Light-Up Night Photograph, November 1954 – Need Help With Identification

Light-Up Night, Thanksgiving 1954

We found this picture down at the Monongahela Historical Society Museum. It’s a photo taken November 1954 of Bill Polaski (with the pole) turning on the power for one of the Christmas decorations on Main Street in Monongahela. We would like your help identifying the other people in the photograph.

Christmas 1954. Click image to enlarge.

I heard that one of the other people in the photograph is Al Ferrara.

There is a really neat story about the locally made Christmas star decorations that used to grace Main Street which I will post sometime around Christmas 2013. So how about emailing this photo to friends who may be able to identify these folks or share it on your Facebook page. Let me know what you find!

100 Years Ago Today: Cincinnati Mine Disaster – Day 2

The following article is from the April 24, 1913 edition of The Daily Republican. The lead story was about the huge explosion at the Cincinnati Mine in Courtney PA, just 2 miles from Monongahela. I didn’t have time to transcribe this article but the image should be pretty easy to read:

Cincinnati Mine Disaster – 100 Years Ago Today. Daily Republican Article.

Waiting for news at the Cincinnati Mine, Courtney PA

One hundred years ago today a terrible explosion occurred at the Cincinnati Mine in Courtney about one mile down river from Monongahela PA. Ninety-seven men died and many were injured. Below is an account of the accident which appeared in the April 23, 2013, edition of Monongahela’s newspaper, the Daily Republican.

EXPLOSION AT THE CINCINNATI MINE TODAY

A terrific explosion occurred in the Cincinnati mine about one o’clock today and it is feared many men are killed. The

Cincinnati Mine Disaster Article – from The Daily Republican, April 23, 1913 (click to view full size)

explosion occurred on the main entry between the pit mouth and the Mingo school house. About 250 men are at work and grave fears are entertained for the safety of many. A call for assistance has been sent to many of the mines in this vicinity and they are hurrying to the scene of the explosion. A report says that six men escaped through the opening near the Mingo school house. One dead man has been brought to the pit mouth and the rescue party who are now at work have discovered many other bodies. The fans have been started, and the relief parties have been able to get as far as the parting.

George Cursan, who lives in Lin Alley, was one of the men who escaped. He states that his father also is safe, but he thinks Merle Brewer a boarder is among the dead. George Herron who boards with Mrs. Hastings in Railroad Street is also thought to be among the dead. He says that about twenty men escaped with him, and that the force of the explosion was terrible. The interior of the workings are wrecked, and of rescue will be retarded.

Large crowds are congregated about the mine openings, and many pathetic scenes are in evidence, many women and children being among the number who are anxious about a loved one who is probably lost. Many went from this city in automobiles, and other conveyances.

The explosion seems to have occurred on the main entry, and it may be that it will not extend to the workings. This however, is only conjectured as it is impossible at this time to get any definite information.

You can tell that when the article was written many details were still unknown. I wonder if the article was rushed to press — note the poor typesetting of the headline. I will publish other articles which appeared in the Daily Republican over the next several days so check back tomorrow for more!

Cincinnati Mine Disaster Historical Marker On Rt 88

There is a little historical plaque on rt 88 commemorating the Cincinnati Mine disaster of 1913:

Cincinnati Mine Disaster Plaque

It marks what was known as the Mule entrance to the mine, not far from Finleyville on rt 88:

Location of Cincinnati Mine disaster historical marker near Finleyville PA

This used to be an attractive spot along route 88. As I remember there were four mature weeping willow trees that stood in a row on a flat grassy area where the parking lot now is. The trees were cut down when the cement block building with junk all around it was built. I still wonder who planted those trees. Could it have been somebody who lost a relative in the explosion? Perhaps the person living in the house next door?  This is all that is left to commemorate those 97 men who lost their lives that day. But kudos to Peters Creek Historical Society for the historical marker.

Cincinnati Mine Disaster Historical Plaque

You can read more about the history of the Cincinnati Mine and learn about the explosion at the Virtual Museum Of Coal Mining in Western Pennsylvania

Also, on Thursday, February 28, 2013, Scott Frederick will give a presentation about the Cincinnati Mine disaster in the parlor of the First Presbyterian Church in Monongahela at 7 p.m. Mr. Frederick taught World Cultures, American History and Honors American History at Ringgold High School for 36 years.

Game Of Seven-Up Broke Election Deadlock In Monongahela, Pa.

From the December 25, 1904 edition of The Washington Times:

A game of seven-up broke an election deadlock in Monongahela, PA., last February. Clark Boyd, Republican, and James Hendrickson, Democrat, each received 113 votes for register assessor and played cards for a decision. The Democrat won.

Historical Society Meeting Speaker Scott Frederick Discusses Courtney PA Mine Disaster of 1913

Young girl awaits news at the Cincinnati Mine entrance, Courtney PA April 1913

“PITTSBURGH, Pa., April 23.—There are 120 known dead and 100 are believed to be entombed* tonight in the Cincinnati mine of the Pittsburgh Coal Company at Courtney, three miles from Monongahela, where an explosion of gas occurred shortly after 1 o’clock this afternoon. Faint tappings against pipes and debris in the mine are plainly heard by a frantic crowd of men, women and children outside the mine.”

