Glassport, Pennsylvania

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GLASSPORT PROGRESSION 1902-2002

by FRANK TARLI

September, 2001

These writings are a brief over view of how this town has progressed over the years. The idea is to review the path of progress in the early years of Glassport. The intent is to highlight the organization rather than individual.

Many thousands of years ago most of Glassport was covered by the Monongahela River. Thousands of years have gone by, the river basin settled were it now flows winding through the hilly terrain. The Iroquois Indians found the soil rich and began growing corn, squash, and tobacco. As the settlers came they also found the soil rich and fertile. Some of the early families to settle here were the McClures, the Edmundsons, the Barackmans, the Flocklers, the Thompsons, the Pollocks and the Reeds who were also farmers.

At one time in history this area was claimed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, perhaps because of a young man named George Washington. After being defeated at Braddock it is believed that his next tour lead him from the present Olympia Shopping Center area through Liberty, Port Vue and crossed the Monongahela River at Harrison Street in Glassport on his way to Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh). After the fort was captured it was renamed Fort Pitt.

Before Glassport was, this territory was part of Elizabeth Township, then of Lincoln Township, then of the Borough of Port Vue. Glassport become a sovereign Borough in 1902. About ten years prior to that the area population was 50 which may have included some horses and cows.

Things began to happen in 1894 when the United States Glass Co. chose "Pleasant Valley" as the site for their new factory. With this came a subsidiary called the Glassport Land Co. They began to lay out a town and selling property. Notice our streets are names of States or mumbers except for those in Otto. Soon the manufacturing of glass became reality, people came to work and live here. They made such items as tobacco jars, butter holders, meter covers, battery jars and eventually coke glasses. It wasn't long before this town needed a name. The first suggestion was "Hylos" the Greek name for crystal. The next suggestion was by Mr. Ripley and Mr. Hobbs of the Glass Co. who appropriately called it "Glassport", to honor their company.

The Glass Co. exposed the wealth of Glassport. The area between the new McKeesport and Bell Vernon Railroad and the Monongahela River was like a paradise for industry. As industry grew the hill side produced unlimited amounts of coal. Gas wells also sprung up all around town. With water and rail transportation, coal and gas for energy the next item in demand was workers. As factories increased, workers came from everywhere, however the greater number came from Europe. Many came from Poland, Italy, Finland, the Balkans, Yugoslavia, Romania and many of the eastern European nations.

As industry grew so did the need for schools, hotels, taverns boarding houses and various other businesses. Also helping the community grow quickly was the installation of telephone service and electric power. Glassport became a "Boom Town" in a short time. At this time industry occupied all the river front property from Arch Street in Otto to Boro Line near Coursin Hollow.

THE EARLY INDUSTRY OF GLASSPORT

United States Glass Company

The Glass Co was the leader and was located at foot of Seventh St. The original cost of construction was $68,497.00 in 1894. Passenger trains bringing workers to town became common place, This was one the largest hand craft glass manufacturing facilities in America before pressed glass became inexpensive. The down fall of the Glass House was the severe tornado which struck in August 1963, and I was near by on that very evening. The factory was to expensive to rebuild and eventually closed.

Coke Works

The ovens were located from Harrison Street going up the river. A German inventor Otto Hoffman built the Bee-Hive Coke Works. The source of coal needed to produce coke (needed to make Iron) was the four coal mines on the hill above Red Row (Erie Ave). We would play in the abandon mines and coke ovens years later. There were many other coal mines in various parts of Glassport Their demise was the more efficient system known as the battery process built in Clairton.

Serverance Manufacturing Co.

This company manufactured bolts, spikes and rivets for iron work construction. Their down fall came when welding was developed and machine rivets were improved by others.

The American Axe & Tool Company

This company manufactured various kinds of axes and handles. This outfit move to West Virginia to suit their labor expense needs and were not in town very long.

The Pittsburgh Steel Foundry

The Foundry came to Glassport in 1899 and employed less than fifty people, however 40 years later they employed 3,200 to help the War II effort in the 1940's They produced armor steel, tank turrets, huge anchors for war ships (as the one placed at Ninth Street and Monongahela Avenue by the Glassport Heritage Society) among many other war items. The Pittsburgh Engineering & Machine Company located at the bottom of Third Street and was also part of the "Foundry".

In 1959 the company occupied the property from Third Street to Seventh Street. It later became Textron Inc.,then Pittron and continued to be the largest and best producing iron casting up to 200,000 pounds. This plant had a chapel which was used for prayer and Bible Study. A miracle took place when a large amount molten steel was accidentally poured where men were working and not a person was injured. A book about this miracle was written by Wayne Alderdson the plant manager, and it later became a TV documentary. Its name was "The Miracle of Pittron".

