Since we are brousing down memory lane-- Does anyone remember Finkles market ,on 5th ave near Coursin and later across from the reservoir by Centennial School. My Mom had a running bill at the store as did many people. She would charge groceries untill payday and then pay the bill--no interest was charged. Once when my Uncle in Okla got very ill and Mom had to make a trip there ,Mr Finkle offered to lend her the money and put it on her tab with no interest.. Sure dont have bussiness people like that now.. They also delivered the groceries to the door.no charge. Then there was Matt Fulmers corner store on 5th and Huey . I remember a lady worked there had LONG Long fingernails--My godfather bought me a $1.00 worth of candy and it filled a lunch bag- - ( 1945) Greennblats furniture store and next to it their Toy Store. And Greenwalds Market were for dollar you could get a loaf of bread , milk and lunchmeat and have change.left for a few pieces of candy And of course ISLAYS with their skyscraper ice cream cone. And one last memory--- The Federal Bakery -I thinkit was on the corner of 5th and Sinclair--The smells coming from ther were awesome.They had a huge fan that blew the aroma into the air outside, On payday Mom always stopped on her way home from paying bills and got Maple rolls --I can still smell them--AH!!!!!!--Arn`t memories nice---Donna

Hi MArc I ,for one, am very interested in the early ( and later) History of the McKeesport Area. I am trying to put together a family history book for my immediate family and a feww cousins and I like to add some of the history for the period that my ancestors lived in a particular area--Kinda gives you an idea of what their lives might have been like --knowing what was going on around them at the time- -- Thanks for taking the time to do this-- Donna

Dear McKeesporters: Last night I tore apart the library, boxes etc to find the answers to some of the questions on early history that we've been asking about. So here it is. From: Indian Paths of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical Commission 1987 For the sake of brevity I'm going to do a little condensing: Forbes Road: General John Forbes on his trip to capture Fort Duquesne came through the following Pennsylvania towns - as we presently refer to them as: Stoystown, Jennerstown, Ligonier, St. Vincent's, Beatty, Luxor; between Luxor and Harrison City he split his forces, the northern group went through Murrysville and met the Allegheny and continued to the Forks. The Southern group continued from Harrison City, Bushy Run, (Pa 130), Trafford, Pitcairn, Turtle Creek and then followed Route 30 through Forest Hills and Penn Ave through Wilkensburg into the Forks appearing to reunite in the vicinity of Highland Park. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Braddock's Road: Connellsville (via US-119) cross Jacob's Creek to Stauffer, Pa, Pa 819 to Mt. Pleasant, Circleville, down Long Run Rd, White Oak Level Road ( name of Lincoln Way prior to 1920's) camped at marker that was at Foster Road and Lincoln Way, through East End, crossed Mon at McKeesport to Duquesne side, recrossed to North Braddock and well - let's say the Native American's pulled a Custer on him. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Another interesting footnote is to remember that Allegheny, Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties were part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until the dispute was settled in 1780. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ One other early note is about McKeesport during the Whiskey Rebellion. In Versailles Township at the junction of the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers, it was proposed that "every one should be at liberty to speak his mind freely, without danger of having his property burnt for so doing - but his motion was over ruled, and on putting the motion for submission the majority of that district was for war against President Washington and Sec. of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. I guess you could say McKeesporter's have been ornery about government for a LLLLLLLLLLong time! Enough for today. If what I post isn't interesting to the majority please let me know - I won't be offended. I realize that not everyone is interested in the ancient history of the area. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Dear Jim: It's almost like being related. My sister-in-law's father was I. P. Saylor the head photographer of the Daily News for years. I remember being introduced to Dink on several occasions. He lived across the street in Haler Heights from Harry Seifen another cousin of my mothers. Now who remembers Glenn Haines Gas Station on Lysle Blvd, Ripple's Butcher Shop by the old reservoir, Roma's market where old Mrs. Roma spoke I think every language necessary to serve all the customers. Also Bob Xides who owned The Star Restaurant by the 5th Avenue Railroad Crossing, Rubenstein's and Samuel's shoes - Ida Morrison and Hope Rudolph who worked there for years and years. Those were the days when you went to the Duquesne Light Co and paid your bill, then to Bell Telephone to pay that bill - all in person, those chores done it was on to Balsamo's and Feig's. Also good meat was supplied and delivered to your home by Thomas and Dulaney - their store was just beyond the corner of Hartman Street and 5th. Ave. as you headed toward East McKeesport. I also remember the last paycar serving National Tube - vaguely remember the men going in one end with their badges and out the other with their money - the receipt was on the envelope for tax purposes and there were creditors waiting at the other end of the pay car to chase those who owed money before it was spent at one of the local bars. Marc M. G. Stauffer

