Family Time

Reader Barry Orner sent in these two family pictures. First up, this is the wedding of Anna Fetco and John Krageanes. The couple are his wife's paternal grandparents.

Next up - this is a picture of the Watkins Family - Barry's maternal grandmother and her siblings.

Penn Traffic Store

Nice vintage postcard of the old Penn Traffic Store on Washington Street.

Svaltek's Store - Decker Avenue

Vintage Repeat - As luck would have it - I finally met up with the little boy in this picture - Bill Svaltek - who is now in his 80's. I just love this photograph...especially the popsicle sign. This is Svaltek's Store on Decker Avenue - which used to be right next to the bar called "My Place" - it's that small bar on the corner of Decker and Brush Avenue in the West End. This picture was sent in by reader Marge Stewart. Double click on the photo to enlarge.

Going for a Ride - 1913

Reader Steve Dixon sent in this shot of his great-grandfather John Ludwig and his family on an outing near Johnstown is his new car, which Steve believes is a 1913-14 Knox Model 44. 

Expressway - 1985

Another great shot sent in by reader Sandra Berry taken most likely from Connor Towers where she was visiting family in 1985. 

First Aid Crew - Johnstown

Reader Paul Ricci sent in this photograph from June 14, 1930. His grandfather Tomasso Ricci is in the first row on the right hand side kneeling. The grandfather of Dan Yost Sr. is second from the left kneeling. They were all heading out to Williamsport for a First Aid Meet.

	8:21 AM (10 hours ago)

 

 

Daniel Ott - Johnstown Contractor

Reader Donald Costlow sent in these pictures of his Great-Grandfather Daniel Ott standing by his home near Windber by Camp Hamilton. The camp was the football training site for Windber High School. He says there are two stone cottages Daniel built in the early 1900's and both are still standing to this day - look on the right just before you hit the camp area - they are easy to pick out.

Daniel Ott was a Johnstown contractor. During the late 1800's and the early 1900's he built many houses and churches in the Hornerstown section of Johnstown. One of them was the Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of Pine and Hickory.

Before it was demolished a few years ago, it was known as St. James Baptist Church.

 

World War One - Johnstown Doughboys

Summer Repeat - This photo is from reader Harry A. Dishong: U.S. Army Inductees, taken April 2, 1917 on Fairfield Avenue in the Morrellville section of Johnstown. His father, Herbert E. Dishong is fifth from the right in the front row.  He served in the 80th Division in France in 1917 and 1918 and was wounded.

A Night at the Opera - 1951

 

Reader Dawn R. mardis sent in this picture - she writes: "Please post this photo of my Parents and brother and sister. My parents are Alfred C. Wesner & Nellie M. (Hildebrand) Wesner, my sister is Diane L. Wesner and my Brother is Richard A.(Dick) Wesner. This was taken in 1951 when my parents were going to the Opera in Johnstown. My father was the Vice President and my mother headed the Women's Auxiliary and both my brother and sister were on the Junior Board of Directors of the Johnstown Opera Company. My mother said I was in the picture too, you just can't see me. She is hiding me with her clutch bag. I'm the "bump" in her tummy! Thanks!"           

Richland Drive-In/Richland Mall

 

Reader Ed Troll sent in this picture of the crews working on building the old Richland Drive-In in 1949.

Lutheran Church Fire - March 17, 1918

 

Reader Melissa Jaarsma sent in this rare shot of the Lutheran Church Fire in downtown Johnstown on this date - March 17, 1918. I had an old newspaper clipping on this fire - that I can't find. She found this matted picture in a box of old family photographs.

What's so cool about this shot - is this crumpled up fire truck.

I found this shot of the fire - in my archive - note on the lower right - one of the many fire trucks that helped fight the blaze and explosion.

The O'Toole Boys - Ebensburg

Reader Chris Reublin sent this picture of some of his ancestors - this is William Austin O'Toole and his son Austin William O'Toole, visiting William's sister Mary O'Donnell at 326 Ebensburg Road circa 1914.

Boy Killed by Train - 1897

Reader Chris Reublin sent in this newspaper clipping from when 15 year old James O'Toole was killed while trying to hop a freight train on 14 June 1897 in Johnstown.

Joseph Johns (Schantz)

Reader Samuel Fuge sent in this picture of one Johnstown's best known figures - Joseph Johns (Schantz). He was Sam's 6th great grandfather and he is a direct blood relative of Joseph and have come around to discovering some different items of his and a few pictures. I look forward to seeing more on one of Johnstown's Most Famous.

Broad Street - Cambria City

Reader Alanna Marie Scott sent in this photo of her mother Eileen Markowski in 1949 going for a little stroll along Broad Street - You can just barely see Hornick's in the background.

McConaughy Street - Cambria City

Another great shot of McConaughy Street in Cambria City - sent in by reader Alanna Marie Scott - this is her mother Eileen Markowski about 1953 on McConaughy Street. Update - for the readers that don't know - McConaughy Street was located in Cambria City along the railroad tracks - where the old Bestform/phone company buildings are.

Shirt Sensation - 1934

Another page from the 1934 Montgomery Ward catalog - sent in by reader Robert Schneider - this time it's Shirt Sensation! - Now....white. blue and patterns...

Rocket Man - Portage Style

A one of a kind shot thanks to reader Jason Richardson - as always - showing the most interesting things that went on in Portage. I just love all his family photographs - depicting his own family and others thru out the community.

McConaughy Street - Cambria City

This is a rare treat - McConaughy Street - Cambria City. Reader Alanna Marie Scott sent in this shot of her mother Eileen Markowski and her brother.

Fashion News - 1934

Fashion News - Montgomery Ward Catalog - 1934 - sent in by reader Robert Schneider