2012 New Year’s Resolution:

to post at least three stories per week on Lost Monongahela! Hope you are successful in keeping your resolutions and may you have a happy 2012!

The Race Track – AKA Armstrong Field, Ringgold Soccer Field In Monongahela PA

I am working on an upcoming blog post and could use your help. Do any of you have any information or memories about the area known around Monongahela as the “Race Track” aka Armstrong Field? Currently located there is a soccer field, a softball field and on the southern end is Cox’s arena.

Here is a link to a great article in the Union-Finley Messenger with information about the Cox arena and Armstrong Park. To summarize the article:

• In 1874 the Monongahela Valley Agricultural Association purchased the 25 acre plot known as the “Driving Park”. The association sponsored fairs featuring horse racing.
• Later, the “Monongahela Driving Park Association” sponsored harness racing. Betting was allowed and thousands attended.
• Later the area became known as the “Monongahela Speedway” as harness racing gave way to automobile racing. In 1936 “Deb Miller drove a Miller Special at an average speed of over 70 miles per hour which broke all records at that time for dirt track racing.”
• During World War II victory gardens were planted there.
• Shane and Kate Cox currently sponsor equestrian events most weekends throughout the summer. You can contact Shane and Kate at thecoxarena@aol.com

I found a few old newspaper articles that mention this area and I’ll post a few stories this week.

Beginnings Of The Old Combustion Engineering Plant, Monongahela PA.

What we know as the old Combustion Engineering (C.E.) plant started out as The Coshocton Iron Works. Here’s an entry from Iron Age, Volume 7o, 1902:

Application for a Pennsylvania charter will be made August, 21 by the Coshocton Iron Company, operating a foundry at Coshocton, Ohio, which have become allied with the Liggett Spring & Axle Company of Allegheny. The incorporators are C.E.M. Champ, William E. Marquis and S.E. Hare, all of the Liggett Company. The company will remove their works to a building 100 x 300 feet, which will be erected to adjoin the large plant which the Liggett Company are building on the  P., McK, & Y. Railroad, opposite Monongahela City, Pa. The chief product of the foundry will be axle boxes, of which the Liggett Company use about 100 tons per month.

 

Wavolena – A Hospital In A Can!

Currently up for sale on eBay is a tin of Wavolena manufactured by the Waverly Supply Co. of Monongahela PA. According to the lable Wavolena is:

A Splendid Eternal Remedy to assist nature in the Healing of Sores, Cuts, Burns, Bruises, Stings, Ulcers, Poisons, Boils, Felons, Chapped Hands, Salt Rheum, Tetter, Dandruff, and kindred ailments.

SOOTHING COOLING PENETRATING ANTISEPTIC

PRICE 25 CENTS BOX

WAVOLINA

Sales – A Million Boxes In 3 Years!

Wavolena is Natures’s First Aid in Healing! An Unfailing Helper in case of Wound, Bruise or Sore! Valuable for the reduction of the Pain of Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Lame Back, Piles, Catarrh, Sore Throat, etc. Useful for all Irritations and Abraisions.

The Family Remedy – The Home Favorite – The Daily Friend

DIRECTIONS – Cleanse the parts with hot water. Apply Wavolena freely rubbing well.

WAVERLY SUPPLY CO., MONONGAHELA , PA.

Wavolena truly is a hospital in a can but only if you remember to cleanse the parts.

Monongahela Haze

I stumbled upon a wonderful blog by Monongahela native Devin Bartolotta. Following is an excerpt from a recent post titled “Monongahela Haze”

Monongahela summer evenings have a certain haze to them, or at least they do at my house. But the Monongahela summer haze isn’t just tangible. It’s a feeling, too. It’s when the air is an undetectable temperature, perfectly between warm and cool, and the sky seems bigger than normal. The day turns from blue light to blue dark and if you’re out there just long enough, the stars are bright enough to make you want to lay down and watch. Where no matter what you’re doing, everything seems clearer and calmer and your heart feels it’s where it needs to be.

It’s the kind of hazy evening that makes you want to drive with the windows down, even if you have nowhere to go. It makes you want to throw your hair up in a ponytail, forget what’s on TV or where you have to be tomorrow morning and just simply be.

Devin lives in Ohio now so why not leave a comment on her blog, I’m sure she would appreciate hearing from friends back home.

 

Check Out The New Lost Monongahela Facebook Page

Check out the new Lost Monongahela Facebook page. There you can find photos and links related to Monongahela that might not appear here on the blog. The main reason I created it is to provide a way for you readers to post your own pictures, links and stories related Monongahela and Southwestern PA.

Kennywood’s Open

Sign posted on door of Men’s room, Eat’n Park, Monongahela PA

New Eagle Firefighter Accused of Stealing From Fire Department

A volunteer firefighter in Washington County and his girlfriend have been charged with stealing $40,000 worth of equipment from the fire department and selling some of it at a scrapyard.

Michael Edward Griest, 25, a New Eagle firefighter, is charged with theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property and related offenses. His girlfriend, Tiffany Marie Gola, 22, of Centerville, is charged with conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11278/1179940-100.stm#ixzz1aOLJVwTQ

Celebrate Fall On The Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail

A bike ride on the Great Allegheny Passage is a great way to enjoy fall color. This picture is of the Bollman Bridge (1871) near Meyersdale Pa. but the trail at the West Newton or Cedar Brook park access points are just as beautiful.

PNC Bank Is Now The Highest Ranked Major National Bank In The U.S.

Speaking of banks: PNC Bank is now the highest ranked major national bank in the U.S. Reasons for high ranking: good management, productive employees, lower exposure to homes in foreclosure. May be time to invest in some stock.