Filed Under: History || By Walter L. Riggs
Category: News || By Staff and Submitted Reports
Category: History || By Walter L. Riggs
Excerpted from "The Early History of McKeesport," published in 1960 as part of the city's Old Home Week celebration.
When David McKee came to present-day McKeesport in 1768, he brought his wife, Margaret, his five sons, Robert, James, Thomas, David Jr. and John, and his two daughters, Mary and Margaret.
There is an unconfirmed tradition that David McKee was by descent Baron of Lairg, Scotland, but, as he cared little for pomp and ceremony, he never claimed the title.
Shortly after the McKees settled at the junction of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, John Cunningham and his family came across the mountains from Virginia, and with him came his wife, Mary, his son, Samuel, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jean and Mary.
The Cunningham family settled in present-day Dravosburg. Mrs. Cunningham is reported to have been closely related to the family of Robert Dinwiddie, Governor of the Colony of Virginia, and therefore quite aristocratic.
Her daughters were not only aristocratic, but also fair to look upon --- quite fair. John Cunningham from Dravosburg was a passenger one day on David McKee's ferry, which at the time was only a skiff, and they became acquainted. David McKee and his wife visited John Cunningham and his wife, and the Cunninghams politely repaid the visit.
One day at the dinner table, Mrs. McKee casually dropped the remark, in the presence of her sons, David and James, that the Cunningham girls were "quite beautiful," and thereafter when the McKees visited the Cunninghams, sons James and David found that their mother had been extremely conservative in estimating the beauty of the young ladies.
But while David and James McKee were courting the Cunningham girls, matters of a more serious nature were taking place. The American War for Independence, in so far as Western Pennsylvania was concerned, was not a conflict between Colonial troops and English Red Coats, but a fight between pioneer settlers and natives.
When Sir Henry Hamilton, in charge of the English forces at Detroit, offered to native warriors a cash bounty for scalps of men, women and children, the war was brought to the very doors of the colonists in Western Pennsylvania. Immediately the sturdy pioneers joined the colors, and assembled at Fort Pitt. Among them were John, David and James McKee.
Samuel Cunningham formed a company of volunteers, of which he was the captain, David McKee a lieutenant and James McKee a private. They were called frontier rangers. John McKee enlisted in Captain Munn's company as a private.
Category: History || By Walter L. Riggs
Editor's Note: For the next several days, we will be running excerpts from "The Early History of McKeesport," written by local businessman and historian Walter L. Riggs and published in 1960 during the city's Old Home Week celebration. (The excerpts were not copyrighted and are now believed to be in the public domain.)
These excerpts have been condensed slightly and edited to remove certain phrases and language that would now be objectionable. Certain outdated references that a modern audience would not understand have also been changed.
Otherwise, these excerpts are much as Mr. Riggs wrote them.
Category: News || By Submitted Report
View McKee Road detour, July-October 2012 in a larger map
Work begins Monday to repair a portion of McKee Road damaged by landslides.
The resulting detour --- about four miles long --- will affect both residents of the surrounding area as well as visitors to the White Oak Athletic Association's complex at the corner of McKee Road and Lower Heckman Road.
Weather permitting, crews from Michael Facchiano Contracting of Pittsburgh will begin closing the road at 7 a.m. Monday, said Jim Struzzi, district spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Category: News || By Jennifer Sopko
Despite a challenging financial picture, McKeesport Area school officials are trying to reassure residents that the district's future is secure.
"We do have a plan in the district," said David Seropian, district business manager. "We always have a plan. The plan is always evolving based on different discussions."
Last month, McKeesport Area school directors by 6-3 vote approved a $59 million budget for 2012-13 including a 0.44 mill tax increase. Even with the increase, officials said, McKeesport Area taxpayers have the lowest school taxes in Allegheny County.
Seropian noted that the tax increase for the construction of a new Cornell Elementary School and the expansion of Francis McClure school in White Oak was a commitment that the board made early on in the process.
In addition, the school board has explored ways to cut expenses as well as generate additional revenue for the district over the last year, Solicitor Gary Matta said. "I think this administration ... justifiably believes that we're as to the bare bone as possible," he said.
Although the board may not necessarily agree all the time, School Director Mark Holtzman said "it does its homework" and devotes the time necessary to work on the budget and other projects, keeping in mind what is best for the taxpayers.
