Thursday, February 5, 2015

Ambridge parade, west side 500 block Merchant

Before I started doing research on Ambridge history, I didn't realize how often businesses moved from one Ambridge building to another. I have learned that while I may remember or find a business' address at one location, it may have been in other buildings too. If you check my Ambridge List of Lists page, you'll see two or more addresses for a number of businesses.

Another thing I've learned: Ambridge loved parades and held them frequently, including some huge ones, which amazes me knowing how much effort holding just one small-town parade a year takes. Holidays, the start of the Christmas shopping season, the summer playground program, savings bond and united fund promotions, Nationality Days, the start of Little League baseball season, the Soapbox Derby, and sports team victories--Ambridge held parades for them all and more.

In October 1938, Ambridge held a mile-long parade to celebrate the competition of street lighting on Merchant Street and Beaver Road and the resurfacing of Duss Avenue from 14th Street to Baden. The Daily Times reported that officials estimated 25,000 - 40,000 attended the parade (that's a wide spread, but either way, it was a lot of spectators).

The photos below show examples of both Ambridge traditions: businesses that moved and a parade. The photos are from the collection of the late Lillian Turney.

I don't know why or when this parade was held. On the date, I'm guessing 1940s. If you know more about this parade, please leave a comment.

Parade
500 block of Merchant Street
circa 1940s?
photo courtesy of Lillian Turney
used with permission

The above photo shows the Ambridge Fire Department and stores on the west side of the 500 block of Merchant: Kinney Shoes, 545 Merchant Street; Thrift Apparel, 549 Merchant; Fashion Hosiery, 551 Merchant; Timney Electric Company, 553 Merchant; and Novice's Shoes, 555 Merchant.

Many of us probably remember Timney's later, large appliance and furniture store at 612 Merchant Street. That building was recently razed and replaced by a new Dollar General store.

Thrift Apparel also had a second address, 410 Merchant, but I'm not sure yet about whether the 549 location was earlier or later. Later, Tamers Feminine Fashion and Health City were at 549.

The building with Novice's Shoes, 555 Merchant, was later Book's Shoes and Terner's Men's Wear. Both of those businesses moved to 555 from other locations.

Parade
500 block of Merchant Street
circa 1940s?
photo courtesy of Lillian Turney
used with permission

The above photo shows the same stores as the previous one with the addition of Rand's Deep Cut Rate Drugs, 559 Merchant Street. Later, Herman's Bakery moved there. A number of businesses were in that building before Rand's, possibly including the Colonial and Majestic theaters.

Parade
500 block of Merchant Street
circa 1940s?
photo courtesy of Lillian Turney
used with permission

Parade
500 block of Merchant Street
circa 1940s?
photo courtesy of Lillian Turney
used with permission

The above photo shows an Ambridge Fire Department truck in front of the G.C. Murphy store that was at 561 Merchant Street. The last time I was in Ambridge the building was vacant. 

3 comments:

  1. my memory of this block is, no colonial or majestic theatres, start about 1930s & on to 50s, the pic maybe about after 1950s, using old firetrucks etc. store fronts are new to me. jd

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    Replies
    1. john domansky is jd above.

      if this parade was on the 4th of july i have not seen one word about the celebrating of the 4th at ambridge high school, it was an all day affair ending w/fireworks after dark. 194os while in ahs they had track events, running, bike races, & many more events, it wa sgreat to celebrate the 4th of july, i remember watching the fireworks from the borough picnic area on top of hill, fireworks at dark, that was after 1950 to 53 or 54. the ethnic picnics on top of ambridge up the hill from the pool were the best great food, beer, dancing, different every week, greek, polish , slovaks serbs & all others, the music was live & the best to dance to. went home about 1am sunday, had to get up for church on sunday, ohh my head, why is the room spinning around??? a few fights, but stopped fast, no serious stuff, just beer talking, i think the TV series friday nite lights started in ambridge, never missed a friday night game, snuck in over back fence near the tracks in back of stadium, tracks ran up to 8th street, near beer distributor & bakery.had a huge stopper there,

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    2. jd aka john domansky
      maybe i can see me sitting on a curb or talking to some girls while watching a parade, mostly parades were on big holidays, somehow i see a mancinnis bakery on the rand drugs side, 70s & 80s relative of henry mancinni ( moon river song) from aliquippa. another aliquippa guy was da coach from the chicago bears mike ditka, 1956 grad. never did like him even if he won super bowl then fired his offense coach next year & went down hill from there. 1st super bowl winner quarter back was from beaver falls, broadway joe namath, beat john unitas & colts, a big underdog win for joe, he had class. the 5 & 10 was agreat great store to browse, toys in basement, candy & best peanuts 2nd floor, somehow i see a 3rd floor/?? anyone know that??

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