Old Chester, PA: Guest Book entries October 2001
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To Dave Babicki: OUR ELDERS? I'll bet more than a few choked on that one. You're right though, AnnMarie may not be the only one holding back from posting messages on the board. And We will definitely start WEST END night as soon as the Halloween party is over, we'll select a good night for it and kick it off in grand style. I'll send e-mails to everyone and John Bullock will probably post it also. If anyone doesn't know what we're talking about, just go to http://communities.msn.com/chesterchat/_whatsnew.msnw and you'll see the open invitation. George
Paul Crowther: PLEASE put the "C" in my last name, without the C it takes on a whole new connotation in these troubling times, G
I lived the first 21 years of my life in Chester and graduated from CHS in1948. My memories of Chester during WWII are still quite vivid. After serving in the Army during the Korean War and a stint in Germany,married the former Joan Martin from leominster, Massachusetts,Raised three children,One Girl and Identical twin boys. I retired in 1986 after a 35 year Federal Civil Service career. I have not been to the Chester area since 1967 but hope to make it soon. Have been enjoying the Old Chester Pa website.
A Chester native from 1928 until 1952 who lived in the environs around the original Chester High School(address was 924 Fulton). These events were part of the 'Passing Parade' 1.The building of a dam(with movable gates) in the Chester Creek just above the Ninth Street bridge in the late 40's and it's destruction by dynamiting due to upstream flooding a few years later. It was a great thing for user's of the Chester Creek but not too smart from an ecological standpoint. 2.The Chester Hospital May Market on it's front lawn every spring. It was enjoyed by all and lasted one day each year from sun-up to midnight when the car winner was declared. 3.The Memorial or Armistice Day Parade every year at the end of May where veterans from WWI & the then recent WWII marched along with High School Bands and other organizations to end up at the Chester Rural Cemetery. A rifle group would stand around the circle of veteran's gravesand fire off a volley of blank rounds with a bugler blowing taps. 4.In our High School Days(mid 40's) - the meeting at the old Welsh Restaurant for your favorite food and a 'get-together' to be with the gals and guys. 5.To shoot pool at Jimmy's (down stairs in the alley next to the YMCA) or see the 'Fast Eddie's and Sol Weinberg' in a noontime match at Bernie's Birch Beer next to Weinberg's Dept Store. They had great sandwiches and the Birch Beer was like no other. 6.To participate in the City Rec Program during the 40's at the 'New' Chester High Vocational Gym and building(built on the old Eyre School site)with the likes of Danny Murtaugh(who managed the Pirates into a World Series) and the venerable Hughie Coakley(a 'teacher' of baseball in Chester for many yearswith the Chester Boy's Club and having the knarled fingers of a great 'pint sized'catcher. 7.To take a weekly ride with dad to Chester Park with a wooden crate with spaces for ten gallon jugs of spring water from the 'ever-flowing' faucets at the turn-a-round area. There was always a chance of a long wait since the Chester Water Co supplied treated water from the Delaware River - UGH !! Thank goodness the Octararo Dam in Chester County changed all that later. 8.The yearly summer visits of a 'honest-to-goodness' travelling tent circus that used the so-called 'prairie' lot bounded by Concord Ave, Butler and Ninth Sts. Carnivals also visited this location. This lot was right on the path from home to Lincoln School. 9.The Saturday Morning movies at the old Washington Theatre for 11 cents including a thrilling chapter of Dick Tracey, Gene Autrey, Flash Gordon, Capt Marvel, etc. plus a main feature as well as 'noise and bedlam' among the overactive youngsters in the audience. 10.During WWII, many Troop Convoys turning their wheels along Rte 13(Ninth Street) making their way to perhaps Baltimore for journeys into far-off lands and wondering if they would get back home OK. The girls of the neighborhood would stand on the curb and wave at the boys. I just missed being drafted, but did get called for Korea - but fortunately went to Europe with the 43rd Infantry Division. Their were several Anti-Air Craft Gun groups around Chester during WWII. As a Boy Scout, we helped with collection of metal pots and pans(or whatever could help the war effort) riding on fire trucks going from neighborhood to neighborhood. The best fun was unloading the stuff by throwing it into open hopper cars at a railroad siding. It was impressive to see whole trainloads of tanks made at the General Steel / Baldwin Plant going off to war. Also, in the early part of WWI, there were 'Practise Blackouts' with neigbors being Wardens and boy scouts acting as 'messengers'. 11.I remember the first supermarket opening up - The Great Leopard market around 1943 as well as a Roller Skating Rink above it. There was also a Lancaster Farmer's Market every Saturday in an old building on 7th street next to the Chester Creek - great place for fresh eggs, country tub butter(no ration stamps required) and huge suger donuts. 12. Finally, a tribute to one Dr Leah Jordan who was on the staff at old Chester High teaching English. Even though she was diligent and persistent in her teaching methods, it gave one the opportunity to really enjoy the necessary mechanics of the subject and has paid off over the years. I remember that she always wore a white or cream colored outfit that was her trademark. We were taken to Philadelphia by her as a class to see such great shows as 'Oklahoma' and 'Life with Father'. I hope this might be useful in stirring some memories of older Chester residents. Regards, Bob Clark Regards, Bob Clark 7.
To everone on this site!!! Anne Marie had a very good point, she thought she was to young to contibute. As I have had read for the past couple weeks, nastalga has taken the rein, nobodys fought but our own. We stopped submitting. So he goes, anybody from the 60's or 70's needs to submit so we know your out there & maybe we can communicate as our elders are doing. They seem to being doing very well with technology. I grew up in the West End and have several memories. Would like to here from more West Enders. If your out there post so we share our nastalgia.
To George Malick:: will be there on Halloween & lets get the WEST END chat going. (all west end foks, go to the chat room & lets chat) I'm tired of logging in & being alone. Can't chat with myself as I know all my replies. Check it out, Its great when folks ard chatting.
To AnnMarie: Great comments, you stated it very well and don't be such a stranger to the message board you may be 38 but John Bullock says he's only 29! George
To Mike Pro- my husband Kevin said to say Hi! ( Truck # 29)
To everyone else- Here comes an opinion from a mere youngster. I am 38 and grew up in the village (McCaffery). What is the point of looking for blame for the demise of Chester? Politics, scandals, whatever. That won't fix anything. When the riots happened, in the mid/late 70's, at least as far as I remember, we had the government to blame, since at the time, all of the projects were either of one race or another, the government ordered the projects be of mixed races. Thus, the village went down hill, along with Highland Gardens. My grandparents were one of the original owners of a home in Highland Gardens, and somehow managed to live there until 1991, when they moved to Florida. Anyone bowlers remember my grandfather, Pud Sweeny?
To Paul Crowther re: Chester Water? Which scandal are you referring to? The investigation of the alleged fraud in the sale of the Chester Water Service Co., to the Chester Municipal Authority in the 1930's, which by grand jury investigation, all involved were acquitted. ( I have a great picture of members of the grand jury leaving the courthouse, which for some reason or another a relative of my husbands clipped this from a newspaper). Or are you referring to 1959, when Chester City Council proposed a 10% tax on Chester Municipal Authority's gross receipts (the first tax of its kind to be levied in Pennsylvania? The Municipal Authority, its' solicitor and board, challenged the tax, that eventually was declared illegal. Chester Municipal Authority changed its name to Chester Water Authority in 1965. I guess your post peaked my interest as my husband has worked there for 22 years, and the employees bust their butts to work in any condition year round to maintain service to the public! Ok, I will come down from my soap-box now!
Anyway, I have been visiting this site, almost since its inception. I have a great interest in genealogy and this site has been a great help. John, keep up the wonderful job! I haven't posted before, since for some reason, I felt that I was too young and couldn't relate to some of the memories that I have read about.
Another factor to be considered.If you can remember Chester of the early 50's and before was mostly a working class city. When the jobs left, there was nothing there for the working class. When they sold their homes and left, it became a city of welfare families living in homes that were allowed to deteriorate(by the occupants and the owners)and others who couldn't sell and were trapped. What was there before and others can be added to this list: Sun Ship,Belmont Iron, Medfords, Ford Motors, Wetherill Plant,Scott Paper,Congoleum Narin, American Viscoe,...
To Paul Crowther: Great point you made and my husband also reiterated it, Simpler is definetly better in my book, as the saying goes" Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone!)
I'M THRILLED TO HAVE FOUND THIS SITE. I MISS CHESTER AND AM LOOKING FOR MY FAMILY HISTORY.
Has anyone read Ed Gebhart's column today? Do you feel the same indignation that I do at the name given to the new housing development on the site of McCaffery Village. I wasn't raised in the West end of Chester but my husband was and McCaffery was a much revered name in that area. One of his favorite stories was of Joe McCaffery "buzzing hs Mothers house. The house was next to Rez rectory therefore that entire area was getting buzzed. The kids in Rez school were allowed to go to the windows to watch the show. This was before WW2.You didn't see many planes in those days. The name is more than a housing project although that has happy as well as bad mwmories. It sure has more meaning than Wellington!!!
Your web site is great, I could spend hours, days browsing & remembering how great it was to live in Chester, back when. To Dan McGinnis..hello , how is Florence? Kim& Paul Komarnicki an I were talking about you 2 this summer !
