ALL ABOARD! Group Buys Former Parking Lot For Railroad Project

ELLWOOD CITY, PA — Approximately two years ago, an idea to commemorate Ellwood City’s once thriving railroad history was initiated. A group calling itself “All Aboard Ellwood,” a sub-committee of Ellwood City Community Enrichment was born.

Raymond Santillo, Executive Director of the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce, Clark McKim representing the Beaver/Lawrence County Railroad Group, and Nick Genova an agent with Howard Hanna Realty Company, began looking at what would be needed to bring the idea to fruition.

Several meetings, numerous discussions, and some roadblocks followed. Along the way, more volunteers climbed aboard. Ellwood City Community Enrichment Volunteer Director Jillian D’Amico Court, Deputy Director of Community Development for Lawrence County Doniele Russell, Ellwood City Historical Society President Everett Bleakney Jr., Nalco an Ecolab Company’s Production Superintendent Andy Ambrose, former Ellwood

An aerial image of the vacant lot at Fifth St & Spring Ave. source: Google Maps

City Borough Manager Dom Viccari, Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court, current interim Borough Manager Joseph Cioffi and former Ellwood City resident D.A. Magee stepped forward and joined the group.

On Monday, with a great deal of pride, optimism, and encouragement an important step in the commemorative process has been announced.

Through an agreement with former Ellwood City residents Joseph and Edythe Bellissimo, property at the corner of Fifth Street and Spring Avenue has been purchased, and now belongs to Ellwood City Community Enrichment.

Ellwood City Community Enrichment and All Aboard Ellwood are deeply appreciative of the commitment and the generosity of the Bellissimos. Plans for the next phase of utilizing this property are being evaluated. Locating a rail car of some type or a replica of a historical railroad building are among the possibilities. The group also plans to expand the railroad theme to other areas of the borough.

Many thanks are also extended to local attorneys Greg Fox and Edward Leymarie.

If you wish to climb Aboard and donate to honor the railroad, you can mail your donation to:

Ellwood City Community Enrichment
806 Lawrence Avenue
Ellwood City PA 16117

Please make checks payable to Ellwood City Community Enrichment and write “All Aboard Ellwood” on the memo line.

For updates, visit and ‘Like’ All Aboard Ellwood on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/AllAboardEllwood.

ABOVE: The parking lot in late 1970s / early 1980s

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ABOVE: The Harmony Line Trolley Station at the corner of Spring Ave & 5th Street in the early 20th Century.