Vintage Johnstown: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

The Brandwine

This is sent in by Duaine Detrick and he says "Attached is an ad from the Nanty Glo Journal Newspaper for The Brandywine (formerly Podrasky's), a nightclub and restaurant in Jamestown near Portage from June 27, 1979. The ad was for the bands Tyrant and Lickety Split, which I was a member of that band".

Trolley Time

Trailer Time

All I know about this picture is that it was taken in Johnstown - building trailers the old fashion way - one at a time.

Correll Company

The Ryan Correll Company - Jackson Street

Sunday, September 29, 2013

City View - 1942

City View - Buy, Build, Invest - October 14, 1942. While working on my World War II stuff - ran across this interesting ad - who knew - certainly not me - never heard of this before.

Trolley Time

Trolley Time - with Franklin Street in the background.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Cage - 1960's

Tom Casti sent this in (sorry for the delay) - The Cage - a young adult night club on the Johnstown-Windber Road (Route 56) - 1960's.

Storytime in Cambria City - 1912

Vintage Repeat - Teacher reading a story to all the Cambria City kids around 1912. They are sitting in the back of a park that is still there - next to the old firehall on Broad Street. Blew the picture up so that you can see some of the faces a little bit better. What's touching about this picture is - that if you look close - is a couple of things - that beat up little pail on the left hand side, on the right - is one of the bases for playing ball - but the saddest part of the whole thing - is the complete lack of shoes.

I know it was common - given the economic status of the families - but still when you really stop to think about it in our cleaned up world - going barefoot now would be hard - imagine it back then - between all the horse shit on the streets, dirt from the mill and the general filth of families living on top of and right smack next to each other. Now after having that in your head - kind of make you think - what wonderful afternoon this must of been for the kids - an afternoon of storytelling - for just a couple of brief moments - they could forget about what their own lives were like.
Click to enlarge.

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Trolley Time

Friday, September 27, 2013

Buried in Bills....Relax!

A Vintage Repeat - Main Street - 1950's

Trolley Time

Miss Sue Molchany - Prospective Bride Victim of Attack of Heart Disease - 1934

May 5, 1934: Miss Sue Molchany (25) daughter of Andrew and Sue (Caher) Molchany - taken ill suddenly at her home at 1240 Virginia Avenue - was to be married to Frank Haynek at St. Francis Church in Morrellville - former member of St. Stephen's in Cambria City - survived by brothers and sisters: Mary Ondrejcak, Miss Helen Molchany, Jacob Molchany and George and Frank - both at home.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Got Gas

A Vintage Repeat - Richfield Gas Station - located at the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Broad Street.

Schwab Summer House

Schwab Summer House - Loretto - Cambria County.

Pavlick One Fight Away From Match for Title

George Pavlick - Johnstown Boxer

A Transcontinental Tour - 1908

Meet the Jacob Murdock family of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Back in 1908 - they were the first family to ever cross the United States in a motorcar. They left from their winter home in Pasadena, California and ended their trip after 32 days, 5 hours and 25 minutes - a whirlwind, record setting pace for the time, They used a total of 524 gallons of gas for the trip of 3,700 miles.
Making the trek: Jacob along with his wife and their three kids - Lillian, Alice and Jacob. A mechanic - Phillip DeMay was hired to give a helping hand.
The 1908 Packard "30" was shipped from Johnstown to California for the trip back east. Their equipment included a small winch, two eight-foot hickory poles used as levers for mud and sand, 300 feet of rope, a sledgehammer, pole ax, air compressor, a Prest-o-lite tank for the headlights, extra tires and inner tubes.
The family had camping supplies along with taking a supply of water and gas in cans. Additional supplies and letters explaining what they were doing were sent ahead to all the towns along the way. More than once the travelers had to be pulled out mud and ruts along the way by horse drawn wagons.
They finally arrived in New York City - 32 days later - proudly driving up Broadway to 61st street where they finished up at the Packard dealership there.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Coopersdale Victory Garden

Coopersdale Victory Garden - World War I

September 25, 1942: Reds Launch Counter-Offensive Against Flank of German Army

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The Johnstown Tribune - September 25, 1942 - Penn Traffic and Local Turnverein will open season - Turner Hall - Railroad and Jackson Streets - Miss Charlotte Klein will serve as instructor. To read the paper full size - CLICK HERE.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Bedford Street

Bedford Street - before and after

The Old Hedricks School

Barry Orner sent this in - his First Grade Class - at the old Hendricks School.

Joe Johns

Old postcard of Joe Johns

Trolley Time

Trolley Time - Chandler Avenue

Monday, September 23, 2013

'36 Canoe

1936 Flood

Trolley Time

Cooper Avenue

Early look at Cooper Avenue - just wish the postcard was a wee bit clearer. But then again - you hardly ever see anything from Coopersdale - so I guess something is better than nothing.

Five Generations

Barry Orner sent this in - Five Generations of the his family. In the front - that is his grandmother Elizabeth Yoder, and Aunt Marie Rager.
In the back - cousins Fay Peterson and Billy Peterson. The baby is Billy's son Troy.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Cypress Avenue - Victory Garden

What is so interesting about this look at the Cypress Avenue - Victory Garden - is that even up to 1917 - 1918 - most parts of Johnstown were still very rural.

Prospect Victory Garden

I thought today - I'd post some of my favorites from a couple of years ago - since I have a lot of new readers sign on recently. The trend of Victory Gardens started during World War I - any land not being used - was planted by families and school children for crops - it was an easy way for ordinary folks to feel like they too - could contribute to the war effort on the home front.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Arlington National Cemetery

Took a trip down south - to the beach and on the way back - made a stop at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlington House - home of Robert E. Lee.

The Eternal Flame - John F. Kennedy

I want RJ to understand that freedom comes with a price.

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Arlington House - we were the first group of the day to be allowed upstairs. The Park Service does a great job of getting people in and out along with taking the time to answer all questions.

Bottom floor rooms.

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I want the kid to be able to touch history with his own hands and to understand the names and places he's learning at school - do exist and not just in the pages of a book.

Though you can't tell by photographing it - you are looking at Civil War grafitti - it was even hard to see it in person.

Heading upstairs.

Upstairs hallway - I have been in a few historic houses - but never came across one that truly felt like a home - such as Arlington House. I can't explain it in words - but I felt a strong sense of peace while touring the place.

The bedroom of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee. The Park Service says it's still an ongoing investigation as to the actual colors of all the rooms. Where the door is ajar - Mary gave birth to all their children inside - otherwise it was used as a closet. Love the robin egg blue - my grandmother always used to tell me - if you chose this color for your bedroom - you will sleep better.