Street Scenes

By Joe PolkPhotographs
In 1950, a section of Washington Road between Alfred Street and Shady Drive East was widened at a cost of approximately $100,000. Five buildings on the east side of the street were rolled back ten feet, six inches to clear a traffic ”bottleneck.”
In 1950, a section of Washington Road between Alfred Street and Shady Drive East was widened at a cost of approximately $100,000. Five buildings on the east side of the street were rolled back ten feet, six inches to clear a traffic ”bottleneck.”
From left, Mrs. Furen, J. Guy Smith, Mrs. Hower, and Dallas D. Hughey pose near the corner of Washington Road and Alfred Street with their bicycles. 1890s.
Mt. Lebanon’s Public Works Department loading bricks needed for street repairs into a front-end loader. Late 1960s.
An unidentified supervisor from the Mt. Lebanon’s Public Works Department watches as Tony Scarvace loads bricks needed for street repairs into a front-end loader. The picture was taken in the late 1960s.
Freedom Gas sign can be seen on the left of this March 1933 photo of Washington Road at Alfred Street
Some of the Fulton farm can be seen at the end of Alfred Street in the 1970s picture
“Mt. Lebanon’s Busy Street,” which was written on this picture postcard, was obviously a joke, but years later this bucolic dirt road would become the community’s busiest thoroughfare. This picture was taken outside Reverend Boyd’s house/Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church parsonage looking south down Washington Road around 1905. Algeo’s store can be seen at right. The “M.A. Boyd” on the mailbox was the reverend’s widow; she died in 1923.
Houses of miners on Main Street, Beadling PA around 1900
Mt. Lebanon Police Officer John Kauper and his dog pose outside the police garage on Washington Road at Alfred Street in 1927. Kauper, who was hired in 1925 as one of the community’s three police officers.
The only church in Mt. Lebanon to be razed and not rebuilt in the same location is this Lutheran Church that stood on Washington Road and Academy Avenue. In 1954, after the Lutherans moved down the street to their present location at the intersection of Cochran Road, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church’s congregation used the building until their own church was completed on Gilkeson Road in 1969. The church was subsequently razed.
Dr. Ralph Horsman (left) came to Mt. Lebanon as a math teacher in 1929 and went on to serve as an elementary, junior high, and high school principal and assistant superintendent before becoming the school district’s superintendent in 1946. When he retired in 1969, the street around the high school was named for him.
From left, Mrs. Furen, J. Guy Smith, Mrs. Hower, and Dallas D. Hughey pose near the corner of Washington Road and Alfred Street with their bicycles. In the 1890s, before automobiles became the preferred method of transportation, a bicycle fad swept the nation, and, it appears, Mt. Lebanon.
Wilber Raymond “Pat” Patterson, owner of the Cochran road Gulf station at the Buttery restaurant (located across the street from his service station)
Looking at the McCormick house across the street from the Mulert house. Undated. From the Mulert collection
Looking down Alfred Street to Shady Drive East about 1964
Looking down Alfred Street from Stevenson Williams Building about 1990
Looking across Washington Road toward the Clearview Loop and Alfred Street. Undated
Bus leaving the Clearview Loop at Washington and Alfred Streets. Undated
Wilber Raymond “Pat” Patterson, owner of the Gulf station on Cochran Road, stands outside the Buttery restaurant, located across the street from his business. Late 1950s
Delivery entrance for Hornes Department Store off Municipal Way in 1964. Hornes had a store on Washington Road at Central Square and a homes department was located in the strip mall across the street (above this picture)
Dr. Arthur S. Haines led a campaign for a local hospital, and the Silhol family donated land on Bower Hill Road. This picture was taken at the groundbreaking
Members of Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church gather on September 11, 1949, to break ground for their new Christian Education wing on Washington Road. The shadow from the church, designed by Pringles and Tufts architects, can be seen at left. The congregation changed its name to Southminster in 1965.
Before St. Clair Hospital opened, South Hills residents traveled across rivers to receive medical care. Dr. Arthur S. Haines led a campaign for a local hospital, and the Silhol family donated land on Bower Hill Road. This is the groundbreaking for the building. Early 1950s
After years of debate about need and cost, the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Center at 555 Washington Road opened on September 13, 2003. Police Chief Tom Ogden, standing at left, Fire Chief Steve Darcangelo, and their staffs celebrate.
