Posts Tagged conn

      The Ewing Park Bridge originally opened as a toll bridge connecting the tube mill to the houses the mill built for it’s employees in what would become Ewing Park. “Old Big Blue” stood until 1998 when it was torn down and the current Ewing Park Bridge was built in the same location.

      Growing up in Ellwood City, we always heard the story of Mr. Foley jumping off the bridge as a bet for a case of beer. For some reason though, the person telling the story always would leave out the part about the dam still being in use at the time and it was not quite the drop it is today.

      We have heard a lot of different memories that involve the old Ewing Park Bridge. Wheter it be riding your bike across to baseball practice, how nervous you felt driving across it with the narrow lanes, or even dropping things on the old steel roof of the abandoned building below the bridge. We would like to hear your memories of the old blue bridge with the tunnel under the northeast end. Please email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com or leave your comment below.

    Around the turn of the century, the Shelby Tube Mill team was one of the best in the area consisting of Judd Turner, Bid Gillespie, Bill Robbins, Paul Luther, Bill Bayers, Chip Bayers, Joe Havice, Danny Bookamer, Barney McKay, and former minor leaguer Connie Wardman (who mentored Major League Hall of Fame Hack Wilson).

      Paul Luther was the star pitcher of the team leading the 1909 team to a 19-1 record. Later he played an important role in building the Veterans Memorial swimming pool and the Helling Stadium football field in Ewing Park along with teammate William Bayers.

    The Shelby Tube Mill sponsored a baseball team from 1900 to 1910 and the area’s best players seemed to always find their way onto the team.

    Ellwood City Memories was recently shown a booklet published in 1891 as a tool by the Pittsburg Company to “sell” the newly forming town of Ellwood City. The booklet pushed the town as a resort town with the close proximity to Rock Point Park, Ellwood City’s own Glenn Park, the separation of residential areas and industrial areas, running water, electric, and the crown jewel – the Hotel Oliver. This picture and following write-up were both contained inside the booklet, but we apologize for the poor picture quality as we did not want to scan this picture and possibly damage the over one hundred year old booklet.

    “The Hotel Oliver occupies a commanding site in “Oliver Park” overlooking the chasm of the Connoquenessing and Glen Park, and from it is obtained a magnificent view of the beautiful surrounding country. The Hotel Oliver is supplied with every modern convenience; sanitary plumbing, steam heat, natural gas, electric light, etc. The purest of clear, cold spring water is piped into the hotel. It is furnished throughout in the most complete manner, and is under the management of one of the best hotel men in the country, with cuisine and every appointment strictly first-class. A number of handsome cottages are being erected in “Oliver Park,” adjoining the hotel for the use of families preferring them to rooms within the hotel. It is remarked by all who have seen this site that it is an incomparable hotel location, with its surrounding park of original forest trees, extensive lawn, flowers and fountains interspersed with charming walks and drives. The Connoquenessing Club has begun building a handsome Club House at the foot of Fifth Street, facing the Hotel Oliver and immediately over the springs and chasm, in one of the most charming spots on the Connoquenessing. Another hotel, to be called the “Glen House,” is already under contract with the builders. This house will be located on the borders of Glen Park, overlooking the famous “Sentinel Rocks,” the most romantic spot on the Connoquenessing.”

     In 1922, the Pittsburgh, Harmony, Butler & New Castle Railway Company created the Harmony Short Line Motor Transportation Company primarily for freight purposes but the busses were soon after used to supplement the Beaver Falls branch of the trolley line. Additional bus lines were added by 1924 to supplement Ellwood City and New Castle rail service along with a new route in 1925 between Butler and New Castle where rail service was not present. These bus lines were originally used primarily for getting freight and additional passengers to and from the already established trolley operation. 
     In 1929 a new route was added to the regularly scheduled routes between Pittsburgh and Zelienople which was extended in 1930 to Ellwood City. The extended route connected Pittsburgh to the existing Ellwood City – New Castle route.
     Unfortunately due to increasing popularity of privately owned automobiles and ultimately the Great Depression; in April of 1931, the entire Harmony system including bus and trolleys went into receivership. The Harmony rail service was eliminated and the Ellwood City – Beaver Falls – New Castle portion was converted to bus operation.
     It was reported on August 12, 1954 that two men purchased the Ellwood City Motor Coach Company from Beaver Valley Motor Coach who had purchased the company in 1952. Donald Wooster of Koppel, who was employed at Ellwood City Motor for fifteen years and Gerald Wallace of Ellwood City purchased the bus line and renamed it Wooster-Wallace Motor Coach line. 
     We have heard that there were a number of bus stops in Ellwood City including the main stop at the Jayhawk Restaurant on Lawrence Avenue. Lincoln High School students from Ellport had the option of either walking through Burnstown and around the tube mill to school or pay to ride the city bus each day. Other bus terminals we have heard about included a stop in Wurtemburg, Ellport, Wampum, Chewton, and stops in Hazell Dell. 
     We would love to hear your memories of the busses in and around Ellwood City. Please leave a comment below or email us your memories at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

