Old Chester, PA: Guest Book entries April 2002 - Part 1
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Name: Jack Rez51
Email: jfralston55@aol.com
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 11:42:23 PM
to Paul D. Crowther:
I believe that the deadliest RR crossing in the area was in Marcus Hook where the bridge is now located between Linwood and Hook...think the Street is Market. Before the bridge there were some horrific accidents at the PRR crossing.
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 11:25:53 PM
Serious consideration of Caviar is a sobering exercise, combining euphoric hedonism and a glum obituary. The unpleasant truth is, for all intents and purposes we have already run out of caviar. That's why it's so expensive.
This wasn't always the case. At one time the U.S. dominated the world of caviar. In 1873, an enterprising immigrant named Henry Schact established a caviar business on the Delaware River near Chester, Pennsylvania. An unbelievable 670 tons of caviar per year was produced there, almost all of which was exported to Europe. Much of that Pennsylvanian caviar was then "re-imported" back to the U.S. and sold in America as "Russian," commanding the unheard of price of 6 cents per ounce. The finest grade of caviar still available now sells for $75 an ounce.
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 11:05:45 PM
Lenapes fishing the Delaware
http://www.delawaretribeofindians.nsn.us/fishing.html
Name: Kathie
Email: Ghstheart@AOL.com
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 11:03:25 PM
PidiPat... I thought Buckman Village got it's name from the old Buckman Airport that used to be on Townshipline Road around where Hajoca used to be in Trainer
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 10:51:48 PM
DELAWARE BAY ATLANTIC STURGEON
Cobb (1900) provided an excellent account of the Atlantic sturgeon caviar fishery in the Delaware Bay. In 1897, the fishery engaged nearly 1,000 fishermen dispersed among fishing camps. The camps, located on scows or house boats that served as sleeping quarters and caviar processing plants, allowed caviar to be processed rapidly due to the camps’ proximities to fishing grounds. The primary gear for capturing caviarladen females was large-mesh leaded gill nets, which were drifted ahead of skiffs. Cobb reported that two-thirds of the harvested fish yielded marketable caviar (termed "hard roe"). Males only composed 10% of the harvest. Flesh of Atlantic sturgeon was smoked and marketed in domestic markets, mostly in New York City. However, caviar was the principal product of Atlantic sturgeon fisheries. The destination for caviar harvested in the Delaware Bay and shipped in kegs was New York City, whereafter most was exported to Germany (Townsend 1900).
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 10:23:02 PM
There was an inquiry not too long ago about the naming of Buckman Village. Can't say for sure but there is a possibility it was named for a William Buckman who travelled to Penna. with Wm. Penn. The chairman of the Del. Co. Historical Soc.in 1934 was one of his descendents.
Name: trish
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:42:01 PM
Old Sears and Roebuck was on 6th and sproul Sts up the street from the 520 Bar.....
Name: Pat(CHS68)
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:29:17 PM
Thanks Patricia for questions and the fun we all had in trying to answer the questions.
I'm surprised I won. I thought Kate would catch up and pass me. Kate, you up a good fight.
Congratulations to all the winners and to all those who participated in answering the questions.
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:28:06 PM
Here's a couple more to add to the quiz section. 1.. What was the original name of Second St.?
2..What was the first street of sizable use to be laid out in Chester?
3..Where was the old Sears-Robucks store?
4..Where was the Boyd Diner?
5..Where was one of the most deadly railway grade crossings in the area? [not necessarily in Chester] The remains of the road can still be seen today. The road now goes under the tracks.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:27:05 PM
http://www.delcohistory.org/shs/davis_pg3.htm TRY ThIS
Name: Kate(N>D. '65)
Email: lucydesi8@comcast.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:21:04 PM
Patricia, O.K. but let me add what I stated was under Old Quaker Burial Grounds so that's why I'm so insistent about this. Maybe the way he stated it I am correct b/c that could be above edgemont....Sproul Rd.....believe me I've been away off & on a long time too...If I knew how I would have the URL posted here from the book, but I am not that computer literate..Thanks, Kate
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:19:40 PM
Just saw Paul's comment about Mike being right about the caviar. That's extremely interesting. According to Mr. Warfel's book, shad was plentiful at that time. I thought, caviar came from Roe. Is that the same as shadroe, guess so. So, here is little Chester, shipping to others what we, ourselves, could not afford. Ain't that always the way.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:07:34 PM
KATE: With my having been away from Chester for so many years, I have a very difficult time remembering where Sproul St. and even Welsh are. However, here is exactly what is in Lou Warfel's book about Old Chester:
"The Old Quaker Burial Grounds was for many years located on the west side of Edgemont Ave. above 6th Street. The bodies were removed to another location in the 1950's to make room for more stores." Notice the difference: Mr. Warfel calls it the "Quaker" burial ground, whereas you referred to it as the "early settlers" burial ground. I know I used the word "Quaker" in my question; but if all early settlers were buried there, the book does not state that. Maybe someone can clear this up.
Again, because I've been away from Chester for so long, you who are still there know much more than I do. And Kate, you've already proven what a champ you are, and if someone (like UW or Paul Crowther for example) will clear this up, I'd be very grateful. If someone had asked me all those really hard (they were difficult) questions, I doubt I could have anything but 1/2 point, and I truly admire those with the "highest scores" because it's nice to know that so many do know the real "history of Chester." I do not ever remember it being taught in school, and it should be. Chester, apparently, is one of the most historical cities in the country.
Someone will clear this up for us, I know.
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:05:18 PM
Mike is also right about the Caviar!
Name: George
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 8:57:11 PM
Paul, the guy was nuts over the Phils not winning any WS games that year and had vowed to stay up all year til the next season until they Did,He didn't do it, and the Phils didn't either. Just remember My Dad and my brother getting the biggest kick out of it. Must have been the end of the 50 Season, which would have made me 6. That's frightening cause I can remember THAT but not my kids names. George
Name: CHS68
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 8:36:06 PM
The old burial grounds at 6th & Edgmont were dug up to make way for the Woolworth store which is now closed.
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 8:32:20 PM
GEORGE... Sorry I took so long to get back to you. Your memory is better than mine. You're correct as to the location and the cage. I couldn't remember why he was up there. Seems to me he didn't stay as long as he said he would though! I think it was the roof of the NASH dealers.
Name: Caroline
Email: carpete@bellatlantic.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 8:15:49 PM
Laura - from Green Street.
I could not find your email address to send you a personal note regarding the shoemaker -Mr. Z. that you mention. Please contact me at the above address.
Thank you, GBU
Name: George
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 8:14:00 PM
I received several e-mails requesting the URL of the chat room, so here it is: http://prv-groups.aol.com/oldchesterpa/
Name: TomCHS76
Email: T9257@Yahoo.com
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 6:48:45 PM
Donna: Yes, It was me who help you with your math. Now, I have you placed. How are you? I haven't been in Bonner's in about 5 years myself.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 6:22:30 PM
Patricia, went back to History of De. County & it states the early settlers were buried in the ancient burial ground at Old Sproul Rd...it was a 2 acre tract of land acquired in 1686 & has about 5,000 graves, few are marked also called Chester Rd & Springfield Rd....What say you, now.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 5:23:27 PM
Paul Crowther wins for Q#17. I was surprised myself to learn we were a fishing village. I think I would have like to have lived there then. Kate: But, the question was "where were the burial grounds originally located? The answer I gave is from Lou Warfel's book and he said, "west side of Edgement above 6th. In reading old census reports from 1880. that's how addresses were given; i.e., Crosby above 5th, etc. So, were you answering where it is now, or where was it originally? Imagine moving a graveyard - Can you dig it?
Florence, nothing wrong with your memory - oh geeze, all those familiar names. Now, you've put me in a dither (remember "Mr. Dithers"). In all fairness, I have to name the winner as those who answered the really hard questions. I might have asked them, but I couldn't answer most without Lou Warfel. However, I think you deserve at least 1/2 point.
So, PAT (CHS68) is the official winner - 5-1/2 KATE comes in a steady and fast 4 FLORENCE racked up 3-1/2; and UW comes in at 3. Honorary mention goes to Paul C - 2 points.
If I'm wrong on the above - please let us know.
PAT gets a full-year free subscription to this board; KATE gets 9 months; FLORENCE gets 6 months and UW gets 3 months
CONGRATULATIONS - you're all much smarter than I would have been.
NOW, the most important question EVER on this board: Which recording artist's version of Goodnight Sweetheard was played as the last dance of the night at St. James? Oh, ouch, stop throwing those pots - that one almost got me. I'm outta here.
Name: Mike Mangan StJ57
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 3:47:38 PM
#17= Exporting cavier to Europe.
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 3:32:45 PM
#17...FISHING!
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 3:31:22 PM
#17... Fishing.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 1:59:52 PM
#17 Was it trading...a trading post?
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 1:45:13 PM
#18, according to The History Of Delaware County, the old Quaker burial grounds is lacated Old Sproul Rd which was also known as Chester Rd. * Springfield Rd.
Name: FlorenceSmalleyKnottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 1:21:50 PM
Well Patricia my friend, try this list Big BoyCaprio,flattop,Lips Manlis, Mumbles, Itchy, Sam Catchem,Breathless mahoney, Thhe Browel, Sparkle Plenty, Shoulders, The Rodent, Pruneface, The Tramp, Influenza. I knoe their a few more.
Name: George
Email: gpmalick@wideopenwest.com
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 1:10:45 PM
It's Monday and that means it's West End Night in the chat room. I've had another rush of new members join the chat room and most were from the West End. It all starts at 5 PM Eastern, see you there, George
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 12:31:56 PM
Good Morning everyone.
Answers to Questions 16 through 20, and those who were exactly right and those who came darn close:
16: The Old Chester Court house is one of the oldest public buildings still standing in the country, built in 1724. Florence got 1 point for the building and UW got 1 point for the year.
17. Darn, this one is so easy - I'm not going to give you the answer yet - but it was not farming. Remember we had the river right there and it was put to use other than boating.
18. The Old Quaker Burial Grounds were originally located on the west side of Edgemont above 6th. I think UW should qualify for 1 point here - close enough - agree?
19. Because Jack was nice enough to give us the history of Sun Ship which wasn't established until 1859, the pilgrims arrived too early - they should have waited a bit. I knew you all knew this was a silly question, but why not?
20. Chief Justice David Lloyd's beautiful home was built in 1721 and was located at 2nd and Welsh. Looks like Kate and Pat should share a point - giving them 1/2 point each.
Gravel Gertie - that's the one I was trying to remember - had no idea her last name was the same as mine, but I did have a relative that resembled her. Can't give you a point, 'cause you got no name - think I know who you are tho'.