Category: News || By Submitted Report
Youth from McKeesport's Auberle were recognized and included yesterday in a groundbreaking ceremony for The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's new welcome center.
Located off of Interstate 376 near Greentree, The Woodland Gardens, when finished, will be part of the only botanic garden in the U.S. built on reclaimed land.
An Auberle spokeswoman says the agency for at-risk youth began collaborating with The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
With the help of grant funding from the National Audubon Society, Auberle youth spent the summer working along environmental professionals to help remediate portions of The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's 460-acre property near Settlers Cabin Park.
Auberle youth learned to identify and remove invasive species, plant native species, help with irrigation system development, recycle debris and understand and identify the damaging effects of acid mine drainage occurring on the property.
"At-risk youth traditionally struggle in science and math applications," said John Lydon, chief executive officer of Auberle. "We work to create meaningful educational opportunities for our youth that allow them to learn-by-doing. Our youth gained hands-on work experience, applicable education and an idea about the kinds of careers available to them in the environmental field."
Category: Sarcastic? Moi? || By An Editor
This week, the Daily News --- an edition of the Tribune-Review and the official newspaper of the cities of McKeesport, Duquesne and Clairton --- unveiled its sleek new design.
Next week, Tube City Almanac --- official blog of about a quarter-acre of the hill overlooking Our Fair City and a publication of the Tube City Omnimedia empire --- will continue to use the same old mediocre design we've had for a while now.
Thank you for your continued tolerance as we begin this next exciting chapter in our 16-and-a-half years of doing whatever the heck it is we do!
--- The Management
Category: News || By Staff and Submitted Report
The region's largest food bank has stayed close to home in its search for a new chief executive officer.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, based in Duquesne, has named Lisa A. Scales to lead the organization. Scales, who currently serves as the food bank's chief operating officer, has worked for the organization for 16 years.
She succeeds D. Jermaine Husser, who announced in June that he was leaving the food bank after less than a year. Husser, a native of Charleston, S.C., said his family was unhappy living in the Pittsburgh area.
A resident of Wilkinsburg, where she serves on the school board, Scales is an attorney by training who graduated from Greensburg's Seton Hill University and the Boston University School of Law.
"Lisa Scales has earned the confidence and respect of our Board as she has proven over the years to be one of the underlying strengths of this organization," said Matt Swider, president of the food bank's board of directors. "Her operations experience, leadership skills and passion for the cause will continue to serve the Food Bank's mission well throughout southwestern Pennsylvania."
Category: News || By Jennifer Sopko
McKeesport Area School Directors have wrapped up a financially stressful year only to face yet another challenging fiscal year ahead of them.
Over the last two years, the district has had to find ways to upgrade technology, facilities and curriculum for students, minimize tax increases and staff reductions and generate more local revenue to replace significantly reduced or cut state funding.
"What this board has had to think about and take on over the past two years has been quite the challenge," Superintendent Timothy Gabauer said. "It's not simply isolated to McKeesport, but it's all over."
"There is no simple fix for anything. It takes an awful lot of thought and an awful lot of teamwork," he added.
After several months of work, the school board approved a final budget of over $59 million for the 2012-13 school year. The budget passed by a vote of 6-3, with school directors Mark Holtzman, Joseph Lopretto and Christopher Halaszynski voting against the budget.
The budget includes a 0.44 mill real estate tax increase that brings the 2012-13 tax rate to 17.49 mills, though school officials said the tax rate remains the lowest in Allegheny County. Under Act I, the tax increase is the maximum amount the district can raise taxes without a state referendum.
Category: News || By Submitted Report
Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report
A White Oak insurance agency will offer free paper shredding for area residents and businesses this Saturday.
The Garland Agency, 1440 Lincoln Way, will provide the shredding service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Police and security officials recommend that people shred unwanted personal documents --- including account statements, canceled checks and bills --- to thwart thieves from accessing their bank and credit-card accounts.
For more information, call (412) 607-0202. Refreshments will be served. The event was announced by state Rep. Bill Kortz of Dravosburg.
Category: Commentary/Editorial || By Jason Togyer
Back when I was just a little ink-stained whelp, I thought that reporters and editors could truly remain unbiased and impartial about everything. Now that I'm a full-grown ink-stained wretch, I don't think that any more. The more you report on any topic, the more likely you are to form your own opinions.