    Are you aware that the P&LE station is still standing in Ellwood City today?
     According to the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Historical Society web site www.plerrhs.org. The Beaver and Ellwood Railroad Company was organized May 20, 1890 and in April of 1892 The Ellwood Connecting Railroad was incorporated by the P.& L.E. to make the connection to the Beaver and Ellwood Railroad but did not open until June of 1893. In May of 1899, the Beaver and Ellwood Railroad was leased to the P&LE for twenty years. On a side note, July of the same year, the Beaver and Ellwood Railroad acquired the Ellwood Southern Railroad Company.
    Finally June 6, 1910 the P&LE purchased the entire issue of stock of the Beaver and Ellwood Railroad Company and merged it with the Ellwood Connecting Railroad Company in January 1911.
     The P&LE and B&O passenger station in Ellwood City off of Fifth Street beside the subway was torn down long ago, however the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Freight Station is still standing today along Beaver Avenue. In 1966, the freight station was converted into a warehouse and offices by Fotia Brothers Sales & Service owners, Sam & Joseph Fotia. After converting the old P&LE station into a business, they operated their dry goods firm there beside Vinny’s Family Restaurant for a number of years.
     The business took a big hit on Christmas morning in 1985 when fire swept through the Fotia Brothers warehouse on the 600 block of Beaver Avenue. The one story warehouse was gutted by the flames but firefighters from four departments managed to save part of the two story concrete office/store section. The firm made pillows, chair pads, and other dry goods that fueled the flames and produced a thick dark smoke visible from almost all of Ellwood City.
    The B&O freight station along Sixth Street, on the north side of the tracks, was demolished in 1982. That property is now owned by the Ellwood City Forge.
    You can leave any memories you may have about Fotia Brothers or the P&LE Railroad below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

     There has been a recent effort to make the Connoquenessing Creek a usable waterway again with the addition of boat landings from Zelienople to Ellwood City. Those that have gone down the “Conny” know that West of Ellwood City Forge to the Wild Waterways Conservancy at the site of Ellwood City’s old Amusement Park, Rock Point Park, the rapids get a “little” rough. They also know that there are places in Ellwood City that the creek gets very shallow during the summer. 
     This was not always the case. The Slippery Rock Creek that feeds into the Connoquenessing Creek in Wurtemburg used to double the size of the Conny but has dwindled down in size since Moraine State Park was built. Also, another contributing factor to the depth of the creek was the large dam built by the old power plant just west of the Ewing Park Bridge. The two pictures here were taken when the dam was still intact and according to a 1903 map the area was referred to as “the pond”. This area was the site of Foley’s famous jump and from what we hear the site of pretty good fishing including some record size catfish.
     Of course the dam failed in the early 1900′s and was not rebuilt. The creek that once almost touched the Ellwood City Nature Trail in Ewing Park is now fifty feet away from the trail and canoeing is restricted in the hot months late in the summer. We would enjoy hearing any fond memories you may have of the Connoquenessing Creek. To share your memories, please leave a comment below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

