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| Stella Fallieras Bellas and Miss America in front of Mackintosh-Craven Garage 300 block of Merchant St. April 1927 Laughlin Memorial Library archives |
The August 15, 1983, Beaver County Times had a "Looking Back" article about this photo. The article said that during a 1927 nationwide tour, Miss America stopped in Ambridge for the I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows) follies and a merchants' promotion.
Although the Times article said the Miss America in the photo was either 1926's Norma Smallwood, Miss Tulsa, or 1927's Lois Delander (misspelled Delaner in the article), I believe it must be Miss Smallwood, since the Miss America Pageant was held in September, so the 1927 Miss America wouldn't have been crowned yet.
The Times article said that the photo was taken during the summer of 1927. However, another photo of the two women, obviously taken during the same visit, is marked April 1927:
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| Miss America and Stella Fallieras Bellas Ambridge Country Club? April 19?, 1927 Laughlin Memorial Library archives |
I think the women's clothing is more appropriate for April than the summer, so I'm inclined to think the April date is accurate.
According to the Times article, the garage provided the Buick in the photo for Miss America to use during her visit.
Here's a better view of the car parked at the Ambridge Country Club. The sign in the window says "Miss America, I.O.O.F. Follies."
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| Miss America and Stella Fallieras Bellas (in car) Ambridge County Club April 1927 Laughlin Memorial Library archives |
The garage building is still standing in Ambridge, but much altered. Many may remember it as the former Taylor's Dairy building. Currently, the building is the location of Creekside Springs bottled water company.
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| Taylor's Dairy Intersection of Duss Ave. and Merchant St. Beaver Valley Times February 13, 1954 |
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