have memories (good or bad) about the great clubhouse that was available to them for more than 33 years. If you would like to share yours, please leave a comment below or email us by CLICKING HERE.

    This is one of the greatest pictures we have been given. The picture was taken from on top of the current Nick Frisk Law Offices building looking West down Lawrence Avenue in 1963. Most of the businesses are no longer located in Ellwood City but most of the buildings are still there. On the left of the picture you can see the Stiefel Building with Fifth Street marker attached to the building. Across the street on the Northern side of Lawrence Ave we get a clear picture of Ellwood City in the early part of the 1960’s. The first thing that stands out to most people is the Majestic Theater.
     The Majestic Theater was located at 506 Lawrence Avenue was purchased and operated by Andy Frank & John Biordi in 1917 and was well known for it’s vaudeville and silent movies at that time. Irene and Tony Guerrere purchased the theater from them in 1976 and continued to own the Majestic until it was destroyed by a massive fire in 1984.
    To the East was a drug store and then Isaly’s (I Shall Always Love You), both were very popular hang outs to local teenagers. To the West is Shapiros, Damas Grill, W.T. Grant Co. with a sign for a bowling alley in front. Does anybody remember if the bowling alley was on the main floor, basement, or second floor? Next to the Grant Company was the G.C. Murphy’s Co. The Murphy Company arrived in Ellwood City as early as 1917 and advertised “Goods under $0.25”. The “five & ten” store as it became known as remained a fixture on Lawrence Ave until the early 1980’s.
    Continuing west, we can see signs for Edmin’s, Lucc’s, Hardware Store, and the old Hotel Conway. Beside Kimpel’s Jewelers was National Lunch and City Drug Store on the corner of Sixth Street. After crossing Sixth Street it gets a little harder to make out the names on the signs but we can see Pushs, and Merves Furniture.
     Some of the other things we noticed from this picture were the street lights and television antennas. You can see the old fixtures on all the light poles where the fancy ornate street lights used to be but no longer. Also on top of all the buildings are television antennas which were customary for this time but if you look on top of Merves Furniture the antenna is huge, because they sold televisions.
     Does this picture remind you of any old stories? Please share your memories with us by leaving a comment below or EMAIL us.