     One of the oldest schools in the Ellwood city area is the Matheny School. The building is still standing today along Wampum Road across the road from the old Matheny cemetery located beside Aiken refuse; however the building has been converted into a personal residence. The school building was built at its current location to replace and consolidate the original Matheny one room schoolhouse and the close by Jockey Mohr one room schoolhouse. We have been told that the Jockey Mohr School is still standing but many trips through the area have been unsuccessful in even discovering the old stone foundation. The current location of Wampum Road covers the spot the original Matheny one room schoolhouse as it was located just to the southeast of the brick building pictured. 
     We would like to thank Leonard Chapman for suppling the following pictures along with the names of those pictured. Matheny School about 1941 Grades first through fourth – left to right Row 1 Tom Copper, Dave McKim, Harry Darrow, Bill Chapman, Vivian Darrow, unknown, Leonard Chapman, Don Shirilla, Ruth Gabler, Jack Vova Row 2 Ella Jane Chapman, unknown, Lucille Butch, Clint Summers, Leona Pogozelec, Nancy Mckim, unknown, unknown, unknown, Teresa Pogozelec Row 3 Chuck Summers, Mrs.Leblick, unknown, Nancy Gabler, unknown, unknown, unknown, Joe Bartolomeo, Tom Clark, Lee Butch
     Matheny School About 1942 Bottom Left to Right Row 1 Clint Summers, Dave Mckim, Tom Clark, Joe Bartolomeo, Don Shirilla, Leonard Chapman, Bill Chapman, Row 2 unknown, Ilene Chapman, Vivian Darrow, Ella Jane Chapman, Angelina Butch, Teresa Pogozelec, unknown, Anna Bartolomeo, Ruth Gabler, Nancy McKim, Lucille Butch Row 3 Nancy Gabler, Idea Gabler, unknown, Lee Butch, Chuck Summers, unknown, Leno Pogozelec Row 4 Mrs. Leblick, Shirley Clark, Elisabeth Darrow, unknown, unkown.
     Matheny School About 1943 First Grade thru Eight Grade Bottom row left to right Row 1 Ruben O’Connor, Betty Gabler, Chuck Mount, Wally Starkavitch, Jack Yova, Bruce Mckim, Verna Lee Chapman, Row 2 Ronnie Bartolomeo, Ruth Gabler, Ella Jane Chapman, Leonard Chapman, Rachel O’Connor, Shirley O’Connor, Ilene Chapman Row 3 Teresa Pogozelec, Lucille Butch, unknown, Bill Chapman, Dave Mckim, Vivian Darrow, Don Shirilla Row 4 Lee Butch Joe Bartolomeo Tom Clark Nancy Mckim unknown, Leona Pogozelec, unknown, Anna Bartolomeo Row 5 Mrs. Colder, unknown, Nancy Gambler, unknown, Mrs. Gamble
     Matheny School about 1945 Grade 1 Thru 4 Bottom Row Left to Right Row 1 unknown, lastname Barker, unknown, Danny Bartolomeo, Carmen Butch, Peggy Moyer Row 2 Billy Starkavitch, Leroy O’Connor, Ronnie Bartolomeo, unknown, Ruben O’Connor, Jerry Mount, Betty Gabler, Row 3 unknown, Verna Lee Chapman, Wally Starkavitch, Chuck Mount, Ted Staple, last name Hulick Row 4 Leonard Chapman, Ruth Gabler, Jack Yova, unknown, Dolly Hulick, Mrs. Muller

    We were recently asked if we knew anything about the local teenage boys that would travel to Maine to pick tobacco each summer in the 40′s & 50′s. We had never heard about this tradition so we posted a little blurb under history’s mysteries and received a lot of feedback. Apparently this was an annual tradition, but no one else had ever heard about teenage boys going on the trip as everyone who emailed us had only heard about teenage girls going on this trip.
    First of all, we were told the workforce was shipped to Maine but actually the young women traveled to the tobacco fields of Westfield, Massachusetts close to Connecticut. The girls from Ellwood City area would meet at the Municipal building to meet the Trailways bus that also picked up girls from Beaver Falls and New Castle. Janice Sodergren recalled a different mode of travel. She recalled that the girls were taken by train, by way of New York Central Station, to the depot in either Connecticut or Massachusetts where a bus picked them up and took them to a camp near the tobacco farm. The train began picking up in the New Castle area and picked up girls at every station along the way with Rochester being the last stop before heading to New York.
    The workers were paid either an hourly wage or by piece work (depending on the job). The cost of room and board was deducted from the wage at the end of the week. One contributor recalled clearing about $20 to $25 dollars a week. The length of the job was debated as one person recalled working the entire summer, one recalled the job lasting about 7 weeks, and yet another thought it was six weeks.
    The summer wasn’t all work as weekends were free. A bus to church was provided to those that desired, tours were offered, and swimming was permitted in a nearby lake at the end of the day and on week-ends.
    The camp the Ellwood City girls stayed at was a girls-only camp, although young Spanish speaking boys from Puerto Rico were on the job site. The girls did not stay on the work site but were bussed daily from the camp to the tobacco fields. A sack lunch was provided each morning.
    The movie Parish with Troy Donahue was filmed at the tobacco field the girls worked.
    If you recall these summer work trips or I left something out, please leave a comment below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

    Glen Park was one of the big selling points when convincing people to relocate to the new town of Ellwood City. The park ran along the south side of the Connoquenessing Creek from the current site of the Fifth Street Bridge and stretched approximately five miles west. Glen Park was heavily populated with a multitude of trees including hemlock, beech, birch, and other forest trees and many large rocks covered with ferns and moss. Roads were graded through for easy access and the place was named by H.W. Hartman.
    Since there are not many people around today that can recall the scenic gorge along the Connoquenessing, we can only imagine the beauty and grandeur. The creek held storied beauty where it rolls over the rocks amidst the wildest scenery, having no counterpart for romance and picturesqueness anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains.
    Glen Park consisted of over one hundred acres with walks and drives to access the beautiful scenery including the Palisades, the Sentinel Rocks, etc. The park also had six crystal clear never ending springs bubbling forth from the rock formations and seven other fine springs flowed from the tabled and mineral ridge above.
    The park was abandoned when the factories along the B&O railroad began dumping garbage and refuse along the top of the hill. The area along the creek is still undeveloped and has regained a lot of the natural beauty that was lost. The old Glenn Park would make an ideal scenic spot for a bicycle trail similar to those found in Pennsylvania’s State Park’s.