To Ed, class of '36, perhaps you knew my mother, Helen Esrey or her sister Margaret. Mother is gone now, but Aunt margaret(Marge) is alive and well, living in Pa with a granddaughter.
To all of the people that have been writing about the politicians ruining Chester. The politicians didn't ruin it as much as much as the people moving out of Chester to realize the American dream at the time of owning a house in the suburbs. Malls were built that ruined the downtown district and the housing followed right along with them. You could buy a brand new home in the suburbs at the time with your neighbor more than spitting distance away for the same price you could buy a house in Chester. Most housing in Chester were doubles or row homes. Why not buy a single family home with more space for the same money.
The politics in Chester were no different than in any other community around Chester at the time. The Republican party ran Delaware County and still does from what I have been told. And I'm sure whatever party thats in Chester now does the same thing for the people that politicians did in the past. Politics is crooked to some extent no matter where you go in this country. You don't get elected without owing people favors etc. It's part of the process.
After my recent posting concerning the Chester Water Auth. my Brother Bill sent me an e-mail. He said I should clarify things a little better. I agree. The Corruption existed in the Management of the Utility not the outside workers or necessarily all or any of the Clerical staff. This would have been in upper management.
To Barbara: Yes it's the same Sheree. My maiden name was Austin. I lived next door to Elizabeth, hung around with her forever and her sister Ruby. My mom and their mom were good friends. Yes Frankie was the woman's son. All those names you mentioned I remember too. I hung out with Diane Fornwalt for quite awhile, Dorthy Newman, Fox, (Arthur Scheer (?) Susan Siefert, Sharon Hayes. I just ran across Paul Scarpato's cousin on this website. I had a crush on him when I was around 9.
I remember you, Elizabeth, myself and probably a few other walking down to the old Penn Fruit grocery store area, there was a place in that area, where we went to dances. And if memory serves me right, you had a brother that was with us. I remember him singing to us. Wow!
I only went to Pulaski in 7th grade. My mom remarried and we moved to New Castle Delaware. We moved to Boothwyn after I graduated. When I lived in Boothwyn I ran into Elizabeth. My mom used to get together once in awhile with her Mom Margie. I ran into Frankie Leo at the Crescendo (in New Jersey). He had told me about his mom. He looked just the same as I remembered him.
I have so many great memories of living in Chester. I hadn't been back until 4 years ago. My mom had passed away and was buried at Lawncroft. My dad and I took a ride through Chester (at my request) to see my old hometown. I just cried!!! It was very sad to see. But I'm glad have have those memories.
Stay in touch. I read the Chester Community Board daily. What a small world.
Sheree
to sheree: thanks for the correct name of the avon lady. she had a son named frankie? i tried to post several days ago questioning whether you might know me, but somehow it didn't post up. yes, i believe we did indeed know each other. in fact if your the right sheree i'm thinking of, we used to walk to and fro to school together at william penn. elizabeth ferrier was my best friend for years. you lived 1 or 2 doors down from her? boy does that go way back. i can't remember you going to pulaski though. you moved away around then didn't you. forgive my lapse of memory, but i forgot what your last name used to be. i remember some of our classmates names from back then. paul scarpato, debbie atkins, diane fornwalt, karen boates, susan illingsworth, "fox", dennis snarr, edward schwartz, nicki anemone and his sister marie, sharon hudson, ricki smith. wow, what a long time ago. where did you end up moving to anyhow? too weird to meet up on a site like this huh? i met up with several people that were "blasts from the past" on this site. hope you have been doing well over the years. to rc: my age here is not over 60. it's more like 46 years old. politics can be such a sore subject though in any discussion, just as religion is. i usually try to shy away from talking about it as alot of people do. but when it comes to voting, i vote for the canidate, not the party. always have, and always will, even back in the days i lived in chester. and yes i too agree that there were many reasons for the demize of chester. i'm just glad that i lived there when i can now look back with fond memories of the town, for the most part, that it used to be. in reference to the taxes that have incurred over the years, well, it's pretty much everywhere. i have a brother in law that lives in upland. as everybody knows, it's chester/upland school district. their school taxes have now more than doubled this past year. homeowners in upland are in a uproar over it. people are appealing it left and right, but they'll never beat "city hall". chester schools and the administrations have failed miserably. so now somebody has to foot the bill for their failures. slowly chester's troubles over spilling over into other municipalities. people in upland, my brother in law included, are soon to be putting their homes up for sale and heading out of the area. won't be long before upland will be following suit along side of chester.
Doing research on the following families: Reed, Esrey, Sacriste, Copple & Ashwell
Talking politics - which I seldom do - In 1979-80, I returned and lived in Glenolden, Pa. for two years. I was appalled at the amount of taxes imposed upon me just for living and working there. Tax after tax after tax. Federal tax, state tax, county tax, borough tax (I belive that's the right terminology for a tax I was not familiar with- it's been a long time but I remember thinking that this is unbelievable) and sales tax. Then, if you took a day off from work - I worked in Philadelphia, you paid no "city" tax (wasn't aware there was a "city" tax too) for that day. WHAT? Again, unbelievable. I then became disappointed in my peers that I grew up with in Chester/Buckman Village and wondered, "How could they let this happen?" Did they become so complacent in their jobs, their lives or what - why did they let this happen? I have lived in Phoenix, AZ since 1955 and we have Federal tax and State tax, oh and of course, sales tax. That's it!! And, automobile emissions - twice a year at that time in PA (and, it was my understanding that if you paid off the right person, you could get a sticker without going through emissions). Here in AZ, it's once a year and if you can get a sticker without going through the test, it's unknown to me, but back in PA it was well-known. I, as a young girl growing up in Chester/Buckman Village, as most of my acquaintances, was not aware of all that was going on politically, but apparently, it came to light with maturity and the generation that followed. Why wasn't a stop put to all those taxes before they escalated into an unsurmountable problem? It's like arthritis, "guess we'll just have to live with it."
I am not saying that Arizona hasn't had it's corrupt share of politians, because it has been run by a handful of men for many, many years, but, their greed was over land ownership not taking advantage of the average, hard-working man. And, that's the disturbing part, man's inhumanity to man on the part of the people I loved and grew up with back in Chester/Buckman Village.
Chester and it's surrounding vicinities, was a home for hard-working, home-loving, honest and loving people, good neighbors, even the local corner stores knew everyone by name and extended credit when needed. THEN, apparently, the monsters took over to take advantage of these God-fearing, honest people. I went to school with one of them and I am so disappointed in his greed and taking advantage of his neighbors.
It's still taking place today. The people who run your city are your servants - you are not theirs. Be sure you hire the right "people". As the saying goes, "It's hard to find good help these days." But, I know the roots from which I came, and they are the same as most Chesterites today, and we don't lay down on the job - we fight for what is honestly ours and our ancesters who struggled to give us a better life today (if you ever worked as a welder for one of the biggest companies then, you realize the conditions they worked under and how hard they worked - two of my uncles worked there for years and I visited that site when I was back home in 1980 - I was overcome with emotion at the dark, hell-hole they worked in). Don't let a handful of greedy, self-serving individuals take away what is rightfully yours.
Most humbly - Pat McFadden
TO TERRY McHUGH... Once again well said! There are,as you stated in a previous post,many reasons for Chester being in the state it is today. No one or two things can be blamed. In no small way we can even blame advertising and Hollywood! These were the people who told us we would and could only be happy by having that home in the country with the two car garage,etc. Well anyway,the housing stock was quite old in Chester and there was no land left to expand. The last large developement in the City was Highland Gardens. That was in the 40's. When I was young I wanted all of the things being advertised. Split Level home in the country. This was all part of the American Dream. We wanted to do better than the previous generation. Question is,have we really? As I've become older I've grown tired of "chasing my tail" More content with simpler things. Know now what was meant when it was said "stop the world,I want to get off"! Well anyway, it is interesting to hear the varied opinions expressed here. Keep "em coming please.
Hi everyone, just read some of the postings about chester and politics and the demise of the city. Very interesting reading. Barbara, you jolted me with a memory of the Avon lady being dumped behind Pic nPay, I remember that, it was so horrible. I've posted my thoughts here before on the downfall of Chester, and I would add now that yes, the machine ran it, but we let it. I remember well when i registerd to vote there was no option other than to register Republican. My Husbands aunt Mary Hibbert was a republican through and through (live on 8th and Potter) served as a prothonatary, a committee woman, etc. It was like a religion. I remember so well when Nixon resigned, she was disconsolate, cried for days!! I benefited one time from that machine, Had a traffic ticket fixed! Felt awful afterwards! Anyway back to the main topic, the politicians may have run it, the realtor may have scared people, but bottom line still remains that people at times tend to lose the ability to think for themselves, they rush to join the panic...fear, it's all about fear. it was true during WWII. it was true during the 60's and it so very true today.
RIGHT AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE SERVICE 1956 I STARTED OUT AT THE CHESTER WATER AUTH. AS A METER READER, THEN TO METER SERVICEMAN, AND FINALLY TO REMOTE INSTALLER. IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, BUT LOVE RETIREMENT. I THINK I WAS MADE FOR RETIREMENT.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, WE HAD TO GO TO CHESTER PARK TO GET SPRING WATER FOR THE HOME. CHESTER WATER WAS TERRIBLE AT THAT TIME BUT GREAT NOW.
Does anyone out there know where I can get in touch with Maryann Lech, from the west end, next door to the Holy Ghost Church? Tell her Lynda wants to talk to her.
