Making history since 2008
As mentioned in our previous post, copies of the Daily Republican issue that covered Monongahela's big 1924 New Year's Day celebration are unavailable. Fortunately, there was coverage in the January 2, 1924 issue of the Pittsburgh Gazette Times that included two photos and an article. (click the photo to enlarge it) Parade, Dinner and Ball... Continue Reading →
Many of us remember the feeling - you are traveling south on Main Street in Monongahela trying to get to Charleroi for an appointment. You are a few minutes late but if all the green lights through town are in sync you might just arrive on time. You approach 4th Street and YESSS, you just... Continue Reading →
Many people in town have been concerned about the deterioration of the former American Legion Frank Downer Post building at 248 West Main Street. The first three photos below were taken in 2015 showing a huge gash in the roof resulting in water flooding the interior of the building every time it rained. Thankfully the... Continue Reading →
One of the people I follow on Flickr recently posted a photo (click here to view it) of the interior of the former Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Duquesne PA in its ruined state. It's hard to believe that anybody would abandon such a grand building and let it deteriorate. This is the story of what happened. Holy... Continue Reading →
Anybody living in the Monongahela area is familiar with the beautiful Transfiguration church (now named St. Damien of Molokai) located on West Main Street. I knew that an earlier church building once stood on this site but I never had seen any pictures of it so I was thrilled to discover this photo of the... Continue Reading →
I found this pin tray on eBay depicting Lincoln School the other day. Funny but I couldn't find any photos of Lincoln School online. (Let me know if you have any you would like me to post.) Lincoln School built in 1908 was a handsome building located between Lincoln and Thomas Streets in Monongahela. Many... Continue Reading →
Found an old postcard of the Devore building at 437 West Main Street. Back then it was known as Gertrude Apartments. The building is instantly recognizable and looks great for being over 100 years old.
I came across this old postcard featuring Chess Park. This image was taken from the northeast corner looking west: The postcard wasn't dated, but my guess is that the picture was taken around 1900. I thought it would be fun to compare that image with what the park looks like today from the same vantage... Continue Reading →
This postcard recently sold on Ebay and the seller described it as "1911 PRR Train Depot Monongahela PA". The 1911 date is most likely a postmark date. I assume that the photograph is earlier than that. Here you have a great view of both the second and third bridges that crossed the Monongahela River. The... Continue Reading →
I came across an old post card showing St. Paul's church as it appeared years ago when it still had a steeple. It's always interesting to compare how things change over the years so here is a photograph of the church taken in 2010: And here is how the church appeared on a postcard with... Continue Reading →
I reorganized and added a photo to an earlier post I made last year 1909 Monongahela Panorama Virtual Scavenger Hunt. As a side note, I spoke to one of the software engineers over at Gigapan and he complimented us on your participation in the comments area of the Monongahela panorama. Shortly after the panorama was... Continue Reading →
Monongahela City Postcard 1930's (click picture to enlarge) Corner of 4th and Main Streets, Monongahela PA, October 2011 (click picture to enlarge) Here are two pictures taken about 70 years apart looking southeast at the corner of 4th and Main Streets Monongahela. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it would be interesting to... Continue Reading →
Have you ever heard of a Gigapan? It is a photograph comprised of sometimes hundreds of small snapshots, all stitched together by computer software to create one incredibly detailed high resolution image. When the image is uploaded to Gigapan.org you can view it and keep on zooming and zooming to see all kinds of interesting... Continue Reading →
I always thought coke was made at huge facilities such as US Steel's Clairton Works or Kopper's coke battery in Monessen: But would you ever think that as late as 1972 it was still made like this? That video is of the beehive coke ovens in Shoaf PA. I was surprised to learn that you... Continue Reading →
Although the top picture is postmarked August 1912, the original photograph was probably made several years earlier. It's interesting to compare the difference 100 years makes. Most obvious is the loss of the steeples to the church, and replacement of those terrific porches on the church rectory to the right. Notice too the complete disappearance... Continue Reading →
I've been doing some research about Liggett Spring and Axle Co. and will be making several posts over the next few days. (If you want to see all articles on this topic just click on the tag in right hand column.) Most people around here don't refer to the company as "Liggett Spring and Axle... Continue Reading →
I am guessing first photo was taken around 1980. What do you think? From left to right you can see the Hotel Main, Bidzilla's Market and the Turners building. I used to work at Bidzilla's Market when I was in high school (although at that time it was called Jerry's Market) I remember this area... Continue Reading →
The Alexanders were a prominent family in the early history of Monongahela. Joseph Alexander came to Williamsport (Monongahela) in 1828 and started his career as a Merchant. He also founded the first bank in Monongahela. Click here for more information about the Alexander Family. Here is a home that was owned by a member of... Continue Reading →
There is a very old section of Monongahela formerly known as Catsburg. Here is a map showing what this area looked like in 1902. I first became interested in Catsburg while reading the "Historical magazine of Monongahela's old homecoming week. Sept. 6-13, 1908". This publication isn't really a magazine like we think of today rather... Continue Reading →
Mr. Gamble was also a director for The First National Bank of Monongahela. Below is a larger picture showing the building. Well, what does the building look like 100 years later? The building has been altered but is easily recognizable. The wooden sign and roof structure have been removed. If you check out the larger... Continue Reading →
Lost Monongahela 