USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Donora > Golden jubilee of the borough of Donora > Part 2
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Across the river, on the Webster side, above the ferry landing was a large grass plot known as "The Widow Green." It was here that the Volunteers assembled in the spring of 1861 and organized for entering the service of the Union Army against the rebellion. Webster, Bakertown and Sunnyside fur- nished many men in Company M, 100th Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, more familiarly known as "The Roundheads." It was at the "Widow Green" they assembled before embarking on a boat for Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, where they joined the balance of the Company.
In 1900 the community of buildings in West Columbia was removed to make room for the Union Steel mill on the shores of the river. The name Donora is a fusing of W. H. Donner and Nora Mel- lon. No other town anywhere has a name identical to this. It was Donner's choice of a site for the mill in cooperation with Mellon and it was Donner who came in to buy the property for the mill from the encumbent land owners, some of whom have been mentioned here.
The United States postal authorities sent a supply of money orders to the new Donora post office with Donora misspelled. The name on the money or-
Kanes'
Restaurant
AND
Bar
621 McKEAN AVENUE DONORA, PA.
COMPLIMENTS
of
Donora Lodge No. 1265
B. P. O. Elks
THE HERALD-AMERICAN
"DONORA'S HOME NEWSPAPER"
Commercial Printing Typewriters Office Supplies
Congratulations To Our Friends and Neighbors on Their Golden Jubilee
AMERICAN CHAIN & CABLE CO., INC.
Page Steel & Wire Division
MONESSEN, PA.
ders was spelled D-E-N-O-R-A. It caused some confusion for awhile until new forms arrived.
On February 11, 1901 the court approved the application to incorporate the town of Donora. The Donora Citizen's Band paraded for the first time in celebration of the event.
A preliminary meeting of the members of the council-elect held March 1, 1901 was called to order by the first burgess-elect, Bert W. Castner. Present were the councilmen-elect of the first council: C. Devall, E. Jeffries, John G. Parke, W. W. Latta, Dr. William Lewis, Gustav Schaaf and J. P. Power. The purpose of the meeting was to take the oath of office. Burgess Bert Castner swore them in and the first town fathers assumed their responsibilities for the new town.
These men were all leaders and filled with en- thusiasm and hope for the future of the town that had just been born. There was John G. Parke, who laid out the town of Donora and surveyed the site of the various plants for the Union Steel Com- pany and was one of the first to arrive in Donora in 1900. He was employed as chief of the Engi- neering Department and won fame in 1889 when he warned people of the Johnstown Flood. His dash- ing ride on horseback ahead of the deluge saved many lives that tragic day. And Gustav Schaaf, who had been a captain of Company A, 10th Regiment, 28th Division, National Guard of Pennsylvania won fame leading his company in battles in the Philippines dur- ing the Spanish American War. There was Doctor Lewis, the first doctor in town and who lived to see the remarkable growth of the young burgeon- ing town and the modern records it has set. All these men were leaders with a strong civic pride and the force of personality to get things accom- plished - and there was much to be done!
The first council committees formed at this time included: W. Lewis, W. T. Whitledge and L. J. Altenhof on the Finance Committee; Whitledge, Al- tenhof and Erdelyi on the Highway and Sewers Committee; Z. W. Mullin, Lewis and Erdelyi on the Police-Fire Committee; Whitledge, Parke and Devall on the Printing-Ordinance Committee; the Borough- Property Committee had Parke, Erdelyi and Alten- hof; Altenhof, Parke, Devall on the Legal Commit- tee; and on the Light and Water Committee, Devall, Whitledge and Lewis.
The first bills to be accepted by the Council were: Police duty - John Sommerville $80.00
C. H. Wilson. 60.00
Richard Bowden 60.00
Sommerville - Meals for prisoners. 6.75
On September 10, 1901 excitement reached a feverish pitch. People were pouring into Donora with all the zest of their pioneering spirit to carve a prosperous town out of the land that had once been the Iroquois hunting grounds. Lots were staked out between what is now Eighth Street and
COMPLIMENTS
OF
McFeely
Brick Company
LATROBE, PA.
