History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 87

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

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The buildings were of logs and it is said that one of the earliest stone buildings was built in 1788 by David Bradford, and was a fine mansion in those days. It is now occupied by the Washington Furniture Company on South Main Street. Among the old bulidings stand- ing is the celebrated stone academy which may yet be seen on the college campus. The old Presbyterian Church on South Franklin Street, built in 1806, and formerly used by S. B. & C. Hays as a carriage factory, is recently used by the Novelty Glass Company. The Washington "Reporter," Centennial number, mentions several of these old houses which are still standing. These houses were so well built that they were frequent- ly moved to a new location. A frame building still standing just north of the Auld House on South Main Street was moved in 1812 from the site of the Watson building, just below the court house. Hugh Wilson, the grandfather of James B. Wilson, owned the lot where the building stood and the one to which it was removed. Col. James Ruple, who was active in military affairs, had the contract for steering the house down Main Street. He had only gotten it part of the way on its journey when the militia was called out by the Governor and sent up to the Canada border. Col. Ruple went along and the old house stood in Main Street until the war was over.

During the closing years of the eighteenth century, Washington was a prosperous town and was regarded as a good business and professional place in which to locate. James Ross, afterwards United States Senator; Alexander Addison, a preacher and later the first law judge for the country west of the Alleghenies, and many other prominent men who afterwards removed to Pitts- burg, were for years residents of Washington.

The "Reporter" Centennial number of 1908 gives a synopsis of the assessment of 1807, which shows a total of taxables 158: Houses and lots, 136; cows, 112; horses, 91; lots, 108; horse mill, 1; attorney, 7; barber, 1; blacksmith, 3; baker, 1; brickmaker, 1; butcher, 3; chairmaker, 1; cabinet maker, 3; clerk, 3; clock and watchmaker, 2; currier, 1; carriage maker, 1; carpenter, 7; constable, 1; doctor, 2; farmer, 4; gentleman, 5;

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

gunsmith, 3; hatter, 4; Indian doctor, 1; inn keeper, 10; justice of peace, 2; laborer, 2; merchant, 15; nailer, 3; negro, 3; potter, 1; postmaster, 1; printer, 1; prothono- tary, 1; pump maker, 1; reed maker, 3; saddler, 4; saddletree maker, 1; school master, 1; shoemaker, 16; slave, 7; S. Freeman, 2; sheriff, 1; spinster, 3; silver- smith, 1; stone mason, 4; student, 1; supervisor of R., 1; tailor, 4; tailor and B. Insp., 1; tanner, 1; wash- woman, 1; weaver, 5; wheelright, 1; wagonmaker, 2; deputy surv., 1.

Seven attorneys was a larger proportion to the num- ber of inhabitants than we have now. The seven slaves were, no doubt, set free at end of service as provided by laws of Pennsylvania. There were no druggists to fill the prescription of the two doctors or of the Indian doctor. Ten innkeepers were assessed. Washington was on the main road to the west in those early days and the innkeepers were important personages. The occupation was profitable as a steady stream of travelers moved through Washington to what was known as the Ohio country.

All the occupations were represented in the town as it was then the most important trading center for a wide section of country. The total valuation was $139,808. The amount of tax levied was $200 and the rate of levy one and three-seventh mills on the dollar.

On February 13, 1810, the Legislature granted a charter and the town formerly known as Catfish Camp, Bassett-town and Washington, became the borough of Washington. This incorporating had been discussed in town meeting 15 years before. The town of Wash- ington originally belonged to South Strabane Township, one of the 13 original townships of the county, erected in July, 1781. On the 6th of February, 1786, the town had been formed into a separate election district. The first church was built-Presbyterian-and the first pastor was settled about this date.

The 1810 census shows the following interesting sta- tistics :

FREE WHITE MALES.

Under 10 years of age. 189

Of 10 and under 16 .. 101

Of 16 and under 26, including heads of families. 167

Of 26 and under 45, including heads of families 122

Of 45 and upwards, including heads of families. 63

FREE WHITE FEMALES.

