Golden jubilee of the borough of Donora, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1951
Publisher: Donora, Pa. : Donora Chamber of Commerce, 1951
Number of Pages: 110


USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Donora > Golden jubilee of the borough of Donora > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6


1901


Donora Golden Jubilee


50


DE PROGRESS


AUGUST 12-18


1951


BIVENIR


PRICE 508


LINDA GRANTHAM STENGELE 904 SKI HILL ROAD FOX RIVER GROVE, IL 60021


Congratulations to Donora


ON 50 PRODUCTIVE AND


PROGRESSIVE YEARS!


All the members of our organization join wholeheartedly in congratu- lating the Borough of Donora on the distinguished record of progress established by the community in the 50 years just past.


We join, too, in the sincere hope that the next half century will see the achievement of continuing growth and increasing prosperity by the community. To this end, American Steel and Wire Company pledges its best efforts, in the earnest belief that friendly cooperation will result in benefits of value both to the community and its individual citizens.


American Steel & Wire Company


USS


USS


THE OFFICERS AND MEN


OF


United Steelworkers of America CIO LOCAL No. 1758


ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF DONORA


We Offer Our Congratulations on the 50th Anniversary of Donora


Leaders


in


COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS


BASEBALL


BASKETBALL


BOWLING


CHRISTMAS TREAT FOR THE KIDDIES


SPONSORS TO SUMMER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN


DONATIONS GIVEN TO WORTHY CAUSES


CHARTER MEMBERS


Robert C. Butler


John Hauck


Louis Perunko


Edward Gray


Albert Gallenton


Carlo Mandarino


Emory Delsandro


PRESENT OFFICERS


Paul Johnson President


Emory Delsandro V. President


Louis Perunko Financial Secretary


Anthony Serrino Treasurer


Hamilton Doty


Recording Secretary


United We Stand


Divided We Fall


Howard O. Colgan Ben G. Binns


TRADING AS


COLGAN and BINNS REAL ESTATE & INSURANCE


537 Mckean Avenue


DONORA, PENNA.


An old reliable name in Real Estate and Insurance A complete agency for all types of Insurance and Real Estate transactions. Largest selection of homes. List your property with us if you want it to sell.


Telephone - Donora-31


GOLDEN JUBILEE


of the Borough of Donora


DONORA.


CHAUD.O


195


LEE


-n-


GOLDEN


A Presentation to the People of


Donora and the Monongahela Valley


Sponsored by the BOROUGH OF DONORA, DONORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN


With the cooperation of our


FRATERNAL, CIVIC AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES and


THE CITIZENS OF DONORA


Dedicated to the principles of better understanding between peoples of the world; freedom of worship; freedom of speech; freedom of the press; unity in the continued progress of our Borough and nation . salute to our youth and peace and good will to all men every- where.


MRS. MOSE MILLER


WILLIAM RANK


OUR HOME TOWN


We think it is only fitting, on this, the Fiftieth Anniversary of Donora's birthday, that we express our gratitude to those forces which have contributed to the steady growth of our thriving town, since its founding in 1901. Our deepest appreciation to the great U. S. Steel Corporation, which selected Donora as a site for one of its largest plants. Our praise to the religious, educational, and civic leaders who, through the years, have shown faith in the future of Donora during prosperity and adversity. And to the citizens of Donora, whose patronage justifies our existence, we express our sincere thanks. This store, established in 1902, by my late father, and in continuous operation since, hopes to be able to serve you for many years to come, in the best possible manner.


HERMAN MILLER


DOROTHY SABO


MILLER'S forthon JOSEPH BORINO


CONGRATULATIONS DONORA on Your 50th ANNIVERSARY


All of us at William's thank the people of Donora for their wonderful patronage


WILLIAM'S


Known for Quality


Ladies' and Children's Apparel CORNER 6th & McKEAN DONORA, PA. PHONE 1254


COMPLIMENTS


OF


The France Slag Co.


207 Seventh St.


Phone Sales Office 770


Plant 1067


Mckean Avenue-1905


1951


The Donora Story


by John P. Clark


Mckean Avenue-1951


DONORA


INTERNATIONAL


LIBERTY + INTELLIGENCE +


CLUB


OUR + NATIONS + SAFETY


Edward Pech, President


Alden F. Miller, Secretary


Thomas McCulloch, V. President


Martin Wehousie, Treasurer


Our 25th Year of Community Service


ROSTER


HARRY P. AYERS


AUSTIN LEY


HENRY BADZIK


JACK LINGREL


E. M. BRACKEMEYER


THOMAS McCULLOCH


JOHN D. BRISTOL


ALDEN F. MILLER


J. WM. BURKE


J. K. MILLER


ED. J. CERUTTI


ROBERT MOYER


C. KENNETH CHARLES


ED. J. PECH


GUY CORNO .