Lee Rongaus
Redmond Bar
Hello Neighbor!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 50th ANNIVERSARY
Continued Success and Best Wishes To You Donora People, For Many, Many More Anniversaries
FRANK A. PIZZICA
Buick SALES AND SERVICE White Trucks
MONONGAHELA, PA.
"USED BUT NOT ABUSED CARS"
PHONE 570
Twelfth Street. Tags were placed on the stakes and the time for buying set at 10:30 A.M. the follow- ing morning.
After the manner of the times, the people camped on the boundary of the staked lots and wait- ed for the morning and the 10:30 signal. At 10:30 a gun was fired and the rush for lots started. On that day 200 lots were sold for a total of over $100,000.
It was a new town geared to the excitement of starting life with a challenge from mud and trees and shrubbery. It was rough from the necessity of living roughly. But the adventure was worth it all in the heritage that is Donora today.
The following May the Cascade Hotel, which is now the Tri-Plant Building was erected and the Jenissee Land Company organized to sell lots in South Donora. The same month a contract was let to build the Donora Hotel and the Erbeck Brothers were awarded the contract to pave the downtown streets.
A jarring note obtruded itself here when it was discovered that Donora was in dry territory and liquor could not be sold The Budke bill was intro- duced in the state assembly to repeal the law so far as Donora was concerned but it was defeated on the first vote. A petition was circulated in Donora to reconsider and taken to Harrisburg by a delegation which included John G. Parke, Burgess Bert Cast- ner, Dr. William Lewis and John Ailes. This dele- gation was successful and the law repealed.
The first meeting of the Donora School Board took place on May 1, 1901. The officers elected were: Edmond Jefferies, President; James P. Cast- ner, Secretary; L. T. Claybaugh, W. H. Farrell, and James Boyd, Directors.
On June 3 the school board met again and elect- ed the first staff of teachers for the borough of Don- ora. J. C. Caldwell was appointed Principal and Laura Tomer, Margaret Maloy, Emma Haywood, Eva Claybaugh, Lucy Sphar, Mary Campbell, and Mrs. Grace Orr were elected teachers and school opened for the first time in the Donora Borough on Sep- tember 9 with 252 pupils enrolled.
On May 5 of this eventful year colored residents of the town met at the home of James Minney and organized the First A. M. E. Church of Donora. Then, on June 26, ground was broken for the first church in the borough of Donora.
Foreshadowing the coming fame of Donora in athletics, a group of business and professional men met to organize Donora's first baseball team on July 23, 1901. Present at that meeting were: Walter S. Spragg, James P. Castner, Dr J. Howard Chess- rown, Dr. William Lewis, Dr. J. Sprowls, L. W. Claybaugh, John W. Mullin, William B. Curry, Walter Leeper and W. W. Latta.
-SUN-
Wallpaper & Paint Co.
SHERWIN WILLIAM PAINT
Inlaid Linoleum
Plastic Walltile
Rubber Floor Tile
Factory Trained Mechanics
PETRO BAKERY
HOME OF FINE BAKED GOODS
Wedding, Birthday and Cakes for All Special Occasions
722 McKEAN AVENUE DONORA, PA.
The First Bakery Shop in Donora was located here.
ESTABLISHED SINCE 1933
VALDISERRI'S
Donora Distributing Company
231 SYCAMORE AVENUE
DONORA, PENNSYLVANIA
PHONE 225 30 Brands of Beer On Warehouse Floor at All Times BEVERAGES - SOFT DRINKS WELCOME TO OUR GOLDEN JUBILEE
Kimball Safety Products Company extends best wishes to Donora and the American Steel and Wire Company on its 50th Birthday
KIMBALL SAFETY PRODUCTS CO.
9310 WADE PARK AVE., CLEVELAND 6, OHIO
Manufacturers of Safety clothing and Safety goggles for the protection of the industrial worker.
