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Monday, May 30, 2016

Buzz Wagner - Dedication of P-40



For those of you who couldn't make it to the special dedication ceremony up the airport for Buzz Wagner - the First Ace of WWII - this is in honor of Buzz and all the men and women who fought and served our country abroad and in the home front during World War Two.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Luna Park Boat Dock


 
Another rare shot of Luna Park (Roxbury) - this time is from the other side of the park - you are looking at the boat dock.

Railroader's Winter Garb - 1958


 
Back in February of 1958 - there was a major winter storm that shutdown everything on the East Coast including Western Pennsylvania - which I will be talking more about in the future. This clipping was sent in by Misti Piskura.
No, it's not the Lone Ranger! It's Pennsylvania Railroad employe, John Vanscovich of Hollsopple, who has the frigid job of checking for possible breaks in the half-mile long continuous welded track installed in 1956 between Seward and New Florence. Mr. Vanscovich had to don the handkerchief to ward off wintry blasts which have sent district temperatures below the zero mark.

Artist in Motion - 1970's


 
The display of the Allied Artists of Johnstown included works in such media as oil painting, watercolor, drawing, copper enameling, macramé and stained glass. Shown with a sample of the latter is Everett Michaels, a Johnstown resident who served as chairman for the booth done by David Blackford, the work bore a $300 price tag.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Main Street - 1922



Downtown Johnstown - Main Street - 1922

St. Francis Retreat - 1941



Reader Mike Mertle sent in this old gem - First Annual Retreat - St. Francis College - 1941.
His grandfather William Kesslak is the first seated person on the left, in the second row from the bottom.
He says he thinks he attended because his son Michael was going there and graduated in 1941.
He adds he doesn't recognize anyone else in the picture. Thought maybe some people on the website might recognize a relative or two.

The Parade To End All Parades...


 
Another cool look at the First Armistice Day Parade - Downtown Johnstown - November 1918. As you can see the troop transport truck has just rounded the corner in front of Swanks. 

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Jupiter and Grant



The good old Jupiter and Grant Stores - Downtown Johnstown 

Franklin


 
Franklin

Killer Dam


 
Laurel Run Dam - Tanneryville - around 1916 or so as construction was underway.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Market Street


 
Market Street - all this was knocked down for Johnstown Savings Bank.

Duncan Lumber Company


 
Duncan Lumber Company - Fort Hill - Somerset County. These narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to transport logs and rough lumber. The locomotives were built on swivel tracks so that they could negotiate the sharp turns and rough track conditions all along the forest floor.

South Fork


 
South Fork - 1890's

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

May 24, 1945: Germany Ceases to Exist As Nation by Allied Edict


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The Johnstown Tribune - May 24, 1945
To read larger - CLICK HERE.
154 Seniors Graduate - Somerset High School
W.R. Watt
Cpl. Lucian Woodruff Post, United Spanish War Veterans
Lt. Galen Berkebile
Sgt. Francis Rudolph
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Horner
Supreme Forest Woodman Circle of Carnation Grove Number 5





Main and Clinton


Main and Clinton Streets - Downtown Johnstown

Buzz Wagner



The Official Plane Dedication honoring Lt. Col. Boyd "Buzz" Wagner is May 28, 1pm at the airport. Come out and support one of our local heroes!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Walnut Grove - Geistown - Johnstown Passenger Railway - 1907



I found this clipping from 'The Weekly Tribune' - August 1907 - very interesting. Johnstown Passenger Railway - petition to expand trolley service from Walnut Grove to Geistown along with the naming of Oakland - the neighborhood in between the two.

Gallitzin Church Has Fine Organ - 1907


Gallitzin Church has Fine Organ - St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church - August 1907

Main and Franklin


Corner of Main and Franklin Streets - Downtown Johnstown - Penn Furniture, Woolworth's and U.S. Bank.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

JHS 1951



 I have more JHS football on 16mm from the early 50's - I just picked up from Natalie Dreier and Barbara Farra - but it will be a while till I convert them.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Cars for Sale


 
 A couple of car ads from 1971.

Early Settlers Die - 1907


Some of the names mentioned: Settlers - David L. Davis, John Turane. Miner George Lefever hurt in a rockfall at a Vintondale Mine - John Wilkinson and his new erection - August 1907

Bethlehem


 
Franklin - 1920's

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Rescued Babe from Fire - Morrellville - 1907



This happened August 9, 1907 - at 1139 Virginia Avenue - Morrellville at the home of Rollo Herdman. The house next door - owned by James McCloskey also suffered damage.

Clinton Street


Clinton Street - Downtown Johnstown

'77




'77 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Franklin Street



940 Franklin Street - it's now a parking lot. 

Commercial Hotel


Commerical Hotel - Washington Street - Fine Liquors, Wines, Beer and Cigars

Valley Drug


Valley Drug - 324 Washington Street - Downtown Johnstown - City 647 - Bell 437-R

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Benshoff Printing



Benshoff Printing - Johnstown

Swank



Store of N.B. Swank - Bedford Street 

Codified Ordinance - Johnstown Borough - 1861


Codified Ordinance - Johnstown Borough - 1861: Any person who shall place any wagon, cart, dray, or carriage, of any kind whatever, in any public square, street or alley within the borough, and shall suffer the same to remain more than two hours, excepting for the purpose of loading or unloading, on being convicted thereof, shall forfeit and pay for such offense a fine of not less than one nor more than five dollars.


Monday, May 16, 2016

Franklin Plant


Old Blast Furnace #7, Cambria Plant, Franklin Division

Codified Ordinance - Johnstown Borough - 1861: No Fido Allowed Here


Codified Ordinance - Johnstown Borough - 1861: No person attending said market either as a seller or buyer, shall bring any dog with him, whether chained or otherwise, under the penalty of one dollar.


Weiser Music Center

Weiser Music Center - 415 Main Street - Dial 85-821

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Woman Attacked by Vicious Bull - 1907


Woman Attacked by Vicious Bull near Salix - Mrs. M. S. Meals who lives on the Fred Hofecker Farm - August 1907

Buried in Bills....Relax!


 
Downtown Johnstown

The Men Who Licked The Kaiser



End of The Great War - 1918 - Franklin Street Bridge - The Men who rolled the bullets that licked the Kaiser.


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Cambria Candy Company


Cambria Candy Company - Reymer's Candy - Tobacco - Novelities - 219 Vine Street - Johnstown

Codified Ordinance - Johnstown Borough - 1861: Blocking of Intersections


 Codified Ordinance - Johnstown Borough - 1861: Any person who shall place any wagon, cart, sled, sleigh, or other vehicle, or horses or animals thereto attached, on any of the crossings at the intersection of any of the streets or alleys in the borough, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than two dollars for each and every offense. 

John McKenna - Engine Builder and Machinist - 1884


John McKenna - Engine Builder and Machinist - Works: Portage Street above the Gautier Wire Works - Orders by mail promptly attended to - Johnstown - 1884

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

May 10, 1945: Konrad Henlein, Traitorous Gauleiter, And Bloodthirsty Karl Frank Captured


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The Johnstown Tribune - May 10, 1945
To read larger - CLICK HERE.
Marine Cpl. George Orlandi
Pvt. Daniel Ott
Cpl. Donald Hammill
Pfc. John Marishanish