Under 10 years of age. 194

Of 10 and under 16. 79

Of 16 and under 26, including heads of families. 141

Of 26 and under 45, including heads of families. 96

Of 45 and upwards, including heads of families. 49

All other free persons except Indians not taxed. 96

Slaves

Total 1,301

The Embargo Act had made money extremely scarce and possibly had much to do with the desire for the bank established here in 1809. The War of 1812 and the definite location by survey of the National Turnpike through the borough gave rise to speculative prices in Washington.

The nation soon passed through one of its periodic panics in business which culminated in 1817. Money was scarce, business stagnant and the two banks in the borough became embarrassed, one of them losing its charter for failure to pay the State tax. In 1820 the population had only increased by 386, or about one- fourth. The population increased almost as fast until 1830, and made a slight increase again before 1840, when it reached a total of 2,062.

The banks of the town had closed entirely about 1825 and the controversy between President Jackson and Congress over banking affairs helped to reduce values until real estate was of little demand in Washington and many were financially ruined.

The old Franklin Bank, the predecessor of the present First National Bank of Washington originated in 1836, was an advantage to the community which was being appreciated before 1840.

Col. William Hopkins laid out a plot of lots as an ad- dition to Washington in December, 1849. David Lang laid out his addition in 1850, calling it East Washing- ton.

In 1852 the borough changed its charter rights by accepting the provisions of the act of assembly ap- proved April 3, 1851, for the better government of boroughs.

The town limits were extended from North Main Street westward around to Main Street extended south- ward on June 10, 1854, and from near Catfish Bridge on South Main Street eastward to include David Lang's lots (familiarly called Langtown) and around to North Main Street to take effect January 5, 1855.

The railroad familiarly known as the "Panhandle"' constructed through the northern part of the county in 1865 and this with the excitement of the war of the sixties caused the population to decrease. In 1850 it was 2,662; in 1860, 3,587, and in 1870, 3,571. During the war there was little desire to invest in town lots. Fortunately for the town, public spirited men aided in connecting Washington with the Panhandle Railroad and with Pittsburg by way of the Chartiers Valley Rail- road to Carnegie-then Mansfield-in Allegheny County. Enterprise and growth began from this year, 1871.

The National Pike had ceased to be much of a factor in through travel. The stage coaches which had formerly run from Washington to Pittsburg had been discon- tinued. The travel by coach from Washington to Me- Donald by way of Canonsburg to connect with the trains

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

there for Pittsburg had also become a thing of the past. The road only extended to Chestnut Street, but it rep- resented progress and helped the town to tide over the serious panic of 1873. James Linn's assignee, A. M. Todd, Esq., laid out the Linn farm into 171 lots called Linn's extension on the northeast corner of town and sold many of them at public and private sale, leading to a marked increase of building enterprise. The idea of investments and improvements of real estate took deep hold of the minds of the mechanics and people of moderate means about this time. Building and Loan Associations were much discussed and aided most ma- terially in the saving and investment of salaries and wages as well as in the erection of houses and the pay- ment for houses and lots in monthly installments.

Nicholas K. Wade, son-in-law of Dr. F. J. LeMoyne, laid out his addition on part of his farm east of Wash- ington April 9, 1874, along a street, now Wade Avenue, in the borough of East Washington, but which he had first called Houston Street, because Houston was an early owner of the land. Twelve lots west of the "Old Grave- yard" was laid out in February, 1875, and called Rit- ner's addition. Dr. Frederic Whittlesey and William Wolf extended the addition of lots on Wade Avenue northward in December, 1881. William Milne laid out lots along North Avenue, formerly the roadbed occupied by the Pittsburg Southern Narrow Gauge Railroad, now in East Washington borough.

All these had been laid out and most of them sold before the oil and gas boom struck Washington.

Hon. Alexander W. Acheson, induced by the growing demand, added to the south end of town by laying out lots on Gosford Avenue and West Prospect Avenue, and the LeMoyne heirs followed with their East Prospect Avenue plot in 1885.