Speaking of relatives, Paul you just hit on a sensitive nerve in my family. I don't know where that "flagpole" was located, but I had an uncle (a "McFadden", I'll admit it) who from time-to-time would sit on a flagpole in Chester in a racoon coat in the middle of the summer. This would have been in the early 40's I believe. We still laugh about it today. He died in his mid-20's so it had to be late 30's, early 40's. Imagine my poor grandmother raising all those kids alone, never knowing what one of them was going to do next. I can hear her thinking, "May the saints preserve us - Jimmie's now sittin' on flagpoles and Billie, he's up there walking around on the ledge and the roof." True, Billie would love to walk on the roof and ledges. Crazy family, but I wouldn't change them for anything in the world. However, I hesitate to go too deep in my family roots for fear of what else I might find.
Name: Margaret DeShon Hinson
Email: Mhinson@mail.montcopa.org
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 10:15:41 AM
I recently visited Widener Univ. to research my family ( Deshong) and was amazed at the information found there. Anyone who has any ifo to offer on the Deshongs, it would be greatly appreciated!
Name: Jack Rez51
Email: jfralston55@aol.com
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 9:59:16 AM
The Shipyard History:
John Roach & Sons, Chester, PA 1859-1885 (aka Roach's Shipyard. Roach's extensive industrial empire went into receivership in 1885. Chester yard became Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding Works.)
Delaware River Shipbuilding Co., Chester, PA 1885-?? (aka Delaware River International Shipbuilding & Engine Works, Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding Co. & Engine Works. Took over John Roach shipyard after financial failure.)
The Emergency Fleet Corp. ?? to 1917
Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Chester, PA 1917-1977 Built 281 oil tankers during W.W. II. Built Glomar Explorer spy salvage ship. Total production 543 ships. Launched last ship, Westward Venture, Feb 15, 1977.
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/15/2002
Time: 8:27:16 AM
Question # 20
Was it the old Porter house,at the foot of Welsh Street?
Name: George Malick
Email: gpmalick@wideopenwest.com
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 11:02:35 PM
Paul: I'm probably way off base but this comes from a young kids memory of going downtown with my Dad. Was it on the corner of 7th & Sproul? Seem to remember this guy having a tough time with the Phillies not winning a World Series game and was going to stay up there til they did. My recollection, as a 6 or 7 yr old kid, was that it was more of a cage than a flagpole.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 10:03:44 PM
#20 Was it The Old Lloyd House At 2nd& Edgemont St?/
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 9:57:36 PM
Thought I'd throw in a little quiz. At what intersection in Chester did we have a "flagpole sitter" ? This was in the 50's
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 9:00:43 PM
Well, hi Pat from the West-end, I spent many years there.
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:48:43 PM
Kate -
I am female and still live in Chester - West End
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:44:47 PM
GRAVEL GERTIE MCFADDEN
Name: kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:19:50 PM
Pat Ch68, so we don't mix any Pat's up Are you still in the area, also are you female or male, I have a son named Pat.???
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:19:01 PM
To: "Me and Others" - Request denied.
Q#16: Florence answered the Old Courthouse correctly. I always thought that was one of the "cutest" buildings I've ever seen. But really important trials took place there; it has a very interesting history. When I was there 20 yrs ago, I looked inside and it was stacked with chairs, tables, etc. Whelan's wonderful servings of food was replaced with ceiling to floor suitcases.
Gosh, folks this is "work" for me. The last two questions I just threw in because those characters are fun to remember and talk about. But I guess 1/2 point should go to whoever comes up with the names. So. Florence has 2 points (1/2 ea. for the characters). Sorry, Florence other answers are close but not exact. I just adored those little "schmoo's" - and Al Capp came up with a cute name for them too.
Incidently, did you read Gebhart's recent column? Very interesting - all about the "old days".
Name: u.w.
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:18:32 PM
Patricia: Not only the oldest public building in Chester, but in the United States in continuous use. The Chester court house about 1724..
the burial ground was around 7th and Edgmont, they moved it I think to build strip stores.
Name: U.W.
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:06:38 PM
Patricia: Wasn't that the Smoo...and during that time it was a big item for kids to have the little white creature balloons that when you blew them up and tied the knot at the bottom you would pull the tie thru a whole in the cardboard feet so they could stand up..cute little things as I remember. They reproduced like rabbits in the comic strip didn't they?
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:03:22 PM
#17 farming is my first guess.
Name: FlorenceKnottSmalleyCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:02:04 PM
Ye Old Courthouse which is the police station o Market St. character called a schmoo t he cemetary was on third st. Mr and mrs Pruneface Flattop
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:00:44 PM
#18 Old Sproul Rd......also called Chester Rd. & Springfield Rd.
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 7:45:30 PM
Kate -
I went to Chester High, Class of '68
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 7:20:53 PM
I clicked when I should have clucked on my last post.
16. What building still standing in old downtown Chester is one of the oldest public buildings and in what year was it built?
17. Along with tobacco growing, what was the other industry (try not to think of it as manufacturing, etc.) that had been thriving for years?
18. Where were the old Quaker Burial Grounds originally located?
19. Why did the pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock instead of Sun Shipbuilding's dock? Would have been easier that way.
20. Chief Justice David Lloyd had a very beautiful home built on his estate in 1721. Where was it located?
One very final question, but very important.
During the mid-to-late '40's, before TV became our chief source of entertainment, the Sunday comics were read and talked about by all. Lil Abner's creator introduced a funny little creature that kept multiplying like rabbits. Everyone loved that silly little creature. What name was given to it.
And, Dick Tracy's strip would introduce funny-looking people with "catchy" names. I remember B.O. Plenty. What can others remember?
After this game, when and how would you want to do it again? And thanks to Lou Warfel for making this possible.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 6:53:53 PM
It's such a wonderful, wonderful feeling to make and keep old friends, and engage in a game that is in keeping with the meaning of the board and is fun and educational and the good sportsmanship being exhibited. I never thought the idea of a quiz would be so enjoyed and you will notice, I started out with "Hear ye, Hear Ye" and continued in an arrogant fashion, feeling I'd be jumped on in a second. But I think you know me by now and what a simpleton I can be. I sincerely appreciate the support I've been given also, especially by Kate, who has been deeply involved in this game from the beginning. I don't mean harm to anyone, I just want to have fun, and hopefully give you a few laughs along the way.
It looks as though you have tried to answer questions 11 and 13 - but not accurate yet. Florence came close with "Holland" on Q#13; however, according to Mr. Warfel's book, "All the areas around Chester were settled by 1700. Marcus Hook was a Dutch community founded in 1655.
Q#11 - was easy I thought, maybe I didn't word it properly, but the answer is "farmers" mostly from Bavaria and Saxony.
Kate was way ahead of me by giving tobacco as an answer because that was going to be one of my questions - what was one the chief crops when the site of present-day Chester was a plantation. I never knew it was ever a plantation. I was going to give you a big hint too, by saying, "the local residents were shocked to learn that people were taking what was grown there, rolling it into a piece of paper, putting it in their mouths and lighting fire to it". Why they must be crazy, who in their right mind, would do a thing like that?
I have just a few more questions, after this, we give a rest. But it would be great if, from time to time, someone else would post some history questions, then you can all see how dumb I am - hated history in school.
16.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 5:44:46 PM
Florence, you are right, this quiz has been very educational.
Name: Kate(n.D.65)
Email: lucydesi8@comcast.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 5:43:16 PM
Hey Pat ? what is your last name or h.s. or something so we can distinguish you from Pidipat????? I guessed the last few answeres so if they are not right , it's o.k. fun was had by all... sure we will hear from Pidipat later, Kate
Name: FlorenceSmalleyKnottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 4:49:44 PM
Well Pat, Possibly it was millers, cause we have an awful lot of old mills, around here. Me and other's. Pat doesn't have to go anywhere.You don't know a thing about her . Everyone is enjoying this and it is educational.
Name: Dorothy Burrell Houpt
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 4:20:44 PM
Pat Thank you for the reply to my message. Yes I am researching these names. My Great Grandmother'S maiden name was a "KERSHAW'. Her married name was " Burrell" they had a daughter named Annie who married a "Joseph FROMAL". Margaret Kershaw Burrell, lived with Annie and Joseph in 1920 on Upland Ave, in Upland Borough. There chrildren where Francis,Joseph, Charles,Margaret,and Elmer I believe they called him Buddy.So this is a possibility . Thank you so much. Dorothy
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 4:17:07 PM
Thanks Kate for the congratulations. That was fun. I believe there are still 2 questions unanswered, you could still catch up and/or go ahead of me. Don't give up yet.
And Thank you Patricia for the questions to jog one's memory. I must admit though I had to look up the answer to 15.
Name: IrisCHS54
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 4:07:27 PM
Raz
Would you happen to be Ed? If so, Hi! I remember Zubrzycki's grocery store next to Bomberger's. My mother used to send me there for a 1/4 pound of ground round and she would stretch this out for two days. She would add a lot of onion slices. Day one we ate it over boiled potatos. Day two over mashed! Lots of canned vegetables accompanied it. This fed a family of four. Try getting away with that today! Of course we went to Zubrzycki's when there was not enough money left, that week, to pay off Peter's Market tab. This just brought back another memory. When I was in college I had to do a comparison study and I did it on Peter's Market in the 1940's compared to the 1970's. Of course, Frank Peters, the owner in the 1970's was quite involved in supplying meat to the ships along the Delaware River, quite a difference from the 1940's. As a kid Peter's Market is where you got the news of the previous day. Who got engaged, married died, or gave birth in the neighborhood--or which of the neighborhood kids were misbehaving.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 3:42:15 PM
My next guess would be the quakers settled in Marcus Hook...tobacco & grain would be the other answer
Name: FlorenceSmalleyknottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fasy.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 3:36:58 PM
Well Patricia, I really don't know, but I take a chance and say. People who dealt in trade, also people percecuted for releigion,maybe Holland. I am just guessing.
Name: Kate,
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 3:36:34 PM
To Me & others, just what are your interest? I to had some disagreements with people on this board, & found out how interestings the board could be when you contribute join in and learn about History.
Name: me & others
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 3:29:48 PM
It's time padit,(Pat McFadden), whatever gets off the board, she has ruined the interest fo myself & many others I've talked with. Her games aren't interesting, she should play board games w/people in Phoenix & leave us alone.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 2:17:04 PM
Congrats, Pat, wasn't that fun? And guess what the nuns would be oh so proud I finally took an interest in History, had to go to summer school for failing History in Jr. yr. Pidipat, you steared us all in the right direction in so many ways, Thank You Kate
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 1:53:29 PM
Awrighty then - you folks are really into this quiz - glad you like it.
What fun that Pat was not only able to solve a long-time mystery about those overalls, but she gave us the entire song. Just one word wrong in that song - it should be "beat the Mick" - not "drip" - Irishmen were often called "Micks". Mrs. Murphy must have been in her cups that day, takin' a nip ever so often while she was cookin'. Ah, well, bless 'er 'art, she had a lot on 'er mind, all them kids and drunkards.