More Trivia: The names of the lifeguards at Rainbow in 1944 were Duane Dowden, Dink Ulm, Owen Halleron and Tom Arthurs. The pool was managed by Arthur Bostrom. Bob<br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>

A matter of historical trivia: John "Dink" Ulm, the famous artist and cartoonist for the Daily News for many years was the first life guard at Rainbow Pool when it opened. He was my uncle - my mother's brother. He entered the United States Navy and became a Physical Fitness Instructor at a Boot Camp near Chicago. After the war, he returned to his career at the Daily News. Jim Parmiter

Marc: Would the Robbins Family be connected with Robbins Station? Jim Parmiter

Robert Freeman wrote to me and the list the following - I'm keeping them together for continuities' sake. I couldn't remember Mike Bresch's name to save my neck. Your Grandfather belonged to the Cousin St. Methodist Episcopal Church North. I remember him making the coffee at enough church covered dinners to fill the Mon from McKeesport to New Orleans. He said his secret to making good coffee was two dashes of salt and a bare pinch of cinnamon. Your grandfather gave me my first job - helping him teach the swimming lessons and then spreading the lime to make the lines for 50 yd. dashes etc. for a picnic's games. He was a great teacher both at Rainbow and at the YMCA. If I remember right - both your grandfather and Mike worked together at the old National Tube Plant. In fact the pool was popular and you'd see an ebb and flow in the number of men in the pool depending on who was working 3-11 or the 4-12 shifts. One group would leave to go to work and about an hour later the other group would start arriving. My Uncle Earl Stauffer worked at Rainbow for years as an electrician. I got a Social Security Statement the other day - my first summer of working at Rainbow (with the old work permits) I made $51.00 for the year. I think that Ray Volpe was Joe's son not brother. While we're at it don't forget the roller rink and the picnic pavilion's surrounded by elm trees. I do remember the flood all to well - was out of work for awhile. It makes me laugh I also remember a few times when the employee's taking a tip from our environment tried to organize a union for higher wages. Also at the pool they'd announce the buses leaving for different areas at the end of an afternoon. Buses leaving for Shaner, Coulter, Irvin, Dawson - etc. I don't remember all the little towns that bussed kids to Rainbow Gardens Pool - but it was frequently crowded. Marc You certainly brought back memories of Rainbow. I spent many summers there hanging out and sometimes helping out Ray Volpe with the park's maintenance for 50 cents a day! My grandfather Tom Arthurs worked at Rainbow up until the pool closed and he was in eighties!  His house was on Craig St and I recall one day when he said, since the bus had not appeared on Versailles Ave, that we would walk to Foster Rd. After getting to Foster Rd. he then decided to walk the rest of the way to Rainbow. By the time we arrived he ran 3 swim classes and then after lunch he ran a picnic for the Lions Club. Tom was in his seventies and in better shape than I was at 13! I remember the flood when the creek overflowed and all the concession stands had to be cleaned before the park opened. Doc " Buck" Mason was also a park manager when Ed Kittico was not available. Many faces without names come to mind including the many lifeguards who were mostly college students. Mike Bresch worked with Tom for many years before he died. Tom would always laugh when some described  Mike as the older of the two yet Tom was almost 15 years Mike's senior! Ray Volpe, Joe's brother, had a house behind the drive-in where you could see all the movies with sound. I think the drive-in lasted a bit longer than the pool but since I never lived in the area I don't remember. I also heard the Volpe Brothers story, wasn't it also mentioned on the Robert Stack TV show The Untouchables?

----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Freeman Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 7:42 AM To: Marc Stauffer Subject: Re: [PAMCKEESPORT] Rainbow Gardens Marc: You certainly brought back memories of Rainbow. I spent many summers there hanging out and sometimes helping out Ray Volpe with the park's maintenance for 50 cents a day! My grandfather Tom Arthurs worked at Rainbow up until the pool closed and he was in eighties! His house was on Craig St and I recall one day when he said, since the bus had not appeared on Versailles Ave, that we would walk to Forster Rd.(sp?) After getting to Forster Rd. he then decided to walk the rest of the way to Rainbow. By the time we arrived he ran 3 swim classes and then after lunch he ran a picnic for the Lions Club. Tom was in his seventies and in better shape than I was at 13! I remember the flood when the creek overflowed and all the concession stands had to be cleaned before the park opened. Doc " Buck" Mason was also a park manager when Ed Kittico was not available. Many faces without names come to mind including the many lifeguards who were mostly college students. Mike Bresch worked with Tom for many years before he died. Tom would always laugh when some described Mike as the older of the two yet Tom was almost 15 years Mike's senior! Ray Volpe, Joe's brother, had a house behind the drive-in where you could see all the movies with sound. I think the drive-in lasted a bit longer than the pool but since I never lived in the area I don't remember. I also heard the Volpe Brothers story, wasn't it also mentioned on the Robert Stack TV show The Untouchables? Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: Marc Stauffer Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 8:31 AM To: PAMCKEESPORT-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PAMCKEESPORT] Rainbow Gardens Who remembers Tom Arthur's teaching swimming every summer at Rainbow? School Picnics and USS Local 1408 having their annual picnic with all the Buttermilk and Beer you could drink and all the rides were free? It was a great park. Shame the pool isn't still there - they don't build them that big any more. If I remember it was 50 by 100 yards. The old story of folk lore there was that when Joe Volpe's brothers were shot gangland style in a Barber Shop in Pittsburgh the remains of the killers were buried in the cement of the pool. When it was torn down - no evidence was found of any bodies. It was a great story for years though. Marc M. G. Stauffer ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== Be sure to visit Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page http:/www.geocities.com/geojenk/ Please take time to look at the latest McKeesport, Pa pics in the "All Things McKeesport" section. ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com<br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>