“Seventy miners staggered over bodies and debris and into the fading sunlight shortly after 5 o’clock. Some managed to get out unassisted; others were carried out. Every possible effort was made tonight to reach those who are entombed. The Courtney entrance is clogged up with debris, and behind this it is believed that there are scores of men who will die unless help reaches them within a few hours. At present there is no way of sending them water or of giving them air. The tapping is continued, and is evidently being made by many men. The crying and shouting is growing fainter.” – Philadelphia Enquirer April 1913

Hear more about the story on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the next meeting of the Monongahela Area Historical Society in the parlor of the First Presbyterian Church at 7 PM. The speaker will be Scott Frederick, who taught at Ringgold High School for 36 years. He taught World Cultures and American History and Honors American History. His subject will be the Cincinnati Mine Disaster which occurred on April 23, 1913. The disaster was one of the worst in U.S. history. Most of the victims were from the Monongahela area.

Do you have relatives who were affected by the disaster? Feel free to leave a comment below.

*later reports confirmed that 97 people died

Coal Miner On His Way Home From Work

I was doing a little research about the Cincinnatti Mine (Courtney PA) disaster that killed 97 miners 100 years ago and came across hand tinted picture of a coal miner on his way home from work.

How Ginger Hill Got Its Name

The Ginger Hill Inn

From the Historical Magazine of Monongahela’s Old Home Coming Week: Sept. 6-13, 1908

Ginger Hill, a small village on the Washington and Williamsport pike in Southwestern Nottingham, on the Carrol Line, has enjoyed a local habitation and name ever since the Whiskey Insurrection. On the night of Nov. 14th, 1794, Robert Johnson, excise collector for Washington and Allegheny Counties, seized the still of Squire David Hamilton, who lived in the site of the Ginger Hill Chapel.

The squire was a shrewd Scotchman and pretended to be in no ways excited over the action of Government Officials. It was a dark and disagreeable night and the road to Parkinsons Ferry (now Monongahela) being none the smoothest the officers were prevailed upon to remain under the hospitable roof of Hamilton. Around the glowing logs of the backwoods fire, Hamilton and his guests discussed the excise law, the conversation vein enlivened by the oft-repeated draughts from “Black Betty” which had previously been “doctored” by Hamilton with a quantity of jamaica ginger. One by one the officers dropped from their chairs in the deep sleep of intoxication. Hamilton speedily gathered his neighbors and taking the still and whiskey carried them many miles across the country to a place of safety. This action which now would be a serious matter was then regarded as a joke, and the place became known as “Ginger Hill.”

Martin Leisser Painting Of Monongahela City, Pa.

Martin Leisser Painting of Monongahela City.

Found this painting of Monongahela that was up for auction recently. Here are a few details:

Artist: Leisser, Martin B. (American, Western Pa. 1846-1940)
Title: Monongahela City
Date: late 19th Century
Medium: oil on canvas over cardboard
Dimensions: 8 x 11.75 inches
Description: A typical Leisser travelling painting sketch
Signature: incised with a stylus or paintbrush back point Leisser
Provenance: Harry Eichleay Gallery, Pittsburgh
Frame Type: gilded wood
Frame Size: 10.75 x 14.5 inches

I’m not sure but I think this painting shows Pigeon Creek in the foreground with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church steeple on the left and the Methodist Church steeple on the right. (The Methodist church used to have a huge steeple which was torn down and replaced with the current shorter one.) What do you think?

Lincoln School Ephemera

Lincoln School Pin Tray showing steps with a dangerous rightward tilt. (click images for larger view)

I found this pin tray on eBay depicting Lincoln School the other day.  Funny but I couldn’t find any photos of Lincoln School online. (Let me know if you have any you would like me to post.) Lincoln School built in 1908 was a handsome building located between Lincoln and Thomas Streets in Monongahela. Many still remember it since it wasn’t torn down until the late 1970′s I believe. In 2009 Chris Buckley of the Valley Independent interviewed architect and architectural historian Terry Necciai; here is what Terry had to say about Lincoln School:

I went to school there and was saddened by the demolition of it,” Necciai said of the Lincoln facility.
Lincoln School comprised 12 rooms and the walls were three bricks thick, Necciai recalled. A set of nearly 30 steps wound from Thomas Street to the school. The steps were a popular place for class photographs. On a porch at the top of the stairs – above the door – was the Lincoln quote, “Let us have faith that right makes might.” Inside the door, students climbed three more steps. Those familiar with the school might remember the shades of green it was painted. There was a picture of Lincoln inside.

Ironically, the school did not face Lincoln Street. Like the president, Lincoln Street is surrounded by some of the most prominent names of the Civil war era. Streets in that neighborhood were named for Gen. U.S. Grant, Secretary of State Edwin Stanton, Gen. George Henry Thomas, Gen. Oliver Howard, and Gen. Phillip Sheridan. Designed in the colonial revival style that was used in that neighborhood during the period, it was built in the Lockhart Plan, sometimes referred to as the Civil War section.

Development of the plan began in 1869, just four years after the Civil War ended. The booming city was home to many returning Civil War veterans, and the developers honored the war’s heroes by naming streets for them, Necciai said. ”And they put Lincoln in the middle because he was central to the effort,” Necciai added.

Lincoln School site as it appears today from Thomas Street.

Front steps of the former Lincoln School mentioned in the article.

The view from Lincoln Street.

Aerial view showing the foundation of Lincoln School.

I wonder why the neighbors here never pressed the school district to remove the asphalt, plant grass and a few trees. I imagine it would improve property values if the lot looked somewhat like a park. Right now you see piles of gravel and asphalt with a dump truck and bobcat parked there. It would be a shame if the old high school area ends up looking like this.

Speaking of Lincolns:

1961 Lincoln