Even before I posted this, I received from our Harvey, Bing Crosby singing that song. Harv's on top of everything. And, somehow, I just knew he would do that. What a joy he is.
Now the answers:
Q#9 - CHS68 is correct. (First to come up the answers)
Q#10 - Kate is correct - 100 settlers
Q#11 - Not answered and really very easy.
Q#12 - Pat is correct.
Q#13 - Kate is close, but not correct. No more 1/2 points Kate, you must be correct.
Q#14 - Mike Garvey is correct.
Q#15 - No doubt about it, Pat is correct - and I think we all enjoyed it.
So, the tally is: PAT = 5 points; KATE = 3-1/2
The other "winners", from what I've been able to scroll through have 1 point each - let me know if I'm wrong.
The prize has changed. In lieu of spending your hard-earned money to fly way out here and tolerate me, the "winner" will receive a free one-year's subscription to this board. Also you will receive our most humble congratulations for being smarter than the rest of us.
Name: FlorenceSmalleyKnottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 12:48:19 PM
Here is something a little different, I thought Harvey might be interested, but I bet he already knows. By Ed Gebhart. Story begins at a long gone but hardly forgottenlittle bar in the west end of Chester. Owners were Mike Brandow, who had a deli store on Third st. and Jack Miller, a butcher with a store near 9th.st. and Central Ave. The little spot, at Third and Palmer, was called Andy's Musical Bar. IN time it was known as the first bar in the city to feature female impersonators on stage, but back then it was nice to have a place to have a drink, listen to the mus and perhaps hit on some of the local lovelies who dropped in from time to time. Andy's bar always had music, and this night the melodies were supplied by a trio, which called itself the Ambassadors. Rudy Pompilii,a chester guy, played the saxaphone, and Dick "po"Petillo, from Parkside, was the drummer. Their was a blind piano player, Jimmy Thomas, from Prospect Park. This night they were very festive, because they had regular work at Andy's and they just deal to play at Mattera's Tea Bar, in Milmont Park. They were about to make history. Popilli played for Bill Haley's comets. At one time they were visited by a local musician named George Hoven. He had a music shop on just across the street from Andy's, he taught children how to play the accordion. This fella had written some polka's, so they agreed to try them, but it wasn't what the crowd was into. They told him to try the Ukrainian club, so he took his music to the uke's. They had a quartet there, the piano player and singer was a lad named Al Alberts, from Darby, Soddy Vaccaro, from Chester, he played trumpet, two guys from Linwood, reed player Dave Mahoney and drummer Lou Silvestri, rounded out the group. Hovin had written the song and a friend from Parkside. The quartet took the song and tried it.. It was called It's No Sin. The name of the group was The Four Aces.Within a year they were no. one. and on their way, it is now 50 years later and they are still playing their songs.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 12:28:34 PM
#13 I would guess at the Swedes and or Fins., did they come from England?
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 8:35:03 AM
History of Bethel Township
http://www.twp.bethel.pa.us/history.htm
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/14/2002
Time: 2:19:03 AM
History of Schooner Pioneer
http://www.abest.com/~cklose/spinhist.htm
Name: corky
Email: corky_1964@hotmail.com
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 11:35:15 PM
Donna, Yes I do know Marie and I meet your brother at Billy's wedding.I know Marie through her cousin Corene.
Name: CHS '45
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 11:05:44 PM
To PAT: McGinty sang "I can lick the Mick who threw the overalls in Mrs Murphy's chowder! Great party song.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 11:01:06 PM
#10----100 came with Penn.
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:50:01 PM
Penn Street (William)
Washington Street
Madison Street
Pusey Street (Caleb)
Franklin Street
Lincoln Street
Fulton Street
Crosby, (Bing) Lol
Wilson Street
Booth John Wilkes lol
Name: Donna
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:45:02 PM
Corky yes my brother is married to Marie for 5 years now, but they have been together since she was 13 and he was 15. I'm guessing you know them? And yes we have a cousin Billy, I heard he changed his last name though.
Name: Donna
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:41:47 PM
Question # 9... well I can only think of 3 right now, I don't know if this counts or not.I know I had a girlfriend who lived on Washington Ave or street, I'm pretty sure there is a Franklin Street and if Sun Village counts there is a Thomas Street, ha if that counts.
Name: CHS68
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:28:18 PM
Question #9-Price St,Hayes St,Morton Ave,Penn St,Washington,Lincoln St,Wilson St,Sproul St,Madison St,Hancock St
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:21:29 PM
12 - Oops Make that 15 Race Street, Upland, PA
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:20:46 PM
# 12 - Caleb Pusey House is located at 14 Race Street Upland, PA
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:14:03 PM
# 15- Mrs. Murphy did - she put them in the wash that day and forgot to take them out. Words to song are below.
Old Irish Comic Song Words and Music By: George L. Giefer Adapted By: Terry Kluytmans Copyright © 1999 Terry Kluytmans
Mrs. Murphy gave a party Just about a week ago. Everything was plentiful, The Murphys, they're not slow. They treated us like gentlemen; We tried to act the same, If it weren't for what happened... Well, it was a doggone shame. When Mrs. Murphy dished the chowder out, She fainted on the spot; She found a pair of overalls At the bottom of the pot. McGinty, he got roaring mad, His eyes were bulging out, He jumped onto the piano And loudly he did shout:
"Who threw the overalls In Mrs. Murphy's chowder?" Nobody spoke, so he Shouted all the louder. "It's a rotten trick that's true, I can lick the drip that threw The overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder."
They dragged the pants from out the soup And laid them on the floor; Each man swore upon his life, He'd ne'er seen them before. They were plastered up with mortar And had patches on the knee, They'd had their many ups and downs As we could plainly see. And when Mrs. Murphy, she came to, She b'gan to cry and pout, She'd put them in the wash that day And forgot to pull them out. McGinty, he excused himself For what he said that night, So we put music to the words And sang with all our might:
"Who threw the overalls In Mrs. Murphy's chowder?" Nobody spoke, so we Shouted all the louder. "It's a rotten trick that's true, And we'll lick the drip that threw The overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder."
Name: Pat McF
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 10:05:54 PM
Mike Garvey - you're pretty quick and correct.
Name: mike garvey
Email: chesterchevy19061@yahoo.com
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 9:58:53 PM
14) spend like a drunken sailer. Marcus Hook
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 9:51:07 PM
PAT: You're right Chester Township was established in 1682 (Q# 5). The rest of that answer is hard, so forget it - but the answer is Brookhaven, Parkside, Upland, Toby Farms, Feltonville and Chester. Too hard. Pat is right on #6 also, Chester was the county seat of Chester County at that time. Told ya' it was easy.
It's hard keeping count, but I believe Pat is now ahead by 3 points - Kate has 2-1/2. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm no historian, nor an authority on Chester's history; I just happen to have Lou Warfel's book with all the answers, except for the ones I make up, and I hope they're obvious. He-he.
NEW QUESTION: No. 9 - Name at least 6 city streets in Chester that are named after our forefathers; i.e., presidents, men in government, signers of the Declaration; local politicians, etc. - any 6.
No. 10: How many settlers did Wm. Penn bring with him to America?
No. 11: What type of workmanship, labor did Wm. Penn encourage to settle here and from what countries did they come? Second part not as easy as you may think.
No. 12: Caleb Pusey's original home still stands. Where is it located?
No. 13: What ethnic group first settled in Marcus Hook - from where in Europe did they come?
No. 14: Where did the saying, "Spends like a drunken sailer" originate? (Part of Delaware County).
No. 15: Last, but not least, and by far the most important, who really threw those overhauls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder, and why?
Good Luck - have fun - hope you enjoy doing this. After all, it's our town we're talking about.
Name: corky
Email: corky_1964@hotmail.com
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 8:36:03 PM
Donna,I was reading your post to Beth and i was wondering if your brother Joey is married to Marie.And also do you have a cousin Billy.
Name: Jocko
Email: same
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 7:55:09 PM
also his nickname was Fritz
Name: Jack S
Email: jocko19971
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 7:53:35 PM
Last time i saw Charles Fromal he lived on Mildred Ave in Aston . He was the townships highway foreman.I believe he lived a a Charles court or something off concord ave or Franklin street only about 6 or 8 homes there in the Forties
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 7:53:33 PM
More interesting facts
http://www.techcrafters.net/Gen/Delaware/scripts/Townships.asp?TOWN=4
Name: dottie
Email: kskoneck@tampabay.rr.com
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 7:10:32 PM
hey,tammy our computer was having alot of problems so i was not able to get on this site. but ,yes that would be fine if you e-mail me personally.it would be nice,too.
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 7:09:09 PM
Chester Township was established in 1682 if I'm not mistaken.
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 6:54:27 PM
I meant #6 Kate
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 6:52:32 PM
Was #5 answered? And is Pat correct on #5?
Name: Donna Marie Lewis
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 6:47:00 PM
Beth, I have responded to you a few times before, I guess you didn't notice. I told you I thought my brother Joey was in your class at Rez. Anyway I was just reading your posting on the Rez page, Yes I see Joey all the time. Infact I was with him this morning. Today was his kids first T-ball game. His oldest daughter is HayleyMarie and she just turned 7 and his boy Joey is 4. They played, and they have a third my god daughter McKenzie she's 2 and a half. Their all doing Great! He doesn't have a "pewter" yet but he comes over and uses mine alot. I'll tell him about all you guys and let him check out the site. Chris Dare was in his wedding. Next time I talk to my brother Jack the pizza man,lol, I'll tell him about the Be-bop girl ok. I'll let Joe know you were asking about him.
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 6:45:33 PM
I believe initially that Chester was the County Seat for Chester County before changing the County Seat to West Chester. Media is Delaware County's County Seat.
Name: Pat McFadden
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 6:35:18 PM
Sorry about the last post. The server must be very busy, because I had to click twice just to get my computer to respond to ANYTHING - yes, folks, I think I'm starting to "crash" anyday now. Just a matter of time, or "posts" as some may say.
Again sorry to seem to always be here, but I read something in today's paper that I cannot get off my mind and I want to share it with all of you and get your opinion. Yes, it has to do with not only the history of Chester, but every small town in the country.
A woman wrote (I believe Dear Abby - not sure) that when her baby was born, because both sets of grandparents lived in two other states besides the one in which she and her husband lived, the way she kept them informed of her baby's looks and growth, was everytime they went to the doctor, she placed a plain white paper under her baby, drew his outline, then drew and colored in hair, eyes, etc.!!!
Can someone explain this to me? This is what the American family has come to? What a joy for those grandparents to be able to cuddle a characture of their darling grandbaby and show it to all their friends, hang it on the front door for all to see and admire. Draw an extra smile on it, just to see it laugh, don't hear, just pretend. Even today's modern technology of emailing photos, cameras to record, will never take the place of the real thing.