The heirs of F. J. LeMoyne, stirred by the excite- ment over the great developments of oil and gas, laid out their LeMoyne Avenue plot of lots in 1886, adding more lots to the east side of the town. The excitement at that time was intense and many lots were purchased for building purposes and many with the idea of ob- taining oil underneath. James S. Stocking had laid out lots west of town on a plot called Kalorama, being around the old stone quarry, from which stone had been taken for the B. & O. Railroad construction and many other later projects, and the plot embraced the side hill years ago known as John Ruple's vineyard. All the lots were selling rapidly and the demand was not yet sup- plied when a whole farm was added to the town in one block. Six hundred lots were laid out near the old National Pike toll-gate-on the hill west of town, on land purchased from Weaver and Mounts by Ernest F. Acheson, Ludewiek McCarrell, James Kuntz, Jr., and James S. Stocking. They incorporated the West End

Land Company. The sale began March 21, 1888, and the lots, 30x150 feet, were rapidly sold by the agent, Quincey Mounts, at the uniform price of $200 for corner lots and $150 for the others. The owners of this plot soon purchased about 30 acres of the Harry and Catherine Shirls' farm adjoining the Weaver plot and after cut- ting off the beautiful timber known as Shirls' Grove, 200 more lots were placed upon the market. This ad- dition was incorporated five years later as West Wash- ington and now is the Eighth Ward of the borough of Washington. A year later the Bellevue addition was added on the west side of town.

The next decade produced a very large number of plots for record. The West End Land Company, before mentioned, laid off about 15 acres of the D. T. Morgan farm on the east side of town into 75 lots. D. J. Mc- Adam and James S. - Simonton laid out a block east of town, and Reason's Choice on the James Glenn farm west of town. J. V. Clark, W. S. Campbell and others, Rasboro heirs, Workman and Wade Land Companies additions were all made east of town, and a part of the Harry and Catherine Shirls' land, lands of Benjamin Clark, et al, the Montgomery farm, the Hess heirs land on the west, made large opportunities for investment. Later the P. P. Humbert addition on the north and the W. C. Baldwin, J. H. Murdoch, Alvin Donnan land, known as the Gallow's Hill tract, south of town, were thrown open. All of these blocks found interested pur- chasers and many fine buildings have been erected on each of them.

Much of the increase in growth is due to the intro- duction of the glass works by C. N. Brady and Messrs. Paxton 30 years ago, and the Tyler Tube and Pipe Com- pany, originated by William P. Tyler, in 1890.

The census of 1880 gave the town 4,902 inhabitants, an increase of 72 over the year 1870. Of course this did not include many who resided on the outside of the borough limits. During the next ten years the increase was 2,771, but there were more residing in the town- ships nearby than ever before. The population reached 7,670 in the year of 1900. Within the last ten years four boroughs have been incorporated, all using the name Washington, but using the prefix of the compass to indi- cate on which side of the old borough the incorporated territory lies.

The following brief statement made by the Washing- ton "Reporter's" Centennial edition, shows the several annexations to the borough limits with the dates of or- ganization of the adjoining boroughs whose territory has been added to the original area of Washington.

The original limits of the borough were not changed for 44 years after its erection. Following the second annexation of territory in 1855 no change in the limits occurred until 1897 or a period of over 42 years. Since

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

that date the expansion of the borough limits has been very rapid. Altogether 12 extensions of the limits have been made either by annexation of territory from the adjoining townships or by consolidation of boroughs which had been incorporated in the suburbs. The sev- eral changes in Washington Borough limits have been as follows:

1854, June 10-Annexation of suburbs northwest, west and southwest.

1855, Jan. 6-Annexation of suburbs southeast, east and northeast.

1897, Aug. 25-Annexation of a small section of Can- ton Township at the east end of Hall Avenue.

1898, March 29-Annexation of a portion of the Shirls plot, including the property between the Chartiers Rail- way, the alley east of Allison Avenue and Third Street, from Canton Township.

1901, June 27-Consolidation of Washington and South Washington Boroughs. South Washington, incor- porated Feb. 8, 1897, from portions of South Strabane and North Franklin Townships.

1902, April 28-Annexation of Shirls and Montgomery plots from Canton Township.

1902, May 12-Consolidation of Washington and North Washington Boroughs. North Washington, in- corporated June 21, 1897, from South Strabane Town- ship.

1902, Nov. 10-Annexation of a portion of the Clark plot out to Wellington Avenue, from Canton Township, extends down railroad to opposite Dunbar and Wallace Lumber Yard.

