Steamboat Building in Elizabeth, PA

A Journal of daily activities at the Elizabeth Marine Ways 1898 to 1925 

Businesses

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To view a larger image click on that particular image... for a brief description of the image place your cursor on the image.

   

 

The Elizabeth Herald published a special edition named "Illustrated Industrial Edition" that was about the various Industries and Businesses located in the Elizabeth area. Below is the front page from that edition:

Cover of Industrial Edition of Elizabeth Herald, about 1917. From collection of William Caulkett of Elizabeth, PA in 2014. William's son is Zach Caulkett and Zach's cousin is Jeremy Stiehl also of Elizabeth.   Close up of picture on cover of Industrial Edition of Elizabeth Herald, about 1917. From collection of William Caulkett of Elizabeth, PA in 2014. William's son is Zach Caulkett and Zach's cousin is Jeremy Stiehl also of Elizabeth. The large brick building on the right side of street apppears to be Wylie Brother's Hardware Store as seen in section down this page.   

Many of the photos on this page are from that edition and were copied by me from a CD created by John Dziama for his high school classmates who graduated in 1948 from Elizabeth High School.

 

Elizabeth Marine Ways

From the collection of John Dziama   

This photo of a wood working mill does not have any other specific identification information, William Boucher advised that the location of the mill was on the south side of Church street at Second Avenue extension, next to the railroad tracks which based upon this location would probably mean it was part of the Elizabeth Marine Ways. The article below from the Elizabeth Herald indicates that a "Mill" was part of the Marine Ways.

This is the complete page on the Mon River Consolidated Coal Company that originally owned the Elizabeth Marine Ways. From collection of William Caulkett.

I have placed the article from the above page into a logical sequence to make it easier to read.  Just click on the small images below to enlarge for easier reading:

Read First     

 

Below are close up of the three photos on this page:

Finley is not mentioned in the article but was the President of C.C.C. when Elizabeth Marine Ways was opened  William Weigel was Supt. at Elizabeth Marine Ways during its early years and is mentioned in JW's Journal  Steamer TORNADO is mentioned numerous times by JW in his journal, the first time is 1901 but it is unknown when this photo was taken.

 

This is a letter written to the S&D Reflector, a magazine devoted to Riverboat history, concerning the history of the Elizabeth Marine Ways.  This letter was published in their March 1977 edition which had a lengthy article on the river history of Elizabeth, PA and was written by  Steve Mackinack an Elizabeth, PA resident who was considered a River Historian.  Steve wrote various informational letters that were published by the Reflector concerning articles in their quarterly published magazine.

Steve Mackinack letter from March 1977 S&D Reflector.  

 

Click here to read an article on the history of the Elizabeth Packet Company.

 

 

 

 

Bennett

From collection of Janice Bennett Stevens   From collection of Janice Bennett Stevens   From collection of Janice Bennett Stevens   

The photo on the left of a store operated by George Bennett JR. located at 2nd and Plum Street, was taken sometime in the early 1900s, appears to be General Merchandise.  The middle photo shows George Bennett JR. Restaurant and Grill located at 312 Market Street during the mid 1930s, after prohibition. The photo on the right shows two of George's children, Mabel and Jim, in the alley behind 312 Market Street.

 

Blankenbuler

Interior of Blankenbuehler, which appears to be general merchandise  

 

 

Elizabeth Municipal Building

  

 

 

 

Elizabeth Herald

Elizabeth Daily Herald building circa early 1900 from collection of Historic Elizabeth  

 

 

Feldstein

Interior of Feldstein, from collection of John Dziama 

 

 

Hall's Pontiac Garage

From collection of Historic Elizabeth showing a gas pump on the sidewalk of Third Street  

 

 

 

Hayden's Feed Mill

Original Feed Mill from collection of John Dziama   I am not sure which building this article is describing from collection of John Dziama   Feed Mill's "new" building from collection of John Dziama  

Interior and Exterior photos of Hayden's Feed Mill, assumption is that two photo were taken on same day, which is unknown. From collection of Historic Elizabeth.   Interior and Exterior photos of Hayden's Feed Mill, assumption is that two photo were taken on same day, which is unknown. From collection of Historic Elizabeth.   