In January 1952, Mt. Lebanon Police Department made from page news after its officers caught robber John Cehovsky, who, while being pursued, left a trail of bullets down Washington Road
After 83 years serving Mt. Lebanon, the last trolley traveled Washington Road on April 14, 1984. In recognition of the event, the community held a Trolley Day celebration. Shortly thereafter, the trolley tracks, wires, and concrete “safety” dividers were removed from Washington Road and work began for the new Light Rail Transit (LRT) station on Shady Drive East.
After 83 years serving Mt. Lebanon, the last trolley traveled Washington Road on April 14, 1984. In recognition of the event, the community held a Trolley Day celebration. Shortly thereafter, the trolley tracks, wires, and concrete “safety” dividers were removed from Washington Road and work began for the new Light Rail Transit (LRT) station on Shady Drive East.
This December 21, 1950, photograph was taken at the Washington Road reopening ceremony. Bobby Davison, son of commissioner W.B. Davison, cuts the ribbon while the commission president looks on. Cpt. Kauper and Sgt. Meneilly keep the crowd in line.
The World’s Largest Garage Sale, which started in 1974, was a summer tradition where for three days in July the North Garage on Washington Road would close to cars and open to antique dealers and flea market vendors.
Parked outside 520 Washington Road, which is believed to be Mt. Lebanon’s first fire station, are a 1923 American LaFrance 75 (left) and a 1918 Marmon 6 car that was converted into a fire truck. Mt. Lebanon’s volunteer fire company was organized in September 1918.
1955 fire at 665/667 Washington Road
Firefighters inspect the damage at Atrias on Beverly road after a 1951 fire. It was one of the biggest fires the department had ever fought.
1952 drill on Abbyville Road
Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, was home to the fire department from the 1930s to 2003
After years of debate about need and cost, the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Center at 555 Washington Road opened on September 13, 2003. Police Chief Tom Ogden, standing at left, Fire Chief Steve Darcangelo, and their staffs celebrate.
Businessman Joseph Atria opened a grocery store in 1930 on Beverly Road. Local children came here for penny candy and ice cream. When prohibition ended, Atria added a beer garden. It later became a restaurant. Undated
Atria’s restaurant on Beverly Road, 1990s
Atrias and the Amoco Station on Beverly Road, 1941
Businessman Joseph Atria opened a grocery store in 1930 on Beverly Road. Local children came here for penny candy and ice cream. When prohibition ended, Atria added a beer garden.
Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon Railroad train
Pittsburgh Southern Railroad time table
1883 Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon Railroad pass
Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon Railroad schedule. Undated
Unidentied man with his delivery wagon on Washington Road 1901
Horse-drawn wagons traverse Washngton Road in the late 1800s;
The Beverly Road shopping district began in 1925 with a gasoline service station and quickly grew to include bakeries, groceries, pharmacies, jewelry stores, gift shops, and ice cream parlors. Undated
Groundbreaking for the Beverly Road Business District’s renovation. From left: Rinaldo Mozzoni, Enny Lou Ducray, Joe Kirk, Commissioner John Fernsler. 1990s
Sign for Beverly Road Shops. 1980s/1990s
Looking up Beverly Road toward Lincoln School. Late 1920s/early 1930s
Businessman Joseph Atria opened a grocery store in 1930 on Beverly Road. Local children came here for penny candy and ice cream. When prohibition ended, Atria added a beer garden. Although the store burned down in August 1951, it was rebuilt and later became a restaurant.
Looking at Beverly Road from Overlook, 1930s
Looking at Beverly Road from Overlook, 1930s
Thomas Milton McCormick (second from left) grew up on what is now Kenmont Avenue. (His father, Dr. Joseph McCormick, came to the area in 1857.) McCormick, a schoolteacher, built this house at Washington Road and Hazel Drive around 1880 when he married Nancy Fife. Jake Miller, the hired man, holds the horses, Nancy stands, and McCormick’s sisters Ida and Martha sit sidesaddle. The house stood until the 1950s.
An undated photo of the McCormick house on Washington Road between Castle Shannon Blvd and Hazel Drive
An undated photo of the McCormick house on Washington Road between Castle Shannon Blvd and Hazel Drive
Mt. Lebanon’s public works crew poses around 1930 on Washington Road at Woodhaven Drive with the municipality’s Elgin sweeper and truck. Standing from left are Charlie Long, Mike Danastasio, and Modesto “Desty” Ball. Tony Aston is seated in the back, an unidentified man is behind he flag, and an unidentified man and Clyde Falls (right) stand in truck.
Mobile Gas Station, corner of Beverly and McFarland Roads in 1927.