1902, Dec. 29-Annexation of Tylerdale, including portions of the Clark, Hess and Henderson plots, Rea- son's Choice and Highland Place, from Canton Town- ship, as far as Oak Grove Station.

1903, May 27-Annexation of the Washington Park and portions of the Weills and Schrontz farms, from South Strabane Township.

1903, Aug. 21-Annexation of portions of the Wade, Workman and Weills farms from South Strabane Town- ship.

1907, Dec. 2-Consolidation of Washington and West Washington Boroughs. West Washington, incorporated Aug. 19, 1891; its limits extended so as to include the Hayes property in Canton Township and the McDaniel property in North Franklin Township on June 29, 1894.

Washington Borough, as at present constituted, has an area of 3.53 square miles or 2259.93 acres. Measuring from southeast to northwest it is almost three and a quarter miles long. It will be noticed that a small por- tion of Chartiers Creek is now within the borough limits. The expansion has been so great that the borough now is not only bounded by South Strabane, Canton and North Franklin Townships, but it also touches Chartiers Township at the northwest corner.

When West Washington had consolidated with Wash- ington a new charter was signed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, on the second day of December, 1907, by which the new borough was to be known as the "Bor- ough of Washington." This reorganized borough, which had originally had only four wards lying to the south- west, northwest, northeast and southeast of the corners of Main and Beau Streets, has now eight wards, but the seventh is known as the Tyler Ward. The borough of

East Washington and the plots of ground known as. Bellevue and Kalorama may be considered a part of Washington, but they are not legally attached as a part. of the borough of Washington.

In 1900 the borough of Washington had 7,063 inhabi- tants; West Washington, 2,693; North Washington, 1,473; South Washington, 1,230, and East Washington, 1,051, making a total of 14,117. This does not include. Kalorama and Bellevue additions nor the thickly popu- lated district known as Tylerdale, which has since been included in the Eighth Ward. The next census of the borough of Washington will show upwards of 20,000 inhabitants which would seem to be an astonishing in- crease for ten years. The explanation for that increase is the addition within the last ten years of the outlying tracts of land and boroughs not included in the Wash- ington census of 1900. To the census of 1910 there should be also added that of the borough of East Wash- ington and portions of North Franklin and Canton Townships, which are close lying suburbs of the old borough.

The valuation of real estate in East Washington Bor- ough amounts to $1,480,025. The valuation of personal. property is $152,685, making a total of $1,532,710. The number of taxables is 441. The number of voters was 335 and in 1908 was 375.

WASHINGTON OF TODAY.

Washington is located in the upper basin of the Char- tiers Valley, at the terminus of one of the best equipped branches of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Pittsburg and Washington electric lines, and on the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and by trolley hourly. Fast trains are run to and from Pittsburg at all hours of the day and communication with the city is thus so well maintained, as to render Washington almost a suburb of the larger center. Wheeling is also easy of access. There are six railroad stations in the town.

The site of the town is over 1,100 feet above sea level, well up among the hills of Washington County.

The town today combines to a singular degree, the advantages of a business and a residence center. With the tremendous development of the coal resources of the county that is taking place, and the consequent inpour- ing of wealth, the county seat has steadily flourished. Oil and natural gas each brought tribute to the aggre- gate riches of town and county. A great portion of the wealth of the county is deposited in the Washington. Banks.

Numerous manufactories are to be found in the in- dustrial district of the town and the aggregate payroll each year of the various concerns is between $3,000,000

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

and $4,000,000. The advantages of cheap fuel is stead- ily attracting notice to this section. The employes of the mills and factories are buying, or building, com- fortable homes, and persevere steadily in their efforts to bring the newer portions of the town to a point equal to the old in municipal improvements. No saloons are to be found in the entire community, and the money which these establishments always attract, goes toward family benefits.

Aside from the unfailing current of business one of the principal advantages of Washington is, it is rapidly becoming a home for people doing business, not only here but in Pittsburg.

Many Washington County people who formerly owned farms, and became wealthy through the sale of their coal, have removed to Washington and built homes. They wish to educate their children and realize that excep- tional facilities of this sort are at hand here. Fine school buildings are an evidence of civic pride and the ten magnificent public schools of the town, together with well kept lawns and cleanly paved streets, evince the fact that a progressive spirit animates the community.