In 1974 a Milwaukee mining, drilling and construction equipment company who needed high quality casting took over. The name on the plant eventually became "Bucyrus-Erie Glassport" and closed as others area steel mills did in the 1980's as the result of "Globalism".

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad

The railroad became the P&LE RR, with a roundhouse and YMCA at Broadway. This facility was used to conduct routine maintenance and major steam locomotive repairs. Train crews would use the YMCA for lay overs. Huge coal trains come from Newell and points south to Glassport, then on to the large manufacturing areas of America. It became affiliated with the New York Central System and was one of largest money makers of the system. CXS of Jacksonville, Fla operates the Railroad today.

The Pittsburgh Steel Company

This company came to town in 1900 and made hoops and band. The plant employed 270 people and occupied six acres. This facility could no longer compete with more modern methods of manufacturing and eventually closed.

The Copperweld Steel Corporation

This manufacturing company was one of the most outstanding in town. Their products were good and in great demand for many years. Five gentleman for Rankin, Pa. invented a process which fused a layer of copper to the out side of steel. Their product could with stand corrosion, the elements and was strong. The company grew quickly and they purchased the Axe & Tool Work to become part of Glassport. They made it through the great depression and as War II was in full swing, the huge demand Copperweld product became difficult to meet. At that time they were awarded the "Army-Navy E" for their achievements in war production.

In 1959 they diversified to Alumoweld a similar product using an aluminum powder to cover the steel wire using an electronic process. Copperweld expanded to Ohio and Tennessee and was growing.

Their down fall came in 1975 when a French conglomerate owned by the Rothchild Family purchased the company and took control of Copperweld stock. The machinery in Glassport was older and perhaps the reason for closing the mill.

Coslov Srap Metal Co.

The Company was started in McKeesport and move to Harrison St. between Monongahela Ave. and the Railroad tracks. The name of the firm became the Tube City Iron & Metal Co. and in the late 1940's it primarily recycle war materials and steam locomotives. They grew rapidly and moved its operations to West Mifflin while the Main Office remained in Glassport.

Griffin Oil Co.

This Company was totally a local firm, started, owned and operated by Glassporters. The Company began in 1927 and supplied gasoline and oil to area service stations. It also sponsored a championship team in the Daily News Baseball League. It was located next to Coslov Scrap Metal Co

Stalling's Bakery

This was a large factory type bakery which had many outlet stores through out the area. They baked thousands of loaves of bread, cakes, roles daily and was famous for the big scoops of home made ice cream. They were located in the same block as the prior two firms.

Ohio Barge Line

This firm employed a few people who unloaded materiel from river barges and on to railroad cars. The company was owned by the Hillman Barge Line.

Eastern Standard Oil Co

Better know as ESSO they had large gasoline storage tank between Arch St and Harrison St, Gasoline was brought in by barges and stored in these tanks for distribution to area service stations.

Other larger businesses of recent times are:

• Westinghouse Apparatus Service Plant - Broadway
• Plotkins Plumbing Supply - Wall St.
• Coal Unloaders - Wall St
• Builder Supply Co - Harrison St.
• Home Service Purchasing Inc. - 3rd St.

THE CHURCHES OF GLASSPORT

The foundation of our country was formed by religious people and so was that of Glassport. Even before we were a borough Christian Churches were established. Some were helped by churches from McKeesport and others were organized with in the community. Most new groups held services in the Pleasant Valley School while others used established churches buildings. Others used the jail, the land company office and local business. All the original church buildings appeared to be constructed of wood and as the years passed, they were replaced with brick structures.

Even till the 1950s the churches were influential in the community and schools. Before the fabricated law of "separation of Church and State" students could attend classes of the religion of their choice in good old Glassport High School, a public school. It certainly helped us to fit into the community and become better Glassporters respecting our parents, elders and the authorities.

Although the "Glass City" had all denominations of the Judeo-Christian family, the Roman Catholics soon became the largest in number. Perhaps this was because of the large influx of European immigrants.

The following is a list of Glassport churches and the unofficial year of recognition: The First Methodist Church of Glassport (1895), The First Presbyterian Church of Glassport (1901), Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church (1901), Holy Cross (Polish) Roman Catholic Church (1902). The First Baptist Church (1902), The Congregation B'nai Israel of Glassport (1905), St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (1910), Pentecostal Mission (1914), The Church of Jesus Christ (1920), The Holy Spirit Greek Catholic Church (1932) The Assembly of God Church (1920).

