Summer 2011 - Tyrone Area Historical Society

Tyrone PastTimes
Newsletter of the
Tyrone Area Historical Society
P.O. Box 1850, Tyrone, Pennsylvania 16686
tyronehistory.org
Vol. XXI, No. 3 Summer 2011
President’s Message:
Welcome to New Members!
To all our Society members who renewed their membership for the 2011-2012 year, we thank you. Your membership
is a way of supporting our efforts to provide interesting exhibits at the Tyrone History Museum, properly care for the
Society’s collections, and continue to create an awareness of the historical significance of the Tyrone area. For those of
you who may have misplaced your renewal form or forgot to renew, please use the form on page 15 to renew.
Tyrone’s second annual Dog Days of Summer was held August 12th and 13th. On those two days, the museum was
open and featured an exhibit by artist Rachel DiAndrea with canine paintings from her collection. An overview of her
work can be viewed at petartstudios.com.
Exhibits at the museum during the summer and fall include one displaying the fire companies of Tyrone during its
history: Neptune, Blazing Arrow Hook and Ladder, and Citizens. The
items featured are from the Society’s collection as well as items on loan
from Bill O’Brien, Chip
Dillon, Dave O’Connor,
and Suzie Johnson. The
exhibit stresses the
important role these fire
companies have played
through the years of
Tyrone’s history.
Another exhibit features items and photos recently donated to the
Society reflecting the life of the late Monsignor Richard J. Walsh.
The contents of the time capsule that was imbedded in the cornerstone of the latest YMCA building continue to be on
display at the museum. We were able to restore a few of the pieces and carefully prepared other items for this display so
as to reflect the important happenings in Tyrone in 1913, when the time capsule was placed in the building being
constructed.
The Society’s museum is open Sundays and Wednesdays, 1-4 pm. The Society’s office and research library is open
Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m., or by appointment. Visit our website at tyronehistory.org.
Nancy A. Smith
President
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Published quarterly as a benefit for members by the ...
Trivia Quiz
TYRONE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1. What is the translation of the Indian name
“Juniata”?
Viola Dollar, Editor
[email protected]
814-684-5784
Since its founding in 1990, the Tyrone Area Historical Society
has pledged itself to preserving, interpreting, and encouraging
community interest in the unique history of the Tyrone area to
ensure that present and future generations can share in and
understand their rich heritage.
The Historical Society has an active board of directors; a
museum; a research library; a growing list of supporting mem­
bers, contributions, and memorials; and continuing donations of
Tyrone-related artifacts and documents.
The Tyrone History Museum is located in the Railroad Station,
at the Tyrone Rail Park and is open Sundays and Wednesdays
from 1 to 4 p.m. (except during the winter). The Office/Research
Library is located in the Tyrone Shopping Center and is open
Wednesdays year-round from 1 to 4 p.m. The telephone number
is 814-684-5141.
The Society is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, educational
organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Gifts are deductible for income tax purposes (Tax
ID # 25-1630230).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President ................................................ Nancy A. Smith 632-5369
[email protected]
2. The trees we see on the hills and mountains
around Tyrone are what generation of
growth?
3. What year did the paper mill begin
operating in Tyrone?
4. When was the Sheridan Troop organized?
5. How many stone arch railroad bridges span
the Little Juniata River between Barree and
Tyrone?
6. How many digitized Tyrone newspapers are
available at newspaperarchive.com?
7. When was the train station built in Tyrone?
8. Canine paintings were exhibited during the
2011 Dog Days of Summer by what artist?
9. The Sheridan Troop Armory and proposed
location of the Tyrone Police Department is
on the former site of what?
Vice President ..................................... Richard H. Searer 684-1654
[email protected]
10. What local restaurant—now gone—served
“Belly Busters?”
Secretary .................................................. Suzie Johnson 684-0601
Treasurer/Collections Committee Chair …..... Lori Eckert 684-4264
Answers to Trivia Quiz on page 14
Membership Committee Chair................... Marge Hoyer 684-7376
[email protected]
Webmaster ............................................... Charlie Hoyer 684-7376
[email protected]
Publicity Committee Chair ......................... Susie O’Brien 684-1873
[email protected]
Director-at-Large ...................................... Andrew Smith 684-2973
Director-at-Large .......................................... Leslie Estep 686-4899
In Memoriam
Daniel J. Duda, Sr.