RAYMOND PECH


PAUL CURRY


JOSEPH POLKABLA


EDWIN A. DOWLER


D. J. POLLOCK


DR. MICHAEL DUDA


ED. L. ROBERTS


LESLIE GALLATIN


DR. W. F. RONGAUS


MILTON GRUMMER


MEYER SAMUELS


CARL HAEFELE


JALO T. SIREN


DR. T. T. HILTON


UHRO E. SIREN ANDREW S. SUKEL


ARNOLD W. HIRSCH


DR. T. J. HOOP


CHRIS THOMAS


WM. T. HUTCHINSON


ROBERT TURNBULL


JOSEPH JUST


MARTIN WEHOUSIE


JOSEPH KUMA


DON H. WERTZ


JOSEPH LAPSON


GUY W. ZIEGLER


RICHARD E. LAWSON


LIONS TOAST Not above you - Not below you - But right with you


LIONS L


Foreword


The aim of THE DONORA STORY is to present to the people a brief outline of our rich historical heritage.


During the research and writing of the story, a vagrant but insistent thought protruded itself in the form of a hope that some of this story might prove interesting, entertaining, and enlightening to other groups and individuals who have found Donora a truly remarkable and unusual community.


It is with regret that only a matter of weeks was necessarily allotted to the research and writing of the story for it is felt that many significant aspects of the town's history have been omitted as well as people whose lives were pertinent to the growth of the community.


It is our hope, however, that this story will aid anyone not too familiar with Donora's history to understand and appreciate "The Home of Champions."


My own appreciation and deep gratitude for the information in THE DON- ORA STORY can be acknowledged here. So many people have aided in the story through personal recollections, old letters and ancient diaries that it would require a separate manuscript to mention all of them. I do take pride in mentioning the people who worked so diligently and successfully in assembling material without which THE DONORA STORY could not have been told. My gratitude for their efforts cannot be contained only in a public mention of their names but lives in my own realization of their service to the community and the esteem with which I hold them. These people I particularly wish to thank: Mr. Roman Koehler, Miss May Flinn, Mr. Paul G. Hayes, Mr. Clare Emler, Mr. W. W. Dennis, Miss Edna Pipes, Mrs. Ruth Gilmore Lewis, Miss Katherine Hayes, and Mrs. Alden Miller.


I also wish to acknowledge the Donora Historical Society from whose files much of the early material for the story was obtained.


John P. Clark


"SERVICE ABOVE SELF"


"HE PROFITS MOST WHO SERVES BEST"


Rotary Club of Donora, Pennsylvania


ROTARY


1922


1951


INTERNATIONAL


OFFICERS -


H. Austin Pete, President


Ray Altenhof, Vice President


Dr. Michael J. Herk, Secretary-Treasurer


ACTIVE MEMBERS


Ray Altenhof


D. Malcolm Anderson, Jr.


Paul Barna


Ralph A. Beem


Dr. D. E. Brown


J. Preston Carson


C. B. Charles


Dr. Malcolm G. Charles


Harold Cope


J. E. Cornelius


Karl W. Schempp


Jacob W. Cox


Dr. Henry J. Schmitt


Albert G. Faller


William K. Smith


Dr. M. J. Hannigan


William A. Stoneman


Alfred Zeffiro


HONORARY MEMBERS


Roland E. Hoopes


Charles C. Kane


Roman E. Koehler


Rubin Hirsch


Ignatius P. Hokaj


George D. Johnston


H. Austin Pete


Ross M. Ridgely


Cy Rosenberg Fred Ross, Jr.


Abe Ruben Russell J. Ruff


Dr. Michael J. Herk


With a record of 29 years of devoted service to our community, Donora Rotary Club pledges continued efforts for its welfare and advancement.


The Donora Story by


J. P. Clark


Typical of the many robust industrialized towns throughout America is Donora with its 12,000 people. The town, situated on a stiff slope of land which rises sharply out of the Monongahela River valley, is inhabited by a heterogeneous group of people whose manifold cultures have been swirled into one to make Donora the Home of Champions. The Monongahela River which collars Donora almost makes an island of the community as it winds its way northward to Pittsburgh.