The politicans sure did run Chester. At least my end of town they did. Even as a kid I figured that one out! I lived in McCafferty Village as a kid (1950-1969). Every election day the Democrats would knock on all of our doors, knowing that most of us had no car, to drive everyone so they can vote. This was not a courtesy call, this was a "persuassion" call. Can you guess who people were asked to vote for?????
To Barbara Batterby:
The "Avon Lady" you referred to was Mrs. Leo, she lived directly across the street from me.
Sheree
Nice to hear from you Don & Pat. Don, I have seen Jerry Springman in Concordville when I worked with Fidelity a long time ago. Frank Ricardi I saw at a class reunion for Chester High. Can't remember when I have to dig out the photo for that one. Harry Root was older and LIVED ON 12TH POTTER ST. He later worked at the Vo-tech school in Aston where my father-in-law Charles Jr. was principal. I really haven't bumped into anyone else since the reunion. Sorry I didn't respond earlier I have been really busy being a grandmother to Charles V. and sending my youngest son off to college. Pat I was so sorry to hear about Joyce Ann Houser. Too many great memories.
To UW,I was reminded today about a place we used to play. It's now Kerezi's auto junk yard. We called it "The sixth Street mountains. It had a creek running from Buckman village( probably spring water) to the mountain,under the Pa. railroad to Trainer, thento the river.We had a lot of tree's to climb. Had some good times there. We made our own fun in those days. Now the kids of today want you to entertain them. They have no imagination.
There were so many things that contributed to the downward slide of the quality of life in Chester. "Urban Renewal" didn't help. A lot of houses were destroyed and no place for the displaced to go. This housing was not slum quality bu it was affordable to people at the low end of the pay scale.Then you have the total alienation of one racial group from another,mix in foxy realestate operators,and then panic. I wonder what the age is of the people who are praticipating in this discussion? I'll bet at least 60. Until all ciizens get rid of the "why don"t they" syndrome and participate in their government, there will always be a politician to screw them. So there!!!
TO GEORGE MALIK and BARBARA BATTERSBY... Well said!
Another little known factor in the demise of the City was the unscruplous actions of the Real Estate Brokers. There were people enlisted as "block busters" to go into an area and circulate rumours about what was soon to happen to their neighborhood. If this didn't seem to get the desired result they would take steps to make sure it would. They naturally denied that they were involved in this. Many of them became very rich from the exodus from the City. [they didn't live there] Another small but contributing factor was the scam being operated by employees of the CHESTER WATER AUTHORITY. These people also lined their pockets at the expense of many. They're no longer with us. Hope they enjoyed their ill-gotten riches. Their heirs are today! Well,we're covering Politics now. Sure hope religion isn't next!
I am looking for anyone who knows of the Garris family who lived on 9th st in Chester. I am trying to find out about the Garris side of the family and not having much luck. My grandfather was E. James Garris and his wife was Ella Priest Garris. I have been able to check into my grandmother's side of the family all the way back to England. I actually know nothing of the Garris side at all, not even if their were other siblings. My father was the youngest child, William. He had all sisters. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.
To Pattie: I don't think Ogden and Richard were related. But Ogden Nash wrote some very funny stuff. "I think that I shall never see/a billboard lovely as a tree/and unless the billboards fall/I'll never see a tree at all.
ok here it goes. i don't wish to offend people by what my perception and rememberance of growing up in chester was in the 1950's - 1970's was like and how the so - called politicians ran the city. i lived in the west end of chester on 10th street. but i had family stretched out all over the city. buckman village, highland gardens, 3rd and townsend, and 3rd and crosby. the city was mostly segregated by ethnic groups that just so happened to form that way back in chesters early history. i lived in the area known as "little ireland", which was a several block radius that were mainly irish catholic people, although my family wasn't irish or catholic. the polish lived in a several block radius in the west end from 2nd st. to 4th or 5th. then you had the ukrainians in another area, italians in another and so on. of course you had your mixture in the neighborhoods as time went on, but certain areas pretty much stayed the same. the colored people were along 2nd, 3rd, around highland ave and then in neighborhoods of a higher street numbers as you got to engle street to the east end of town. then you had your "projects" throughout the town. during my time living in chester all of the housing units housed the colored people except for mccafferty village. all during this time jack nacrelli was the mayor for the most part anyway. and yes, chester was run by the politicians. he lived 2 blocks above me and stepkee lived across the street. yeah , they did do some if not alot of things crooked. but the crime was down in chester for the most part. people took care of their homes, even in the projects. but even though they had the city tied up, they pretty much ran a "tight ship" with the town. hell i remember when i was little being outside playing at family's on 3rd and townsend, palmer, and such in the evening hours and there wasn't fear in your heart of what might happen to you or who might get you. and 3rd and townsend was a predominent black area and my family was white. it was when the so called crooked politicians, such as jack nacrelli got out of office and i believe it was joe battle that became mayor then, that things started to slowly spiral down. i know for a fact the reason that the west end folded and people started moving out by the droves in the mid seventies was because the city politicians insisted, even though mccafferty village was all white people, that the colored people were to be segregated into the project. it caused a terrible mess. that had a race riot when they tried to move the first colored family in. it was awful. we only lived less than 1 block from 10th and harwick st. then slowly as others started moving to these closely knit communities, crime began to rise. the corner stores were being robbed, not to mention the houses, even while people were at home. then there was the terrible deed of the "avon woman", from mccafferty village, named mrs. duko (i think) that was cold heartedly beaten to death and stuffed in a trash can and dumped behind picway shoe store. property values were going down quickly . everyone started selling their houses in the west end and in highland gardens. hell -- they were practically giving them away just to get out while they could. personally i "know" that chester was a better place to live in when you had those old politicians running the city. it's the ones that they have had since that have helped the town go down. but mostly the reason behind chester's demize is the people themselves. the ones that started moving in since the 1970's. whether these were a majority of people being outsiders and moving in new or just younger ones that were the offspring of the ole timers. i am by no means saying it is all, but far too many had no respect for their neighbors, the law, or themselves for that matter. they are the ones that destroyed chester and made it what it is today. anyone that grew up in chester and drives through now has to have a ache in their heart. i know i do, even though it's been years since i would even go into chester due to it being so unsafe. just drive through highland gardens once and it's unbelievable what has happened to those once picture perfect row homes with their neatly trimmed lawns and kids riding their bikes in the street and families out for a walk. there are still so many people left in chester that are wonderful people, but there has been a breed breeding for too long in chester that have totally destroyed the town. my heart goes out to the families that have their loved ones working in law enforcement in the town. the poor police officer that just lost his life while doing his job in highland gardens. a job that was to make it safer for the residents of that neighborhood. it's a travisty! they need to stop worrying about building up the waterfront industry and start investing their money in the citizens of the town. the law abiding, good citizens of the town that are worth saving. they need to assign a police officer for every block in the entire town and weed out the scum. get rid of all the drug dealers, gun toters, violent offenders whether they be domestic or otherwise. run them out of town. because it's only after they do that , that the decent people left in the town, and the present politicians can even have a remote chance of having being able to start to put that town back together again. they just about have to start from scratch. but until then i can only reminice of the good ole days of when chester was a wonderful town to grow up in. i may have offended some readers here, but it really wasn't my intentions to do that. unfortunately the "truth" sometimes isn't nice to hear.
George you are so right. I worked the elections in the city of Chester for a good 25 years. We worked around the clock, and even worked the Pulaski Day Parades. When the republicans were riding in the parade the democrats were giving out literature. Chester citizens keep the republicans in for all those years, so you are right, just whose fault is it. Dead people voted all the time in Chester. I remember once when the times did do a story they showed where people lived that were voting such as the middle of the street, the river and even the parking lot of a fire house, and yet the next election the same people who were complaining voted them right back in.
Well it seems that politics is still quite a topic of conversation about Chester. But don't kid yourselves about the politicians ruining the City. Not one of them, from Joe Eyre to Jim Gorbey could have held political office without getting "elected". The voters (and non voters by their apathy) elected the members of the "machine" year after year. Jefferson is quoted as saying that the Citizens of the United States would get the type of government they deserve. Chester got the type of government they deserved for sure. My Father was a democratic committeeman in the 11th Ward for over 30 years and fought the "machine" every day. Trust me, the Democrats had "street" money too on election day and many an upstanding citizen had their hands out. Everyone knew how corrupt the system was but did little to change it. And whether you were registered Democrat or Republican you could have voted anyway you wanted in that polling booth, the majority of voters in the city chose the "machine". Who ruined the City?
TO RC.. Thanks,I was about to make a simular comment! Politics in the City of Chester is an interesting subject. It seemed to me that idealogy played little part in the way things were done. Everything was controlled by the"machine" It was so sad,it was funny! Just a few examples[small to be sure,but true] At election time the "Ward Heelers" would be out in force. They'd park their cars in the poorer sections of the city with the trunk open,passing out bottles of wine with the "you know who to vote for" speech at the ready. Every election time our street was paved whether it needed it or not! It was paved so many times there's no curb left to this day! Back in the 50's my Dad started to put a walk in from the street to the house[concrete]. He'd just started when the local party hack came over and told him he'd have it looked after. Sure enough,next day a City laborer showed up and did the job. My Dad was a reg. Rep. Said he had to be. Don't know how he voted. If you needed a ticket fixed,that could easily be arranged! Politicians were only out to line their own pockets. And they did! Politicians killed the City of Chester!