Under the leadership of these men, the town Don- ora grew miraculously. In October the first free home library received books from the Carnegie Li- brary at Homestead, Pennsylvania. The Greensboro Gas Company turned natural gas into the lines and made gas available to Donora residents. Ground was broken for the construction of the Matthews Woven Wire Fence plant shortly after this in No- vember, a telephone exchange opened with nineteen subscribers signed up for service. A portable saw- mill was set up near Eighth Street and Meldon Ave- nue for sawing trees cut down on back streets and alleys. Charles L. Latta, the present borough school truant officer, started making daily trips as messen- ger between Donora and Pittsburgh. Although Don- ora was growing with the speed and efficiency that has made America rich and powerful, the people of Donora did not overlook the necessities of culture, religion and education. Neither did they forget to safeguard their homes and property, for on July 5, 1901 a meeting was held to organize a volunteer fire department. Then, at a later meeting on Sep- tember 30, with twenty-three members the organ- ization was complete. The officers of the first Vol- unteer Fire Department of Donora were: President, L. M. Carpenter; Secretary, J. G. Robinson; Treas- urer, Walter S. Spragg; Chief, D. F. Milison; As- sistant Chief, S. S. Kelly and Captain, William Kirk- wood.
The first purchase of fire equipment included 1400 feet of fire hose, two hose carts-one for the the hill district and one for the downtown district -and one hook and ladder wagon. Those vehicles were pulled and shoved by the men and it is easy to imagine the arduous task it must have been to propel them over the unimproved streets and up the hills. From this modest beginning the Donora Vol- unteer Fire Department now boasts the most up-to- date equipment and one of the best fire fighting or- ganizations in this section.
Donora, already excellent with the growth of river trade and Gilmore's packets added to its trans- portation facilities when on April 8, 1867, the Mo- nongahela Valley Railroad Company was organized. This company was authorized to build a railroad from Pittsburgh to Rice's Landing. On February 4, 1870, the name was changed to the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railway Company. Con- struction of the road started in 1870 and was com- pleted in 1881. The Pennsylvania Railroad pur- chased the franchise of the company in 1879 and began operating it under the name of the Mononga- hela Division.
The right of way in this section was bought from the Gilmores, Hesleps, Castners, Allens and DeHaas.
In 1908 the Donora station had the biggest busi- ness of any station on the Monongahela Division, aside from the Southside, Pittsburgh station. There were nineteen men employed at the Donora freight office.
COMPLIMENTS OF
Club Billiards
LATEST INFORMATION
ON ALL SPORTS RESULTS
654 McKEAN AVENUE
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Donora Aerie No. 502
INSTITUTED OCT. 14, 1903
Sponsored and credited for passage of Workman's Compensation, Mother's Pen- sions, Old Age Pensions, and Social Se- curity Laws.
Pays Sick and Funeral Benefits
Compliments of
DONORA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ORGANIZED - 1936
M. J. HANNIGAN, M.D. - President R. W. KOEHLER, M.D. - Vice President J. E. NOVOTNY, M.D. - Secretary-Treasurer
D. E. BROWN, M.D.
EDWARD ROTH, M.D. C. O. CHALFANT, M.D. H. J. LEVIN, M.D.
W. F. RONGAUS, M.D. W. J. RONGAUS, M.D.
GRANT FURLONG, M.D.
JOSEPH BERLIN, M.D.
The first locomotive to arrive here for the Don- ora Southern Railroad to transport materials from the mill was Locomotive Number 1 on January 6, 1903. It had its first run on January 16, 1903 with the following crew: Engineer, William Bow- master (who at this writing is an engineer for the same company) ; Conductor, J. D. Foster; Fireman, Charles Phillips; First Brakeman, Thomas Behanna; Second Brakeman, James Sickles.
On Saturday, December 22, 1906, the first trol- ley car, an old timer, arrived in Donora perched proudly atop a Pennsylvania Railroad flat car. It attracted as much attention as a circus. The people of Donora swarmed around the vain vehicle and cheered as two teams of horses pulled it to Eighth Street and Mckean Avenue. This old Pittsburgh Railway Car was christened "Maude" and bore the scarred number 429. The street-car named "Maude" brayed, trembled, balked, squealed and flung fiery sparks as she travelled between First and Twelfth Streets on Mckean Avenue. The first day a total of forty-seven Donorans paid to ride.