 

 

Herron's Department Store

From collection of Historic Elizabeth   From collection of Historic Elizabeth Herrons is on right side of street at corner of Second and Market   

 

 

 

Marraccini's Market

From collection of Historic Elizabeth    From collection of Historic Elizabeth    

  Similar to the previous photo but apparently later in time based upon the addition of signage over the door and another electric pole added is from the collection of John Dziama   Interior view from collection of John Dziama  "New" Marraccini's from collection of John Dziama    

 

McMains Novelty Store

From collection of John Dziama   

 

Petric Hauling

 

Petric Hauliing truck photo from the collection of Jeremy Stiehl   

Petric Hauling had this mobile location, if there was an actual building this business was located at please advice me and I will add that information.  If anyone has additional information concerning this picture, such as year and type of truck, please share and this information will be added. Photo is from the collection of Jeremy Stiehl.

 

 

 

Pollack Taylor Shop

Photo from the collection of Great Granddaughter Angela Strohschein    close up of previous photo from the collection of Great Grandaughter Angela Strohschein    

Julius Pollack's Taylor Shop was located at 195 Market Street. This photo is dated by the calendar hanging on the back wall as April 1924.  Julius was born in Liachowicz Russia (which is now Liachovichy Belarus) and he followed his older brothers, mother, and sisters to Elizabeth, PA at turn of the century, birth/death dates (1884-1935)

 

 

 

U. S. Post Office

Unknown child riding toy in front of Marraccini's Market with Post Office across the street  Unknown child riding toy in front of Marraccini's Market with Post Office across the street   

Photos are circa 1930's showing an unknown child with a riding toy under the corner canopy of Marraccini's Market and the Post Office is in the background across the street.

 

 

Watt  & Company

From collection of John Dzima  From collection of John Dzima  From collection of John Dzima

 

Wycoff General Merchandise

From collection of John Dziama From collection of John Dziama From collection of John Dziama From collection of John Dziama

 

 

Wylie Brothers Hardware

 

Exterior of the building is from collection of John Dziama. Note store front to the left of Wylie Bros. is the original State Bank shown in photos below in their "new" location.   Interior view from collection of John Dziama   Interior view from collection of John Dziama  

 

State Bank    

Market and Second Street Postcard Dated 1912 from collection of John Dziama   Second Street and Market Street  Postcard showing the State Bank during the Horse and Buggy Era  Photo of the State Bank

 

Pharmacies    

Crystal Pharmacy

Date of this postcard is unknown but it appears to be a very early photo of the building Crystal Pharmacy was located in. Note Neil House on hill in background    added 3/24/17

Crystal Pharmacy in background of parade dated by cars shown as early 1900s.   Crystal Pharmacy postcard dated 1910  

From collection of Historic Elizabeth.   Central Block is title of postcard dated 1918. This is same location of Crystal Pharmacy in previous photos.

 

Camp Pharmacy

Located at the corner of Second and Market  Interior of Camp Pharmacy     

 

Young Pharmacy

From collection of Historic Elizabeth, date is unknown

 

Postcard Views of Business District

 

2nd Street in Elizabeth, PA         Postcard dated 1944   

 

First National Bank

The original First National Bank, from collection of John Dzima   Interior of original First National Bank   

First National Bank circa 1906 from collection of Historic Elizabeth   Second Avenue looking North. The columns shown in this photo are today part of the Red Lion Restaurant. This postcard is dated during the 1920s.   This postcard showing the Elizabeth Bank is dated 1920

From the collection of John Dziama shows the building during the 1940s with the awnings down. Boy on bike could be John Dziama    