Chester was poor in many respects, but wealthy with grandparents who were a vital part of our lives. I adored both of my g-parents. Being a g-parent myself, I never realized how much love, overwhelming love, a g-parent has for it's g-children. I would sit and look at my grandson and find it hard to believe that this beautiful, funny little boy was a part of me. And, oh what fun, what FUN, he and I had together; his giggle, his outstretched arms to come to me; his complete trust in me in everyway. I always sang "You are the Sunshine of My Life" to him, and I meant every word - he was one of the high points of my life. With each birthday of his, I would cry, "he's not going to be three anymore, etc." But each year drew us even closer. Don't mean to go on so about my own experience, but I know I speak for so many of you who know what I am talking about.
Now, because so many people haved moved away from their home base, some senior citizens are put in homes hopefully not to be heard from again. What oh what is to be done to correct this? Most children today have been denied the greatest love of all - their grandparents. Please give me your thoughts. It would be nice to hear about your g-parents. Florence has told us so much about her's, and you can detect in what she writes, how important they were to her.
And, oh, it looks as though interest has waned in our Chester history quiz, however question 6 is not yet answered. More tonight. I gave Kate an extra half point, because she answered the new question, half-right, just didn't give the name of the Law, which the question asked. So Kate's ahead, so far.
Name: The Deaf One
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 6:21:00 PM
Pat, it sure was wasn't it?
Name: Joe Rollo
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 5:18:36 PM
Pam, Ed Gebhart does not have an E-Mail address. As a matter of fact, he once said, in his column, that he doesn't even consider commuicating by E-mail. You'll have to "Snail-Mail" your story to him, I guess.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 4:54:03 PM
BETH: I do now recall someone - think it was Mike Mangan - who said there were two McGinn families. But the McGinns I knew lived in Buckman Village, not Trainer. Gosh, I forget the father's name of that family, but Mike knows. James was the oldest, killed in WWII, and the rest of the boys all had funny nicknames.
On Good Friday, the hours between Noon and 3 PM were so impressed upon us at Rez that to this day, I observe them and can't possibly imagine the agony He suffered for us. It's a most solemn time.
I saw the names "Fromal" and "Kershaw" here. You didn't indicate if you were researching those names, but here's a little information. There was an entire Fromal family who lived on Crosby Street (pretty sure that's the street) above 9th. There is a Charles Fromal who might still be living, don't know - he would be 70 now. I went to school with Janet Kershaw and her family lived at 1128 Upland. Don't know who she married, but she too would be 70. According to the list of deceased class members that Frank Vaul sent me, both these people are still with us. Good luck in your research.
WELCOME BACK DEAF ONE. You had to scroll through a lot of posts to respond to the one about the coal bins. Boys will be boys. It was fun discussing those bins and rain spouts, wasn't it? Don't stay away so long again.
Name: The Deaf One
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 3:14:20 PM
Thanks Kate. I was explaining to some younger generation that some stores were closed for 3 hrs on Good Fridays. Got some quizzical look as if I was crazy....LOL :)
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 2:54:47 PM
Location of Gov. Printz State Park
http://www.biderman.net/parks.htm
Name: Beth B
Email: Bethb222
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 2:45:53 PM
Pat McFadden: No I beleive the Butch Mcginn you are referring to was not actually related to my mom's family. There were two different McGinn families when I was growing up and I remember being told that the ones in Trainer just had the same name but were not immediate relatives. The Pat my Aunt was referring to was actually at lunch in Aston that day when thy tried to get a group together but their messages got mixed up and the one person was in town the week before. My Aunt knows of Butch.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 2:40:04 PM
The Deaf One, You are referring to Good Friday, From noon till 3, most things closed when I was growing up in the 60's...don't know when that stopped..
Name: The Deaf One
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 2:26:17 PM
Just getting all caught up with the site, been behind.
PidiPat no offense taken, as a child getting mom all worked up by playing in the coal bin in the basement, mother made sure I changed my clothes before going down there on Sundays to play.
"Blue Laws" this is off the point as I remember as a kid stores were closed but... that's another story.. While attending a catholic school in Brookhaven (yes I am deaf) in the 50's and 60's when on Fridays we were not allowed to eat meat, on Good Friday did any stores closed at Noon and re-open at Three O'clock around that time or should I say era?
Name: Dorothy Burrell Houpt
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 1:55:19 PM
John, very enjoyable site.I was born in Chester in 1936. This site brought memories I thought I had forgotten.Keep up the good work. In reply to a message posted 10/12/00 from, PAULA ( Locowicki ) DRYDEN. I am a BURRELL and my G Aunt Annie married a FROMAL, they had a son named Elmer. That is about all I know of a Fromal.I have very little on Burrell. Other than my great Grandfather John came from England in 1885.He was married to Margaret Kershaw.They lived on Woodrow St.I am having trouble finding anything on my Grandmother JENNIE COOMBES BURRELL who was married to John AND MARGARET'S son GEORGE.I hope this help's. Now in reply to HUBERT DEWEES and HUBERT MARSHALL : I do remember you. Agnes went to school with my Mom Lib . They remained very close friends until my Mom passed away in 1988. I believe she went before Agnes did. I remember Agnes talking about you being a volunteer fireman.I am Lib's daughter Dot,I now live in Florida.Just wanted to say hello.
Name: FlorenceSmalleyKnottChs50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 1:49:24 PM
Pat, I would go back for one Sunday. Every day back then, we all ate dinner together.I carried that on with my family, we always ate together. Now in these days we try to do a lot of family dinners, It is very important to the children, I notice around where I live they never sit down at the dinner table together.
Name: Pat McFadden
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 1:29:51 PM
Yes, Sundays were the day of rest back then. That was also a packed day. Mass in the morning, breakfast, then off to the Lyric to see the latest movie there, eat enough candy bars to make us sick, and then home to listen to "The Shadow Knows" and "Gangbusters" while dinner was being prepared. Sunday was my favorite day.
On Sundays, however, my stepfather,loved to open our windows and doors and as loud as possible he would play his opera music; but he mostly played the music from "Carmen" - which wasn't bad, but oh mein gad - the neighbors couldn't think straight and I would get really embarrassed. So, I had to go somewhere and the movies served that purpose.
I'd go back again for just one day despite the loud, ear-bending music.
Name: RC
Email: Email
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 1:09:52 PM
The Blue Laws were never fully adhered to because it was impossible. they were based on a literal interpretation of the Bible--"on the seventh thou shalt rest". But the cows had to be milked and the live stock fed. Then came the industrial revolution. Can you imagine shuting a steel mill down and starting up again on Monday. There was also the question of which is the seventh day. Every calender I have its saturday. Some religions say that is their Sabbath and if they had a business, they opened on sunday with no competition."What a tangled web we mortals weave".Any way I made a little extra money out of it. I was working as an usher when the businesses were trying to get the blue laws repealed. My boss hired me to go door to door handing out literature in favor of repeal. The liquor laws are another can of worms. When "prohibition" was repealed, every little municipality made their own rules.
Name: PamRHS75
Email: watt6@aol
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 12:41:44 PM
As I drive up 95 from De. that "smell" is home, kind of comforting. Welcome back Floyd, we missed you. Do you know if Ed Gebhardt has an emale? I have an interesting story for him.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 11:26:52 AM
Hi EG, Yes I do remember you and all your sister, I'm fine, living the good life in Panama City Beach, Fl.
Name: EG
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 7:17:45 AM
The "Blue Law" is a state law, not a city law and it still exist, just ignored. When the Blue Law was being enforced, Sunday was the day of rest. My mother who will be eighty still refuses to shop on Sunday. But unfortunatly, we have become a society that can no longer rest on Sunday. I remember Sundays in Chester, We all went to church, had an early dinner, and enjoyed the day, with friends and family, would have a baseball game in the McCaffery village playground on 11th street, just goof off and enjoy our lives. Now we have become so busy, that we no longer have a day of rest, seven days of being busy, but I still go to church with my mother and we spend that day together. Kate, I do know you, you lived 3 doors from my family, your sister still visits our family, and she was with us for my sisters birthday. hope all is well with you.
Name: Beth B
Email: Bethb222@aol.com
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 3:08:55 AM
The only Blue law I remember growing up in Chester referred to alcohol sales. I Remember that under no circumstances were my relatives allowed to open any of the beer distributor doors on Sunday. When I bartended at Rube's Village Cafe and Dominic's Other place the only reason they could serve alcohol on Sunday was because they served food. The shopping one must have been done away with long ago but I believe the alcohol sales blue laws are still in effect.
Name: Pat McFadden
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 1:09:10 AM
Harvey - I just read your post and again, somewhere I read that Chester was called "Printz" at one time. Isn't that interesting? The only Printz I ever heard of was Freddie. Imagine - we could all proclaim, "I come from Printz, Pennsylvania. No, no, would never work; somehow, Chester has a better sound to it.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 12:51:32 AM
Well Patricia, when I said it had to do with alcohol, I didn't know I had to say the Blue Law, so in a way I was right.. No selling on Sunday.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 12:40:33 AM
Alright - apparently you're having a hard time answering the new question, and Kate wants to know the answer - that means no winner for this question.
At the same time that Chester Township was established in 1682, in keeping with the influence of a Puritan Culture, the assembly adopted the "Blue Laws". The Blue Laws, as far as I know, are still in effect in PA (if not, please correct me), that meant, all bars must close at midnight on Saturday and no alcohol beverage of any type is to be sold on Sunday. When I lived there, even retail stores were closed. I was so used to it that when I moved out west, I couldn't believe you could go shopping on Sunday!!! I also think that's where the saying, "He/she said something blue." Don't know how that color was chosen - or what it had to do with something "bad" or "evil". Ah, the mysteries of life - I've never found you!!
To: Beth Bucella Beal - Your Aunt Babsie was related to my very good friend, Butch McGinn. If I am the "Pat" you're referring to, tell her I loved him dearly and he was a big part of my growing up. No one could ask for a better friend of the opposite sex, than Butch was to me. He was the big brother I never had. I still can't believe he's gone.
Name: Donna
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 12:33:26 AM
Hey I'm a Rezzer too! And the Rez page is pretty active these days, that's cool that more and more people are finding it. I was real happy to reconnect with 2 of my classmates from the class of "78, that was nice to find them. I wonder though if it's just me and my computer or is it the site that it isn't real easy to read the postings like it is on here. I have to always hold down the wheel and move it to the right or left to read the paragraphs. Beth, do you have that problem reading the posts? I wish I were able to go to church some sunday back at Rez, I wish we could. I used to love it in May when we had the May Procession in honor of Mary at Rez. That was like my favorite time of the school year, that and it was close to getting out for summer! I liked all the songs we would sing but I think my favorite was "Ave Maria"
Name: Beth Bucella Beal
Email: Bethb222@aol.com
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 12:13:56 AM
I graduated Rez in '82. My aunt graduated Rez in '52 and ND in '56.
The Resurrection site has had lots of people checking in this past week so if yo having checked in lately and you are a "Rezzer" give a holler!
