Washington High School - Little Prexie Yearbook (Washington, PA)

Page 11 text:

Memories 0-f long ago: the air-conditioned trolley en- tcrtalincd niuny ilx young num and his best girl with il riclv to the ond of the line. The toWn,s leading industry in the l870,s-the Hayes Carriage Works-where many of the stage coaches used on the National Road were made.

Page 10 text:

hc C X lx ah, v I -ti . Tia -a Fil . A ? ti. XX , .WY A '90's trallie problem revolved around the horses and bnggies on South Main Street. nieentennial edition of the Reporter, fonestoga wagon of pioneer days was used to deliver the 1V1any Indian trails led through western Pennsylvania. By packhorse and wagon, push cart or on foot, the pioneer made his way to VVashington. Conestoga wagons, or schooners, with their gleaming blue bodies, red spoked wheels and white canopies carried such special- ties as tobacco, seeds, and new clothes, but more importantly brought news of friends and rela- tives. VVashington became a manufacturing cen- ter for the Conestoga wagons, but as the stage coach made its appearance, the wagons lost prominence. In 1871, the first train into Washington was welcomed by a blaring band, while the last pas- senger train departed silently in 1956, without notice. The need for better highways was necessi- tated by the emerging Nhorseless carriagev which became prominent at the turn of the century. In 1900, the first brick road in the United States was laid near Wfashington. This area has been the hub of transportation since its founding in 1781. VVith the new inter- change soon to encircle our city, the future holds even greater opportunity for prosperity.

Page 12 text:

The first press on which the Reporter was printed. This press was brought over the mountains by William Sample. The pioneer family was a complete little World, supplying its every demand by its own ef- forts. But it was not long until this frontier familyis concern broadened to include the com- munity. What had been wilderness became civ- ilization. Cristmills and sawmills, iron Works and tanneries developed from the small industries of the settlers. Conveniences of trades brought organization of town life, with markets, news- pap-ers, courthouses, and libraries. The news- paper began its long history in Washington on August 17, 1795 when john Colerick, William Hunter, and W. H. Beaumont published the iirst issue of The Western Telegraphe and Washing- ton Advertiser. In 1808, the Washington Reporter was founded-first as a weekly, and in 1876, as a daily. By 1800, NVashington had many trades. The streets echoed with the sounds of hammers on anvils, and of saws in cabinetmakers, shops. There were bootmakers, blacksmiths, stocking Weavers, tanners, hatters, and gunsmiths. One of the oldest businesses in Washington was the drugstore owned by Dr. Samuel Murdoch. In December of 1884, shouts of oil,' echoed through the streets, as a Mr. Cantz brought in a gusher well. Soon after, a gas well was drilled in the Tylerdale area. This news spread afar, at- tracting manv industries, the most famous of which were the Duncan Miller, world renowned for its perfection of fine glassware, and the Hazel A Centennial Arch, built across Main Street, at the Centennial Celebration in 1910. 8