Boy!!! Now we're getting somewhere!!!That was a great artcle Harv. Believe me, no one did anything in Chester without the approval of McClure.Not only government but private industry. I'm a Democrat for generations and I registered Rep. to get a job. Very demeaning. Its so good to hear people talk politics. But remember--we can disagree without being disagreeable.
way to go wasn t the kennedy family also in the bootlegging business or is this only here say
Mr. Harvey Martin; as as a registered democrat in the city of Chester for almost 50 years I can assure you that the campaign in 1992 was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. The new mayors first duty was to appoint and make her top assistant a two time murderer,you do remember him don't you, just what was need right Mr Martin. Also a fact you overlooked. Besides the infighting she went to Philadelphia and brought in the chief of police, another who helped ruin what was here. I believe among things, like bankrupsy, the loss of her home, being tossed out of her apartment was why the republicans won the city back in 1996. I find it strange you remember all the bad the republicans did, and there were many, how come you overlooked the bad things the democrats did?
The History of Chester by Morgan Kelly, SPEEC
Today, Chester is a city of about 42,000 people. It occupies only 4.8 square miles, and is located just 15 miles south of Philadelphia. In the past, Chester's location along the Delaware river made it ideal for small-scale manufacturing. It was the sight of William Penn's first landing in Pennsylvania,in 1682, and by the early 1700 it was a successful mill town by. In fact, Chester's economy continued to grow all the way up until 1940. The 1880 census shows that Chester made ships, steel, iron, brass, cloth, carriages, barrels, shoes, and pottery. It also had an oil refinery and a chemical manufacturing plant. Throughout the first part of this century, Chester was widely known as a center for economic growth. Industries like Sun Ship, Scott Paper and Ford Motor Company employed so many people that they were small cities onto themselves. Many people moved to Chester to find work, including a large number of blacks from the south and many immigrants from Poland and the Ukraine. Chester was well know for its jazz scene and it's good educational system.
Brent Staples wrote his autobiography Parallel Time about growing up in Chester. He describes what Chester was like during this time period :
My parents departed Roanoke by train on their wedding day, headed for Chester, Pennsylvania, a thriving factory town on the Delaware River, twenty miles south of Philadelphia. My father, his father, and three of my uncles had already settled there, drawn by the promise of work in an economy stoked by World War II. My father had found work in a factory that made parachute silk. WHAT CHESTER MAKES MAKES CHESTER. The sign lights greeted the train as it rolled into town. Chester made paper, steel, aluminum, cars and locomotives.
Beyond all these, Chester made ships. The Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company was a city of its own, spawling along the river. The yard was bristling with cranes, alive with fiery geysers that spang from furnaces and arc welder's tools. What Chester made made Chester. The sign would seem a mockery when the yard was dead and the city was crumbling around it. But that was yet to come when my parents arrived. Chester was a bulging muscle on the Delaware, a place of promise and money and steel.
Like many cities in the Northeast, Chester was hit hard in the postwar era by a restructuring of the U.S. economy. Manufacturing was hit hard by increasing competition from abroad. New technologies gave industies more mobility, and they began to consolidate and move out of the cities. Chester was hit especially hard because it had been so dependent on manufacturing.
From 1950 to 1980, 32 percent of the jobs in Chester disappeared. The economy collapsed. Much of the more upwardly mobile population moved away. Those that were left were predominanly minorities, transforming the racial makeup of the city. From 1950 to 1990 the population declined from 66,000 to 42,000. During the same time period the proportion of the population that was African-American increased from 20% to 65%.
Chester's political history is closely linked to its economic history. Since the turn of the century, with one exception, Chester has been ruled by a corrupt and extremely powerful political machine. The machine began in 1910 with a Swarthmore dropout named John McClure. McClure consolidated power over Chester through a campaign founded in racketeering and bootlegging. He expanded his control to Delaware county, where he established a board of supervisors, commonly called the War Board. The board made all decisions and political appointments in the back rooms, and it was understood that ereryone answered to McClure. In 1933, McClure and 95 of his colleagues were indighted for conspiracy to violate prohibition. None served any time, however, and McClure continued his reign until he died in 1965.
McClure and the Republican party kept tight control over the city's votes by controling public funds in such a way that every government function was delivered as a personal favor. They "granted" you public assistance, and road maintenance. It was "just the friendly help of a neighbor," when they brought food to the sick. They were largely responsible for controlling who got jobs. In fact, to get any kind of job with the city, you had to be a registered Republican. A paper in 1967 noted that, when asked why they voted for machine candidates, most African-Americans responded that it was so they would be able to get a job. Whether or not this was true, the rumor, the fear of losing a job, was all that was necessary. The machine held the people in the palm of its hand. By delivering favors on an individual basis it kept the poor from organizing and bargaining collectively. Effectively, it removed any power people had in the political process.
After McClure died in 1965, Jack Nacrelli, a local mobster, took control of the party. He served as mayor until 1979 when he was convicted on tax evasion, bribery and racketeering. His control was still felt from jail however, and in 1985, his secretary Willie Mae Leake became the first black mayor of Chester.
In 1992, in one of the most impressive political campaigns of the city's history, the Democratic party finally overthrew the machine. A number of community groups came togeter to register over 3,400 new voters. Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard, the director of a local daycare center, was elected mayor. The new administration was marked by infighting however, and in 1996 the Republicans regained control. Last month, Nacrelli's portrait was redisplayed in city hall.
People in Chester have faced extreme barriers to political participation for almost a century. We have seen that they faced an extremely corrupt government with the possibility of severe consequences for speaking out against the system, but it is also important to remember that many of the people are dealing every day with the hardships of poverty. When people are worrying about how to feed their children, it is too much to ask them to worry about environmental racism too. All of these factors made the city ripe for exploitation by the waste processing plants that have moved in over the last 30 years. . .
A more recent history of events can be found in this article.
TO MICHAEL PRO...Welcome to the club...I'm a one finger typer also! What was your position with the Water Auth.?
TO RC... John McLure was mentioned here a while ago. Not in any detail though. Would like to see more info on him. Also would like to hear peoples impressions and opinions of his dynasty!
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned John McClure.Or if they have, I've missed it. He was important enough that JFK stopped his parade and went into McClure's house to say hello. there really should be a biography on him.
HELLO THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME. IN READING SOME OF THE COMMENTS WRITTEN BY OTHERS, IT IS BRINGING A LOT OF MEMORIES BACK TO ME. I WAS RAISED ON 102 FRANKLIN STREET, WENT TO FRANKLIN SCHOOL, SMEDLEY AND CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL. WORKED FOR THE WATER CO. FOR 38YRS AND RETIRED 1995. WAS ALSO AS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN FOR THE HANLEY HOSE CO. NO. 1. HOPE THAT SOMEONE RECOGNIZES ME AND WILL DROP A LINE OR TWO ON E-MAIL. IT MAY TAKE ME A WHILE TO ANSWER BECAUSE I TYPE WITH ONE FINGER, BUT I WILL GET BACK TO YOU.
To: ELK Do you know if Richard Nash was related in any way to Ogden Nash - who wrote comedy? He was also very well known in the late 40's, early 50's.
Speaking of "Chester celebrities", it was somtime between 1948-1950 in Miss Stein's English class at Smedley Jr. H.S. A new fella entered the classroom and he was obviously "different" from the typical working-class kid in the school. He had braces, Wrangler jeans and "nice shoes". he was treated "differently" by the school and teachers so we knew something was up. He and I (surprisingly) became good friends. His name was Christofer Nash. Before the school year ended, he moved to California (that was the end of the world in those days). We exchanged a letter or two and then lost touch. Of course, none of us knew he was the son of Richard Nash--the playwright, novelist and movie-script writer. I think his play "Wildcat" was opening a pre-Broadway run in Philly and they were in the area for a number of months. I read recently that Richard Nash died and that his son Christofer lived in England. Does anyone else remember him or know anything about his famous father?
Hello fellow Chesterites. I just received an email from a friend who advises that a memorial is being built at Penns Landing in Philadelphia to honor all the Irish who died or immigrated to America during the famine. So this would be the middle 1800's to 1900, I would think. The site is "www.irishmemorial.org". Apparently, it is not completed yet, and they are looking for donations. I visited the website and it is beautifully done and the sculpture is very moving!!! I am guessing that they will put names on that memorial (not sure), but if they do, you can bet we from Old Chester will see our ancesters' names there. What a wonder tribute!
and I was probably one of several brats that giggled at all of you from behind the benches and tall grass. Maybe not you but others who will remain nameless. My Mom would have chased me back to Dewey School with a weeping willow branch if she knew we went down there to watch the men play craps. sometimes there were guys from the so. Chester neighborhood playing a game against the Jadicks (Diduks) candy store wall "Pitch a Penny". They would flip a penny against the wall and it fell back. I don't remember the rules to the game I wasn't allowed to join in. and those secret card games in the garage just south of Harwick street on that little ally type street before Booth.
Remember the time a Russian Sub came up the Delaware.
To UW, Yes there wasa disposal plant there. People would plant gardens there and rope off their area. When that stuff was treated they would dump it outside the fence. Also there was a pipeline next to the plant that went out to the river. We swam there when tide was up. Me, eddie Novereta, Ed Kmiec, The Predzial brothers, Butch Schad, Zig Falkowski, and may others. It was our swimmin hole.Of course it was skinny dippin.