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/13/2002
Time: 12:03:38 AM
Beeth, what years are you talking about??
Name: Beth Bucella Beal
Email: Bethb222@aol.com
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 11:57:20 PM
Just returned from a dinner with some of the family at Stanley's an the big discussion was the oldchester website. I keep reading to my Aunt Babsie (Barb McGinn Padgett) some of the postings(no "pewter") and tonight she mentioned she had been to lunch with some classmates from Rez at O'Flaherty's in Aston and the they were talking about the REUNION TO BE and the meeting to plan it. I hope some real plans get made!
P.S. She did mention a Pat but and told u I was here but forgot to get your screen name so I could find you!!!
Name: Donna
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 11:29:22 PM
Harvey nice link to the chester creek pictures. I looked at them all. One brought back memories I had of something I learned how to do on that road that showed incinterator road. hahaha I'll keep the memory to myself though. I do remember practicing driving there too! I really liked the pictures of Linville. I love that place especially at Halloween time, I used to work there once too! See Ya Thanks!
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 11:26:30 PM
My next guess would be prostitution, concerning W.C.Fields, O.K. tell us what it is?????
Name: Donna
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 11:22:43 PM
Hi Tom, no I don't go to Bonner's anymore, I guess it's been about 10 years now since I've been there.However, I still see or hear about Carol&Tred because my mom (Arlene) is best friends with Carol. If you are the Tom I'm thinking about, I went to a business school 12 years ago I'm pretty sure it was, and when I was done for the day I would go visit Carol and there I met a real nice guy named Tom B and he helped me with my homework a little bit, I think it was the math maybe, "cos I kinda always hated math. I lived up on Peoples Street.
Name: mike garvey
Email: chesterchevy19061@yahoo.com
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 10:23:18 PM
1007 Booth Street. shinning shoes in all the bars. packing bags at Penn fruit. buying shoes at Pick way. The old chester Library. The Beer celler. Thier is so much. I Miss my city.
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 10:07:35 PM
The Castle - From: Nether Providence Through the Years
After the Civil War, the landscape of the township began to change. As wealthy Philadelphians discovered the lush scenery, delightful breezes and large open spaces, they descended on Nether Providence. They built summer residences and vacation .resorts. At first, local farmers would board guests in their homes. Then hotels began to appear to accommodate the more affluent visitors. The most noteworthy of the resorts was the Idlewild Hotel, built in 1871 by David R. Hawkins. It was located at the edge of the township in Upper Providence (on the corner of Idlewild Lane and Galey Street). The building at the corner of Providence and Brookhaven Roads (Hinkson's Corners), built in 1764 as a store, was changed into a resort hotel. At 609 East Baltimore Pike, the eighteenth century farm house was remodeled to be a summer resort by Peter Worrall. The building at 403 North Providence Road (across from Plush Mill Road) which had been built in 1746 and changed to a general store in 1849, became the Briggsville Inn to accommodate the flood of visitors. The appearance of hotels in the Township attracted the attention of other prominent Philadelphians who began to spend their summers here. They built new homes or expanded the old farmhouses that dotted our landscape. T. Ellwood Allisson built "Cony Meade" in 1905, just off Turner Road. By the time it was demolished it was known infamously as "The Castle". E. J. Caldwell, the jeweler, built next to the Wallingford Elementary School.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 9:37:49 PM
KATE - That is very interesting that "kill" means "waterway". I knew it meant something - like perhaps Killarny in Ireland - first part "kill". That's great. For years, I have been interested in what surnames mean and have found almost every surname means something. My father always wondered what our name meant (he and I share the same curiosities) and he passed away before I was able to tell him that "Fadden" means "little streamlet" - "Mc" means "son of". Thank the good Lord, our last name wasn't "Birch" or something similar. Our last names give us a lot of insight into our ancesters - and we should investigate.
Thanks Kate.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 9:26:58 PM
Now Kate - Although W.C. Fields had no love or use for children, he had an overwhelming desire for the other. However, the "law" that was passed had a definite name - still exists today. Drove many a man to a neighboring state just to wind up an overnight "guest" of that state. Although WC's nose was "red" the law had a different name.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 9:25:02 PM
Patricia, Kill from Upland Kill means a waterway in 17th c. & that would be Chester Creek, as we know it.
Name: Kate (N.D.'65)
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 9:14:50 PM
I was recently encouraged to add some things that I remember from Notre Dame, my friend Patsy was into hair dressing & her hair was teased & sprayed & along came the disciplinarian nun put her head under the water fountain & she was soaked, guess that was supposed to be a lesson.
Name: Tom
Email: Tmorr42@aol.com
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 8:54:52 PM
Someone mentioned MORTON AVE., Sun Village. I grew up in Sun Hill and we would go aross I-95 EVERY WEEKEND TO morton ave. Some stores I remember: Joe's Hardware, Sears, The 5 & 10,Pebbles,Squire's Hoagies,and A jewelry Store.
Other GREAT Stores for kids were: Arcus's on Providence Road, Fran & ann's on 14th st (my hood)
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 8:53:31 PM
Was the law W.C.Fields didn't like about alchohol or kids
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 8:35:20 PM
Friends and neighbors, you did so well on the last quiz that almost all questions were answered except 5 and 6 - and both are very important to the history of Chester.
I see that everyone is waiting with "bated breath" (what is "bated breath" anyway or is it "baited breath") and the following is a count of our "winners" so far: Q#1: Paul Crowther; Q#2: Kate; Q#3; a tie - Kate and Pat (no last name); Q#4: UW (his answer makes sense to me and I think everyone agrees - hopes so anyway); and Q#7: CH - good thinking CH - give Mr. Farquard our regards if you ever hear from him, poor old guy, all those years with only a flashlight to see what was going on the back rows. No wonder he moved to Phoenix - had to cool off!
Question 5 is: In what year was "Chester Township" established and what cities did it include? 6. What was the county seat of Chester County? Q#6 is easy.
New Question: At the same time Chester Township was established, what law came into effect that is still in effect today? This law is one of the reasons W. C. Fields never visited Chester on a Sunday - just to bypass Philadelphia.
Kate was kind enough to email me the history of Upland Kill. She and I are now both wondering what "Kill" means when connected to a city. It almost sounds Scottish to me, but then what do I know. We determined it might be the Swedish name for village, town, city, etc. Anyone know?
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 7:00:34 PM
Chester Creek Trail Photos
http://members.tripod.com/~ctrail/trailpixthumbs.htm
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 6:50:35 PM
Photos of Ridley Creek
http://www.sportinggentleman.com/map.htm
Name: Kate (N.D. '65)
Email: Lucydesi8@comcast.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 11:15:47 AM
Jim, Thanks, I did visit the site,Lenape was a great place for kids & a great time. Another nice memory of growing up in Chester. Kate
Name: Tom Chs76
Email: t9257@yahoo.com
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 10:29:17 AM
Donna: Yes, I know the whole crew at Bonners. There was a trophy there with my name on it when I was the captain of the pool team we won our division. If you still go there tell Carol and Tred I said hi. If you know me give me a hint who you are.
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 9:14:37 AM
Fort Christina is in Delaware NOT Virgina...
Sorry
Name: Harvey Martin
Email: hsmartin@snip.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 8:54:05 AM
Descendants of Joran Kyn
Joran Kyn was born Bet. 1617 and 1620 in Sweden, and died Bet. 1687 and 1693 in Upland, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Notes for Joran Kyn: Joran came to America in the company of Governor John Printz in the ship Fama which sailed from Stockholm on the 16th of August 1642. The ship stopped first at Dahlehamn, Copenhagen, Helsingör, then left Gottenburg Castle for the Spanish Sea (Atlantic Ocean). The Fama accompanied by its sister ship The Svanen (The Swan) coasted along Portugal and Barbary and passing far to the south of the Canary Islands, landed at Antigua where the passengers spent the Christmas holydays at the Governor's house. At 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon on the 15th of February 1643, after encountering a severe storm at sea, the Fama finally arrived at Fort Christina in New Sweden, Virginia. Here Joran remained for a short time enjoying the company of fellow countrymen before moving with Governor Printz to build a new fort which was named Nya Götheborg and a mansion which was named Printzhof. Joran lived in a rulla dated by Printz at Kihrstina, June 20, 1644. Possibly because of his light complexion, Joran was given the nickname Snöhuilt (Snow White). He was listed as a soldier in the Governor's lifeguard. It was not long before Joran moved to the site of Upland Kill (now Chester Creek) where he became a substantial land holder. Joran was a Swedish Lutheran in religion and was buried either in the cemetery of his fellow countrymen at Chester or the older cemetery at Tinicum.
Name: Jim
Email: eagleskick@att.net
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 8:53:18 AM
Kate 65 ND.
I remember Lenape well. The only thing I could find on it is http://apnostalgia.crosswinds.net/index.html
The old Riverside Park is there also.
West Ender Highland Gardens.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/12/2002
Time: 12:41:14 AM
Upland Kill was the same area as Upland, you can find everything under the History of Dela. County or just type Upland Kill to find a link
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:56:22 PM
I just notice two posts by Kate and Pat - Yes it was a part of Upland before Penn, at the request of his friend Pierson changed it to Chester after Cheshire, England, from whence Pierson came. Kate, what was Upland Kill?
Really going to bed now. Goodnight.
Name: Pat McFadden
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:47:31 PM
CH: Great answer - I have to say you cracked me up - you've got a good sense of humor. That's what we need more of on this board - humor.
Good night everyone.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:44:54 PM
Was it Upland Kill
Name: Pat
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:42:36 PM
Pat
Would the surrounding city be Upland?
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:27:32 PM
KATE: Your right again - England. However, the prior name of our settlement is the answer to No. 3 - Chester was included (not known as Chester then) in a city name that still remains in Delaware County - a very close neighbor.
UW - "Castra" doesn't mean you're wrong. Have you considered the names of towns/cities in England that end with "chester" - Dorchester, Winchester, Chichester, Manchester - why do they end with "chester"? Could mean "army post" - considering all the wars England went through. But I did read one time that Chester was a fort or stronghold of some time - the last to give in - in Ireland.
Name: CH
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:22:17 PM
Answer to Question #7 is Herman Farquard, lived at 3rd & Pennell for years, retired and moved to Phoenix I believe.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:15:01 PM
o.k. England, very easy, but what was the name of the settlement before he changed it to Chester?
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:11:52 PM
DONNA... I know the two Roses at Bonners in Feltonville!
Name: Donna
Email: AquarianWoman@msn.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:05:56 PM
Tom, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and see if my hunches are right. After reading some of your postings I see you mention people that I know too. The other day I think you posted your last name to someone and it sounded so so familiar to me. Question? do you know Carol the bartender at Bonner's in FeltonVille?
Name: Pat McFadden
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 10:53:08 PM
PAUL CROWTHER has answered Q. #1 correctly; knew you were smart, Paul.