   The United Presbyterian Church of Wurtemburg was organized in 1859 by Rev. Thomas Guthrie, D. P., who served the church until 1867. The members of the new church originally belonged to the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Perry Township until splitting. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Perry Township traces its roots back to the old Camp Run Reformed Church formed sometime before 1825. The old Camp Run Reformed Church originally was located on Samuel McElwains farm, over the hill from Pleasant Hill Grange Hall with Thomas C. Guthrie serving as pastor. In 1833, a group split from the church and the new movement became the Pleasant Hill Church. In 1840, the church built a new building on Harvey McElwains farm. The original Camp Run Reformed Church ceased to exist by 1851.
    The Wurtemburg large frame building was built in 1860 upon land donated by James Mehard, a member of the congregation, to house the original eighty members and a Sunday-School that has been kept up most of the time since. 1861 marked the year Pleasant Hill & Wurtemburg congregations united to form the United Presbyterian Church of Wurtemburg. The first regular pastor of the new organization was Rev. J. H. Peacock, who came about 1867 and preached here for five years. Rev. John P. Glenn took over the duties November 1, 1874, at the same time supplying the Center Church in Shenango Township.
    A portion of the congregation, some forty-five members, left the church in 1873, and formed a new congregation in Perry Township called Camp Run. They built a church in 1874 and held meetings in connection with the Mountville United Presbyterian Church.
    Sunday June 2, 1985 the Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church marked it’s 125th Anniversary by opening the church’s time capsule from September 1948. The contents of the capsule contained a church bulletin from 1948, a complete listing of the membership and a history of the church 1922-1948. The time capsule was put back into the cornerstone along with mementos from the 125th celebration.
    If you got a little confused reading the history of the churches above don’t worry, I got a little confused writing it. This is a very old church that has continued to grow, split, and evolve over the years and we would love to hear your memories of the church. If you would like to share you memories of the church or its members, please leave a comment below or email us by CLICKING HERE.

    This beautiful house was built in the middle of a farm with a beautiful view of the Connoquenessing Creek in 1872 (before Ellwood City was founded) for John C. Johnston’s family. The Johnston’s were descendants of Andrew Nye, who settled on the tract of land known as “Great Falls”. He was deeded 343 of the 439 acres that comprised “Great Falls” and settled on the tract in approximately 1788-1789. Mr. Nye is widely believed to be the first white settler within boundaries of Lawrence County. Many families in the area today can trace their descent from this man including all of the Nyes, and the greater majority of the Mains, Deemers, Matheny’s and Johnstons.
     In 1939, Superintendent of Ellwood City Schools, James Ellis Bell and his wife Mary Braham Bell purchased the home. Mr. Bell served as the  Superintendent from 1938 to 1962, longer than anyone has ever held that position in Ellwood City. Mr. and Mrs. Bell’s son Eric is still remembered in the area as having one of, if not the most, memorable championship car in the annual soap box derby.
    We are trying to uncover more of the history behind not only this house but also the families that have lived here. If you have any memories about this house or the families that lived here, please leave a comment below or email us your memories at info@ellwoodcitymemories.

    The house at 18 Fifth Street was built in 1891 for James J. Meneize, a hand picked associate of Ellwood City’s founder Henry W. Hartman. James worked for Mr. Hartman in Beaver Falls but when Hartman began building his town, he brought James here to Ellwood City to work for the Pittsburgh Company and help develop the area. The house was built in a nice upper class area at the time. In 1891 when the house was built, the subway under the tracks did not exist and the bridge connecting Hazel Dell was on Sixth Street.
    Meneize’s daughter Mary Ellwood Meneize was the first baby born in the new town of Ellwood City. The Meneize family also holds other distinctions like they were the first family in Ellwood to have three generations serve on the borough council. James J.’s son James P. and his son Raymond all served the community through the council. James son Robert was one of the young men that made the ultimate sacrifice for us in World War II. Since he was stationed in the Philippians when the War broke out, he possibly was Ellwood City’s first casualty in Corregidor (since the date is unknown, this is unconfirmed).
    We are trying to uncover more of the history behind not only this house but also the families that have lived here. If you have any memories about this house, whether it be who lived here or who turned it into a bait shop, please leave a comment below or email us your memories at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com. Information for this post was gathered from the book Ellwood City Houses and the People Who Lived in Them by Charles R. Moser available at the Ellwood City Historical Society.