Church History Highlights

At least three churches have either been destroyed or have had heavy damage by fire. One church was constructed with stones laid by its members. Perhaps the most well known minister is "Brother" R. W. Shambach who is heard or seen world wide each day on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

At one time almost everyone was a member of a church. And as the result, doors of houses need not be locked, automobile keys remained in the car with doors unlocked, neighbors would visit each day and care for each other in times of need. Glassport was a caring and friendly place thanks to our churches and people who believed in God. As youngster we all played together daily and our memories will be treasured forever, Thank You churches of Glassport.

GLASSPORT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Prior to 1929 GHS sports were not well organized perhaps because classes were held in different schools. In 1929 a new high school was built and sports were centralized to become one of the best in Western Pennsylvania. For the next twenty five years history would be made by winning many championships in all sports. In the 1966 GHS sports came to an end as they joined the Port Vue-Liberty School District (Bulldogs) to become the South Allegheny Gladiators.

GHS Football

Facts-- In 1940 being a small school GHS defeated four football giants; McKeesport Tigers, Clairton Bears, Weirton W.Va. and the Big Red of Stubenville, Ohio.

The football program has produced two All-Americans, one Jr. All American, several professional football players, a National Football League coach of many years and a NFL official.

Perhaps Roy Hickes should be called the father of GHS sports, for it was he who got the program moving to become awesome.

GHS Basketball

Facts-- For a nine year period GHS had a section record of 82 wins and 7 losses. One professional player came from the program.

GHS Girls Basketball

This program ended in 1939 but was highly successful.

Facts-- The girls compiled a 35 consecutive game winning steak.

GHS Baseball

Facts; Vince McKeeta coached nine consecutive years of section Championships and never advanced to a WPIAL final. The baseball program was from 1922 to 1937 and from 1946 to 1963.

GHS Volleyball

Facts-- The program was from 1932 to 1942 and revised in 1952.

Perhaps the sucess of the athletic at Glassport High School was that each street and alley in town had a basketball hoop. Vacant lots and streets were always used for football, stickball or a number of other games helping our youngsters to become sports minded. GHS coaches were also among the areas best.

ORGANIZATIONS

At the turn of the century factory workers were in great demand leading to a great influx of people to town. The people of various nationalities would gather together and form social groups. Perhaps the largest and most active of the nationalities were the Finlanders with the Finnish Temperance Society. They were against the selling of illegal liquor. The Polish, Italian and Slovak were also socially oriented at this time. Others small groups formed later.

The business community formed the Rotary International and the Lions Club. Two fire companies were organized. There were boy and girl scouts. There were The Odd Fellows, The Catholic Men's Organization, The Women's Club, The Mothers Club, The Vets, The American Legion, etc. Most had woman's auxiliary with in their organizations.

Sports organizations were: The Glassport Odds, Morrows, Griffin Oilers and Magwa's Softball. Also the Glassport Junior Police Baseball and the short lived Otto Athletic Assn. just to mention a few.

PERSONALITIES

Perhaps the person who was most influential in the history of Glassport for the longest period was Joseph Witkowski. He was a football player, tax collector, General Chairman of the Democratic Party and served in other capacities of government.

The Honorable Sammy Weiss played high school and collage football, and officiated in the National Football League. Besides being a Judge he was a congressman for many years.

Judge "Jack" Hester served on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

Joseph Gaydos and Elmer "Bud" Shuster served in the U.S. Congress.

Steve Orlando merchant, executive of a food processing company was active with the Lions Club and the horticulturist at the Glassport Memorial Park.

One of the least recognized Glassporter was a true hero of WWII. He single handily captured 232 enemy soldiers, perhaps more than other. Speaking Polish he convinced the Polish troops to surrender. Joining them were the Italians and Czechs. The Glassporter was a paratrooper, Private Ray Raszewski.

Please let us not forget our boys and girls who served this country in time of war and especially those who gave everything -- their lives. Stop and visit what I feel is the best Memorial Park in the country and say a prayer that we have no more war and that our community should prosperous in the next one hundred years.

Please let me recognize the following;

Dr. Richard A. Uher editor of the GLASSPORT WEB page on the internet. A true wealth of Glassport information and contacts. urichard@lm.com

George Gorun the most knowledgeable and informed also always will to help everyone with Glassport History.

Ann Dzurko, Rae Papernick and Florence Tomedolsky of the 75th year Heritage Committee.

I am Frank Tarli who typed, designed and formatted this as brief history for a quick understanding of a great town and what made it that way. I was born in the 900 block of Vermont Ave and my family moved to Red Row before I began school in the first ward. As President of the Glassport Senior Citizens Assn. it is my pleasure to help keep Glassport a great place. You can help with your input on local history.

FRANK TARLI (GHS-52) ftarli@yahoo.com September, 2001

Page last updated August 25, 2001