The railroad was part of Greensburg’s lifeblood for a long time. After all, goods had to be moved by wagon so most of the businesses had to be local. This is why it can be so interesting to discover the original uses for buildings such as the McColly building on Pennsylvania Avenue here in Greensburg. …
Many people in Greensburg think of golf when they hear the name Mt. Odin. While many people love the park for its golf course, there is so much more history to the property. When you visit the Mt. Odin park, it belies the fact that the history of the property dates back almost 200 years and …
I love it when pieces of history suddenly reappear. This may mean a brochure to a long-gone hotel, a matchbook to a past restaurant, or even a pennant to an old attraction. The longer these places are gone, the harder memories are to find. This is particularly true with a beloved Greensburg icon — Greengate …
This post contains a graphic image which may be disturbing to children and some people. Please use discretion. Greensburg has seen its share of deadly fires over the years. In 1972, two men were killed in a fire at the Penn Albert Hotel. Numerous people have lost their lives in house fires. However, nothing stands …
It’s no secret that Western Pennsylvania was once an area beholden to the Pittsburgh steel industry. Coke ovens dotted the hillsides, mines were producing coal, and railroads were providing a steady stream of supplies to the still mills in the city. Over time, however, coke and coal were no longer needed to fuel the massive …
If you missed my post yesterday about the beginnings of Monsour Medical Center from yesterday be sure to take a few minutes to check it out. It was inevitable what was to come. The hospital was in such bad shape from vandals, arsonists, and trespassers that the inside was completely trashed. Medical charts, mattresses, and …
It was a hospital that couldn’t cure it’s own illness. It should have been an American success story. Four Syrian brothers, sons of immigrants whom all obtained medical degrees, came to the Jeannette area and started a community hospital from scratch. It was a remarkable feat. Too bad the story didn’t have a happy ending. …
I love seeing what has changed in Greensburg and what has stayed the same. Even more so, I love looking at old postcards and photography and looking for clues about what buildings still exist, what has changed, and what are just a memory. Recently, I ran across a postcard that I hadn’t seen before. It’s …
A little over a year ago, white signs with red “X”s began popping up around the City of Greensburg. Some people weren’t sure what they meant, others wondered if these structures were destined for the wrecking ball.
After some discussion took place on a Facebook thread I posted a couple of weeks ago it seems that people are confused. I decided to delve into the issue some more.
For over 100 years a school had stood at the site of the former West Pittsburgh Street Elementary School. The first school was a four-room brick building which was built in 1880. In fact, when Ludwick, East Greensburg, and Southeast Greensburg were merged into the borough in 1905 Ludwick was the only one with an …
Roadside oddities have always been some of my favorites. They are throwbacks to the days when traveling wasn’t just about the destination, but enjoying the journey was also part of the fun. One of these roadside giants that has risen in popularity in recent years and has piqued the curiosity of many is known as …
If you know me, you know that I love history. I have a lot of really interesting antiques, postcards, and photographs that I have collected over the years. What good is a collection, however, if you can’t share it? This is why I have decided to do a weekly Throwback Thursday (#TBT) history post. I …