Donora, snuggled between the hills of Western Pennsylvania, has reached national importance in two fields: industry and athletics. Its chief in- dustries are American Steel and Wire Works, Don- ora Zinc Works and coal mining is also extensive in the area immediately surrounding the town itself. The Pennsylvania Railroad reaches a branch of rails through Donora, connecting it with Pittsburgh and the Donora Southern Railroad rolls the huge steel output to the rails of the nation. It is a steel town, a zinc town, and a town of healthy, cheerful, hospitable people.


Donora has Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardin- als to an acclaiming nation of baseball fans and an idol to the youth of the nation. Arnold 'Pope" Galiffa, All American quarterback at West Point in 1949 has thrilled the nation with his superlative generalship on the football field and his skill as a forward passer. "Pope" recently won national rec- ognition again in Korea where he accomplished the feat of throwing a grenade accurately into a nest of Reds 75 yards away. And then, in 1945, Don- ora High School was rated as having the second best high school football team in the nation.


The people are justly proud of their athletes and industrial importance to the nation, but they are also proud of their civic, religious and educa- tional organizations. Twenty-two churches, one synagogue, six large school buildings and 135 civic, cultural, religious and nationality organizations and clubs are worthy of a people's pride.


Donora is a town sanguine and singing with the customs and health and rough strength of a people who came from many different countries to live and work and grow together in a priceless amity and truly American fashion.


The twenty-two churches and synagogue, with their architectural variety lending the town a cos- mopolitan and religious motivation alone speak for the spiritual significance within the people. And from the sloping neck of land the boisterous shouts of the mills rise to meet the silver chimes of the church bells in a surprising harmony of sound. Frequently, the mournful moan of a steamboat wafts


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ELSIE L. ZEFFIRO, Treas. JANE ZEFFIRO HAUCK, Sec.


ESTABLISHED 1919


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Congratulations to Donora on its 50th Anniversary We thank Donora for its patronage for the past thirty-two years.


"MOVERS OF THE BETTER FURNITURE" "ACROSS THE STREET OR ACROSS THE CONTINENT"


up to join the harmony in a lonely undertone, and in a rare, still moment in the night the muffled pounding of its fiery heart steals across the town, echoing the fierce strength and purpose of its people.


The people are alive and interested-vitally in- terested-in its community government and its schools. It not only speaks strongly in its politi- cal elections but it is purposefully aware of the rights of the individual and the freedom that is America.


The story of Donora is the story of its people, all its people through its industries, churches and schools.


As far back as authenticated history can take us, all of Southwestern Pennsylvania, including the land Donora now claims, was possessed by the Iro- quois Indian group. The Iroquois had their head- quarters in New York state and used this section as hunting and fishing grounds. It is known, how- ever, that migrating tribes of Delawares, Shawnees and mongrel Mingoes inhabited this section, possibly at their peril.


Highly interesting and enlightening facts about more ancient Indian lore have been unearthed in and around Donora in a relatively recent time. These ancient Indians buried their dead in the posi- tion of a baby in a mother's womb. The grave itself was rounded and the sitting, curled body was heavily covered with shells gathered from the forest floor and streams.


The land that is known now as Donora and all the land stretching westward from the mountains and north to Erie was claimed both by Virginia and Pennsylvania. This section apparently was not in the grant William Penn received from Charles II of England. If it was, Virginia disputed that claim successfully for a time. George Washington surveyed this area for the Virginia colony and it was known at that time as Virginia. It wasn't until the Baltimore Agreement on August 31, 1779 that this disputed area became a part of Pennsyl- vania. At that time it lost its name as Augusta, Virginia to become part of Pennsylvania gain this territory. The line drawn at the Baltimore Agree- ment set the boundary of the new Pennsylvania to include the land west of the mountains and north to Erie. The southern boundary at this time was drawn at the Mason-Dixon line which was at this time the southern boundary of Washington County. This county, of which Donora is a part, was named after George Washington who surveyed it sometime previous to 1770.


In 1781 Washington County was redrawn and patterned after the thirteen colonies in that it set aside thirteen townships to form the county. At the present time there are thirty-four townships Before this enactment Washington County had two townships, Fallowfield and Nottingham. The land


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FROM DONORA'S SENIOR JEWELER GREETINGS


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May we continue to merit your approval and confidence


C. KENNETH CHARLES Gemologist Certified Watchmaker


C. B. CHARLES "Your Jeweler" 1911-1951


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Certified Watch maker PeroTEN


that Donora now occupies was Knox township in the latter enactment.


This section that is now Donora was called Horseshoe Bottom in 1769. Possibly the name seemed appropriate due to the curve of the Monon- gahela river which outlines the territory in a wide, sweeping horseshoe shape.


