The Foley Leap
Legend has it that Tom Foley jumped off the Ewing Park Bridge for a case of beer.
On a bet, Tom was supposed to jump off of the old Ewing Park Bridge into the Connoquenessing during the Shelby company picnic in Ewing Park. Company authorities heard of the wager and prevented Tom from making the jump. But the following day Tom showed up wearing a bright red bathing suit and jumped off of the Ewing Park Bridge.
Tom’s world famous jump was from the middle of the blue steel bridge into the water and yes, he survived to collect his winnings. I have discovered that the wager was not for a case of beer but rather the wager was for a fifth of Whiskey and fifty dollars. He never got the fifty dollars. PLEASE NOTE: Before you try this yourself, there are some things you need to know. Foley was in the Navy and was specifically trained to dive into the ocean from the masts of ships while at sea. Also when Foley made his legendary dive, there was a damn just West of the bridge that made the creek deep enough for the dive. On maps of the area in the early part of Ellwood City, this area was actually listed as Connoquenessing Pond. The dam is no longer there making this feat impossible to duplicate so please do not try this. Ever.
Originally Published September 2009
Your story about Tom Foley and the EP bridge is far out. I was born and reared in EC and lived there for about 28 years and never heard this story. I’m 80 years old now. No one in the family ever mentioned this, including my parents, grandparents, both sides, uncles, great uncles, and so forth. I never heard anyone say a word about this incident. Just seems to be a myth and a wild story.
I hear this story as a kid growing up in EC. It is believable.
The only reason I got on this website is because I heard talk that there was an article about my grandfather’s famous drive. All of the above is true, except that it was for a Fifth of Whiskey and $50 – he never got the $50!!! During Ellwood’s Bi-Centennial, there was an article in the Ellwood Ledger written by someone who witnessed the event – he said that it was a beautiful dive. Any other doubters should find his surviving kids and ask them.