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ellwood city historical society

January 11, 2024

Historical Society Starts New Year With Awards

The Ellwood City Area Historical Society had its first public meeting of 2024 at the History Center, 310 5th Street, on Monday evening, January 8, 2024. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by 101 year old World War 2 veteran, Guy Prestia. Immediately following the pledge, Society Board member and Past-President, Everett Bleakney, inducted the new Board and officers for 2024; President, Bob Morabito; 1st Vice President, Andy Kindle; Secretary, Lois Liebendorfer; Treasurer, Angela Hyde; and Board members, Dylan Baney, Charles Brown, and Blanche Novak. Unable to attend the meeting and scheduled to be inducted at a…

November 10, 2023

One Officer, One Gun: A Brief History of the Thompson Submachinegun

The classic image of a Thompson submachine gun with its distinctive drum magazine was made popular by romanticized movies and TV shows like “The Untouchables” depicting Prohibition-era gangsters using the euphemistic “Chicago typewriter” in gangland drive-by shootings. This is the image most people have of a Thompson. Few of us envision a lone Ellwood City Police officer using the iconic weapon against criminals at the end of the Lincoln High School-Veterans Bridge on 5th Street. The story of that very occurrence is wonderfully told by Robert Barensfeld in his 1995 essay written for the Ellwood City Area Historical Society entitled:“The…

September 14, 2023

Local Baseball History Highlighted At Historical Society Dinner

Dick Freidhoff passed away in 1985. The local steelworker never coached high school baseball, yet his influence on the game helped Riverside High School win the State Championship in 2023. Illustrious Riverside head baseball coach, Dan Oliastro credited Freidhoff with instilling in him a love for the game and a winning ethic when he played for him as a member of the Moose Club-sponsored little league team in the 1950s. “We practiced every day. Those practices were so rigorous that the games were easy and fun. Winning was expected.” Freidhoff’s winning attitude is a tradition with Oliastro, who owns the…

August 28, 2023

Hack Wilson Marker Dedicated

The Ellwood City Area Historical Society hosted a lively ceremony to dedicate the new Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission roadside marker on Woodside Avenue (State Route 65) honoring Ellwood City-born Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Lewis Robert “Hack” Wilson on Friday August 25, 2023 at the Lincoln High School Baseball Field in Ewing Park. The celebration began with the “Play Ball” call given by Master-of-Ceremonies Bob Morabito after the National Anthem was played by the Lincoln High School Blue Band directed by Mr. Lee Caldwell. Special guests attending the ceremony were recognized: Lawrence County Commissioners Brian Burick, Loretta Spielvogel,…

August 15, 2023

Historical Society Sponsors Hack Wilson Celebration, Marker To Be Unveiled

An Ellwood City legend and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer will be receiving a state historical marker in his honor with a ceremony planned for later this month. While playing for the Chicago Cubs during the 1930 Major League Baseball season, Ellwood City-born Lewis Robert “Hack” Wilson, slugged National League record 56 homeruns, topping Yankees slugger Babe Ruth’s effort that year. In that same season, he also drove in a Major League Baseball record 191 runs. His homerun record stood for 68 years. His 191 RBIs is still the Major League mark in that category. Although his 10-year Major…

August 4, 2023

Ellwood City Historical Society Annual Fund Drive Closing Soon!

The Ellwood City Area Historical Society Annual Fund Drive is close to achieving its goal, but needs your help! The campaign started June 15, 2023 with a goal of $ 15,000.00 and the closing date of the Fund Drive is Tuesday, August 15, 2023. “Our purpose and goals have not changed over the last 35 years,” says Chairman Andy Kindle. “Collecting, preserving, promoting and sharing our History to the area and future generations.” Please consider making a tax deductible gift and join in the ANNUAL FUND DRIVE. Your contributions are vital to the growth and long term sustainability of Ellwood…

June 9, 2023

Ellwood City Historical Society Remembers Memorial Day 2023 In Ellwood City

as submitted by Mob Morabito, Ellwood City Area Historical Society At Ellwood City’s Legion Park on Memorial Day, the early morning twilight was just being breached by the first rays of the rising sun as the American flag was ceremoniously raised and lowered three times before being placed at the half-staff position. This was done to honor the 159 Ellwood City Area men listed on the monuments there who gave their lives in defense of freedom. Five local veterans, Joe Fisher, Rich Griffith, Bill Hrabosky, Pete Maietta, and Bob Morabito, members of the J. Wilbur Randolph American Legion Post 157…

May 10, 2023

Ellwood City Historical Society Announces 2023 Scholarship Winners

Three local students were awarded scholarships at the Ellwood City Historical Society on Monday. Sam Kline and Hayden Slade were each recipients of the $1,500.00 Robert & Janice Barensfeld Scholarships and Gabrielle Davis was the recipient of the $10,000.00 Marlene Painter Scholarship.  Davis and Slade are graduating seniors at Lincoln High School and Kline is a graduating senior at Riverside School District. The monthly meeting of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society was called to order by Bob Morabito, President, reminding those present of the mission of the Society. Morabito then asked WWII Veteran Guy Prestia to lead the group…

April 14, 2023

Baney Presents Historical Society With Booklet On Wiley Hill Baptist Church

Monday night at the monthly Ellwood City Historical Society meeting, attorney Dylan Baney presented the Society with a large booklet on the history of the Wiley Hill Baptist Church. Accepting the gift from Dylan is Andy Kindle (pictured right), first Vice President of the Historical Society. Looking on, and standing to left, is Lawrence County Commissioner, Dan Vogler. Baney graduated from Lincoln High School in 2015. He attended Slippery Rock University and obtained a Bachelors degree in political science. He got his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law in October 2022. He is employed at the Lawrence County…

April 13, 2023

Ellwood City Area Historical Monthly Meeting Recap

The April 10, 2023 meeting of the Ellwood City Area Historical Meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by Bob Morabito, President, reminding those present of the mission of the Society. He then asked WWII Veteran Guy Prestia to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Morabito announced that Guy will celebrate his 101st birthday on Tuesday, April 25! The group sang Happy Birthday to Guy and he was given an apple pie with a 101 candle. Minutes of the March 13 meeting were given by Secretary Lois Liebendorfer. Dana Baker, treasurer, gave the financial report. She stated…