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Peeking into the past

Major fire on Main Street 26 years ago

With Judy Minsavage

Who was the mayor of Pittston in May of 1953?

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The original Saints Peter & Paul Church in Avoca.

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Clue: Three years prior he had proposed a City wage tax to the Pittston School Board.

1953 - 56 years ago

The Liberty National Bank of Pittston put out a notice to 12 bondholders who had not collected on1947 Industrial fund bonds bought six years prior by some 600 subscribers to the fund to build new industries. A total of $8,804 dollars was uncollected by 12 bondholders. Income from rents of plants built by the Industrial fund provided the funds for the coupon payments. Monies uncollected by bondholders would revert to the State of Pennsylvania if not redeemed by the seventh year.

On this date in 1953, a resurgence of interest regarding a Pittston city wage tax was being discussed, but school directors, Thomas Hennigan, Charles Adonizio and Anthony Zack opposed the issue. At that time if Pittston adopted a wage tax, West Pittston, Hughestown and Dupont, still hold outs on the issue, would be forced to adopt the tax as well. Avoca, Duryea, Pittston Township and Jenkins Township had a wage tax in effect. The Sunday Dispatch called for voters to question all candidates on the issue.

The Wall Street Journal published a front page story stating that the government would provide a quick write-off tax plan for new plants built in areas where unemployment was chronically high and business was in a slump. The article sited the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce Industrial committee headed by Curtis Thomas, Chamber President Richard B. Shideler, and Executive Secretary Vincent O’Hara immediately sent telegrams to Senators and Congressmen to exhibit interest in the tax plan. Their hope was to spotlight the manpower and resources of the Greater Pittston Area in order to bring industry and new businesses to Pittston.

1963 - 46 years ago

The front page of the May 12 issue shows photos of four area men serving on the Washington D.C. Police Force. John Anderson, Joseph Para, James E. Ferrell Jr and Joseph W. Silinskie were shown as they went about their duties. All four men are former residents of Jenkins Township. Inspector S. Douglas, Director of Washington’s Police Academy and Training Section, stated that during 1962 there were 96 men from Pennsylvania appointed to the force.

The City of Pittston was in an "excellent financial position" as reported by then City Treasurer James Cosgrove. A balance of $108,335.24 was in the city fund, with a surprising $69,689.96 in the general fund. The amount in the general fund remained despite the fact expenditures for April 1963 were $106,610. 32. The city had paid off old bills inherited from 1961 and purchased a new truck at a cost of $3,800, paid for from the general fund.

An advertisement for Grablick’s Milk Bar in Pittston and West Pittston invited Mom to celebrate Mother’s Day with delicious Better Made Ice Cream.

The bathhouse at the Pittston swimming pool site was being constructed at a rapid pace. Workmen were laying foundation blocks and a bulldozer graded the surrounding area. The Pool Association had paid $3,000 toward the foundation, to that point, and listed the bathhouse cost to be $21,300.

1973 - 36 years ago

The newly formed Pittston Recreation Board composed of then Councilman Joseph Infantino, Mrs. Sadie Cosgrove, William Watson Jr., and Robert Linskey, were given approval on early recommendations for city parks and playgrounds. Future projects for the board included work on city owned baseball fields, lights at Sullivan Field and paving of basketball and tennis courts.

Mrs. Lucy Rauduve presented Liberace with an oil painting she had completed of him prior to his appearance in Scranton in April of 1973. Mrs. Rauduve was the widow of Stanley Rauduve who operated a studio in the Cash Block Building in Pittston.

The Greater Pittston Major Slow Pitch League sported ten unbeaten teams. Jim’s Rec., Central Travel, Carol’s Cavaliers, Dructor’s Cafe, Lou’s Place, Famous Lounge, Hughestown A.C., Vida’s Service Station Lofty’s Cafe and Milazzo’s Construction. Carol’s Cavalier’s, managed by a "member of the opposite sex" was supposed to be the good time team. But Carol put together a power house team that garnered two wins.

1983 - 26 years ago

A major fire broke out on Main Street Pittston that took 100 firemen and eleven hours to bring under control. The building at 57-59 North Main Street contained businesses Just Drums, Runners World and LaFratte’s Restaurant.

Two firemen, Clayton Kinsey of Taylor a member of the Goodwill Hose Company and Michael Brown of Panama Street, a Pittston fireman were injured and treated at NPW Hospital, Plains. John Luke owner of Just Drums thanked band members and waitresses and owners of the Ace Lounge across the street for carrying musical equipment from the burning building. Just Drums was celebrating it fifth anniversary in business.

The Sunday Dispatch had just printed the second of two issues featuring color photos. Few newspapers at the time were utilizing color because of the expense and difficulty of the process. At the time The Sunday Dispatch was looking forward to the future and bringing color into every issue of the Dispatch as well as the Spotlight cover and sports photos.

Question #2

Who was the Managing Editor of the Sunday Dispatch in 1983.

Clue: He’s still an optimist

100 Year Old Church

The First Congregational Church of West Pittston corner of Luzerne Avenue and Washington Street celebrated its 100th birthday in May of 1983. A celebration was planned beginning with a special service and commemorative dinner. Member, Grace Davis was spotlighted as being a 70 year member of the church

Notes from 1983

Atlas Field in West Pittston was shaping up as "one of the nicest stadiums around" as home diamond of the Wyoming Area Warriors, West Pittston Teeners and Greater Pittston American Legion teams. A new addition adding welcome revenue was fence advertising. Thirty advertising signs were hung on the fence surrounding the field.

Ardoline Kelly’s, 1122 Wyoming Avenue, Exeter was serving 9 oz Lobster Tails for $7.95 for Mother’s Day.

Answer #1: John Allardyce

Answer #2: Ed Ackerman