1938-2011
Chester E. Geist
1913-2011
[email protected]
Director-at-Large……………………….…………...Charlie Hoyer 684-7376
[email protected]
F. Mark Laird
1928-2011
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Little Juniata
From Open Sewer to “Class A” Wild Trout Stream!
By Bill Anderson
As a trout stream, the Little Juniata River, or just
“Little J” (which I will for my convenience, henceforth
term the J) has a relatively short history as a trout
stream. Unlike other fabled and well-chronicled central
Pennsylvania limestone streams (Spring Creek, Penn’s
Creek, Yellow Breeches, and others), the J never has had
a historic champion such as famed author Vince
Marinaro or Charlie Fox (for the Letort). Nor did the J
attract much attention from “local” fly-fishing
luminaries, George Harvey and Joe Humphreys. My
friend Charlie Meck, Pennsylvania Furnace resident and
well-known author of numerous fly-fishing books, fishes
the J and mentions it a few times, but no one has really
sung the J’s praises with sufficiency. They avidly fished
and wrote of Spruce Creek, and nearby Spring Creek.
Spruce Creek (playground of presidents) is a J tributary,
and Spring Creek is now only a half-hour drive away
(thanks to I-99), but you’ve probably never read about
awesome fly-fishing on the J even though, some J fly
hatches rival Penns Creek’s green drakes and “sulfur
blizzards” on the “Breeches”. The reason for this lack of
historical notoriety is that while other trout streams
were being chronicled by experts in numerous volumes,
the J was a frothy, stinking mess—for more than 100
years.
When the white man first came to the upper Juniata
region, he found the J
teaming with eastern
brook trout, our only
native trout (really a
char). The local Indians
called the river “Jun-eeaa-tah”, which some
say
meant
“blue
waters”. On some early
maps, it is labeled the
“Blue Juniata River”.
With the 1800’s came
man’s insatiable desire
for the area’s tall trees:
white pines for ship
masts, rock oaks for rail
ties, and all the rest to
make charcoal for the
many iron furnaces
dotting the landscape.
Before railroads, trees
Junkyard hole giant sycamore trees
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were moved from ridges and hollows to market through
the use of splash dams. Small streams were temporarily
dammed and the cut logs were placed below, awaiting
the right conditions to blow the dam loose. The
resulting rush of water would carry the logs rapidly
down the steep hollows, scraping and raking away all in
its path—including the brook trout.
By 1860, there were more than 150 iron furnaces in
the central Pennsylvania iron-producing region. Each
furnace consumed tens of thousands of acres of timber
for the charcoal fires, using it to melt the iron ore. In
many cases, the acreage—almost all of it owned by the
iron industry—was clear-cut several times, effectively
mining the soil of nutrients and permanently affecting
its fertility. The second-, third,- and fourth-growth
forests we see today consisting of mostly oaks, cherry,
and maples, reflect those species of trees requiring less
nutrition.
By 1900, there were virtually no trees remaining.
Photos taken from the hills around Tyrone during those
days show a barren landscape with only a few sticks
protruding, where lush forests now grow. There were
no deer, turkeys, or bears left. The brook trout, with
their requirements for clean, cold water, were
relegated to the very small headwaters in the
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surrounding ridges. They were gone from the main J
and are still missing to this day, although they are
making a comeback in the J tributaries. We only can
imagine the erosion and almost total degradation of all
but the most remote and inaccessible J tributaries.
In the 1830’s, the Main Line Canal was constructed
and quickly became the major means for transporting
goods and people through central Pennsylvania to
Pittsburgh, Chicago, and points west. It ran more than
100 miles from Harrisburg westward, following the
main Juniata River to Petersburg where it proceeded up
the J’s sister river, now called the Frankstown Branch of
the Juniata. The extensive canal construction is hard to
imagine today. It’s fortunate that we have the
photographic evidence in the Tyrone History Museum
as after 150 years and several epic floods, there are few
signs remaining. If you float the Frankstown Branch, as I
do every season, all that’s left to see in my favorite twomile stretch is a stone wall and a pair of granite bridge
abutments where ospreys frequently nest.
Once there were 14 dams on the Frankstown Branch
between the confluence with the J and Hollidaysburg.