KATE has answered Q. 2 correctly; however, what country in Europe was his good friend from? The country is important here also - Hint: Very easy; she was our "mother country".
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 10:18:02 PM
# 2 question can be found right here on the web site..... Wm. Penn changed the name to Chester after a place in Europe where one of his closest friends was born
Name: U.W.
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 10:02:02 PM
oops: "Castra" is a Latin word.
Name: U.W.
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 10:00:05 PM
I'll try: Chester comes from the Roman word "Castra" which means Army Post.
Name: kATE'65 N.D.
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 9:38:05 PM
IS THAT WHY LENAPE PARK WAS NAMED. REMEMBER GOING THERE, WHERE WAS THAT LOCATED? rEZ STUDENTS WENT TO lENAPE FOR THEIR CLASS TRIP AT THE END OF THE YEAR IN '61. NICE MEMORIE
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 9:32:56 PM
I'll take a guess at the Indian tribe. Haven't looked it up. Was it the Lenni-Lenape?
Name: Mark Weiler
Email: mark_weiler68@yahoo.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 9:11:49 PM
Wow Beth... you've got a great memory. I think CN is actually still standing. I haven't been pact there in a long time. I vaguely remember seeing you at BeBop on my 21st b-day. Then again, everything from that night was and will always be a vauge memory. I know what I do remember clearly, and I think it's safe to post here, 494-BETH. To this day I know of no-one else who's phone number was their name.
Good seeing you here!
Name: R2
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 9:02:54 PM
Go to Chester on the www site & all questions will be answered, so I guess it depends on who is the fastest & who is playing.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 8:44:02 PM
Hear ye, hear ye! All members of the board, come to attention. Make sure all weapons have been checked at the front desk, this includes brass knuckles, b-b guns and the art of spitting in another's face. Let's get on with the meeting. It has come to my personal attention that the history of Chester, Pennsylvania has been neglected lately. Therefore, we will focus on and put all our attention on the history of the city in which we were born and hopefully enjoy what we learn.
First item on the agenda is that we must know the history of Chester, not make assumptions of any type. In order to achieve this, we have a series of questions, have no idea at this time, how many questions, but there probably should be a winner. The winner of this "contest" will receive a reservation on the flight of his/her choice to Phoenix, AZ, at his/her expense. You are then invited to personally visit at the home of yours truly, for coffee, tea or the beverage of your choice - $1.00 coffee/tea/soft drink - a drink of another nature will be $3.50 each. No meals served.
Here are the questions:
1. What is the name of the Indian tribe who inhabited the region closest to the site of Chester city? 2. From where did the name "Chester" come? 3. Prior to being named "Chester" what other still-existing city in Delaware County did it share its name? 4. What does the name "Chester" mean? 5. In what year was "Chester Township" established and what cities did it include? 6. What was the county seat of Chester County? 7. What was the name of the head usher at the Stanley Theater in 1950?
The history of Chester is by far, the most interesting of what came later.
Now, on with the answers!
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 8:33:39 PM
Jack - that was very interesting about the origin of BV - very. I too wonder where the "cutest little village in the whole world" got its name.
Name: Charllie Landis CHS 68
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 7:45:14 PM
Floyd, I don't remember the name of the 5 & 10, but I remember buying many tubes of glue for building models in there, I also remember one time they would not sell me glue because the people were sniffing the glue in paper bags. I also seem to remember that in the back of the store was another section which help only toys, you had to walk up a small ramp to get into this area.
Name: Kate
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 7:31:40 PM
Thanks Dan, that was my point, on my way back I could smell Chester before I got near it....living there one does not notice...
Name: Dan CHS 54
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 7:28:07 PM
Lewis--You can add Sinclair, Viscose(sp?),and Congoleum odors coming up from Linwood and Marcus Hook.And we had Medford's in Chester. But you know, when you lived there you didn't notice it. You had to leave for a while,then you would notice it when you came back.
Name: RC
Email: Email
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 7:03:28 PM
To Jack Rez 51--Thanks for the info on Buckman Village. I vaguely knew it was built around the 1st WW time but had never heard any names. the trouble is, your information makes one hungry for more details. The main one, where did the name "Buckman" come from. Hope somebody comes up with that answer.
Name: U.W.
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 7:02:32 PM
Kay (Vincent)Kilgore:
If you go to the home section on the menu to the left and click on What's new. Once there, scroll down to the bottom to the date: 1/27/2002
It is about Ranger Joe, the show and very interesting read.
Name: Kate ND'65
Email: Lucydesi8@comcast.net
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 6:52:59 PM
Hey Lewis, I am not offended by that saying because it is oh so true, I traveled back & forth to the Beach area in Rehoboth for a lot of years and every time I got close to 495 that smell was there, it was a part of that area & I'm sure still is. Kate
Name: Lewis H. Averett
Email: osson97@aol.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 6:46:32 PM
I am researching the following Chester families: POWELL, O'HARA, KELLY, MOONEY.
Name: Lewis Averett
Email: osson97@aol.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 6:44:36 PM
I recall my mother, who grew up in Chester, saying that she remembered that quote as being "What Chester makes, makes Chester smell!" I suppose that referred to the odors from Sun Oil and Scott Paper Company mingling over the city. Hopeno one is offended by this cute comment from the past.
Name: Jack Rez51
Email: jfralston55@aol.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 4:13:35 PM
Buckman Village History
Architect of Buckman Village
Brumbaugh, George Edwin (1890 - 1983) Born: 8/27/1890, Died: 1/29/1983
G. Edwin Brumbaugh, son of former Pennsylvania Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh and Anna Konigmacher Brumbaugh, was born in Huntingdon, PA. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia and received his B.S. in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1913.
During World War I, Brumbaugh was associated with the Emergency Fleet Corporation and with the Philadelphia firm of Simon & Bassett, Architects, on Buckman Village in Chester, Pa.
The Buckman Village project was a residential development for the Chester Shipbuilding Co. (The Emergency Fleet Corporation). The development included 227 dwellings, one boarding house for 25, one hotel, and 23 apartments.
Simon & Bassett, Architects (1905-1918), occupied an office at 1112 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
Reference: http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/
The Emergency Fleet Corporation was most likely the predecessor to The Sun Shipbuilding Company. The hotel was more than likely the building at 10000 Meadow Lane. The apartment buildings were along Keystone Road, along 10th Street between Keystone and Meadow Lane and along Meadow Lane between 9th Street and 10th Street. For its time, the Buckman Village development was beautifully conceived and executed.
Almost 90 years later, the Village is still thought of as one of the great neighborhoods of Old Chester.
Name: ME2
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 2:25:46 PM
TO GEORGE: Yes that was before my time on the Zubryzki (sorry on spelling) store. But I did know a Matt and Marty Z. I think they are Chet's sons but I am not sure as I don't know Chet. I grew up on third street one block from Chester. Thanks for the bit o history on the store. take care.
Name: Florence Smalley KnottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 1:01:08 PM
Kay, my husband also worked there many years ago.Floyd,that was very nice, a good memory. 100 yrs. ago today Wesley S. McDowell was reinstalled as President of the Felton Firehouse in Chester. 75 yrs. ago, more than 20 fire cos.with their firefighting apparatus and 300 volunteer fireman participated in a parade for the dedication of the new $40,000 firehouse andcommunity building of Springfield Fire Co. #1.Also 100 yrs ago The Reverend William Harrison Towle, rector of ST.Lukes protestant Episcopal Church, was united in marriage with Fannie Stephens.The bride is a tall and statly brunette of charming manners and will be of great assistance to her husband in the work at the parrish.
Name: floyd murray
Email: gooddoc02@hotmail.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 11:30:01 AM
Hi Everyone :-)- Had to take the time to respond to Movin On who wrote "Remember the 5 and 10 on Morton Ave in sun village? its funny how much people and things are missed when they are gone, isn’t it?" God, YES! I’m racking my brains for the “official” name of the place and I am not sure who the owner was but the proprietors were most certainly Etta and Mr. Bookman. Etta was a lady in her 40’s or 50’s, with glasses, and Mr. Bookman was an older gentleman, tall and stooped over, with gray hair. He always wore a sweater no matter what the season, it seemed. When I was a kid living on Dupont St., with my parents, they used to take me there virtually every Friday night, when we weren’t going shopping in downtown Chester. Since I was an only child, people thought I was spoiled (I wasn’t) but Mom and Dad did buy me virtually every toy I wanted in there. I was into the little toy cowboys and soldiers (these were the days before G.I. Joe) and of course the other things every boy wanted – toy guns, holsters, etc. They had quite a toy collection there as I recall after all these years. As you walked in the front door, the counter was on your left – they used to sell trinkets from behind the counter, things like rabbit’s feet, other key chains, etc. Mom used to buy her sewing supplies in there also. Like most 5 and dimes of the time, this place had virtually everything. In front of the counter was a large section for greeting cards – to the far right of the store was, I recall, some stationary type things. Along when I was about 8-10 years old, somewhere in that age, I saw a beautiful toy gun in there – unlike any I had ever seen before. It was (I was later to learn this, but I am not “into” guns) a replica of a circa Civil War Colt, I think they call them Navy Colts, with the type of barrel you “broke” open to load, and it had a gold, removable cylinder for the toy lead bullets. The top came off the bullets and you could put a single cap in there and fire it. It was heavy as hell, as it was made of metal, and it had a long, silver barrel, a white plastic handle and some ornamentation on the barrel. It was in a large box with a clear plastic cover and it fit nicely into artificial red velvet type material. Guess Who fell madly in love with it? But it was all of $5, maybe $6, and back then, the average toy gun was about a buck or two at the most. My parents balked a little at the cost but one fine Friday night, during our weekly trip to Sun Village - complete, of course, with a roast turkey and gravy dinner at the Melrose Diner – Jan, a blonde-haired lady, was the owner and a big, red-haired fellow named Dave was the cook – we went into the 5 and 10 and sure enough, they bought me the gun I had longed for since the moment I first saw it. I remember Mr. Bookman kidding me, saying something like, “Well, they finally got it for you!” Yes, they did – God Bless my parents. “….but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Good words of wisdom - But I could never let go of that gun. While packing away some boxes recently for my move, I found an old box I had been carrying with me for years – and there it was again. It’s still beautiful and looks the same. It’s been well cared for these many years. I have a friend of mine, an attorney here in Media, who has a very similar type of gun hanging in his office – his revolver is real however and mine, while heavy and metal, is still a toy. But I like mine better and when I settle in again, I plan to get the type of gun hangers he has and hang it up on the wall as an ornament. It will look great there. As far as the 5 and 10, I know it was still around as late as 1973. By then, I was living with my parents in Sun Village, at 1119 Terrill St. My friends and I were running around with some girls from Cardinal O’Hara at the time and Cecilia, my girlfriend back then, had a best friend named Cathy, a lovely kid who developed bone cancer at such an early age. In April of 1973, I was preparing for the first of my many travels out west, to Colorado, and Cathy was in the hospital at the time – the cancer had metastasized and her leg had been removed. Awful. She was an honor student and had plans to be a doctor. Life can really suck sometimes. Anyway. I bought a cheerful get well card for her at that Sun Village 5&10 and mailed it just before I left on that long journey. I stayed out there close to a month – I was working as a mailboy at Sun Ship then (everyone did their time there, didn’t they?) and damned near lost my job as I only had two weeks vacation coming and I stretched it as far as I could, staying for over three weeks. And Cathy tragically passed away while I was out there. I didn’t know it until I got home – my Mother did not want to tell me when I was out there. Not long after that – around 1973-74 – either Etta or Mr. Bookman died – I honestly cannot remember what happened – but the store closed after that. And I still have that beautiful toy gun and plan to make it a wall ornament soon. Some of the bullets are gone, but I still have a few in that box. If any former Sun Village residents can remember the name of that 5&10 it would be great but I honestly cannot recall it right now. I think it had a name which had nothing to do with either Etta or Mr. Bookman – as the name Ryan’s did not give a clue that Eddie Dodds was the owner or Hutchinson’s was not Vern Triboletti’s name. But I’ve been working all night and maybe it will come back to me after I sleep for an hour or so. Anyway, my very best to everyone here and thanks again for this great page.