Parker Gardens Gas Station, corner of Beverly and McFarland Roads in 1927. Proprietor William Roegge stands out front
Built in the 1940s, this Gulf station, owned by Wilber Raymond “Pat” Paterson, was located at the corner of Cedar and Cochran Roads.
Built in the 1940s, this Gulf station, owned by Wilber Raymond “Pat” Paterson, was located at the corner of Cedar and Cochran Roads.
Built in the 1940s, this Gulf station, owned by Wilber Raymond “Pat” Paterson, was located at the corner of Cedar and Cochran Roads.
Built in the 1940s, this Gulf station, owned by Wilber Raymond “Pat” Paterson, was located at the corner of Cedar and Cochran Roads.
Built in the 1940s, this Gulf station, owned by Wilber Raymond “Pat” Paterson, was located at the corner of Cedar and Cochran Roads. Every year Gulf Oil would host a Christmas contest for the best decorated station in the tri-state area. In 1957, this Gulf station took first place. The gas station was razed in 1964.
Built in the 1940s, this Gulf station, owned by Wilber Raymond “Pat” Paterson, was located at the corner of Cedar and Cochran Roads.
Esso Gas Station, Washington Road just north of Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, 1937
Esso Gas Station, Cochran Road, 1964
Cliff Heath took over the Haller car dealership, which was located on Washington Road between Academy and Shady Drive West. This picture taken 1960. The building was razed in the 1970s
Atlantic Gas Station on Cochran Road 1964
: In 1964, Cochran Road, looking toward Bower Hill from just before Academy Avenue, seems to be little more than a row of gas stations. A closer look, however, reveals Loblaws grocery and farther along, at the intersection of Altoona Place, a Kroger’s
The Haller’s used car lot was located on Washington Road across from the Hallers’ home and car dealership. From 1919 to 1959, the Haller family helped Mt. Lebanon residents meet their automobile needs.
A 1941 photo of the Amoco station next to Atria’s on Beverly Road at the intersection with McFarland
Park and Kate Algeo purchased a store on the corner of Washington and Bower Hill Roads in 1898. In 1903, the first telephone exchange—LOCUST—was installed on the second floor. The operators used the outside staircase on the right side of the building to get to the phone.
The tiny coal mining town of Beadling was situated on the hillsides above Painter’s Run Road well before the turn of the 19th century. When the mines closed in 1923, he town’s 500 residents were absorbed into neighboring communities
Church on Beadling Road that served many of the miners who lived in the area. Undated
Ewart Kirsopp (at far right) stands outside his Gilkeson Road store with stock/delivery boy Dan Lacey (left) and employee Raymond Smith. Kirsopp opened the store in 1921, and it served many of the Polish, Italian, and German immigrants who worked in the Beadling mines.
Beadling Hotel at the corner of Painters Run Road and Robb Hollow
By 1883, Pittsburgh Coal Company and other coal companies established mines south of Pittsburgh, many in what we now call the Beadling area, and began extracting coal from beneath most of the South Hills. This undated photo taken at the coal tipple near Robb Hollow Road.
Looking at the front/side of the municipal building in 1963
In 2003, a public safety building opened at 555 Washington Road and the police and fire departments moved out of the municipal building. The first floor fire bays were turned into meeting rooms. 2005
The side of the municipal building looking up municipal way to washington road, 1964
A painting of the Abbott farm created by Green tree resident Austin C. Wooster in 1875. The dirt road in the foreground later became McFarland Road. The large tree in front of the farmhouse stood where the Embassy Apartments on Beverly Road now stand
Abbott family reunion. Elizabeth and Edward are seat in the center of the second row. 1932. Edward and Elizabeth’s house at 278 Beverly Road is in the background
1882 wedding photo of Edward Abbott. They lived on his father’s farm at what is now 235 Arden Road
Edward Ave (in the is picture looking toward McFarland Road and Dormont) was named for Edward Abbott, whose farmland once encompassed the area.
looking into the parker gardens section of Mt. lebanon from Mcfarland road. taken from the parker gardens PR booklet
Parker gardens area of Mt. lebanon taken July 1, 1924. taken from the parker gardens PR booklet
Emma Abbott, the daughter f Edward and Elizabeth, feeds the chickens circa 1911. The Washington Road skyline is behind her.
