From the Historical Magazine of Monongahela’s Old Home Coming Week: Sept. 6-13, 1908
Ginger Hill, a small village on the Washington and Williamsport pike in Southwestern Nottingham, on the Carrol Line, has enjoyed a local habitation and name ever since the Whiskey Insurrection. On the night of Nov. 14th, 1794, Robert Johnson, excise collector for Washington and Allegheny Counties, seized the still of Squire David Hamilton, who lived in the site of the Ginger Hill Chapel.
The squire was a shrewd Scotchman and pretended to be in no ways excited over the action of Government Officials. It was a dark and disagreeable night and the road to Parkinsons Ferry (now Monongahela) being none the smoothest the officers were prevailed upon to remain under the hospitable roof of Hamilton. Around the glowing logs of the backwoods fire, Hamilton and his guests discussed the excise law, the conversation vein enlivened by the oft-repeated draughts from “Black Betty” which had previously been “doctored” by Hamilton with a quantity of jamaica ginger. One by one the officers dropped from their chairs in the deep sleep of intoxication. Hamilton speedily gathered his neighbors and taking the still and whiskey carried them many miles across the country to a place of safety. This action which now would be a serious matter was then regarded as a joke, and the place became known as “Ginger Hill.”
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That photo brings back lots of memories. I attended Ginger Hill Elementary in the ’60s, 1st-6th grades, then later transferred busses there to make the trek to Finleyville Jr High. Ginger Hill ES had a huge playground where we were allowed to play in ways that’d get a teacher fired nowadays. And in Jr. High, we had about a half hour layover between busses. We’d go to the bar (wasn’t the Ginger Hill Inn back then, can’t remember the name) and blow our lunch money on that newfangled computer game they called “Pong”. I guess a kid wouldn’t be allowed in a place like that nowadays, either. Sure glad I grew up when I did.
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Nice post about Ginger Hill I don’t remember going across to the Inn even when waiting for buses in high school.I also attended 1-6 grade.I looked out the back windows and watched those big coal stripping machines.I think I will write a story about Ginger Hill Elementary School.
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I lived there for ten years. 253 Beautiful Views . Miss that place. An they peace and quiet. Now I’m in Florida. Daytona ,crack heads cops choppers .ya by 7/11 .homeless .etc. .done with this shit.
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I am writing this aprox.2 yrs since my first comment,(terry550) I couldn’t remember my wordpress password. I did write kind of a story about the elementary school,inspired to by the writer Dave above.It was just a recolection of what I remember I can’t imagine what he could be refering to,
The older long time teachers taught values.Rather than concentrating on wordpress I put some things on youtube. I did just find out the school was once Nottingham Twp. Elementary School.
I’m actualy thinking that might have changed when the addition was built in 1964.
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Does anyone have photos of Ginger Hill school?
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I remember that building very well when I was a kid, lived up the road on 136 one mile past the old mansion. I even had a few beers their when I got out of the service, I believe the Mellingers owned it, I knew Sheila Mellingers.
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I also attended Ginger Hill Elementary School besides growing up on Ginger Hill!! It was THE BEST place a child could live!! Still keep in touch with life long friends and neighbors!!! I consider myself very lucky to have lived there and attend Ginger Hill School!
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Be sure mention hot dog day, and PTA spaghetti dinners.
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I Too Attended ” Ginger Hill Elementary !! – if Only for it’s Last One and a Half School Years Because I was a Fresh Move In to the Area ! — It was Perfect Spot On for me !! – I was In my Element !! – I Had a Blast !! — Mr Richey and Mrs Gwynn ! — As with my Ole Nearby Naybor Dave from Back then – I also Experienced it as a Bus Transfer Point in Both Junior Hi and High School Years !! – Dave is Two Classes Ahead of me but Only One Year Older than me — Some Years we Rode the Same Morning Bus Together. — A Lott of Schools Nationwide Close Due to Declining Population Base Levels – and I Think this May have been in Part the Case with Ginger Hill School ? – but if Anything – the Nottingham Township it Served Seems to Have Been Steadily Growing over the Years !! — I Think Another Reason for it’s Closure Could have Been Due to my Mom ! – She Came to Campaign for it’s Closure from an Angle of Fire Safety in a Three Story School Building !! – but I Very Much Know that Wasn’t her Real Reason !! – She Just Didn’t Like the Place !! – Viscerally So !! — I was Nearby in the Same Room at ” Home ” Many a Time !! – when She was Verbally Going Round and Round with it’s then Principal ” Mr.Magyar ” – Over the Phone ! – I Think this is a Large Component Part at Least ! – of a Reason for it’s Closure as a School !! – Switching then Over to Being the School District’s Bus Garage –
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Can you do a story on the mansion?
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