Every side creek that entered was captured for its water
supply to help fill the many locks that lifted the barges
laden with goods and passengers. The canal was shortlived; however, by 1853 the
famous Horseshoe Curve was
finished. It provided an easy
way (relative to hauling canal
boats up a steep ramp) to
climb the mountains of the
Allegheny Front. For the first
time,
passengers
could
complete their trip west in
the relative comfort of a train
car.
For a year or two, there was
open warfare (with clubs and
guns) between the canal men,
who saw the imminent loss of
their jobs due to technology,
and the railroad builders. But
This postcard printed prior to 1908, clearly shows the hills along the river sparsely covered
compared with today’s lush growth.
(Postcard image courtesy of Ginny Dollar)
soon the railroad owners
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bought out the bankrupt canal company. It
didn’t take them long to fill in many of the locks
and canal stretches to make way for a railroad
along the Frankstown Branch. And today, where
the mules once strained against their harnesses,
the 15-mile Lower (pronounced as in tower)
biking and hiking trail winds serenely along the
river.
The reprieve from “improvements” (dams,
diversions, aqueducts, etc.) inflicted on the
slightly larger river by the canal builders, was
short-lived for the J. In 1833, a plan for
constructing a rail line was executed along the
winding route of the river. The rail line
proceeded 12 miles from the junction of the J
with the Frankstown Branch to Birmingham, a
thriving village founded in 1809 and
strategically located for shipment of goods such
as tanned hides, whiskey, and grain, from Sinking
Valley down the river. Birmingham was the starting
point for a wild and harrowing high-water race down
the J on barges. During these pre-rail years, many loads
of cargo were lost in the J’s raging waters. The railroad
was a much more desirable (and safer) solution.
The rail line was engineered as straight as terrain
allowed. The J, with its many bends and hairpin turns,
required spanning with numerous trestles. These early
bridges were made first of wood, then were replaced in
the late 1880’s with the graceful stone arch spans that
have continued to carry all the rail traffic of one of the
nation’s major east-west lines for more than 130 years.
There are 12 such spans in as many miles between
Barree and Tyrone. They cross the river at angles
dictated by the easiest path for the tracks. Each has its
own character. Some step across at 45 degrees, one cut
block at a time, each arch fanning like a card hand to
maintain perpendicularity to the river bed. Other stone
trestles are square to the flow and have smooth,
unbroken arches. For me, each stone arch bridge on the
J is a unique sculpture. We mark the pools with them.
The trout live under and around them, and the wild
brown trout even use the gravel bars behind the footers
as favorite spawning sites.
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Rothrock trestle
The men who built these magnificent spans were
immigrants. Many of the names in the current Tyrone
phone directory reflect these hardy Italian and Irish
ancestors. It’s likely that the famous stone arch bridge
built across the Susquehanna at Marysville, and touted
as the longest stone arch bridge in America, was also
completed by these same immigrants in 1888 before
coming west to build the stone arches on the J.
When the rails came, the town of Tyrone soon
outgrew Birmingham and replaced it as a hub for
transit. Tyrone, named by early founders for County
Tyrone in Ireland, sat at the junction of the Lock Haven,
Clearfield, and Lewisburg Lines with the main line of the
Pennsylvania Railroad.
By 1850, a large camp consisting of more than
20,000 men became what is now the city of Altoona.
These workers eventually would complete the famous
Horseshoe Curve in 1853.
In the 16 miles between Altoona and Tyrone other
towns grew, including Bellwood, Tipton, and
Grazierville. All of these towns used the J as an open
sewer, with domestic sewage, tannery effluent, waste
oils, and grease from the rail yards further
contaminating the silt-laden runoff from the denuded
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hills and charcoal cooking pits. Good old days….Not!
By the time the paper mill came to take advantage of
the generous springs in and around Tyrone, the small
river’s fate as a conveyance for waste already was
secure, but the worst was yet to come. Pulp mills use
water— lots of water. They also use strong chemicals to
aid in breaking down the wood pulp, and they add dyes
and pigments.
The paper mill in Tyrone began operation in 1890
(about the time the wooden trestles were replaced with
stone arches). Paper mill effluent joined the raw sewage
from upstream towns to make for a “fishless stew” that
persisted until the 1970’s, when the Clean Water Acts
mandated that all the waters of the nation “shall be fit
for fish and people to swim in”.