Name: PamRHS75
Email: watt6@aol
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 10:51:45 AM
Kay--- My grandmom worked there many yrs. ago. She lost her diamond ring there!
Name: Kay (Vincent)Kilgore
Email: kilgorekljlk@aol.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 9:19:03 AM
Does any one remember the Ranger Joe cereal factory at the west end of Chester. It may have been on Booth Street??
Name: Tom CHS76
Email: T9257@yahoo.com
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 8:57:16 AM
Ahh, AquaNet, I use to steal my sisters...... :)
Made a heck of a flame thrower if you held a match to it.LOL, Sorry Sis.
Name: MOVIN ON
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 7:26:19 AM
REMEMBER THE 5 AND 10 ON MORTON AVE IN SUN VILLAGE? ITS FUNNY HOW MUCH PEOPLE AND THINGS ARE MISSED WHEN THEY ARE GONE, ISNT IT?
Name: Good Old Chester
Email:
Date: 4/11/2002
Time: 12:36:45 AM
What I miss the most about downtown Chester was the 5 & 10 cent Stores. Most had counters where you could grab a bite to eat, shop for practically any thing and the prices were just about right. I remembered Mc Crory's had a downstairs store, Silver's had a Photograph Booth where you slipped in a quarter and got 4 or 5 little snapshots. Then there was Woolworth's, Kereske's. Ches-Penn 5 & 10 was up past St Michaels Church. Money wasn't too plentiful in the old days, so the best one could do to buy presents was to go to the old 5 & 10 Stores. Now the dollar stores have taken over but the quality of merchandise isn't as good as it was way back when.
Name: Donna
Email: AquarianWoman@msn.com
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 11:49:54 PM
Oh I so remember all the cans of Aqua Net we went thru in our house alone, all my friends and their sisters and mom's used it too. Guess what, I have a big can of it right now in my bathroom closet , it's a guarntee hold for those really windy days like we've been having. Everytime I see a can of it I think of my grandmom and next door neighbor Betty.
Name: R2
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 9:26:51 PM
It was said before on here, I will say it again, some of us are glad that you are in Phoenix, Arizona, and this remains a Chester Pa. web site, what is it that you PP don't understand????
Name: mike silva
Email: keywestmike@aol.com
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 9:09:08 PM
hey charlie, we were neighbors because I lived in that old castle looking apt complex from 1974 till 1977, some spanish man owned it at that time and the college had 2 dorms next to it, stretching from there to melrose ave..my girlfriend and i lived on the third floor overlooking 95, what a view.....
Name: Pat McFadden
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 9:05:39 PM
Forgot to mention in my last post that those of you who watched last years baseball series saw our ballpark - Bank One Ballpark (BOB). It is fabulous and it's in downtown Phoenix. Hope you get a chance someday to visit there.
Name: U.W.
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 8:49:18 PM
April 10th, 1917...A bit of local history. From the Delco times of Dec.31, 1999.
Eddystone Ammunition Co.
There was a series of explosions Killed were 132 people. Hundreds more were injured. 80 percent of the victims were women. A mass burial for the bodies was at Chester Rural Cemetery.
Name: R2
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 8:22:26 PM
Good Old Chester, I have learned a lot, pink curlers were a hit years ago, no one mentioned all the Aqua net hair spray we use to use. And all the bars, we remember them b/c most of us visited each other at the local bars. And before my time the ladies beat all of there carpet out back, no one mentioned linoleum that poorer folks used. And what about bus transportation, Septa, not everyone had a car when they went to High School. And the dances & all the Music. Thank You John for this web site. It's nice to visit some memories
Name: Good Old Chester
Email: Not Arizona
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 8:00:59 PM
Now that we all read about the history of Phoenix, Arizona, and it's rehabilitation, how about getting back to Chester, Pennsylvania! Remember our "Chester Community Bulletin Board"? Remember Chester, it's in the Northeast of the country?
Name: CH
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 7:33:37 PM
Thank you, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Name: No Name
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 7:15:24 PM
WE all know what killed Chester....call it politics if you want but I call it segregation, whites moved in droves from the City after the Blacks moved to the West end.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 7:05:46 PM
TO CH: In all due respect, don't believe everything you hear. Metro Phoenix contains some of the most modern and up-to-date architectural buildings in the country. Not only is it not depressed, it is growing much too fast, the downtown area is being rejuvinated to the point, where very little is left of the original homes and buildings. They just opened a new addition to our "freeways". If anything, Phoenix is being compared to Los Angeles, not Newark. What is left in the "historic areas" people are buying and restoring all over the city. Just today, I drove along Roosevelt in the old downtown area and one block of the street looks like some of the charming parts of New York, with the awnings, etc. The economy is good and despite the summer heat, people move here from all over the country for work. The beautiful homes that have been built for miles surrounding Phoenix (at a good price) are equal to any other beautiful developments in the country.
I also lived in the Newark area right after I moved to NJ, and take my word for it - there is no comparison between Newark or present-day Chester. That's ludicrous. Phoenix city fathers never let the city die, and as discussed in previous postings, it was a bad politic machine that killed Chester. Just go back to December or January postings and you will see what was posted by, I feel, a reliable source. No need to rehash it again now.
I personally would prefer to live back east with the change of seasons, my childhood friends, etc. But each one of us must travel the road meant for us and circumstances re-rooted me here. I can appreciate your thoughts, but I live here, have for many years, and these are the facts.
Happiness is where the heart is - but some of my happiness is still there in PA.
Name: George
Email: gpmalick@wideopenwest.com
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 6:34:11 PM
Me2: I left Chester in '65 and Zubryzcki's grocery store was still there.
Name: me2
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 6:07:34 PM
I remember bombergers drug store on 3rd street, when was there a grocery store next to it just curious . it was probably before my time.
Name: Florence Smalley KnottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 12:43:19 PM
I believe it was called Irvings Mill
Name: Tom
Email: t9257@yahoo.com
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 12:31:56 PM
I just remembered the name of the person who owned the mansion. It was owned by one of the Leipers and that area in which it was located was Leiperville.
Name: TomCHS76
Email: T9257@yahoo.com
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 12:24:42 PM
The Apartment building you are talking about, if it is the building that was next to 95 on the corner. Then it is still there, it is a dorm now but I don't know if it is privately owned or if the college bought it.
The other building you were talking about on Bullens lane is still there it is not occupied as far as I know it may be owned by a construction guy or company I always see heavy equipment stored there. It is the old mansion of the guy who owned the mill that use to be down the hill from it. I forget the name.
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 10:40:05 AM
CH
?????
Name: trish
Email: pattidi@netzero.net
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 9:17:11 AM
does anyone remember the Noreen Shop on Welsh St across from Sam Ruebens
Name: C.H.
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 2:18:02 AM
I heard Phoenix described one time on the radio as the "Newark of Arizona", so it probably has a lot more in common with Chester than you think.
Name: George Malick
Email: gpmalick@wideopenwest.com
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 2:03:41 AM
To Raz: Ed, you can reach Al.Z through his nephew, Mark Zubryzcki, his e-mail is zman2000@hotmail.com and screen name is ppoorboy. He is Chet's son and you're right, Al's father did have a grocery store next to Bomberger's. George
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 1:33:48 AM
pp what does phoenix have to do with chester's history. there u go again
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/10/2002
Time: 1:19:13 AM
UW - I think you answered my question. It's nice to know I wasn't the only one who wondered about that building. Woodlyn sounds right to me. Thank you. The green "castle" doesn't ring a bell at all.
If any of you folks ever journey out here to Phoenix, we have a real castle built by a local dentist 15 yrs. or so ago, and it sits on the side of Camelback Mountain (center of the city). I've been through it and thought it was an architect's nighmare. The small "parlor" had or has two huge chairs - one for the "king" and one for his "queen", done in red and black velvet. I'd have to have a ladder just to get to the seat - dreadful things. In the master bedroom was a pool. The bed sat right next to the pool. Imagine turning the same way once too often!! The "dungeon" was set up as a cocktail lounge, and the walls were actually the side of the mountain. The drive up and down the STEEP road to get there was a frightening experience. Also, off to the side of the "parlor" was a huge separate room that consisted of a pool and poolside items. The ceiling opened up so that at night you could view the stars while in the pool. I guess you might call him a "romantic dentist". It's sad in a way because that man followed his dream, as the story goes, and then lost it all.
The dentist has since gone bankrupt and I don't know if it's possible to go through it any longer, but it can be seen from the road and it's quite impressive.
Name: Charlie Landis CHS68
Email: cnl3rd@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 9:50:51 PM
Mike, I grew up in Sun Village, lived there from 1949 till 1970, then got married and moved to 14th St. in Sun Hill, lived there until 1982.
Name: mike
Email: keywestmike@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 9:41:57 PM
hey folks, the green apt castle looking bldg i am talking about is located on e.14th st, a block down from melrose ave. , at Weidner University in the east end, in sun hill. any sun villagers or sun hill folks using this site?
Name: Paul D. Crowther
Email: pcrowther4@cogeco.ca
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 9:33:49 PM
The talk about rug beating reminded me of the time I took our living room rug out in the back yard,hung it over the clothes line and began beating it to death with a broom. I couldn't quite understand at first why our next door neighbor got so excited over it. With me not paying attention to the fact that she just finished hanging out her wash and the wind blowing in her direction,she was not too happy.
Name: Florence Smalley KnottCHS50
Email: buffyk@fast.net
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 9:10:13 PM
Patricia, George and I pass that pretty often. Next time we go by, I will take a good look at it. To me, the old Wetherill building kind of looked like a castle. If you went there for Hallowe'en, they always gave out dixie cups and they let you stay there and eat them.Very nice.