Built in 1856 the Abbott farmhouse was located in what is now he Beverly Road area. Their pasture was located where Lincoln School now stands
Fred Abbott owned this Gulf Station on Cochran Road
This is believed to be the Abbott Farmhouse in the Beverly Road area. undated
The Haller’s used car lot was located on Washington Road across from the Hallers’ home and car dealership. From 1919 to 1959, the Haller family helped Mt. Lebanon residents meet their automobile needs.
from Left; Jack, Bumps the dog, joe, fred, grace and leo Haller
academy ave looking toward washington road
The Haller home stood on Washington Road at the corner of Academy Avenue. It later became Freyvogel’s Funeral Home. After the house was razed in the early 1970s, the land was used as parking lot until the Satterfield family purchased the property and built Rollier’s Hardware store. This picture was taken about 1910.
In 1958, Ford Motor Company brought in Cliff Heath and subsequently canceled the Haller’s franchise. The Haller’s Mt. Lebanon Garage Co. then became a real estate company with Heath as a tenant. The dealership was located on Washington Road between Academy and Shady Drive West. This picture from 1960.
December 31, 1959 Liberty Ledger article about the Haller house on Washington road (between Academy and Shady Drive West) being torn down
Fred Haller and his 1909 Chalmers-Detroit (2-seater with a rumble seat). Outside the Haller garage on Washington Road between Shady Drive West and Academy Ave. Undated.
The Hallers built this apartment building on Washington Road between Academy and Shady Drive West
Haller Gas station on Washington Road between Academy and Shady Drive West. 1919
The Kirsopp family lived above the market to the right, at the bottom of Cedar Blvd on Gilkeson Road
Kirsopp’s garage bottom of Cedar Blvd at Gilkeson Road. Undated
Looking west from the top of Scott Road through Mt. Lebanon Cemetery to the back of Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church. Undated
St. Clair Cemetery on Scott Road was formed in 1806 for the members of the Associate Reformed Congregation of the South Hills. The third oldest cemetery in the South Hills, it is rumored to be the burial location of 10 Revolutionary War veterans, but only three have been identified. This picture was taken in the 1950s.
This picture was found in the Schreiner collection. It ran in a May 1913 Hilltop Record newspaper with the caption, “Mt. Lebanon road, constructed of Warrenite. The surface is so smooth that even the children can enjoy themselves riding in their toy wagons, and the road is practically dustless.” The picture was probably taken on Bower Hill Road near present day Meadowcroft Drive looking toward Washington Road.
A telephone pole is installed outside the Schreiners’ house at the corner of Washington Road and Bower Hill. undated
The Schriener house at the corner of Washington Road and Bower Hill was built in 1896 by Dr. Cyrus Schreiner. The woman on the porch is probably the doctor’s wife, Myrtilla. The children are unidentified. Undated
The Schriener house at the corner of Washington Road and Bower Hill was built in 1896 by Dr. Cyrus Schreiner. Undated
The children of Dr. Cyrus Schreiner and his wife, Myrtilla (seated, center), pose with their spouses at her 16 Bower Hill Road home around 1930. Standing from left are Guy and Laura Schreiner Wallace, Guthrie Reed Schreiner, Virginia Schreiner, Carolyn Schreiner Cort, Adella Schreiner, Agnes Schreiner Charters, and Robert Charters, (seated from left) Samuel Schreiner and his wife, Mary Cort, Myrtilla, Hallie Schreiner McCown, and her husband, J. Oscar.
The Schreiner and McKnight houses on Washington Road. Undated
This picture was taken from the lawn of Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church looking at Washington Road toward Bower Hill Road around 1905. The trolley is passing before the Schreiner house.
Myrtilla Schreiner, at left, stands with two unidentified women in her garden along Bower Hill road. Undated
Myritlla Schreiner on the front porch of her house on Washington Road. Undated
Myritlla Schreiner on the front porch of her house on Washington Road. Undated
mytrilla schreiner in her garden on Bower Hill road. Undated
The Melert family lived in his Washington Road house. it was razed to make room for the apartments at 900 Washington Road
Unknown child in front of Schreiner house on Washington Road
The Melert family lived in his Washington Road house. it was razed to make room for the apartments at 900 Washington Road. About 1916
The Mulert family poses outside their 842 Washington Road house in 1909. Patriarch Justus Mulert is fourth from left
Clearview Plan houses at the corner of Cochran Road and Cedar Boulevard looking toward the high school. About 1916
Looking up Academy Avenue toward Washington road at the back of the Haller house 1910-1915
This white frame house at the entrance to Virginia Manor on Cochran Road once housed the offices of the plan’s architect, then the sales office for the Virginia Manor Land Co. Photo from the 1970s