As a result of the environmental protection laws, the
Borough of Tyrone built a modern wastewater
treatment plant. This facility, owned and operated by
the Borough, is located less than a mile downstream
Fall brown trout from the SCC pool
from town. When it became operational in 1971, it
replaced a smaller facility for primary solids removal
only. My old friend, the late Sam Winters, told me he
helped build the earlier facility, as a young man just
returning from the military in 1953. (He also recalled
that as a boy a popular sport was to shoot bottles and
cans as they floated under the Irish Flats bridge near his
ancestral home in Birmingham! )
The earlier plant stood approximately where
Interstate 99 now crosses the J. The plan was for the
paper mill to send all its effluent to join the sewage for
treatment in the new plant. By spring 1971, the much
cleaner, treated wastewater carrying both sewage and
paper mill waste was entering the J. In 1972, nature lent
a hand with Hurricane Agnes, giving the J a final
Riverbank cleanup
flushing and paving the way for the birth of a great
trout stream!
I first saw the Little Juniata River in 1969. It was
still brown and foamy and I was told by locals there
were few, if any, fish living there. I fished for the
hatchery trout in the Little Bald Eagle Creek and
caught my first J trout at its mouth where the Little
Bald Eagle enters the J behind the VFW. I prefer to
believe the fish I had caught that day was not born
in a hatchery. Maybe it was a wild trout—an
ancestor of the many wild, stream-born browns
that swim in today’s fabulous fishery, our Little
Juniata River!
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A TRIBUTE TO TYRONE’S TROOP B
By Jeffrey Adams
The Sheridan Troop readies for a practice drill at Tyrone. This same view was used as a box decoration on the lid of Sheridan Troop Cigars
manufactured by Poorman Cigar company in Tyrone.
One hundred and fifty years ago an insurrection
took place at Fort Sumter, in April 1861, near
Charleston, South Carolina. Tyrone was just shy of its
tenth year as a settlement when this incident in a
distant state plunged our young nation into a struggle
to define just what constitutes a free nation. This
bloody Civil War resulted in a call to arms that saw
Tyrone send more than 300 soldiers to battle.
Disbursed into 20 regiments that represented Blair
County, our gallant bluecoats were launching a
tradition that guaranteed that Tyrone would be the
home to its own military unit for the next six
generations.
In 1871, the Sheridan Troop was organized at Tyrone
by veterans and active military personnel with the
interest in providing a guard to aid the Commonwealth in
events that required a cavalry to maintain order and
render assistance to the general public. C. S. W. Jones was
the chief proponent of this cavalry unit. The Sheridan
Troop, along with the First City Troop of Philadelphia and
the Governor’s Troop of Harrisburg, composed the First
Calvary Squadron of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
This was an honor that placed the Tyrone unit above
others in Pennsylvania.
Through the years, the Sheridan Troop and its
successor, Troop B, were called upon to assist in flood
relief and to maintain order at labor disputes involving
miners, rail employees, and steel workers throughout
the state. When our nation entered into its first foreign
war in 1898, the Sheridan Troop was deployed to Puerto
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Governor Stuart was
astounded by the show
presented by Tyrone’s
Sheridan Troop. Upon
witnessing this event, he
realized why this military
outfit was talked about
throughout the Commonwealth. He also was
pleased with the beauty of
Tyrone and its suburbs.
Rico as a show of force against Spain. Inducted into
federal service during both world wars, our gallant
brothers were scattered across France as members of
the 28th Division.
In addition to the Sheridan Troop adhering to its
obligation to serve and defend, the cavalry also evolved
into a crack unit of skilled horsemen. Their annual
procession through town on the way to encampment
drew most townspeople.
The Sheridan Troop practiced drills and developed
acrobatic stills with the assistance of their fine horses.
On field demonstrations, they wowed the crowds with
their dignified and focused march stance, which broke
away with the swift gallop of standing riders striding
multiple steeds. In street parades, they would be
accompanied by the 17-member Sheridan Cornet
Band.
Few communities in this great Commonwealth can
fill pages of their history with stories
that compare with the exploits of our
own Sheridan Troop.
The Sheridan Troop played host to the Western
Division of the National Guard in July 1907. Regiments turned the fields of Tipton into a tent city
and spent a week demonstrating their military
skills. Governor Stuart traveled to Tyrone to review the troops at the culmination of the activities.
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Tyrone Borough Buys Armory
By Greg Bock
Tyrone Borough will buy the former Pennsylvania National
Guard Armory, state and local officials have confirmed.
