Heritage Coalition "Things Gone" Coverlet: Monessen, PA

Things Gone is the theme of this four-color coverlet featuring seven images of buildings and street art that no longer exist in Monessen. The coverlet is rendered in two and a half layer weave, is made of 100% pre-shrunk cotton, measures 50x70 inches, is machine washable, and is made in Pennsylvania. It features:

Blast Furnaces of the Pittsburgh Steel Company Ground was broken on March 11, 1912, for the construction of blast furnaces No 1 (right) and 2 (left) at Pittsburgh Steel Company. They were blown in August of 1913. The following year, 1914, No. 1 held the world record in production. The two furnaces share a common cast house, a unique feature in blast furnace construction. They were joined by Jane Furnace, built by the Federal Government, during World War II. From January 1, 1955, to February 28, 1956, the Blast Furnace Department amassed one million work hours without an accident. All three furnaces were permanently shut down on September 2, 1986. In 1995, an attempt was made to save one blast furnace for posterity. The movement failed. In 1996, Jane and No 1 were demolished, their metal cut up for scrap. In 1997 the rest of the mill followed.

Monessen High School The first high school opened at Sixth and Reed in Monessen in 1901. In 1915, the high school on our coverlet opened. It was destroyed by fire on April 10, 1946, and replaced with the building that was demolished in 1997. A new facility was occupied in September of 1996.

Monessen Post Office The Monessen Post Office was established in 1898 at 7th and Schoonmaker. According to a booklet prepared by the Post Office, the first postmaster was John W. Manown. Over the years, the Post Office was relocated six times. The fifth time it occupied the building represented on our coverlet. The community outgrew the facility and a new building, still in use, was dedicated in 1964.

P&LE Depot The first P&LE depot in Monessen was a small frame building erected around 1897 just east of the depot on our coverlet. Trains were an important part of travel in the valley, and used frequently on trips to Pittsburgh. After the heyday of the trains, this depot was used for awhile for buses. It is now a parking lot.

Star Theater McShaffey's Star Vaudeville Theatre graced Sixth Street where the parking lot now stands for many years. It began with live performances and shifted to silent movies and finally talkies. On May 16, 1919, it was severely damaged by fire. It was rebuilt and with the addition of a balcony, 561 seats were added. The first radio station in the valley was WMBJ, which broadcast from the Star. It opened on February 21, 1927. Many a Saturday the children of Monessen visited the Star, quarters in hand, for a four-hour mix of cartoons, cowboys, and horror flicks.

Brown Street Clock This company, located at 532 Donner Avenue, probably began production in 1908 under the ownership of Benjamin Brown and remained in business until his death in 1922. Sales of existing stock continued until 1930. Weighing over 1,600 pounds, the Brown Street Clock was sold throughout the world. It stood over 14 feet, high. The illuminated face was 30 inches in diameter and made of opal ribbed glass. At the base was a name plate which read, Made In Monessen, PA.

Page Woven Wire Fence Company Opened for business in 1900, Pages was founded by J. Wallace Page of Adrian, Michigan, father of the woven wire fence industry. It occupied 22 acres of the former Manown Farm between Donner Avenue and the river at the foot of 1st St. At that time it employed 500 men and produced 3,000 tons a month. It was sold to American Chain in 1920. Wire from Pages was used in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. In 1941, it discontinued its farm fence and nail production. In 1947, it employed 1,100 men. In 1972, it closed for good.

Historical information prepared by Lloyd Thompson, President, Rostraver Historical Society and Cassandra Vivian, President, Heritage Coalition

The "Things Gone" Coverlet is $42.00. Shipping is $6.00. It can be ordered from the Heritage Coalition care of TVS Coalition Network at 8th and Donner (1-724-684-8002) Monessen, Pennsylvania 15062. Payment in full must accompany the order.