Eldora Park Remembered

Eldora Park was big part of the Pittsburgh - Monongahela Valley area history

Leonard Marraccini is a man on a mission. And he's leaving few of those proverbial stones unturned in his quest for information about Eldora Park, a popular recreation and amusement site for many years in Carroll Township.

Marraccini's pursuit of the history of Eldora Park extends far beyond the realm of its reputation as a gathering place for family reunions, dances, picnics and myriad other events. In reality, it's an expansion of his natural interest in the mining industry

Read the full story from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Gettysburg Railroad Station Restored

Historic railroad station built in 1858 and used by Abraham Lincoln gets a new look.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. -- The railroad station used by President Lincoln when he came to this small borough in 1863 to dedicate the Soldiers' National Cemetery and deliver the Gettysburg Address has been completely and beautifully restored.

Read the full story

Do you really know the history behind Scranton’s name?

Through Trial and Failure, the Scranton Brothers persevered

Ask any Scranton resident who their town is named for, and most will say Gov. Scranton’s family. But how many people really know the circumstances under which
the city was founded?

Read the story from the Times-Tribune, Scranton, PA

Pennsylvania Train Wrecks, Tornadoes, Fires, Explosions, and other disasters on line

New at GenDisasters.com - Events That Touched Our Ancestors' Lives

Pennsylvania Disasters:

Reach these new articles directly from the main page of the Pennsylvania Disaster section:

http://www.gendisasters.com/pa

Blairsville, PA Flour Mill Fire, July 1888
Blairsville, PA Train Wreck, Jul 1902
Brownsville, PA Fire, Feb 1922
Cambridge Springs, PA Tornado, Oct 1908
Chester, PA Morton & Black's
Chester Dock Fire, May 1884
Clinton County, PA Sawmill Explosion, May 1901
Curwensville, PA Fire, Jan 1936
Emporium, PA Aetna Powder Company Plant Explosion, Feb 7, 1916
Emporium, PA Aetna Powder Company Plant Explosion, Feb 24, 1916
Emporium, PA Aetna Powder Company Plant Explosion, Dec 1916
Ernest, PA Jefferson & Clearfield Coal & Iron Co. Mine No. 2 Explosion, Feb 1916
Huntington, PA Train Wreck, May 1947
Knoxville & McDonald, PA Wind Storm, Mar 1902
Lloyd, PA Enoch Blackwell & Co. Store Fire Apr 1884
Lost Creek, PA Train Wreck, Oct 1888
Lovett Station, PA Train Wreck, Aug 1904
Lucerne Mines, PA Mine Accident, July 1910
Mansfield, PA Fire Jan 1884
Mt. Union, PA Aetna Explosives Company Plant Explosion, Sept 1916
Pittston, PA Twin Shaft Mine Cave In, June 1896
Roscoe, PA Globe Mine Accident, Jan 1916
Shaffer, PA Fire Dec, 1865
Two Lick, PA Train Wreck, May 1907
Wellsboro, PA Fire, Feb 1880

Thanks to Jenni, Edna, Trish, Carla, Michelle and the other Pennsylvania transcribers.

1905 Time Capsule to Opened in Oil City

Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City holds special service Sunday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the dedication and first use of its parish hall.

The parish hall's cornerstone was set in place Sept. 24, 1905, during a special service. The rector prayed: "Almighty and everlasting God, be mercifully pleased to bless this stone which we are about to place in the name and strength of Him who is the tried and precious cornerstone."

He struck the stone three times at the name of the Blessed Trinity. The congregation sang "The Church's One Foundation," and following further prayers, the ceremony ended with the hymn "Work for the Night is Coming."

A handmade copper box was inserted into a void in the cornerstone and cemented in place with asphalt. The box was then covered with a metal plate and several inches of Portland cement, sealing it for the next century and completing parish hall construction.

Items from the cornerstone will be on display at the celebration.

Read full article in The Derrick