The borough plans to move its police force from its basement
location at the Municipal Building at 1100 Logan Ave. to the
former armory 2 blocks away, at 926 S. Logan Ave., Mayor
William Fink said.
Completed in 1918, the former armory first housed the
Sheridan Troop cavalry unit and later served Charlie
Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th
Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The building is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Tyrone Armory 2011
The borough will pay $80,000 for the building, an amount
that represents 80 percent of its market value, according to a letter sent to the borough by Bradley J. Swartz of state
Department of General Services. Fink said the discount is because the building will be put to public use.
The department also stipulates the borough accept a deed covenant restricting outside changes to the building in
keeping with its historical designation.
All that remains is legislative approval of the transfer, agency spokesman Troy Thompson said.
Senator John H. Eichelberger Jr., R-Blair, said he was aware of the pending transfer and would be willing to sponsor
the bill in the Senate to complete the transfer, but as of now, no plans are under way.
Eichelberger said he didn't anticipate any opposition to the sale, which could gain the General Assembly's approval
late this year.
"Those bills go right through," he said.
Either Eichelberger or state Reps. Mike Fleck, R-Huntingdon, and Jerry Stern, R-Martinsburg, whose districts include
parts of the borough, could introduce the necessary legislation. Eichelberger said whoever does sponsor the bill will
work out the appropriate language with the department's attorneys.
Fink said he's glad a historic Tyrone building will be put to use.
Fink said the armory's size could allow for a public gathering space and will help alleviate space concerns at the
Municipal Building. Fink said the weight of borough records stored on the second floor are putting a strain on the
building, and by moving them to the basement, it will also free up office space, he said.
Some interior renovation will be required, but
council was unanimous about its desire to acquire the
building, Fink said.
Reprinted from the July 31, 2011edition of the Altoona Mirror with
permission by the author.
Tyrone’s fortress, the National Guard Armory was completed
for occupancy in 1912. Built on the site of an old wagon works
at the foot of Logan Avenue, a riding hall was added in 1918 at
the rear of the building.
(Postcard image courtesy of Jeffrey Adams)
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Tyrone’s History Online
By Paula Zitzler
Note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author
and should not be viewed as an endorsement of any
service by the Tyrone Area Historical Society.
It wasn’t all that long ago that adding branches to
safe and accessible from any internet-connected
computer.
There are several sites that I regularly use.
ancestry.com is the mother of online historical research.
your family tree or tracking down the history of a Tyrone
It’s all here – birth and death records, newspapers,
building or organization meant a trip to Harrisburg or
military records, immigration documents, county
Washington. Now, many historical records are being
histories, etc. In my experience, if I’m looking for
digitized and made available online. With the help of a
information about an individual, this is a good place to
high-speed Internet connection and partnerships
start. The search function is set up to help you find
between government agencies, private companies, and
information about specific people. Their database is
not-for-profit organizations, it’s possible to get a good
amazing, and keeps growing every day, and that is both
start on your research project right from your computer.
its blessing and its curse. It is so big that almost any
There are many websites that offer access to historical
search produces a long list of documents. Some are easy
documents. Most sites require a paid subscription to
to discard as irrelevant (the site has a nice preview
access all of their content, but most allow visitors to take
feature), but you’ll still spend a lot of time weeding
a look around the site for free. At some sites, you can
through a long list of search results. There are filters that
actually perform a search and see the list of results. This
you can apply, such as locations and dates, but it has
gives you a pretty good idea of whether or not a paid
been my experience that these are not very
subscription is worth it for you. Others allow total access
discriminating and you still will get a lot of useless
to the content for a trial period, but you cannot use the
results. But, if you are patient, you just may find the
online toolkit that helps to organize and share your finds.
records you need about that long-lost ancestor.
Minimally, most sites offer online storage for the content
There are several membership plans available. The
that you select, typically in something called “my
most expensive is an annual plan that gives you access to
bookshelf” or “my shoebox” or “my album.”
all records (U. S. and international) and all tools for
As the Web has become more interactive, so have
about $300; access to U. S. records only runs about $160
these sites. You can do more than just access and store
a year. But, there also are six-month and monthly terms;
records. Many now allow you to upload your own
with a little planning, these plans can be tailored around
documents and pictures, and to make those available to
periods when you know you’ll have time to work on your
everyone, or to just certain people, like your family and
project. The only catch is that you probably don’t want
friends. The advantage here is that you now have safe
to store too much data online, or use their family tree
storage for your priceless documents; if the original
builder software, because it may be lost when your
fades, crumbles, or is lost in a fire or flood, or your
subscription expires. But don’t let that stop you; many of
computer crashes, the records you have uploaded are
the records can be easily downloaded to your own
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computer as a pdf (portable document format) file, that
254,000 pages of the Herald, the Daily Herald, and the
can be opened on any computer.