The public school system is one of the finest in the state, and its remarkable efficiency is due to the years of care and attention vouchsafed it by directors and taxpayers alike. The town also boasts a fine high school, an academy and a business college. The excellence of these institutions is witnessed by the attendance, each school having all the pupils that can be properly accom- modated. Washington and Jefferson Academy is the pre- paratory school for Washington and Jefferson College, the oldest college west of the Alleghany Mountains and one of the most famous schools of the United States. That portion of the town where the college is located, is an especially fine residence section, by reason of the beautiful college campus, and the shady streets and broad lawns which surround, and extend away from the college for several squares. College and academy enroll between 300 and 400 students each year, and each has a corps of instructors, who are the best that can be ob- tained. The Washington Seminary, this year celebrated its seventy-first commencement, and is known far and wide as an excellent school for girls.

Turning aside from the town's educational advantages it may be worth while to look at other features no less attractive. The water supply of the town is one of the principal inducements afforded the prospective resident. The Citizens Water Company, which supplies the town, has three dams, which cover an area of 120 acres, with a storage capacity of almost 800,000,000 gallons. At the present rate of consumption, this amount of water would supply Washington for 18 months without rain- fall. The company has also a clear-water basin for

filtered water, holding 6,000,000 gallons. All the water furnished is filtered through sand filters.

The water itself is clear and sparkling, its purity not being questioned. The dams are located well away from town, and are filled by water draining in from over a large section of farming land, so that there is little danger of contamination. The two reservoirs are as large as small lakes and the water thus receives the additional purification which a large body of water gives itself. Washington has had no epidemics for many years, a fact due to the high grade water supply and the modern sew- age system.

This sewage system was installed at great expense and covers. the entire town. A new sewage disposal plant is constructed near Arden Station and is one of the most up-to-date plants in existence. The borough of East Washington has a separate disposal plant of its own. The miles of paved streets, and sewer lines, have put the boroughs to no small outlay, but have proved to be well worth the money. At nights the streets of the main borough are illuminated by electric arc lights, and those of East Washington by Welsbach burners.

Washington Borough is protected against fire by the Gamewell fire alarm system and a paid fire department. The fire fighting apparatus consists of a hose-and-ladder wagon and a number of reels. The gerat pressure at each water plug is sufficient to deliver a powerful stream, and no engine is necessary. Since the installation of this system of protection there have been no serious fires.

The town has four hotels of importance, and a num- ber of excellent student clubs and boarding houses. There are two national banks, three trust companies and one private bank to finance local affairs. The local Y. M. C. A. is housed in a building that cost $80,000. It is a strong and thriving organization, and one of the most beneficent influences of the community. The splendid million dollar court house is the pride of town and county, and the Washington Trust Company office building, would be surpassed with difficulty by any mod- ern business block. The Washington Electric Light and Power Company recently commenced the operation of their new plant, and furnish their patrons, not only with electric lights, but with steam heat as well The Manufacturers Light and Heat Company and the Frank- lin Gas Company also furnish fuel and illumination to many homes in the form of natural gas.

Among other public service corporations are the United States and Adams Express Companies, Western Union Telegraph Company, Bell and National Telephone Com- panies.

Twenty-six churches are to be found in Washington, and the ministerial association is a moral factor, which

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exercises unmistakable power. There are three daily newspapers and one weekly, and a fine and well patron- ized public library. A well appointed theater furnishes amusement, and one of the best equipped roller skating rinks in Western Pennsylvania has built up an excellent patronage. There are first class athletic parks and two gymnasiums here, and the local football, baseball and track teams are known everywhere.

Washington now has two hospitals, where the most modern treatment and attention are accorded the pa- tients. Residents of the place have long been used to street car service, and the street railway company has greatly improved this within the past year.

The valuation of real estate in Washington Borough amounts to $11,300,411; personal property is $539,545; it has 5,369 taxables.

In 1850 the population numbered 2,662. In 1860 it was 3,587; in 1890, 7,063, and in 1900, 7,670.

The number of voters in Washington in 1850 was 620. In 1904 it was 4,801, and in 1908, 4,941.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 87

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474