Former American Legion Building Saved

Many people in town have been concerned about the deterioration of the former American Legion, Frank Downer Post building at 248 West Main Street. The first three photos below were taken in 2015 showing a huge gash in the roof resulting in water flooding the interior of the building every time it rained. Thankfully the owner saw fit to replace the wood deck and roof it with new asphalt shingles. The last three photographs show the new roof being installed.

The front facade is gorgeous and is still in good shape. It is the centerpiece of interesting architecture on the 200 block of West Main Street. The building is certainly worth saving. (click the the photos below to enlarge)

Check back tomorrow for part 2!

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WPXI Story About Monongahela African American Soldiers Who Served In The Civil War

Capt. William Catlin

Several folks asked how can view the story WPXI produced about the Ravioli sale sponsored by the Monongahela Main Street Program and Bethel AME church. Proceeds will pay for a historical marker to honor African American soldiers from Monongahela who fought for the United States in the civil war. What makes story unique is that this may be the first time in US history that African American soldiers went into battle under African American officers. Click here to read the story watch the video.

Regarding Snow Removal On Main Street Sidewalks

Sidewalk at 222 West Main St., Monongahela PA remains uncleared as of Monday afternoon while a man in a suit and tie works on an icy spot at another property up the street. (click image to enlarge)

The Monongahela street department did a great job clearing the streets during snowstorm Jonas this past Friday night and Saturday morning. Property owners also

Monongahela Chess Park Greeting Cards Now Available

Chess Park greeting cards are now available!

Front

Back

Each card is 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ with a winter scene of Chess Park in Monongahela Pennsylvania on the front. The reverse includes a short history of Chess Park and the two churches in the background. The interior of the card is blank so it can serve year round as a thank you card, a sympathy card, a Christmas card or a general note card that you can use to show your pride in our home town.

Each package of 10 cards and envelopes costs $10 and comes attractively packaged in a clear plastic box with a decorative gold cord making it ready to go as the perfect stocking stuffer or gift! Cards are now on sale at:

Autumn Antiquities And Curiosities – 234 West Main Street, Monongahela PA. Open Wednesdays, Thursdays  and Fridays 11:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m and Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone 724-292-8222. Both cash and credit cards accepted.

Little City Coffee – 418 West Main Street, Monongahela PA. Phone 724-258-6285. Open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to  7:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Closed Sunday. Both cash and credit cards accepted.

**UPDATE 12/17/2015**

Chess Park cards are now available at Joe Fida’s Auto Plate service!

We can also ship the cards to you via mail. Shipping cost is a flat $3.50 no matter how many cards you order. For more information about having your order shipped just send an email to Dan at lostmonongahela@gmail.com with your name, address and phone number and the number of boxes you want.

All proceeds go to the Monongahela Main Street Program which is being formed to revitalize main street Monongahela through historic preservation.

Roundtable Discussion Will Focus on Neighborhood Revitalization, Blight In Monongahela

A very important (open to the public) meeting about neighborhood revitalization and blight in Monongahela will be held 7 p.m Tuesday August 11, 2015 at the Carroll Township Fire Hall. The following information was copied from Sen. Scott Wagner’s website:

Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee

Bus Tour & Roundtable on Neighborhood Blight & Revitalization

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

The bus tour will meet in the parking lot of the Social Center of the Carrol Township Building (130 Baird Street, Monongahela, PA 15063) at 2:00pm. The bus will then take the group to Donora to visit multiple sites and will be followed by dinner at Lucchesi’s Restaurant (372 Donner Ave, Monessen, PA 15062) at 4:00pm. After dinner, the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee will hold a roundtable discussion at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of theCarrol Township Building (130 Baird Street, Monongahela, PA 15063) to discuss Neighborhood Blight & Revitalization. The following local officials and organizations invited to join the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee are:

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives (46th Senatorial District Delegation)

• Representative Jim Christiana
• Representative Brandon Neuman
• Representative Peter Daley III
• Representative Jason Ortitay
• Representative Robert Matzie
• Representative Rick Saccone
• Representative Pam Snyder

The Washington County Commissioners v The Mon Valley Mayors Association

• Commissioner Lawrence O. Maggi
• Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan
• Commissioner Harlan G. Shober Jr.
• Mayor Lou Mavrakis of Monessen
• Mayor Bob Kepics of Monongahela
• Mayor Don Pavelko of Donora
• Mayor Dwan B. Walker of Aliquippa

Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania v Mon Valley Progress Council

• Cindy Daley, Policy Director
• Joe Kirk, Executive Director

Washington County Redevelopment Authority

• Bill McGowen, Executive Director

Here is some more information from Camera Bartolotta’s website:

HARRISBURG – The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee will host a roundtable discussion on blight and neighborhood revitalization in Monongahela on August 11, according to Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).

The roundtable discussion will be held at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Carroll Township Municipal Building at 130 Baird Street. Local elected officials, housing and redevelopment officials and statewide housing organizations have been invited to participate.

“Abandoned and blighted properties create a serious eyesore and can reduce property values for neighboring homeowners and businesses,” Bartolotta said. “This discussion allows policymakers and housing experts to explore all of the options currently available to local communities and determine what additional steps are necessary to return blighted properties to productive use.”

The conversation will focus on state and local efforts to prevent blight and remediate properties that have fallen into a state of disrepair. The roundtable discussion is a public event, and community residents are invited and encouraged to attend.
CONTACT: Colleen Greer (717) 787-1463

Here is the story relating to this on the WESA 90.5 FM website.

There is no coverage that I could find on the Tribune Review (Valley Independent) nor the Observer Reporter websites so it is very important to tell your friends and neighbors about the meeting if you are concerned about blight in the Mid-Mon Valley. Please also consider spreading the news via Facebook and other social media.

Check back here on Wednesday for coverage of this meeting along with an update about local Monongahela residents who are trying start a program designed by the National Main Street Center to help improve the appearance of our downtown and bring economic opportunity. You can read more about it here.

This Day In 1882: Jellied Cow At The Monongahela Paper Mill

According to The Daily Republican March, 13, 1882:

A cow which had entered the paper mill straw yard one day several weeks ago, in search of food, was observed to eat her way towards the steam tubs, but the workmen were too busy to drive her out. A half hour later they looked for her, but the Ramshackle had disappeared. The owner had hunted his cow in vain. On Saturday the men were cleaning out a steam escape, and digging down under the straw to where the hot liquor is drawn off from the bottom of the tub, came across the cow. She had slumped through the wet straw and sank to the bottom, outside the tubs. It was all up with Shackle; she was cooked to death, for after soaking in hot lime and soda water, and being parboiled in hot steam for two weeks no ordinary cow could be expected to stand the racket, and so when found she was little more than jelly and horns.

Jellied calves feet also known as “P’tcha”

 

Paper mill in Catsburg

Winter Flooding On Park Avenue, Monongahela PA

Just a few photos of the flooding along Pigeon Creek on Park Avenue, Monongahela March 4th and 5th 2015. These were taken shortly after the water started to recede. Click the image for a larger view.

The Ringgold School District Armstrong Field shown above is mainly used as a soccer field today. Over the years it has been used as a driving park, race track, softball field, football field and even a cornfield! Click here to see what it looked like over 100 years ago.