Tyrone Star that were published between 1858 and
But what if you want to piece together the story of
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2009. Newspapers from Huntingdon and Clearfield also
an organization, an event, a business, or even a church
are available (321,000 and 623,000 pages, respectively).
or school? Or what if you’re curious about how people
So between Altoona, Tyrone, Huntingdon, and Clearfield
in Tyrone reacted to Lincoln’s assassination, or what the
there are more than 2 million newspaper pages from
Tyrone home front was like during World War II? The
central Pennsylvania.
local newspaper is your best source.
There are many newspapers in the Society’s
The cost is right, too. You can subscribe for one
month for about $10, for six months for $48, or for a
collection, but each issue of a paper has hundreds of
year for $72 (about $6 per month – quite a bargain).
names and addresses; they are difficult to index and
Some sites, like ancestry.com, also include access to
even more difficult to preserve. The acid in newsprint
some of this collection, but because that access is based
essentially causes old newspapers to be self-destructive.
on the search function and filters of ancestry.com, you
Even in the best curatorial conditions, it is difficult to
can easily search for individuals by name. But it’s not
keep newspapers from crumbling. But efforts to
possible to take advantage of the browsing and search
preserve digitized copies of newspapers have made
features at the newspaperarchive.com site.
many local newspapers available online. And unlike an
There are many other sites that can help you with
index that might help you find a name on a page, these
your research. When you find one that you like, stick
digitized papers are totally searchable. Every word on
with it. But be warned . . . it’s very easy to lose track of
every page, every article, every ad, and every headline –
time once you start reading these fascinating
you enter a name or a keyword and the computer
documents. Don’t stay up too late!
searches for it. Very cool!
The best online site for newspapers that I’ve found is
newspaperarchive.com. The newspaper collection is
These are some of the nearby papers that are
available at newspaperarchive.com:
huge and includes papers going back to the year 1609 in
Altoona Mirror, 1889-2009
England. It is possible to search the papers by title, by
Altoona Evening Mirror, 1876-1890
date, and by location. You also can browse the
Tyrone Daily Herald, 1858-2009
collection, which is very much like flipping through the
Tyrone Herald, 1867-1918
pages of a newspaper as you sit at the kitchen table.
Tyrone Star, 1858-1860
With just a couple of clicks, you easily can save any
Clearfield Evening Progress, 1913
page on your own computer. The collection is very
Clearfield Progress, 1913-2009
strong when it comes to small-town newspapers, but
Clearfield Herald, 1913
larger cities are not as common. For example, there are
Clearfield Times-Monitor, 1913
only three pages from Pittsburgh papers, and about
Clearfield Weekly Progress, 1913-1915
1,400 from Philadelphia. Altoona is one of the most
Huntingdon Daily Journal, 1875
extensive collections of the Pennsylvania papers –
Huntingdon Daily News, 1922-2009
almost a million pages are available dating from 1876 to
Huntingdon Globe, 1883-1890
2009. Tyrone also is well represented with almost
Huntingdon Journal, 1871-1887
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Images of America
The valleys of the Juniata River occupy the very heart of Pennsylvania. Ancient Native American pathways along the Juniata gave way to an early turnpike and soon welcomed a canal. With much fanfare, the Pennsylvania Railroad chose the Juniata Valley as the choice route to unify the state.
The land that provided iron, lead, and pure silica sand at the start of the Industrial Revolution today provides hiking trails. The waterways that once
hauled grain to market are now a destination for millions each year seeking
relaxation and recreation. Through vintage photographs and images culled
from albums and attics, this new book, Juniata’s River Valleys, lends a
glimpse at life in earlier times along one of America’s most spectacular waterways.
Jeffrey Adams, author and historian, grew up in the Juniata Valley and has
spent much time traveling the back roads of this beautiful region. In his spare
time, he researches Pennsylvania history and is the author of Tyrone and Harrisburg.