The bridge connecting Donora with Webster and the towns across the river was dedicated on Decem- ber 4, 1908. This was a gala day in the history of Donora and marked the end of the ferry boats.
James Castner had charge of the parade that day which included horse-drawn floats. Rebecca Donora Castner, who was the first baby born in Donora, cut the ribbon at the dedication of the new bridge. Rebecca Donora Castner is the present Mrs. Rebecca Burke. In the carriage of honor that conveyed "Becky" to the bridge were the Reverend John Fulton, Presbyterian minister, Mose Miller and John N. Mullin.
People came from far and near to witness the event. New York, Philadelphia and Chicago had interested crowds here to aid in the celebration of the opening of the bridge which was to add another important link to the march of progress. Squire Kelly of Webster, across the river, and George Allen of Donora worked arduously toward the culmina- tion of the bridge.
The earliest school in this immediate vicinity was at Baird Station, at a point where the Donora Zinc Works now stand and Black Diamond. In 1790 a log cabin school, now gone was operated for the children hereabouts.
Sometime after the War between the States a school house was located about where Fifteenth Street and Meldon Avenue join. Property for the school was given by Captain John Gilmore. It was called Gilmore's School at the time and was a one- story frame structure set back about fifty feet from the highway to allow play room for the children.
In later years, an additional building was needed for the increased enrollment and it was made larger. This building is still standing. The property re- verted to the Gilmore estate when it ceased its function as a school.
SERVING DONORA TWO WAYS Keystone Restaurant
Friendly, Cheerful Atmosphere REAL HOME COOKED MEALS
Chicken * Steaks * Chops Delicious Coffee Prompt and Courteous Service
702 McKEAN AVE. PHONE 9581
Glaros Paint Supply
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PAINTING CONTRACTOR
Free Estimates
Insurance Coverage
Free Advice on Your Painting Problems
DuPont Pre-Tested Paints
For Every Purpose
113 Sixth St. - Donora - Phone 123-R
Siegel's and its Employees
ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF DONORA'S 50 YEAR HISTORY AND TO SHARE IN ITS PROGRESS
(Formerly Dan's Dollar Store)
Compliments
of
THE DONORA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
DR. B. J. BROWN
DR. GEORGE W. CAMPBELL DR. JOHN A. DOUGERT DR. L. S. FERRETTI
DR. THOMAS J. HOOP
DR. ABRAHAM F. KIMEL
DR. HENRY A. SCHMITT
Best Wishes on Donora's Fiftieth Anniversary
The first teacher is believed to have been Hib- bard Phillips of Brownsville, whose son was the famous correspondent of the London Daily News, Sir Percival Phillips.
There are some records of Number 9, Victory advanced, Number 10, Gilmore's Primary and Num- ber 11, Gilmore's Advanced schools with teachers listed as Mr. Hetherington, Miss Ida Cummings and Miss Kate B. Beazell; Bert W. Castner was also a teacher in this school. This was in the early 70's after he had attended California Normal School. Another teacher was William L. Bird who resided in either Brownsville or California and later prac- ticed law in Pittsburgh. For a number of years his daughter May was a member of the Donora Public School Faculty.
The territory served by these schools was, rough- ly, from the present entrance to Palmer Park along the highway up to and including the old Heslep homestead and as far back in the country as the William Rabe farm.
The families attending these schools were: Bea- zells, McIlcans, Molsbergers, Rabes, Browns, Bairds, Flints, Gilmores, Bakes, Hesleps, Thomas', Shaws, Binleins, Butlers, and families in Bisselltown.
A popular form of entertainment was called "Literary" and was held during the winter months at the different school houses. Readings, essays and debates were given. Debates were the most popular activity and the debaters tackled domestic and national problems to the satisfaction of them- selves and the visiting parents and friends.
A complete listing of the schools in this area which includes Carrol Township in the early days is as follows: Number 1, Columbia, William Smith; Number 2, Star, Miss Mary Hootman; Number 3, Galbraith, Miss Effie Johnston; Number 4, Stone, Charles E. Kennedy; Number 5, Valley Inn, Mrs. Annie Weygandt; Number 6, Mingo Primary, Miss Lena Lee Boyle; Number 7, Mingo Advanced, H. L. Hetherington; Number 8, Victory Primary, Miss Florence Grant; Number 9, Victory Advanced (No election) ; Number 10, Gilmore's Primary, Miss Ida Cummings; Number 11, Gilmore's Advanced, Miss Kate Beazell.