But reporters do have to admit that we have those opinions and let people judge for themselves whether we're reporting accurately and truthfully. (Too many publications pretend they're being "fair and balanced" when even an illiterate can tell they're leaning to one side or the other.)
One of the things that readers of this --- or any other --- publication ought to know is whether the writers or editors have any conflicts of interest or biases that aren't being acknowledged.
In a place such as the Mon-Yough area, where everyone knows everyone else, there are many potential conflicts of interest. At Tube City Almanac and the related webpages, I've always tried to point out my biases and conflicts of interest. I have a couple of doozies right now that you should know about, if you don't already.
Category: News || By Jason Togyer
(IMAGE DELETED BY REQUEST)
Editor's Note: Information was deleted from this article on Jan. 3, 2013, following a request by the Civil War re-enactment group involved.
. . .
History comes to life this weekend in Renziehausen Park as a group of Civil War re-enactors camp near the Lions Bandshell.
Members of a Civil War re-enactment group are setting up their tents tonight and will welcome the public on Saturday. This is the 150th anniversary of the second year of the American Civil War, or War Between the States, which began in 1861 and continued until 1865.
The re-enactors were invited to McKeesport by the city's recreation board, said Councilman Dan Carr. "I think it's going to be great," he said. "There's no set time for anything. We're inviting families and people of all ages to come down throughout the day."
In addition to demonstrations of military gear and arms from the 19th century, the re-enactors also will have some extra equipment available for visitors to participate in interactive demonstrations and experience a few moments in the life of a Civil War-era Union Army soldier.
Category: Another Viewpoint, Commentary/Editorial || By \"John\"
A reader writes regarding "Community Meeting Tonight Targets Street Violence" (July 11):
Oh, so in the past four years when police have claimed they've "clamped down" and enforced the curfew, they haven't actually been doing it? Color me surprised.
Last summer, it was no big deal to see (and hear, from a block away) a group of a dozen or more people walking down the middle (yes, the middle) of Grandview Avenue at 2 a.m. Good to see that they're making another yearly announcement about their responsibilities. Should there be a celebration? An awards ceremony?
Want to effect change? Arrest them and send them to jail.
Category: News || By Jason Togyer
After one of the city's most violent weeks in recent memory, religious and political leaders are calling the community together to discuss ways to reduce street crime among young people.
The Rev. Earlene Coleman (right), pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Downtown, has organized the public meeting, scheduled for 8 tonight at the corner of Brownlee and Ohio streets, at the Sen. James R. Brewster Recreation Center.
Mayor Michael Cherepko, city Administrator Matt Gergely, police Chief Bryan Washowich and other officials have announced plans to attend.
. . .
The Versailles Avenue area has been ground-zero for much of the violence. July was only a few hours old when Chauncey Williams, 18, of Duquesne was shot to death as he sat on the porch of a home along Union Avenue.
Three days later, on July 4, two young men burglarizing a house on Stewart Street were surprised by a resident. She was shot in the hand by one of the burglars, who then exchanged gunfire with police responding to a call for help.
A suspect wanted for questioning in that shooting, Aaron Gardner, 17, surrendered to police last night, a spokesman said.
Two days later, on July 6, two men were shot only 20 minutes apart on Versailles and Union avenues. Those separate incidents left a 20-year-old and a 17-year-old gravely wounded.
View Street shootings, July 1-7, 2012 in a larger map
Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report
Reformer and pioneering social worker Sophie Loeb will be the subject of the second program in the McKeesport Heritage Center's Summer Speaker Series.
A biography of Loeb will be presented at 2 p.m. July 21 by Ellen Show, Heinz History Center ambassador. The program is free and open to the public.
McKeesport Heritage Center is located at 1832 Arboretum Drive, Renziehausen Park. For more information, call (412) 678-1832 or visit the website.
Born in the Ukraine, Sophie Irene Simon came to the United States when she was 6 years old. The family settled in McKeesport. When Simon's father died, she was forced to begin working in a store to support her siblings.
Upon graduating from high school, Simon taught in the city's East End School before marrying the owner of the store where she had worked, Anselm F. Loeb. In the evenings, Sophie Loeb wrote essays for Joseph Pulitzer's New York Evening World newspaper.