At this time, 1769, a man named Strasburg and another Micholas Crist had some of this section sur- veyed. They built and operated a grain mill and laid out streets-Market Street, Chestnut, Walnut -which retain the same positions and names today.


In 1794 Crist sold property to Robert Gallaway. He in turn sold it to Harmonious Cole in 1795. Then Cole sold it to Manuel Hoover .. Hoover sold it to Charles DeHaas and DeHaas laid out the town into lots in 1814 and then sold a part of his prop- erty to John Neal in 1815.


About 1775, Peter Castner, of German extrac- tion, beheld the rich and abundant river valley and settled here. On the third of June, 1794, he secured the property by patent from the commonwealth. The patent was signed by Thomas Mifflin, governor of the Commonwealth.


Then Peter Castner's family hailed from Philadel- phia and young Peter settled first in Latrobe be- fore making a clearing and rearing his log cabin near the river bank on a gently sloping knoll. The tract of land which he took up soon became known as "Walnut Bottom" and comprised 282 acres.


When Peter Castner died the title passed to his two sons, John and Michael, the former holding the portion which was situated in and around the old homestead.


Michael Castner sold 118 acres of his farm to Josiah Allen in 1830. The next to succeed to the Castner land was Daniel. When he died in 1875 Bert W. Castner, a son became the sole owner.


Meanwhile John Neal, in 1815 advertised in a paper that there were twenty houses built there. This section then was known as Columbia. About this time, 1815, DeHaas left Columbia for West Alexander. He had hoped the community would become the county seat and was disappointed. About four years after this, in 1819, the postal laws effected a change in the name of this community. It seems that another community had previously been named Columbia and this community or Horse- shoe Bottom then changed its name to West Co- lumbia.


In May, 1899, R. B. Mellon bought for the Union Improvement Company of Pittsburgh all the Castner estate and 70 acres from the Heslep family, 130 acres from the Bradford Allens and 30 acres from Alexander and Company. Since these pur- chases were made large portions of adjoining tracts of land have been added. Then the Union Steel


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Hardware & Electric


GENERAL ELECTRIC HEADQUARTERS


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DONORA, PA.


Superintendents and Staff Heads


OF THE AMERICAN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY DONORA STEEL AND WIRE WORKS ARE COOPERATING FOR A SUCCESSFUL JUBILEE


Harold Cope General Superintendent


J. C. Witherspoon


Assistant to General Superintendent


T. H. Durst Chief Accountant


J. W. Cox Division Superintendent, Blast Furnace


K. C. Shearer Division Superintendent, Open Hearth


G. D. Johnston Division Superintendent, Blooming & Billet Mill


A. W. Strachan


Division Superintendent, Rod Mills


J. J. Just


Division Superintendent, Wire & Wire Products


G. D. Schwarm


Division Superintendent, Engineering & Maintenance


E. M. Brackemeyer Works Supervisor, Production Planning


J. R. Benner Works Metallurgist


A. W. Weddell Works Industrial Engineer


O. W. Truax Superintendent, Industrial Relations


J. H. Lingrel


Office Manager


Compliments


of


a


Friend


Company began the erection of the steel mill which is at the present time the American Steel and Wire Works.


The Union Steel Company broke ground that was to be the heartbeat of the modern community on May 29, 1900 and production was begun the following September. A second rod mill was start- ed late in 1902. Ground was broken for the open hearth plant on March 27, 1902.


Another family whose name has been linked for almost two centuries with the land that is Donora is the Heslep family. Tom Heslep came over the old trail from Philadelphia in 1769. He had land surveyed that had been purchased from a family named Proctor. Tom settled his family on the 304 acres adjacent to the Castner acres and built his home near where 10th street now stands. Tom, who was a captain in the militia, fought in the Rev- olutionary War. It appears that Tom left much of the farming of the place at Horseshoe Bend to his two sons, John and Thomas, for he was appoint- ed to take account of the stores needed for the poor in West Fallowfield and Chester County. In 1778 he was granted $6000 by the Superior Council to purchase provisions for the Colonial Army in Ches- ter County.


Captain Tom Heslep's claim to his land was disputed but in 1796 with 400 pounds he had it patented. He then divided his property between his two sons, giving Thomas 118 acres that would approximate the land between where 12th street and 15th street now stands. John received the remain- ing acres.


Camp meetings were later held near the river shore on the Heslep estate and this beach was a popular meeting place for the folks around the dis- trict.