Before the first sale of lots in Donora was held in 1900, the Union Improvement Company knew that the young community would need a school. Therefore, before a lot was sold, the foundation for the school had been laid. It was a modern brick building of eight rooms on the hill at Second Street. The school was called the Allen School.
In that first year, 252 pupils enrolled but when the second year rolled around 625 pupils enrolled. It was necessary to obtain five temporary rooms. Two of these rooms were in the house now occupied by Mrs. John Hauck near Tenth Street on Mckean Avenue.
COMPLIMENTS OF
Book's Shoe Store
Carson's Esso
20 YEARS
SERVING DONORA
"GOLDEN JUBILEE"
We are looking just around the corner to our 50th Anniversary. We are proud of being Donora's Pioneer Jewelers, having served the people of Donora and surrounding territory for a little over 48 years.
Brown and Son opened their doors to the public of Donora on May 9th, 1903. Below are the news item announcing the opening of a new Jewelry Firm, and the first ad run by H. R. Brown and Sons just as they appeared in the issue of the newspaper dated Friday, May 8th, 1903 then known as the Donora American.
"NEW JEWELRY FIRM"
H. R. Brown & Son of New Brighton are opening a jewelry store in the Stickel Bldg., 6th St., where A. Gabrie] was formerly located. They are put- ting in a large stock, including $500C worth of Diamonds. The firm is com- posed of H. R. Brown and two sons, Walter J. and Ross M. The brothers yesterday purchased C. F. Blair's store at Monessen and Ross M. will have charge of that jewelry store. Walter J. will be manager of the Donora store.
FIRST AD
WE WILL OPEN TOMORROW With a Full and Complete Line of Diamonds - Watches - Clocks Jewelry - Silverware - Cut Glass and Bric-a-Brac in the Stickel Bldg., 6th St. Gabriel's Old Stand Fine Watch Repairing a Specialty Engraving Free of Charge See Our Windows H. R. BROWN & SONS
The building now owned and occupied by the Wickerham Plumbing, was in 1903 known as the Stickel Bldg. In the early fall of 1904 H. R. Brown & Son bought out the jewelry store of E. F. Segner which was located at 669 Mckean Ave., our present address, and moved their store to this location.
Brown & Son in their 48 years have progressed along with the town, and this progress we credit wholly to the wonderful people of the community and surrounding territory, for without the confidence of the public and their patronage, no business can hope to progress.During our expanse of service to the community and public, thousands of young ladies have said "thank you darling" to their fiances who presented them with one of our diamond rings. Thousands of young couples have gone to the altar and said, "I do," with our weddings rings. Thousands have received watches, jewelry, silverware, glassware, etc., for gifts, many of which are still in use though bought during our early days in the community. In our many years in business in the com- munity we have always tried faithfully to give our patrons the finest quality and best service at the lowest possible price. We feel the citizens of Donora have confidence in us, otherwise they would not have permitted us to serve them for the past 48 years. We will continue to give the public as good a quality and service or better, if possible, in our future years.
Our many thanks to the wonderful citizens of the community-for without their confidence and patronage we could not have been in a position to look forward to our 50th Anniversary.
A. FERRIER, Owner
Brown & Son
The second school board consisted of John Ailes, President; James Castner, Secretary, and W. H. Farrell, J. G. Parke, J. Add Sprowls, M.D., and J. D. Foster, directors.
In 1903, Castner School was started on Mckean Avenue near Tenth Street. The land lying between Eighth and Twelfth Streets had been added to the borough to take care of the expanding population. Castner School, when completed, compared very favorably with city schools of the time with its twelve rooms and auditorium. A high school class was started here with a two year course. The first class consisted of two girls, Edna Lewis and Nannie Hodge. They graduated in May, 1904.