To UW I wish you would reveal yourself I bet I know you. Or of you. ER
To T. Nicolaides I used to work in Parkside. I got many a haircut from John,s barber shop. I also got many a hoagy from DiMatteos.
UWII: I thought there was a disposal plant there too. They also had a couple little shacks. Do you remember the danger pole behind the Barones house just off Booth street going to the river swimming hole/gamblers hidaway? We would hang out there, see who could climb the highest. My God, we could have been killed. I do know the people in the area that had gardens got their fertilizer from there. did you by chance ever fight over who got the chicken feet when your mom made chicken soup.
JM: A lot of the gals from the So. Chester area would go to American Bandstand during the Bob Horn time. You would write for a date and then go up by train. Later Dick Clark had it..and you know the history there.
We had a local teen night club in Chester with Jimmy Lynn. I went several times.He later had the Wilmington TV Dance gig. I think Joe Bell Sr. was one of the producers or camera techs. in the early years of the TV show in Delaware. One heck of a nice man.
ER: I have a pix from 1925 St. Hedwigs. Thought if your Dad was alive he might know some of the faces. I do not, I am sure my Dad must be in there somewhere or one of his bothers/sisters. All that would know have died.
Hi, Ruth, I just asked my dear old mother if she knew any Wingates and she mentioned Morris, Ralph and Elsie. She said Elsie is the girl in the picture along with Eleanor Ford, Anne Weathers, Elizabeth Sterling, Polly Stewart and Sarah Higgins. My mother, Elizabeth McCarthy Martin is in Bishop Nursing Home in Media. She said you would know Hooker Crothers. I didn't know Ralph but my coworker at the Media P.O. Joe Simpson used to talk about him all the time. I worked there for 38 years and never shot anybody...Harv
TO BILL & GEORGE... Hate to barge in on your date but I'll make every attempt to be there too! Wed. betw. 7-8 P.M.
Yo Harv--Your father was in my sister's class "25" I was in "35". She's the girl with her coat over her arm. Unfortunately, didn't make it to Washington--the depression came along and there wasn't any money for extravagance!!! I worked at Scott Paper for a couple of years but my maine employment was in Sun Oil, refinery Lab.30 years. So I have close ties to both Media and Chester. One of my best friends in high school was from Parkside-Gert Bills. Remember when they were called "outsiders"?
Bill: It will probably die of shock if more than two people are there. G
Why don't we try to go to the chat room on Wed. night about 7;00 or 8;00 oclock, and see what happens?????
Forgot my father's name...Ben Martin.
Hi, Ruth, My father may or may not have graduated from Media in 1925. I'm not sure...but he made the trip to Washington in May of '25. He is in the 2nd picture...the 4th guy from the left. His buddy, Howard Spahr, is the guy without glasses next to the man in the hat in the first picture. Howard managed things at the Media Swimming and Rowing Club at Broomall's Lake for many years. http://www.mediahighschool.com/early/25field.htm Ruth, I wish I'd been in the car with you when you took that tour of Bethel Court and saw all those beautiful ladies hanging out the window. Harv
To Phyllis Lieby--I do rememer Contravi-I don't know the spelling either but he was probably the heaviest officer ever on the force. Everybody knew him. HARVEY MARTIN --enjoyed the Chester Ferry history and the Media High class of "49" page. I graduated in "35".Thanks for the memories.
Harvey Martin....John is living in Brookhaven and at 81 is still getting around great. Tom
I remember Joe Pyne and a really obnoxious guy named Eddy Newman. I used to listen to Grady & Hurst on 950 and The Dawn Patrol where the played The Bluebird of Happiness by Jan Pearse several times during the night
Does anyone remember "The Grady and Hurst" show that was located, I think, right off of Brandywine Ave. in Wilmington, Delaware? It was a dance show like "Bandstand" only smaller. Does anyone remember Bob Horne from "Bandstand"? He was there before Dick Clark and before it became "American Bandstand".
Talking about thr HOBO JNgle, Do tou rember they raised pigs there too, you had to walk past the pig pens to get to the river. Man, did it stink.
Yes, Tom, I remember John...a really nice guy. I was disappointed when he retired but happy for him. Harv
Harvey Martin....Do you remember John the Barber in Parkside? Use to be right next door to DiMattios sandwich shop....Tom
Thanks UW, Paul and Frank for your interest. I guess I've about shot my load...there is one more site about the Chester-Bridgeport Ferry which is similar to what is found here on the OldChester site. http://www.delcohistory.org/dchs/ferry.htm I graduated from Media High - Class of '49 http://www.mediahighschool.com/class49/media49.htm That's where I met Dymond Angradi - Class of '51. We got married and we've been living in Parkside since 1956. Dym a.k.a. Jean worked at Weinberg's for 24 years so I was in Chester almost every day to pick her up after work. Her father, Bill Angradi, was a milk- man for Sealtest and then worked at the State Store on 9th St for a few years. I really like reading what all of you have to say and want to thank our humble Webmaster John Bullock III for making this all possible...Harvey
Lived in W. Seventh St. in Chester, and would love to hear from other people from the area and fellow graduates of class of 1959
I graduated the class of 59 at Chester High. Would love to hear from other fellow graduates. Looking forward to our 45th reunion.
I remember Bill Haleys house on I believe it was Foulk Rd. in Concordville. I also remember that someone at the Booths Corner auction must have been a Bill Haley Buff because they had many pictures for years on one of the walls. I wonder if they are still hanging there.
I too appreciate your efforts Mr. Martin in bring interesting articles about our "Famous" locals to the board. I love great reads...about hometown folk.
PC: I remember Joe Pyne on the radio and I seem to remember him being on early TV. (maybe from early interviews) I can remember my dad spoke of knowing him also from his days in Chester. I think thats why we listen to him on the radio.
Phyllis L.: I know the feeling you had while driving down what should still be a triving area. Earlier I wrote of driving through Rt. 291 (second st). It makes you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. Seems like the respect and pride for a home town has vanished. Every Saturday morning I had to scrub our rails on the porch while other siblings cleaned the curb along the street. It was like a work party in the neighborhood, 'cause all the kids were up by 8AM and doing chores.
Interesting Harvey!.. Thanks
James E. Myers Music entrepreneur, 1919-2001
Critics still argue about whether James E. Myers, who has died aged 81, actually co-wrote Rock Around The Clock. He said he did, which in a world of backstage deals and backstreet studios proved to be enough. As "Jimmy DeKnight" it is Myers, together with one Max C. Freedman, whose name features on the label.
Just as, in 1927, Al Jolson's Mammy in The Jazz Singer opened the history of the talking picture, so Bill Haley and the Comets' recording of Rock Around The Clock in 1954 opened, for the old and disgruntled, the history of the shouting teenager. Rock Around The Clock began the present.
According to Myers, he had written the melody and about half of the hardly elaborate lyrics when joined in his office by Freedman, who evinced enthusiasm, and helped him finish it. Copyrighted by the end of March 1953, recorded by Sunny Dae and the Knights, it got local attention around the Delaware Valley and aroused the interest of Haley, who had worked with Myers - agent, promoter and music publisher - around Philadelphia and its navy yard clubs since the late 1940s. In 1952, Haley's group had made its last transformation, from the hillbilly Saddlemen to the Comets, and by 1953 he had got himself a minor hit on a minor label with the white rhythm and blues of Crazy Man Crazy.
Then Myers won Haley a contract with Decca. On April 12 1954, the singer, having got stuck in the middle of the Delaware River when the Chester-Bridgeport ferry ran aground, arrived two hours late for a recording session at Decca's Pythian Temple studio in Manhattan, New York. But one of the songs recorded that day was Rock Around The Clock, initially the B-side to a post-H-Bomb erotic reverie, Thirteen Women.
On April 12 too, in California, a young writer, Evan Hunter, sold his first novel to a Hollywood studio. It was an urban tale of juvenile delinquents versus an idealistic young teacher, Blackboard Jungle. When the movie, with Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitier, was made a year later, it was Rock Around The Clock which accompanied the credits, triggered a moral panic, sold in millions and provided an overture for the social and political crises of 1956, and the birth of youth culture.
Myers was born in Philadelphia. By the age of six he was playing drums in his New Jersey school band, and eight years later he set up Jimmy Myers and the Truckadeers, who turned into Jimmy DeKnight and his Knights of Rhythm. He dabbled in songwriting before US Army war service in the Pacific. Myers's personal taste in music never veered far from Benny Goodman, Harry James and the big bands of the 1930s, but back in post-war Philadelphia Myers fell in with country musicians working on ABC's nationally networked Saturday radio show, Hayloft Hoedown. Thus inspired, he launched his Cowboy Records, and learnt the business of plugging his product.
So it was, when Rock Around The Clock was completed, and initially achieving feeble sales, that Myers toured the five neighbouring States pushing the disc to radio stations, and sent 200 copies to contacts in Hollywood. Thus did Blackboard Jungle's director, Richard Brooks, encounter the Haley disc.
"The movie fed the record," Evan Hunter recalled four decades later, "the record fed the movie." In 1956, post-Blackboard Jungle, insult was added to injury with the release of Rock Around The Clock, the movie. In Britain Fleet Street denounced the film, its audience of "rock and roll-crazed teenagers" and the "blight of Teddy Boy riots".