Marc: I was always told that the Volpe murders occurred in Wilmerding on the Gottwalls side of Turtle Creek. Jim Owston Marc Stauffer wrote: > Who remembers Tom Arthur's teaching swimming every summer at Rainbow? > School Picnics and USS Local 1408 having their annual picnic with all the > Buttermilk and Beer you could drink and all the rides were free? > > It was a great park. Shame the pool isn't still there - they don't build > them that big any more. If I remember it was 50 by 100 yards. The old > story of folk lore there was that when Joe Volpe's brothers were shot > gangland style in a Barber Shop in Pittsburgh the remains of the killers > were buried in the cement of the pool. When it was torn down - no evidence > was found of any bodies. It was a great story for years though. > > Marc > M. G. Stauffer > > ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== > Be sure to visit Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page > http:/www.geocities.com/geojenk/ > Please take time to look at the latest McKeesport, Pa pics in the "All Things McKeesport" section. > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB

I think Winky's was on Jack's Run not Long Run. You could get to it from Rainbow via a wooden walking bridge that crossed Jack's Run. I worked the midway at Rainbow and taught swimming with Tom Arthurs at the pool. How many others worked at Rainbow over the years? Mr. Kittiko - a school teacher managed the pool, and then Mr. Dodds, a MSHS gym teacher. His Dad drove Bus #4 up Jack's Run Road in the mid to late 1950's. Remember that Long Run made a left turn where it met Lincoln Way and Route 48 (Jack's Run Road). Marc M. G. Stauffer

Who remembers Tom Arthur's teaching swimming every summer at Rainbow? School Picnics and USS Local 1408 having their annual picnic with all the Buttermilk and Beer you could drink and all the rides were free? It was a great park. Shame the pool isn't still there - they don't build them that big any more. If I remember it was 50 by 100 yards. The old story of folk lore there was that when Joe Volpe's brothers were shot gangland style in a Barber Shop in Pittsburgh the remains of the killers were buried in the cement of the pool. When it was torn down - no evidence was found of any bodies. It was a great story for years though. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Jim Owston is correct. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Dear Jim and Port's: Route 48 was changed from dirt to what was called a Pinchot Road circa 1924. (called a Pinchot Rd.) because Gov. Pinchot (R) had campaigned on the promise to get the Pa. farmer out of the mud. It was widened again in the late 1960's when they put in the sewer lines on route 48 (in White Oak's and PDot's intelligence factor) they put it on the wrong side of the road. Half of Jack's Run (Rt. 48) resulting in half the homes not being able to tap into the system - can't make the stuff flow up hill. DUH!. Rainbow closed when PenDot had dreams of making a fast north-south route between Rt. 51 and the PA. Turnpike at his time they bought the land on the east side of Rt. 48 from Walnut St. Ext. to Rainbow. Among their acquisitions were Hunter's Summer Retreat which sat on the west side of Rt. 48; Ripple's Farm, an extensive tract running from Ripple Road to Lincoln Way; and all of Rainbow - this was when the 4 lane highway was built in anticipation of the full major highway. When Penn Dot abandoned that idea - they resold the land to White Oak and that's when the present strip mall and other junk like car dealers went in, bought the land and made it a small shopping area. ( I'm revealing my prejudice ) I would have liked to have seen it remain the same. Progress can't be held back. It was also at this time that Allegheny County bought the large tracts of land belonging to the last farmers of the area for the White Oak Regional Park - these lands belonged to the Weddles, Jones, Staderman, Borland families and included Beeches Hollow which had a road (farm lane through it ) that went to the Lincoln Highway and emerged what is now just opposite the cemetery next to Blue Dell. There were 2 good springs in Beeches Hollow - that NEVER went dry. It's good that the area was preserved in that in a very hidden location in the hollow were (are ) an area that is exclusively covered in Spring by ALL RED trilliums; and a small deposit of very fine colored clay - red, blue, and yellow that had been used by the Seneca Native American village that was at the top of the hill. It sat exactly in Westmoreland County exactly at the county line. Of interest also geologically and historically was that this was also part of the big gas and oil boom of the early 20th century. At the mouth of Beeches Hollow my father showed me where they had attempted to cap an old well that yielded to little gas but just enough for it to be lit for a small flame. On McClintock Road on the left about 100-150 yards down the hill toward Jack's Run you could see when I was young - mid 1950's - where the drillers hit a salt well (commonly found with gas deposits) and before they got it capped the water had run over the hill and killed some of the last native Chestnuts in White Oak. It was in this period that the last bear in Allegheny Co. was shot by the Beech Family on Heckman Road. It had come through the Ludwig's, Taylor's, and then was shot by the Beech Family when it attacked one of their pigs. This story was from my father who remembers the curiosity he had because all of the hounds around started sounding as the bear came into range (scent) as it traveled across the area. Hope this isn't to much of an answer. With me - you got me going on one topic and I end up sharing everything of interest to me or that I remember from parents and relatives. I'm lucky that I had parents and Great-Aunts, and Great-Great Aunts who were in their 90's in the 1950's and had keen minds that shared these stories. I half to write a book about all of this before I get to old to deal with all the pictures and/or forget the info. Folklore has its place in an area history as much as the documented. Sometime I will deal with the stories I heard from the Robbin's Family about where they hid run away slaves as a station on the underground Railroad. I saw the spot in the old, old homestead circa 1956. They didn't talk about it much except with other old families who already knew. It was a relatively short distance to the Virginia State Line in those days - if you remember WV was part of VA until 1863; and Maryland was also a slave state. This was the so called central route to Freedom. Marc M. G. Stauffer