Donora's population leaped ahead and again more classrooms were needed. In 1909, the Fifth Street School was opened. The First Street School was opened in 1913. This was a gala occasion in the community for Governor Brumbaugh made the principal address. In 1916, an addition was added to the First Street School and as the population of the town increased the Sixth Street School was op- ened in 1920 and a large addition was added to the Castner School in 1926.
The culmination of the school building program came when the Senior High School building was dedicated December 19, 1930. The School Board at this time consisted of Mrs. Mertie B. Traugh, President, and the only woman ever to serve on a Donora School Board; J. H. Eyman, Vice President; C. M. Kennedy, Secretary; C. S. Forkum, F. T. Mc- Cue, M. M. Neale and H. L. Steward, Directors.
In 1903 the High School term was two years in length. This continued until 1909 when the term was lengthened to three years. During this time the high school was conducted in the Castner School. In 1913, the high school was transferred to the First Street School and in 1914 the four year plan was introduced. This continued until Decem- ber 1, 1925, when the State Department of Public Instruction authorized a change to the 6-3-3 plan.
The following men have lead the schools of Don- ora as superintendents:
J. C. Caldwell
1901-1905
J. D. Boydston 1905-1907
O. E. Rose
1907-1911
Marcellus De Vaughn 1911-1912
Edgar Reed 1912-1916
J. M. Lavhue 1916-1917
Thomas M. Gilland 1917-1918
A. J. Martin 1918-1919
Thomas M. Gilland 1919-1930
Rex W. Dimmick 1930-1934
John E. Shambach
1934-1950
Andrew S. Sukel 1950
Athletics has always played a prominent part in the history of Donora. During the last decade, athletics reached a point in Donora which focused the eyes of the nation on the little borough. Don-
We protect Donora's workers and school children against ATHLETE'S FOOT!
1. Step On 2. Mark Time 3. Step Off "As simple as that"
Dispenser gives individual treatment to each user. No dilution or con- tamination of solution. Ingredients are medically prov- en effective in fighting "Ath- lete's Foot." Used in Indus- trial plants- Schools, Mines and clubs.
Walco Products Co.
311 ROSS STREET PITTSBURGH, PA.
COMPLIMENTS OF
Charleroi Supply Company
LUMBER - MILLWORK
BUILDERS' SUPPLIES
MONESSEN
CHARLEROI
Phone 1640
Phone 3-6571
225 E. Donner Ave.
2nd St. & P.R.R.
BENTLEYVILLE YARD. Phone 64
Started by father in March, 1922 Succeeded father in April, 1937 Located in old Phennicie Hotel Building at 207 First Street Moved to present location at 110 Mckean Ave. in September, 1939 PECH BROS. FOOD MARKET 110 Mckean Avenue EDWARD J. PECH-RAYMOND A. PECH UNITED SERVICE FOOD STORES
SAM LABASH
GROCERIES & MEATS
Phone 416 53 S. Mckean Ave.
UNITED SERVICE FOOD STORES
JOHN KRUPA MEATS - GROCERIES - FROZEN FOODS
301 McKEAN AVE,
PHONE 636
This store originally owned and operated by the late John Staruch from the year 1931 to March of 1948
ACKERMAN'S MARKET
ALLEN H. ACKERMAN, Prop.
Dealers in Fresh and Smoked Meats And a Full Line of Staple Groceries
PHONE 526
353 McCREA AVE.
VAZUR'S MARKET
705 Mckean Ave. Phone Donora 341
ESTABLISHED 1927
Choice Meats
Groceries
Fresh Vegetables
Frozen Foods
Dietetic Fruits and Vegetables
CALL
MANO. LICHTENSTEIN GROCERIES and MEATS
PHONE 683
400 FIRST ST.
For Prompt Delivery
Your Neighborhood Grocer
WOLF'S FOOD MARKET
500 2ND ST.
Phone 960
For Prompt Delivery
UNITED SERVICE
FOOD STORES
Sponsored by
POTTER-MCCUNE COMPANY
MCKEESPORT, PA.
ora's most renowned athlete is Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals. Stan is heralded as one of the "greats" in big league baseball and knows nearly everybody in town by his first name. He is a grad- uate of the local high school and played baseball and basketball for the varsity team.
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