The business relationship between Myers and Haley was not to last beyond the mid-1950s, and Myers retreated from the music business. He moved to California, passed two decades as a bit-part player in Hollywood and had a ball, he recalled, doing so. Then, after half a century with his base in Philadelphia, he moved to Florida.
There he received awards recognising him as the man behind a record with a sale claimed to exceed 200 million, which was a repeated hit in the 1960s and 1970s and was covered - or murdered - by everyone from Pat Boone and the Osmonds to the Isley Brothers and the Sex Pistols.
Myers was involved with other records, other minor hits, but nothing could compare with Rock Around The Clock. It was the record that fleetingly made a plaid-jacketed, middle-aged man with a kiss-curl a teen sex symbol, Myers rich, and the Western world a different place.
Nigel Fountain
The Guardian, London
On October 16, Cpl. Michael D. Beverly, an 11-year veteran of the Chester Police Dept., was murdered in the line of duty on a city street. Seven years ago, Cpl. Beverly held his partner, Connie Hawkins, who died in his arms after having been shot to death by an an intoxicated person. Yet -- Mike returned to the streets to help protect the citizens of the City. Mike was the devoted father of five young children. If you would like to honor a policeman/firefighter, those men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us, as evidenced most strikingly in the events of 9-11-01, you might be interested in doing so by contributing to: The Children of Michael Beverly, c/o Fraternal Order of Police, Wm. Penn Lodge #19, P.O. Box 820, Chester, PA 19013.
My husband, Ralph Leiby (he went by the name Ralph George while in school) and I drove through Chester this past August. We were quite depressed -- it was not what we remembered. We drove down through Brookhaven to 9th Street and hardly recognized anything along the way. It certainly is different from what we remembered it to be. The Deshong Museum was not the way we remembered it. My husband was wondering if anyone remembered a policeman named Contravi (sp)? While driving through Chester we recalled many places in the downtown area. I wish we could go back in time for just a short period of time.
I'm looking to find out information on my real ( biologigical ) Father, Ed Tracey. He was said to frequent Sun Village, Jeffries Bar, Eddie's Cafe and other local drinking establishments. He passed away years ago in Florida without me ever getting a chance to know him or his legacy. Good memories or bad, Please e-mail me with them! I could use the help for a little bit of closure. Thanks, Ed Bailey
Linda no what you mean about getting people that we grew up with but I am really enjoying reading all the story's and seeing all the old Pictures that are on here.........So how are you ?
oan McCracken it was nice to hear from you .I remember Lorraine and (Rainie)coming in your store playing Pinball and all the good things.........How are you.....
GEORGE...YOU SOUND LIKE A MAN WITH EXPERIENCE!
TO FRANK VAUL... As hard as I've tried Frank I can't remember the name you're referring to. I did know it at one time. His store was,as far as I can recall mainly a Butcher Shop The American Stores didn't carry meat so there usually was a Butcher Shop close by. One of the things that I remember my Dad saying about the 10th. & Parker location[he worked in several in Chester] was the fact that the customers there would buy only the premium Fruits & Vegetables. I remember the name Joe Pine. Remember he was on the radio. Think I listened a few times. I was glad to see the picture of your Uncle,John J. Vaul on the site here today. I always thought fondly of him. Take care
Paul: Silverdime WAS dishwater!!
Many thanks to Harvey Martin for the great links he provided.
The mention of the Chester Brewery gave me a laugh. I had an Uncle who probably tasted Beer from many places. When I was about 12yrs. old I was listening to a conversation he was having with someone about beer. They said Silver Dime was the best. He said he would rather drink dishwater! It was one of those "you had to be there" things.
Bethel Court gets a mention in this article on the Chester Trolley Strike. http://www.delcohistory.org/dchs/strike.htm
hi, i've been checking out the chester website for quite awhile now and haven't seen too many baby boomers from the 6o's on here. grew up in sun village until 1969. had alot of great friends back then.
I got this from Sher Ridgeway...I grew up near the old Chester Brewery where Silver Dime Beer was brewed. It was located in South Chester at 2nd and Palmer Sts. Were there any other breweries in Chester? My friends & I used to go to Stackie's and get our steaks and then go to the Franklin Hotel to eat them. You could buy quarts of beer to wash them down.
I don't know if these are myths or true stories about Ethel Waters---When she visited Chester she came in a purple "cad" and created Quite a stir. I connect a street called "banana alley which it was said was paved because she had lived there or maybe just visited her family there.The memories get blurred. I do remember bethel court. It was a sight seeing tour to drive through there and see all the pretty ladies hanging out of the windows. It was quite well known through out the world. I remember meetig some one in St.Thomas and mentioning Chester and they said "Oh yes. that's where Bthel Court is!!" The Wilson Line not only carried people to the parks along the Dela. but they ran dance cruises at night. I only went on one of these. there was too much bootleg whiskey consumed. The police would meet them at the dock to unload the roudies. Do you remember that during prohibition, the saying was "what Chester makes Chester drinks?" It didn't take much to make us laugh!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YEA...by the way that looked like me waving from the top deck....(can't we all see ourselves on the ship) as we went off to Riverview to see the laughing fat lady...and the Gypsy fortune teller machine...
Here is a link to some great pictures of the Wilson Line and Riverview Amusement Park. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/6484/wilson.html
To: Paul Crowther, Paul what was the name of the man who owned the little store next to the American Store? I remember watching him and Joe Pyne play the pinball machine for money. Do you remember Joe, he was one of the first talk show host. He would answer the phone with "Its your nickel" He was very nasty with the callers sometime. He had a sister Ann who went to St Michaels school.
another memory passed my mind as I closed my message. Can anyone remember Commission Row? Bethel Court?
For those in so. Chester, do any of you guys remember the "HOBO" jungle? If you walked past the dump south of Booth Street on the railroad down to the river. there was a small sand beach and a small patch of trees (silver dollar trees). Here I can remember wooden benches where the men would go to play craps or cards. They swam at this little patch of sand too.
Mr. H. Martin: Thank you for the link to the article on Ethel Waters. I recently had an opportunity to visit the area where Chester dedicated a park to her. A lovely park that now needs some help to look and feel alive. The day I went thru Rt. 291 there was one person enjoying what was meant for many to enjoy. The park does remain intack even with the construction of the new Rt. 291. it has been spared. Unlike the houses on the river side of Second Street that will be torn down to make way for the continuation of the new highway that I am told will link Philadelphia to the upper part of Delaware. It was sad to see the boarded up windows with demolition numbers on the once well kept homes of our childhoods.
Again thanks for not only a good read, but an interesting part of Chesters History.
i moved from chester to ridley township but a lot of my friends were still in chester. i went to smedley jr. high 1957 anybody from smedley? i worked at the boyd theatre and has some friends at st. james.
I remember going to see Ethel Waters at Widener some years back when she was honored by the City of Chester. Here is a brief biography... http://www.wntb.com/blackachievers/ethlwaters/index.htm
This is from Don McNeal talking about his Uncle Hilt. The Buckman airport was off of Township Line road in back of Trainer. It was located in back of where the industrial plumbing supply company is today. I was only there one or two times. My uncle, even before the Second World War, was interested in flying. But he didn't have his own plane then, in fact, the first planes that he flew were" homebuilts". My recollection is of seeing the mail-plane swoop down to pick up a sack of mail strung on a cable between two "goal posts". The mail planes would drop one leather mail sack and pick up the outgoing one. This was before the war. I was only a little kid, maybe 4 or 5 years- old. We lived nearby in Buckman Village on Keystone Road, and Uncle Hilt lived in Linwood. I'll talk to Aunt Eloise about this-maybe she can tell me more. Don McNeal
Correction on e-mail address: Its carpjm40@yahoo.com
Hey Leigh, sent you a e-mail. Did you get it??????
My Brother Bill reminded me about the Plane that was hangared at Buckman with the Shark Teeth on the nose. Not sure but I think they were called Tiger Moth's, He also remembers all the Army Vehicles constantly running up and down on Township Line Rd. This must have been during the Korean Conflict that was mentioned here. It seems to me the nose of this Plane was Red & Black with a real snarky look!
Hi, Here are some comments about Buckman Airport made by some of my friends... Sher Ridgeway...When I was a kid about 10 or 11 I used to go out to watch the mail pick-up I took my first plane ride ina piper J-3 in 1946. . Florence Pittenger...Hadn't heard of Buckman Airport in 50 years. Joe Colameco...I had my first airplane flight at Buckman Airport.I was about 15 years old. Bob DePew and I. In the summers you could go there and hang around the planes and talk with all of the owners of the private planes. For a few dollars you could go up for a short ride. It was the thrill of a life time for me at that time. I went up in aPiper Cub. I don't remember the name of the road it was on. I belive if you went down Pennell Rd. (452), go under I-95, it comes Market St. At the top of the small hill is a cemetery. You turn left and about mid way to Highland Ave., the airport was on the left. I imagine there are photos of it around Delco. Hap Lindsay...http://www.delcohistory.org/articles/flying.htm Harvey Martin...Someone mentioned photos of Buckman Airport. Where are they located?
