Brownsville Time Capsule
By Glenn Tunney For the Herald-Standard
Brownsville Time Capsule looks back over the years through the archives of the Brownsville Telegraph.
25 Years Ago – September 1980
Charles C. Kuhn Jr. has delivered his last letter. The veteran postman punched out for the final time last week, ending a career that began when he became West Brownsville’s first mail carrier after joining the U.S. Postal Service on July 17, 1953. Kuhn, who was born in Alicia and graduated from Centerville High School in 1940, spent his entire career serving the postal customers of West Brownsville.
Repairs to Brownsville’s historic Cast Iron Bridge will be delayed until December at the earliest. The bridge, plagued by excessive rust, a buckling sidewalk, and general deterioration, was supposed to be repaired by PennDOT at the earliest possible date, according to Mayor Paul Thomas, Jr. The sidewalk on the south side of the bridge has been fenced off, causing some pedestrians to walk into the street to avoid the blocked off sidewalk.
The new Liberty Towers highrise in California will be opening soon. The building will provide 104 one-bedroom apartments for elderly, handicapped or disabled individuals and couples who meet certain income standards. The new facility is expected to be completed by the end of November.
The building offers many amenities including balconies in every unit, air-conditioning, building security, appliances, a common laundry, and interior and exterior recreational facilities. It is within two blocks walking distance of the downtown shopping area, banks, churches, post office, and bus stops.
In high school football, German Township High School remained undefeated by upending the California Area High School Trojans, 22-8, at Booster Field in California. The Trojans’ Brian Schaum, who tallied 83 yards rushing in the game, scored California’s only touchdown on a one-yard run in the third quarter. California is now 0-4 for the season.
At West Mifflin High School, the Brownsville Area High School Falcons fell, 15-7, to the Vikings. Coach Jack Henck’s squad was led by running back Tom Croftcheck, who enjoyed his best game rushing and accounted for the Falcons’ lone touchdown.
45 Years Ago – September 1960
The first training class at Jay Coby Inc., Penn Craft, consisting of 10 women, is learning to use the new factory’s sewing machines to produce better quality women’s dresses. The business is expected to begin production by Oct. 1. The trainees include Irene Orbash, Caroline Kovach, Mary Lowery, Edith Robinson, Sadie Graham, Mary S. Timms, Eleanor Kapcar, Mary Hall, Anna Sabatine and Katherine Harvey. An effort is being made to establish a state-aided school in which the girls will be trained in classes of 10 to 20 in each course.
St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church, Market Street and Third Avenue, is undergoing a complete renovation. Included in the remodeling project will be a new roof for the church, repair and repainting of the two towers, a new addition to the rectory, a passage leading from the rectory to the church, a new heating system, a fire escape from the second floor, new rest rooms, and two front doors for the entrance to the ground floor.
The exterior and interior of the church will be redecorated, and the entire building will be rewired. The Rev. Fr. Demetrius Yackanich is pastor of the church, where services are being conducted on the second floor during the remodeling program.
On the gridiron, the Brashear Brownies led at halftime but fell apart in the second half as they lost to the Connellsville Cokers, 33-21, at Coker Stadium. Coach John Popovich’s Blue and White dropped their third straight, while the Cokers won their first of the campaign. Ron Matteucci, Paul Cseko and Marty Nagg accounted for the three Brashear touchdowns, with Tom Kostelnick splitting the uprights for three extra points.
Redstone High School stunned the Uniontown Red Raiders, 13-0, before 4,500 fans at the county seat. Senior halfback Curtis Brown helped eliminate the Raiders from the WPIAL Class AA race by scoring both touchdowns, one by land and one on a 70-yard pass play from quarterback Freddie Mazurek. The victory was the third straight for Coach Joe Bosnic’s Black Hawks.
At California, the Trojans suffered their third straight defeat as they fell to Rostraver High School, 24-14. Ron Bobby rushed for the two California touchdowns, and Nick Ciappa kicked both extra points for Coach Norm Davis’ squad.
60 Years Ago – September 1945
Why hasn’t Brownsville prepared construction plans for a sewage treatment plant? Brownsville is one of 400 municipalities in Pennsylvania that have been ordered by the commonwealth to prepare such plans in order to combat Pennsylvania’s centuries-old “dirty stream” problem. Other Fayette County municipalities on the state Sanitary Water board’s list are Belle Vernon, Masontown, Fairchance, and Fayette City.
Postwar business development in Brownsville’s “Hill District” on Market Street will bring a modern automobile agency and garage to that part of town. Joseph K. Bush, local realtor, has closed a deal for the sale of 400 Market St. to Harold R. Humphries, Charleroi.
The deal means that a landmark brick dwelling on that site will be razed. The home was once the property of the late C.L. Snowdon. A modern garage building will be erected on the site and will house a Chevrolet automobile agency.
The property was bought from Dr. E.H. Rebok, Keisterville. Previously it had been owned by Charles F. Colbert Jr. The land is part of the original land grant to Thomas Brown, founder of Brownsville, with the earliest sale of the property by Thomas Brown occurring in 1791.
The Brownsville Brownies were listless in winning 25-0 over German Township, notching their third straight triumph of the season. Coach Earl Bruce’s 11 were led by Ron (Bunny) Johns, who scored twice; quarterback Pete Widmer, who tallied once; and Charles (Red) Simpson, who caught a scoring pass from Johns.
At Republic field, the largest crowd ever to witness a contest on that field saw Coach Andy Sepsi’s Redstone Black Hawks eliminate the Uniontown Red Raiders from the WPIAL Class AA picture with a 20-6 triumph under the arc lights. More than 5,000 fans saw a powerful Redstone running attack, led by Joe Pavlikowski and Ed Bellan, roll up considerable yardage. Coming back after being edged by Brownsville last week, the Black Hawks held Uniontown time after time to secure the shutout.
At Point Marion, Coach Bill Powers’ Pointers racked up their third straight victory as they downed the California Cubs, 19-0, as Coach Ray Barker’s squad was unable to dent the opponent’s goal line all evening.
Glenn Tunney may be contacted at 724-785-3201 or by writing to 6068 National Pike East, Grindstone, PA 15442. Comments may also be sent to Pete Skirchak, Brownsville Editor, Herald-Standard, Box 570, Brownsville, PA 15417, or by e-mail to begin pskirchak@heraldstandard.com pskirchak@heraldstandard.com end
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