Category: News || By Submitted Report
City police have obtained a felony warrant for the arrest of a 17-year-old in connection with a July 4 shooting on Stewart Street.
The suspect was identified by police as Aaron Daquawn Gardner. According to published reports, Gardner and another man were burglarizing a home in the 3300 block but didn't know that a 17-year-old resident was upstairs. She hid in a bathroom and called police.
When police arrived, the man identified as Gardner shot the woman, wounding her in the hand, and then exchanged gunfire with officers at the scene, police said. None of the officers were wounded.
Gardner should be considered armed and dangerous, police said. The name of the other suspect has not been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call city detectives at (412) 675-5016 or Allegheny County police detectives at (412) 473-3000.
(Photo and information provided by McKeesport police.)
Category: News || By Jason Togyer
Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report
Beat the heat on Saturday night at McKees Point Marina with the cool, laid-back sounds of the Grateful Dead tribute band "Fungus." McKees Cafe will be selling ribs, corn-on-the-cob, a baked potato and dessert for $10.
The concert is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-serve. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
McKees Point Marina is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, Downtown, under the Jerome Avenue Bridge.
(Video by Harry Funk, Observer-Reporter, Washington)
Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report
The first-ever motorcycle run to benefit the McKeesport-based Joey-O Foundation for Autism Awareness is scheduled for July 21.
Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Tiger Town Pizza & BBQ, 3801 Walnut St., Christy Park.
The ride will begin promptly at 12 noon for a police-escorted trip of approximately 60 to 70 miles with limited stops, ending at the Marina at McKees Point, Water Street, Downtown.
The closing event will be a family-friendly outdoor picnic with food, live entertainment, Chinese auction, raffles and drawings.
Cost is $25 per rider, $15 per passenger and $15 for those attending the picnic without riding.
Children 10 and under are admitted for free.
Proceeds of this year's event will benefit St. Anthony School Programs, the Autism Center of Pittsburgh and K9s for Kids.
Category: Shameless Horn-Tooting || By Jason Togyer
A big "thank you" to all of the folks who have come through with support for our International Village broadcast!
First, thank you to White Oak Florist, 1422 Lincoln Way, which is returning as an underwriter for the third consecutive year. You can reach them at their website or by calling (412) 672-4472.
Thank you also to a new underwriter, Westmoreland Pools & Spas, 10620 Route 30, North Huntingdon Twp. Thanks to Westmoreland Pools' generosity, we will be raffling off two $50 gift cards during the broadcast. No purchase necessary --- just stop by the Tube City Online booth. Check out their website, find them on Facebook, or call (724) 864-7300.
Second, thank you also to Tube City Almanac readers who have made individual contributions --- Robert S. in Brooklyn, N.Y., Tim R. in North Huntingdon Twp., June H. in Hagerstown, Md., Matthew B. in White Oak, Adam S. in Irwin, Nancy N. in Mechanicsburg, and Carol W. in Bellevue.
Your donations will pay for this broadcast; any money left over supports operation of the website and helps pay our contributors. If you're still interested in helping, there's plenty of time. I don't like to ask for money, so I don't do it very often, but believe me, your contributions are very appreciated.
One caveat: The broadcast is run by Tube City Community Media Inc. Some people have asked if their contributions are directly helping International Village. Unfortunately, no, and I don't want to take anyone's money under false pretenses. If you want to support International Village, contact the committee chair, Councilman Dan Carr, at dcarr1825@aol.com, or call the mayor's office at (412) 675-5020.
Category: News || By Submitted Report
An Allegheny County spokesman says a 9-1-1 outage this morning for Mon-Yough area residents was caused by a circuit failure in a Verizon facility in West Mifflin.
County spokesman Kevin Evanto said that a Verizon network circuit that allows telephone customers to directly reach Allegheny County's 9-1-1 center failed at 1:15 a.m., leaving customers in the city, Duquesne, West Mifflin and surrounding communities without 9-1-1 service. The outage affected only landlines, not cellphone customers.
Verizon technicians restored the circuit at around 8 a.m., and customers in those areas are once again able to reach 9-1-1 with a landline phone, Evanto said.
Category: News || By Submitted Reports
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