Remember the Buckman Airport & Air Mail, in fact the Upland Post Office was in our house & sometimes my Dad would drive the mail to airport & unhook & hook up the mail bags. He took us girls w/him sometimes.My uncle Thomas McBride was the Postmaster, he paid us 5 cents to deliver "special deliveries" in the town, we had 3 mail deliveries a day to the postoffice from Chester PO & people picked up their mail fr general delivery or rented a box. Christmas was a very busy time, out house would be piled w/packages & we all hand stamped the cards & letters right up till 6 pm Christmas Eve.
work email is hrwhite_fmb@hotmail.com
Betty Ratliff Marth....Really sorry to hear about Patsy Mann. The Mann family were really nice people. Thank you for the info. Tom
While everyone is talking about early mail pick-ups, does anyone remember the railroad mail "grab" at around 12th & Edgmont? My dad used to take me there to watch the "mechanical arm" sticking out of the railroad mail car grab the mail bag off a post at about 60MPH. Occasionally, it would spear the bag and mail would be all over the place!
TO: Bud Haynes. I remember the mail pickups vividly, growing up in the area. We used to hustle out to the airport about 4pm in the afternoon and watch the pickups. As a child I used to spend a lot of my summer at the airport. The owner, Norman Smith liked me & used to give me odd jobs. Sometimes he would take me with him in his old J-3 Piper Cub and fly off to pick up parts, etc.. I loved it..
TO THE ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTOR from 10/18 at 8:20 A.M. I've been trying to "enjoy the day" as you suggested but it has been slightly difficult. This has been only the 2nd. negative comment anyone has ever made about any of the things people have written about. Memories are memories,good or bad. To bury ones head in the sand and pretend they don't exist is not a very healthy way to live. Personally,I enjoy reading most things that are posted here. Those that are of less interest I read and am happy to see that they're not afraid to open their hearts and minds to others. If I found much that dampened my spirits anywhere I wouldn't go there anymore. As my Mother used to tell me and Thumper from "Bambi" said. " If you can't say anything nice,don't say nothing at all!" Perhaps you could be more specific and tell me what it is or was that made you comment that this was a "rag sheet" Please define! Now that I've vented a little I'll enjoy the rest of the day[and tomorrow too!] ENJOY THE DAY!
ahh..10th and Parker...Slicky are you out there.
Paul: I do remember hearing about the crash that killed Mr. West. I thought somewhere I heard that Rev died in a airplane crash. Don't know if that is so. I too can see the windsock in my memory. Sure wish I would have had my browny camera around then.
Bud.. the mail drops yes, some of the older guys must have known the approximate time for drops or new what flag meant what because I do remember some of them betting on whether they would miss or catch on one pass. I think during the Korean War they had some of the men doing civil defense patrols there.
TO Adele Harper... WOW ! There's a real blast from the past. Harper & Sons Awnings! Sure don't see many awnings around anymore. My Grandmother lived at 1127 Walnut St. I don't remember her house ever being without an awning. I used to be fascinated watching it being lowered in the morning and cranked up at night. It seemed almost everyone had one. My Dad managed the American Store at 10th. & Parker Sts. and there was one there. It was fun to watch it being cranked down after a rainstorm and see the waterfall. Would like nothing better than to sit on a porch with an awning on a balmy Summer evening. Hope awnings someday regain their popularity. In the City I live in now there is a Company that does Blinds and Awnings. On the truck it says"CAUTION! BLIND MAN DRIVING"
i am the daughter of e. blair harper from h.a. harper sons, inc. awnings. my uncle was lewis h. harper, fire chief of chester. please get in touch as my father would love to chat with you about chester. thanks
TO Bud Haynes... Forgot all about that mail pickup. I remember seeing bags hanging there waiting for pickup but I never stuck around long enough to see it happen.
To Paul D. Crowther: I did not see anyone mention the mail pick up at the Buckman Airport. They had 2 poles with a rope between them and would hang a mail bag on the rope and a plane would come by with a rope and hook on it and snag the mail, it sometimes would miss and have to try again.
Bud - Yuma, AZ
Joanne, just email it to me when you get a chance gpmalick@home.com Thanks
hi, GEORGE ,HOW DO I GET TO MY PROFILE TO GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED??THANKS
hi, i was reading some of the messages on the board and came across your message. i was wondering if your wife is the daughter of Lou, & Lillian Morrison??? if so i know her family, but it has been many yrs. since i seen or heard from any of them. i went to school with her uncle Robert if it is. please get back to me and let me know??? my maiden name was Miller.
TO U.W. Yes..I rememger the Buckman Airport! There were small Piper Cubs and Cessna's hangared there. There was a Flying school also. Can still see the"windsock" at the edge of the field. From what I recall it was a grass runway. The entrance was from Township Line Road. I lived on Perkins St. in Highland Gardens. At the end of the St.[whereI-95 is now] lived a Mr. West. He owned a Piper Cub and flew out of there. One Summer evening he was he was out for a spin. He flew low over his house and was waving to his Wife who was in the front yard. He apparantly came in too low and hit the Power Lines on Keystone road and was killed. Everyone around went to the crash site. The nose of the Plane was buried about six feet into Keystone Rd. A terrible tragedy!
Great Pix of Buckman village. Does anyone remember the Buckman village airport. Along what is now Township line Road and Highland Ave. Small planeport as I remember. Remember a fellow by the name of Revery that I seem to remember took flying lessons there. Maybe it was an early flying school type airfield.
That would take the mystery out of our memories. I enjoy the board as a connection to the citys past and people. Especially when it is used to wake up a happy memory of places and people that were once a part of our lives. I am unhappy to see it used for a rag sheet at times.
Enjoy the day everyone.
Patti, Marty was the youngest boy. He has told me about all his antics as a kid. He and Bill Birkofer were and still are great buddies. Do you remember Bill? After Marty got older, really older, he and his brothers would start talking about all the things they used to do when they were young. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Marth.
Betty Pfeil....Now there is a name from my past. Do you remember me. I lived in the Maple Shade Apartments and in the apartments over the garages back by the railroad tracks that the "Greens" owned. I had three brothers there, Charles, Bob, and Johnny. This takes me back to my roots. I remember staying at your house the night my crazy father cut his wrists...Do you remember this??? You had a brother and a great Mom. WOW! That takes me back so many years and so many lifetimes ago. After my Mother left my father we crawled out of the gutter and had a wonderful, wonderful life. Thank God. Betty
T. Nilolaides..I knew Patsy Mann. She was a friend of mine along with Delores Smith Nowak. She married Joe Garyantis. She died quite a few years ago from Bone Cancer..Betty
Chester, what a great place to hang out on Friday nights. A cold birch beer at the pool hall: I was only 11 years old at the time.Snowballs at the cart under the railroad bridge, rootbeer was the best. The triangle news stand in the middle of town, John's hot dogs with the works. Then, as I got older, Billie Ritchies, T-Bar, Chariot. Those were the days. What was the bartender's name at Ritchies during the 60's,blond, glasses and always had a good joke.
Hey Joan, Do you have a brother Michael who would be approximately 53 years old? If so, I think I went to school with him.
Bud Haynes: Well, you must have gone to highschool somewhere because you come across as well-educated. I am your neighbor. I live in Phoenix, AZ - so hi there, fellow-cactus grower.
To UW Yes my sister's husband was in partnership with his brothers. He passed away about 19 yrs. ago. You seem to know so much about me an my family and the west end. Why dont you releal yourself to me. I'm at cypresgreen@home.com
Now back to Chester Memories...the South Chester area had Kolasinski Studio for our Photographic needs, then later I think Kidas took it over.
Thanks for remembering Dale. After I read it, I wondered how I could forget. Can remember running into Jeans gift shop and either Jean or Frank would gift wrap our presents. Both very nice people. gosh, most of the people in our little part of Chester were nice now that I think of it.
Ed R> I am sorry to hear of your sisters death. Didn't she and her husband own the scrap yard on second street & Harwick?
Ed Rumford: are your parents still living?
Another name from the dusty files of my mind. Marie Scoop. Her family I believe owned a movie house in the Claymont area. Think she lived next to the Yotty's. Big Yotty (Andy) and Little Yotty (Stanley)...
Patti: No my dad did not teach school. He worked for the Railway Express Agency in Chester for 47 years. This site brings back lots of memories but I have not run across any old friends. I quit Smedley in 8th grade in 1943. I lived in Sun Village till 1952 and lived within 50 miles of Chester till 1980.
Bud - Yuma, AZ
Hi Trish - that site is "musiccity.com" - Wasn't Bill Locke nice to share that with us? Have fun and if you can find "Foolishly Yours", please email me.
PAT, MAYBE YOU CAN E-MAIL ME THE SITE THAT BILL LOCKE SENT YOU REGARDING MUSIC..THANKS
Just found you; looking around.
Answers: Sorry, I did not know Patricia or Mary Mann. I went to Rez with "Rose" Mann - graduated '50 from CHS - so you can guess how old I am. I'm sure they're a lot younger.
The "Cats and the Fiddle" - see what cute and reasonable names we had back then. You might be right about that. Names like "The Dead Zone" made me want to hear no further. And Bud Haynes, did your dad teach at CHS?
To Patti: I am reasonably sure that "I sold my heart to the junkman" was done by "The Cat's and the Fiddle".....