Name: U.W.
Email:
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 8:48:34 PM
Rz: Sorry I don't know that name at all. But I am sure someone from the Highland Avenue area will be able to help you. you know, I can't remember a grocery store next to Bombergers. Maybe before or after my time..
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PMcF: There was a big gray castle as you left Chester by bus to Darby. It was located on a hill on Bullens lane in Woodlyn. Visible from the bus route on McDade Blvd. It still stands there. do not know if anyone lives there or if it is boarded up. Saw it several weeks ago when I jumped off the Rt. 476 (Blue Rt.) for gas.
Name: corky
Email: corky_1964@hotmail.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 8:21:27 PM
Hay Jack, Yes I do remember.O goosh Tina must be about 23 or 24.I do remember jerry and tom but i don't recall spas. i moved from upland 2 years ago. I,m now living in linwood.Tell the family i said hi. I guess Tina doesn't remember me.Nice to hear from you.
Name: Raz
Email: cypresgreen#comcast.net
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 8:14:54 PM
Does anyone know where I can get intouch with Alfred ( AL) Zubrzycki? His Dad had a grocery store next door to Bombergers drug store. How about you UW, you seem to know everything and everybody from the west end of Chester.
Name: jack
Email: j.kersh@worldnet.att.net
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 7:35:18 PM
hi corky,
how ya doing! guess who!! you use to watch our daughter tina when we lived in upland. you might even remember tom bolger and jerry crowley from our house on 8th st. also. spas,i also see jerry every now and then.not as much as i use to....STILL NUTS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS...
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 7:33:14 PM
I've been reading about that "big green castle-looking" apartment complex. Exactly where was that located? It has been so long since I've been home, I cannot remember streets, locations as some of you do. But, there was one apartment complex that always intrigued me. It stood alone and sat on a huge mound, with each apartment having it's own stairway to the sidewalk. Perhaps 4-5 doors (apartments) on the front. I don't recall it being green, because as I remember the outside was a pretty graystone. It was not part of BV or metro Chester, but it seems to me I always passed it when leaving Chester limits and going to Glenolden, for example. Never saw any life there, and I always yearned for a "peek" inside. When I was there in the late 70's, I actually stopped to inquire about an apartment, but no one was available to show me one.
Does anyone besides yours truly know the building I'm referring to?
Name: Rick Shalander
Email: chevair@yahoo.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 7:14:17 PM
sorry for the CAPS
Name: Rick Shalander
Email: chevair@yahoo.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 7:13:32 PM
west end chat?? i got my AOL NAME NOW WHAT??
Name: mike
Email: keywestmike@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 6:24:24 PM
Hi to Nina: I lived in that big green Castle looking apt complex way back in the 70s. what a good time i had back then, i now live in fla nina but i remember the campus as a corner store owned by that nice older couple.I know tracy heatherington to that person asking,havent seen her since 1974 when we all went to wildwood for senior week, wow, long time gone. e-mail me nina, wanna see if i remember you.
Name: John F. Specht (Ronald)
Email: RFS4NOLA@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 5:34:06 PM
My cousin, Kathy Riberio (Mansell) turned me on to "Old Chester" just last week. I've spent most of my lunch hours this week reading and reliving events from my past. I grew up in Buckman Village, went to Rez., '58 and St. James, '61. I left the west end in '64 to enter religious life as a Trinitarian Brother. Since then I have lived various places around the the northeast, midwest, europe and most recently, the southeast. I have been in New Orleans since '82 and now call this home. I understand that someone named Kathy/Cathy has been looking for me and Jim Hanavan via 'Old Chester". Here I am. Let's hear from you....
Name: John F. Specht (Ronald)
Email: RFS4NOLA@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 5:27:06 PM
My cousin, Kathy Riberio (Mansell) turned me on to "Old Chester" just last week. I've spent most of my lunch hours this week reading and reliving events from my past. I grew up in Buckman Village, went to Rez., '58 and St. James, '61. I left the west end in '64 to enter religious life as a Trinitarian Brother. Since then I have lived various places around the the northeast, midwest, europe and most recently, the southeast. I have been in New Orleans since '82 and now call this home. I understand that someone named Kathy/Cathy has been looking for me and Jim Hanavan via 'Old Chester". Here I am. Let's hear from you....
Name: Tina
Email: Cupatea712@hotmail.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 3:08:26 PM
If anyone out there has relatives/ancestors buried at the Upland Baptist Church, be sure to take a look at the new link John set up to view the cemetery layout.
Thanks again, John, for a another priceless resource for those of us doing family research!
Name: Jack Ralston
Email: jfralston55@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 1:15:05 PM
I am looking for any information on the history of Buckman Village...when it was built...and who was the developer...
Name: Jack Ralston
Email: jfralston55@aol.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 12:47:20 PM
Name: Tom CHS76
Email: t9257@yahoo.com
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 11:43:32 AM
Spas: Yes, Jerry is still around and so is Sarah just saw her a couple of months ago.
Corky, I grew up in the village. I remember you I use to call you little Karen because you two looked so much alike. Bolger.
Name: Fred Voshell
Email: fred,voshell@verizon.net
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 11:02:17 AM
Great site. Thanks
Name: Nina
Email:
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 3:50:32 AM
To Spas: Yes, I remember the old castle looking apt. building on 14th St. I used to walk passed it most days to and from CHS. Was always fascinated by it. The Campus Casino used to be the Corner Store at one stage. It was a great place to meet (in the 60's). Sorry, can't recall the Duffy's or Heatherinton's.
To Sonia: Glad to see you found the site. Talk to you later.
Nina
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/9/2002
Time: 12:04:23 AM
TO C: You must be psychic! How in the world could you possibly know that I prefer to be called "Patricia? Thank you for that.
Name: Sonia
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 11:39:08 PM
Lived in Sun Hill and went to Chester High in the sixties
Name: Spas
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 11:02:17 PM
HEY fOLKS...I REMEMBER JERRY CROWLEY, I WAS GOOD FRIENDS WITH HIS SISTER SARAH. HE WAS A REAL NUT THAT GUY. USED TO SEE HIM ALL THE TIME AT RUBES VILLAGE CAFE. IS HE STILL AROUND?
Name: corky
Email: corky_1964@hotmail.com
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 9:07:07 PM
TomCHS76, Karen is doing good.She has three children 23,15,14.She lives in Trainer.I think I remember you from Karen.I do remember Karen Jones,Donna Hayes and Jerry Crowley.I'll tell her you said hi. but what is your last name.Nice to hear from you
Name: C.
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 8:32:37 PM
Patricia: I do remember beating the heck out of our rugs..I laughed at your memories because they were so much like everyone in my part of Chester during that time. Everyone had "Beat the Rug" day. I think all our parents did it on the same day.
one other thing I remember was the curtain stretchers. Or tablecloth stretches. Try to find one last year because of the antique crochet cloths I use and it is difficult. Pinched your fingers trying to pull the cloth taught.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 7:53:31 PM
To: TBILL: I certainly do remember Mary Mattera, a beautful dark-haired girl. She choose a profession I at one time thought of going into - that or teaching. Hope Mary remembers me. We had such wonderful teachers and classmates - our vacuum cleaners left a lot to be desired - but not the people we knew. Those certainly were the "good old days" - would like to return for just one day - just one day. Please give Mary my fondest regards.
And in response to R2's question - no, I'm not looking for serious anything, because when it comes right down to it, life is a stage on which each one of us plays a part, and if I can play the part of a clown, I'm happy!
Name: Dan CHS 54
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 7:46:44 PM
Tom CHS 76 Try Josten's.I believe they were and still are the major class ring producer in the area.
Name: John Ellis (CHS 57)
Email: JoJe1907@msn.com
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 7:34:02 PM
Hi Eleanor Ross We Have sent you a couple of e-mails,we did recieve your mail, will try to mail you again.
Name: tbill
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 7:23:15 PM
My wife was a member of the class of 1950 at C.H.S. Mary G. Mattera. She also went to Chester Hospital School of Nursing.
Name: tbill
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 7:14:02 PM
Pat, your vac. cleaner story was a ray of sunshine to me. I rember all of it. Were they the good old days? I think so.
Name:
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 6:57:53 PM
pp boring as hell oops h...
Name: John Ellis (CHS 57)
Email: JoJe1907@msn.com
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 6:54:34 PM
Hi Eleanor We recieved your E-Mail and responded on Sat.We were wondering why we hadn't heard from you. Will try again.Let us know if you get it. John
Name: George Malick
Email: gpmalick@wideopenwest.com
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 6:03:32 PM
Don't forget, tonight is West End Night in the chat room. Last week was a lot of fun and hopefully this week will be even better. So if your vacuum cleaner is broke or you've been beating rugs all day, take a break and drop in to join the actions,,,The chat room is at, http://prv-groups.aol.com/oldchesterpa/
George
Name: James Nolan
Email: jamesarthur33309@yahoo.com
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 5:59:39 PM
Worked at Grand Shoe Store during my high school years and would always get the "Sporting News" paper at the newstand...and you could sneak a peek at Playboy or Hustler...just a great little spot for a young mind to contemplate!...Cheers
Name: R2
Email:
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 5:56:46 PM
You are really looking for a serious discussions on vacuums, aren't you.
Name: Pat McFadden (CHS '50)
Email: pidipat@earthlink.net
Date: 4/8/2002
Time: 5:39:06 PM
$109.46 was charged to me today to repair my vacuum cleaner - an Oreck, nonetheless, that can even pick up a bowling ball. Oh yeah. It was 5-1/2 yrs old and of all things, the motor had to be replaced - and I never tried to pick up a bowling ball or anything resembling one, since I had it. Never occurred to me to take it to the bowling alley with me. As a matter of fact, I vacuumed once a month, whether it needed it or not. Also, it took the salesman 15 minutes on the computer before he was able to process my bill. I told him I was going to be late for my own funeral if he didn't hurry. And he wouldn't accept a dollar down and a dollar a week; seems he had to have a plastic card in payment. "No, no," he said, "not a holy card, a plastic card." Times have changed.
What does this have to do with Chester's history. I'll tell you what it has to do. First of all, whether you had rugs (usually 9 x 12) or not when the Electrolux man came to the door, you bought one anyway - gave him a dollar down and a dollar a week and you didn't have to wait for strange sounds coming from a box to get the bitter news of price.
BUT, prior to that, rug-beating day was a day I dreaded. Hull that weather-beaten thing out to the backyard, struggle to get it on the clothesline (remember clotheslines where all the neighbors could see into your private life) and beat the living hell out of that thing. Lord knows what was flying all around us from the beating that rug took. I can still see my mother wiping the sweat from her brow. If you laid it on the ground and beat it, you just picked up more debris from the ground. Then hull it back inside, rearrange all the furniture and voila, you had a half-beaten-to-death rug that didn't look much different. Then, you joyously stooped and picked up by hand all t