John Heslep had two sons in the War between the States, Robert and George. Robert was a cap- tain and George a major in the 6th Company, 4th Division, 2nd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Militia. There were 115 officers and men in this company who were residing in Carroll Township at this time. It was formed for service in the Mexican War but it was not called up for service then.


The Heslep place was sold to W. H. Donner for the Union Steel Company in 1900 and James Heslep, the heir, moved to a house he built on the hill and operated the "System" mine, located near Eleventh Street and Meldon Avenue.


The Gilmore family, for whom the Gilmore cem- etery is named, moved in at a later date. In 1863 John Gilmore came here from Pittsburgh and bought land from the Bissells. John operated a steamboat line of eight vessels on the river. It was known as the Gilmore line.


Captain John Gilmore and his sons steamed south with their river fleet and took part in naval en-


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BINDI BROTHERS


PONTIAC CADILLAC


Dealers


3rd ST. & MELDON AVE. DONORA, PA. PHONE 30


444 WEST MAIN ST, MONONGAHELA, PA. PHONE 3


CELEBRATING


Pontiac's Silver Anniversary


Donora's Golden Anniversary


BINDI BROTHERS WISH TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF DONORA FOR THE PROGRESS OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS MADE IN THE 15 SHORT YEARS WE HAVE SERVED THEM


1936-April 10th-George and Victor Bindi came to Donora as total strangers. Immediately Donora took to Pontiac and to Bindi Brothers' Service. 1936-July-Gene Bindi entered the partnership as Service Manager.


1936-October-Thomas Bindi, Jr., entered the partnership as Service Manager and Gene moved into the Sales Department.


1937-Bindi's sold 125 Pontiacs and 240 Used Cars. From this year on we have never been able to supply the demand for Pontiacs nor Cadillacs.


1939-Expanded facilities to Monongahela, taking on in both Communities, the franchise for Cadillac - "The Standard of the World" and America's most copied car.


1941-Outbreak of War with Japan and five long war years. During these five years our service department carried the load of overhead which was steadily growing due to the economic conditions of the country.


1946-Pontiac and Cadillac resumed production of automobiles. Bindi Broth- ers were swamped with orders, until five years later, we are still six months behind on our delivery of new cars.


1951-Bindi Brothers purchased the building in which we are now located, which has floor space of 11,000 square feet with our adjacent Filling Station and Used Car lot which is 100 x 200 feet.


THROUGHOUT THE FIFTEEN YEARS WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS HERE, WITH YOUR COOPERATION AND SUPPORT, WE HAVE GROWN RIGHT ALONG WITH DONORA. WE ARE THANKFUL AND PROUD TO BE A PART OF SUCH A GROW- ING AND PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY.


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REBUILT


WHEN GRANDMA WAS A GIRL


Grandpa took her courtin' in a buggy. They lived in a gas-lit house with a pump-water supply. Grand- ma made many of her own clothes. Grandpa rode to work on a trolley, and tended the coal fire morn- ing and evening. In 50 years, our way of living is amazingly different. Bob drives Mary miles in a smooth-riding auto to catch the latest movie. Their house is a push-button electric. Machines do their washing and cleaning, supply heat and amusement. Their food comes from a magic-like freezer. Their clothes, from a store that caters to their tastes and budget. These are the miracles that have been achieved in half a century. Advances made so quickly that Mom and Dad, and even Grandma and Grandpa, have lived to see and enjoy them!


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Donora Chamber of Commerce


gagements against the Rebels during the War be- tween the States.


Captain James Gilmore, a son, was particularly adroit when he joined his steamboat, the "Wild Cat," with a fleet of northern gunboats on the Cumberland River. Another son, Frank Gilmore, enlisted and fought with Company A, 155th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.


Another son, George, farmed the land. It was Captain John Gilmore who deeded the land on the hillside to the people of the district for a cemetery.


Captain John Gilmore was one of the first men to use "red dog" or burned slate for the repair of roads. He also operated a coal mine and the old slack pile is still visible near the entrance to the Gilmore Cemetery. This mine was known as the "Wildcat Mine."


"Bisselltown," a typical mining community with a long row of frame houses stretching along parallel with the river furnished housing for the employees of this mine. The ferry lane, which led to the river shore and the ferry was the main street of this little community.


Leading down past the sawmill and parallel with the river was a driveway, at the terminus of which was "Gilmore's Landing." Here the passenger and freight packets which plied the Monongahela in these days would land on a "hail" from shore and take on passengers and freight. The boats plied be- tween Pittsburgh and Brownsville and later to Mor- gantown and Fairmont. The Gilmore Ferry, adja- cent to the landing was operated by a man named Koechlein for many years.




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