Archival photographs present distinctive stories from the past that shape the
character of the community today. The book is available for purchase at the
Tyrone History Museum.
Donations to Tyrone Area Historical Society
Doug and Norma Panasiti—Poster from Juniata Packing of “Hot Dog Davey”
Beverly and Bob Fink—1923 & „24 TAHS yearbook “Falcon”
William S. Albert—Programs from Flynn‟s and Caldwell‟s Hall 1874 & 1877 printed by the Tyrone Herald
Beth Thomas—Flavored Nut Inc. mailing label
William Hicks—Tyrone Herald dated September 8, 1955; five newspaper clippings regarding the Hicks Family
Rose Fahr—Msgr. Richard Walsh‟s childhood chair; five pictures of the monsignor, and photo album of his 1977
retirement party
Nancy Schlueter—photo of GAR Post No. 172 dated 1922; photo of Knights of PYTHIAS Bowling Team 1923‟24; two photos (classroom) Logan School 1931, all formerly belonging to Robert Reinschmidt
Betty Marx—5 Tyrone telephone directories (1977, „79, „80, „82, and „84); one Grier School newsletter The Grier
Scribe from1962
Summer 2011
Tyrone PastTimes
FACEBOOK GATHERS MEMORIES
By Cary Simpson
The Facebook Phenomenon is only a few years old, but
already hundreds of millions use it to chat with old and new
friends.
One of the really neat things that has begun recently is a
Page on Facebook where Tyroners are invited to add their
favorite memories.
We will list some of these for you, and ask you to read
down and see how many of the places and events you can
relate to:
The Snack Bar at the Swimming Pool
Tobogganing at Hagg’s Hill
Chunkee Foods
“Red” Miller at The Hub, yelling, “Dean— Dean—Dean”
Ghost-Hunting at Baughman Cemetery
Back when you had to write out your MTO at Sheetz
Petey’s Ice Cream
Foster’s Bakery—25 cent donuts
Elementary Picnic at the Park
Warriors Mark Rodeo
Going to the Dairy Dip
How about it? Did you “connect” with any of these?
Read on:
Dances at the High School every weekend
Coach Tom Miller
Tyrone Steakhouse, with Joe Scalia
The Paper Mill Diner
The Positive Pumpkin Parade at Adams School
Church of the Good Shepherd outings at Camp Greenhill
Cherry Lollipops from Gardners, not permitted in school
Ziff’s
Gibby Fink, two times state wrestling champ
2 weeks at Camp Anderson, during winter, sleeping in the
Cottage
Ceramics Classes at YMCA
As you can see, there are memories from long ago, and
some from only a few years back. It shows what a great
place this was/is to grow up!
Greased Watermelon Contests at the outdoor pool on
Memorial Day
Dog & Custard, where Jean-O’s is now
Candle Shop, beside the Five and Dime
Sally’s in East Tyrone
Dances at the Big Pavilion at the Park
Acme Market, where Penelec later had “Reddy Kilowatt”
Cooking Classes in the Summer
G & S Sports Cards—Gary McGovern & Steve Lucas
Merry-Go-Round at the Park
Chaser’s
Della Dawson, Second Grade Teacher; I loved brushing her
long blonde hair while we were watching movies
Baker’s Store—Barney the Butcher, every family had a
charge account
Dutch Brunner
The Pig Hole
I hope you’re in the mood by now, and maybe have
added some wonderful memories of your own. But, wait…
there are still more on the Facebook Page:
Bruce Wallace
Winning 2 Liter Bottles of Pepsi on WTRN
Leaving Adams School for lunch, going to East End for a
Hoagie, stopping at Mac’s for Gum and Jolly Ranchers
(when they were big!)
Splash Hops
“Capture the Flag” at Camp Anderson
The Villa
Indian Joe
“Y” Tots
Football Bonfires at the Athletic Field
Neptune and Citizens Carnivals
Al Barrone’s Pool Hall
Penny Candy at Rudy’s
Mr. Garber, the nice Janitor at Logan School
And, here are some more “thought starters” for you:
Cruising Downtown, Doing “A Hard Man”
Firemen’s Pumping Contests
Tubing down the Juniata
The Peanut Factory Smell
Able to go home for lunch
Logan School Pop Corn—10 cents a bag
13
14
Tyrone PastTimes
Young World Kids Clothing
Warner TV
Playing “Kick the Can” on Columbia Ave.