 

 

GRAND THEATRE

 

From collection of Historic Elizabeth   From collection of Historic Elizabeth

The dates of these two photos are not known; however, due to being informed by a resident who was actually there that parking meters were not installed in Elizabeth until after WW II, the estimated time frame would be mid to late 1940s.  The movie playing at the time of the photo on the left was "Easy Come  Easy Go" and was made in 1928 starring Richard Dix and Nancy Carroll.  The photo on the right has the film "Getting Gerties Garter" with the original made in 1927 starring Charles Ray and Marie Prevost and featuring Sally Rand famous for her Fan Dance. This film was remade in 1945 starring Dennis O'Keefe; therefore either film might have been shown when the photo was taken.

 

 

From collection of John Dizama  From the collection of the Grand Theatre  From the collection of the Grand Theatre

These three photos hang in the lobby of the present day GRAND THEATRE, the photo on the left shows the early exterior, center photo is the lobby, and the right photo shows a packed theatre ready to see a show.

 

Postcard view looking up Third Street dated 1927. Very similar appearance in 2003.

  Copied from 1934 Program for Elizabeth Sequi-Centennial   Cox Funeral Home

The owner of Cox's Funeral Home, John Cox, is mentioned several times in the journals.  Originally this was the J. Will Martin Funeral Home, as shown on photo on left, and John Cox worked for Mr. Martin, Mr. Cox became the owner upon the death of Mr. Martin.

 

John Collinson Candy Store

From collection of Historic Elizabeth   Close up apparently showing the owner of the store, From collection of Historic Elizabeth   

William Boucher advised me that this building was next to today's Red Lion Restaurant and it is easily recognized in a few of the photos of the First National Bank above.  The building is also shown in photos of the Grand Theatre above and housed the Spotless Cleaners during the 1940s.  William also wrote that this building was once the location of Mel-Tom Paint Shop. Today this space is a one story entrance to the Red Lion Restaurant on Second Avenue.  The time frame of the photos above appear to be early 1900s. The street is brick and the sidewalk appear to be wood, if not then brick.  Comments are appreciated.

 

Rothey

Robert Barnes Brown and his wife Bess outside Rothey Store on their wedding day 1914. Photos from Betsy Banzen who can be contacted at jrbeab@aol.com   Lon Rothey outside his family store with various family members circa 1916. Photos from Betsy Banzen who can be contacted at jrbeab@aol.com  

These photos are from the collection of Betsy Norris Banzen, placing your cursor on the photos will give you her email address for questions concerning these photos.   Rothey General Store was located in "Lock 3" probably in the front of the family home.

 

 

N. W. McDonald Ford Garage

N. W. McDonald Ford Garage advertisement dated 1922 N. W. McDonald Ford Garage advertisement dated 1922 N. W. McDonald Ford Garage advertisement dated 1923 N. W. McDonald Ford Garage advertisement dated 1922 N. W. McDonald Ford Garage advertisement dated 1922

 

 

 

 

 

I do not have knowledge of the location of this Ford dealer nor do I know the years this business was in operation.  The photos above appear to me to be ad photos from Ford that could be used by dealers across the country, changing names, and I doubt if these actually show the McDonald Garage.  I know that a Ford dealership in the mid 1930s was owned by the Rockwell family, as noted in the photos below taken during the March 1936 flood, and would assume that Rockwell took over the McDonald Ford Garage sometime between 1923 and 1936 probably in the same location. Additional information is requested to make corrections to my assumptions.

Of note is that JW Lynch wrote in his journal that on March 20, 1940 that Mrs. N. W. McDonald dies at age 69, the W stood for Wylie.

 

Rockwell Ford

Rockwell's Ford can be seen on the right side  Close up of Rockwell Ford under water March 1936    

 

 

This postcard from the 1970s shows the Elizabeth railroad station when it was used for a small business.   A close up of the sign for the business using the railroad station.   

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