If memory serves me right-- in the 50s there was also a riding stable where Rainbow VIllage shops are now located. And there was a Nolders cafe on the corner of the intersection ( or very close to the corner ) The pool was huge . I recently came across a picture of it and it is even bigger than I remembered it being. Rainbow was an inexpensive place to have a day of fun. I too only went to Kennywood once a year but a trip to Rainbow was one we could do often . Donna

Ralph: Thanks for the date of this -- was the 1960 the start of construction or the completion. It seemed to me much later than this as my dad died in 1962 and after that my mother and I would visit my aunt on Center Street every Saturday night. So I traveled that route a lot in my youth. Thanks for the names of the businesses at the intersection. I remember most of these. I used to go to Rainbow Gardens quite a bit when I was real young -- Kennywood was a once in a year treat. I also remember that up Long Run Road a Winkys was built in the mid 60s. My brother used to eat there (and get sick quite a bit) as he was a teen ager with a car at the time. Thanks again. Jim

Jim and folks, I've been a "lurker" on this list, reading and enjoying the messages but never contributing. When you asked the questions about the widening of Rt. 48 and the closing of Rainbow Gardens, I just couldn't resist answering. If memory serves me correctly, Rt. 48 (Long Run Road) was widened in 1960. I lived on Long Run Road from 1948 until I got married in 1961. As Donna said, Rainbow Gardens was closed because the state was going to put in a cloverleaf at the intersection of Lincoln Way & 48. This never came to pass. And that was a shame because Rainbow Gardens was a nice park. I ran the ferris wheel there in the summer of 1956 before I went in the service and had a swimming pass for a number of years, and it was a great place to work and play. In addition to the amusement park with its rides and arcade, there was a large swimming pool, a skating rink/dance hall, miniature golf course, a picnic area with pavilion, and a drive-in movie. And next to the drive-in was the Casa-Loma Bowling Lanes. And across Jacks Run Road (48) was a driving range (also a football field at one time where semi-pro teams played and where I proudly served as a grade school waterboy). And across Lincoln Way from the park was a Dairy Queen and the White Oak Inn. At the intersection was Bud's Red Hots, the Club Rancho, and Gooch's Farm Market. It was like one big entertainment complex around the intersection of Long Run Road, Jacks Run Road and Lincoln Way. All of this sadly was wiped out by the state so that they could build the cloverleaf that never was. Hope this helps. Ralph Hoffman

WHat a shame we lost that park--It was such a nice place to go. It had the nicest pool ,Spent many a nice summer day there. My recollection of it closing was that the state was going to widen Long Run Rd and put in a clover leaf ,but it never came to pass. Donna

The Kennywood marker Re : Braddocks crossing is still there--I saw it last week. Donna

I remember my Dad telling me the same thing,that old rt 3o was what is now Lincoln Way. and it ran thru Irvin , on what is now Penna Ave. Donna