The Silco Store
The 5 & 10, walk in on 10th Street and walk out on Pa. Ave
Herk Ammerman
Special Smoking Section at TAHS
We hope you’re reading through these slowly, to give you
a chance to recall your own memories:
Mike’s Cut Rate—The Phoenix—Derman’s
Heberling’s Grocery Store & Gun Shop
BD’s Restaurant
Fuoss TV
Santa riding on the Fire Truck
Windflowers vs the Pink Panthers
Todd’s Pawn Shop
The Names on Crosses at Soldiers Park
Reflex Clothing, next to Gardner’s
The Coachlite
Red Lion
Gee-Bee, Jr.
Morris Levine—sitting in the Rabbit Chair to get Pretzel
Sticks
Philadelphia Street Warehouse
Paul’s 24 Hour Sunoco
Mr. Merryman’s English Classes
Jerry Roberts standing on the roof of a car to direct the
band
Country School Chicken
Summer 2011
Many of these were things that these adults did as teens:
The Hot Dog Place next to Snyder’s Barber Shop
Soft Pretzels at the Outdoor Swimming Pool
Paul Sherry’s Gas Station in East Tyrone
Dean Phipps
The A & P
Celebrating birthdays at Alaskaland in Altoona
The Gardner Guards—later the Tyrone Guards
The Pennsylvania House Fire—terrible tragedy
Cowher’s General Store—Best Red Pops, just past Railroad
Underpass
Hoolihan’s
Bicycle Harry
Hardie Hill
Red’s Gas Station—Little Freezer with ice cream, and a
little doll was included.
Pal Mino’s Pizza, next to Fiesta
Harpster’s Store on the corner with a pinball machine
The Turkey Path
Claster’s and Futrick’s
Chicken Shack
West End Lanes—Red Pin Pepsi on Saturday nights, also
Fox’s Pizza certificates
Steve Michaels
Molnar’s Jewelry
Belly-Busters at The Lion Inn
Melody Curtis
The Deck
We hope that you didn’t feel that you wasted your time
by looking through these memories from over the years by
a large group of Tyroners.

Answers to Trivia Quiz
1.
Blue waters
2.
Second-, third-, and fourth-generation
3.
1890
4.
1871
5.
Twelve
6.
Three
7.
1881
8.
Rachel DiAndrea
9.
Wagon works
10.
The Lion Inn
Summer 2011
Tyrone PastTimes
Welcome New Members
Audrey Korotkin & Don Clippinger
Tyrone, PA
Michael Farrow
Altoona, PA
Ida Levine & David Christensen
Morris Plains, NJ
15
TYRONE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
— Membership Application —
Please complete this form and mail it
together with your check to the address
below.
Category of membership:
□ Individual / $15
□ Family / $20
□ Supporting / $35
Stony Point Bed and Breakfast
Tyrone, PA
Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc.
Tyrone, PA
□ Friend / $50
□ Corporate / $100
Name___________________________
Address _________________________
________________________________
Town ___________________________
Memorials to Burley Zerbe
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoyer
Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Eckert
J. A. Hiller Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Merkle
Mr. and Mrs. Cary Saxman
Harold Swart
Mr. and Mrs. John Patterson
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Carrier
Jack McIntyre
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Searer
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. John Riley
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Dymacek
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Richards
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Smith
Judy Norris
Mr. and Ms. Ronald Leslie
Mr. and Ms. Melvin (Pete) Getz
James and Nancy Houser
Melissa Jamula
State ______ ZIP_________________
Phone __________________________
E-mail __________________________
Make your check payable to…
“Tyrone Area Historical Society”
and mail to:
Marge Hoyer, Membership Chair
TYRONE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P.O. Box 1850
Tyrone, PA 16686-0102
NOTE: The regular membership year
runs from
May 1 through April 30.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Altoona, Pa.
Permit No. 238
P. O. Box 1850
Tyrone, PA 16686-0102
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
A Special Thank You to Our Corporate Members
MILES FINANCIAL SERVICES
Chief Logan Enterprise, Inc.
“A continuing tradition of Service since 1854”
Richard H. Searer
Funeral Home Inc.
Richard H. Searer, Supervisor
JEFF S. LONG
CONSTRUCTION