Bud - Yuma, AZ
TO BETTY JO AND RAINIE
Hi,, This is a great site. It is great to see so many old names come up. As you know we owned Mac's Hoagies, was great friends with both of your parents and siblings. The gang that others are asking about was the Purple Gang and they hung out at our store. They had a clubhouse at 12th & edgmont and they wore Purple cordoroy jacket. Fred Long, Fred Casino, Mighty Carr, Stinger, Gannon, John Gibson, etc,etc.
We had a reunion for 2nd Ward about 10 years ago and had a turnout of about 300 . three generations of 2nd warders.
To Pattie from Clover Lane....Do you recall the Mann family from Clover lane? Two sisters named Patrica and Mary?
Hi - it's me-of-few-words again. Forgot - I lived at 1209 Clover Lane. And, a few more lines to "Junkman" . . . . you brought it back to me all broken and busted. I sold my heart to the junkman and I'll never fall in love again. You took my heart because you thought you could use it. Just like a little toy, you battered and bruised it. I sold my heart to the junkman, and I'll never fall in love again."
The bridge to this song is tough, hard to sing, and darn, I forget the words. Any volunteers? Pat Dodds - you have one darn good memory and you must have really loved music.
To Pat: Thanks for all the words to "Foolishly Yours" - but I don't know the melody at all - where was I when that was around because it looks like my type of song. Maybe Bill Locke can find it or I will look at the site he sent me, or the site that someone else was kind enough to email me. What great and generous people all of you are.
To Betty Marth: My maiden name is McFadden (took it back after divorce) and I remember Bob and Bernie well, but I did not know Marty at all. Is he the youngest or oldest? Yes, the Marth boys were part of a group of boys who would "roam the village" at night and talked about football and girls. Now, I guess it's mostly about football - football nuts is what they were, but they all got wives - so it wasn't completely football.
To the person who typed out the words to "Junkman" - it's really great to know that other people remember that tune. Why doesn't someone re-record it - it's a great tune. Talk to you all later.
pat, here goes.......YOURS I'LL BE ALWAYS , SO FOOLISHLY YOURS.....NOTHING CAN CHANGE ME I'M YOURS, TRY OTHER ARMS OTHER LIPS BUT WHAT FOR, ITS YOU I ADORE, SO IL'L COME BACK FOR MORE......MORE OF YOUR KISSES AND MORE OF YOUR LIES , MORE OF YOUR THRILLS AND GOODBYES.....BUT EACH TIME WE PART, I GIVE YOU MY HEART, CAN'T'DO WITHOUT YOU , I'M SO FOOLISHLY YOURS..IT WAS A GREAT SONG AT THAT TIME BY SAVANNAH CHURCHILL.. I AM SO PLEASED WITH MYSELF I REMEMBERED ALL THE WORDS.....YES...THANKS PAT
I AM A CHS GRAD CLASS OF 1952.I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED READING ABOUT THE OLD CHESTER. I LIVED DOWN THE STREET FROM WHERE BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS HAD THEIR RECORDING STUDIO. THEY SYARTED OUT AT 5TH. AND CROSBY.ALSO ON 5TH ST.WAS THE HANLEY HOSE FIRE COMPANY. THE ARMORY BOWLING ALLEY, THE MAPLE SHADE APARTMENTS,DR. GOODMAN, KAPLANS STAG BAR,DOUGHERTY DANCING STUDIO,AND A LOT OF CHANGES THAT I CAN'T RECALL AT THE MOMENT.
to dan ross my father (reds) delivered beer to richies place in the 60's worked for kelly's
Barb...I knew your Aunt Doris from when I would go to Mr and Mrs Coppock's house with Joyce. How is she. I can remember everytime I would go there, the cushions on the chairs and couch were always cocked so you couldn't sit on them. She was a sweet lady. I am not surprised that Jack never told anyone the reason for the divorce. I felt so sorry for Joyce. She never even saw it coming. She was devastated. But she went back to school and got an education and went on to be a Judge. I was pretty proud of her. She lives in Wilmington by the Ronald McDonald House on Rockland Road. I used to see her everytime I came into town but I got too lazy to drive when I am there. I have dinner with the Marth's and spend all my time with my Mother. I try to get home 3 or 4 times a year... in fact, I am coming in October 23rd for a visit. Take care. Betty
Pat, I married Jack (or Marty as a lot of us called him) We live in East Wenatchee, Wa. We lived in Bellevue (20 miles East of Seattle) for 31 years but moved here in April of this year. We have 7 children and 13 Grandchildren. Bob died in the '80's. What a guy he was! Bernie lives in Brookhaven. His wife, Anne, died two years ago. He's a great guy too. I got the onery one. Where did you live on Clover Lane? Marty was wondering what your last name is (or was).
Didn't Frankie Laine record, I sold my heart to the junkman?
Sold my heart to the junkman
I sold my heart to you the one that I trusted, You brought back to me all broken & busted
Thank you for the website.So many memories of a great little city. "What Chester Makes Makes Chester."
Yes Pattie, I rember that sond well about the junkman. It was my sisters favorite.
Hi again Pat - Savannah Churchill - a long lost name in musical history - I certainly do remember her and she was fantastic. "Foolishly Yours" escapes my memory, but it sounds good. Would love to hear it. Nothing quite as universal and makes for good conversation as music. My take on Bin Laden is that we should send him some good dixieland music - then they'd discover fun, dancing and good times. But of course, they'd have to dance with each other - women not allowed. That's part of their problem, they've been dancing with each other too long - and their music comes from a garbage can. Take off the turbans, and put those lids on your heads guys, you'd look more natural that way.
Sorry - got off some steam there. Anyway, back to music.
PAT,
i LOVE THAT SONG, DO YOU REMEMBER "fOOLISHLY YOURS" BY
PAT,
I LOVE THAT SONG,...DO YOU REMEMBER"FOOLISHLY YOURS" BY SAVANNAH CHURCHILL...EARLY FIFTIES
Hey people - while we're on the subject of music - Does anyone remember a tune I dearly loved and it faded away too fast. It was entitled "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" and it may have been recorded by the Billy Williams quartette or a similar group. That tune was a popular one at the dances too.
to the englishman who was inquiring about a Jean Gallager who was his pen pal 504 w 7th street was 2 doors down from Landinos barabar shop she probabaly went to lincoln and franklin school unless she was Catholic.will write you email but want to get this posted. WHERES ALL THE CLASS OF 52. LETS GET WITH IT> JACK KOPECK YOUR ONE OF THEM YOU USED TO PLAY POKER WITH ME ON TOP OF MY FATHERS GARAGE INSTEAD OF WALKING TO THE STUPID ALTHETIC FIELD>
YES
To Bill Locke - apologies due - I called you Paul instead of Bill, I knew it was Bill - Just a typo. To: UW - ......."Millions of hearts have been broken, just because these words were spoken. I love you, yes I do, I love you. If you break my heart, I'll die, so be sure it's true when you say, "I love you" - it's a sin to tell a lie." Now EVERYBODY IN CHORUS - BE SURE IT'S TRUE WHEN YU SAY, (can't hear ya') = that's better. Now, didn't that feel good?
The words to "It's No Sin" By G. Hoven & Chester Shull were: " Take away the breath of Flowers,it would surely be a sin Take away the April showers,it's a sin." I know all the words to this one. Full of useless information! Never learned the things I was supposed to!
I meant to ask after seeing AL ALBERTS name mentioned here. Anyone have a copy of his "HERE IN MY HEART" ? Another great romantic song! "Here in my heart I'm alone and so lonely Here in my heart I just yearn for you only" I think I remember all the words but won't bore everyone further! One reason I remember it so well is that is what I was whistling one day under Mr. Giles winwow at good old Chester High. I didn't realize at the time where I was standing. Suddenly,a voice said"why don't you take that whistle somewhere else" We couldn't see each other. I said something stupid. He said"Do you know who you're talking to? I said "No,do you?" I think he said " Not yet" I said" BYE CHARLIE" and took off. Another great memory!
Thanks for jogging the memory. The words I do remember were "Be sure its true when you say I Love You, its a sin to tell a lie, Millions of words have been spoken....(there I drift off) Are Michael and Calvin still around the Chester area suburbs. All Geo. H. students ended up buying the sheet music. I think if I looked hard enough in the can't throw away boxes in the cellar it is probably there my Mom saved that type of thing.
Well,here we go again! This one I know for sure! "IT'S NO SIN" was a #1 hit in 1951.Music was by George Hoven. Lyrics were by Chester Shull. It was originally recorded by [guess who Pat?] EDDY HOWARD! It was recorded by many groups and indiv. singers. I went to Dewey-Mann school with Mr. Shull's son Calvin. Chester Shull passed away fairly recently. A great song,great memories!
Thanks George..Still have an accordian that my Dad bought in the early 1940's. its beautiful and still has nice sound.
Thanks to everyone who joined in yesterday's brainstorming of Goodnight Sweetheart, especially Paul Crowther and Pat Dodds who I am sure solved the mystery. I am convinced now that it was Eddy Howard. And, a HUGE thank you to Paul Locke for asking the "MUSICAL" question by sending me the MUSIC via today's technology to inquire if that is the song I was referring to. My head is still spinning over that, and I have played both versions several times. Let's have a quiz from time to time - that was a lot of fun.
To UW, Unfortunately you are correct, George Hovan did perish in a fire at his store on 3rd St. Don't remember how long, but "Sin" was number 1 on "you're hit parade"