The No-Cart Go-Cart Track Uniontown, PA

We took advantage of a warmer than usual January day to hit the Flea Market at the old Laurel Mall. After some Pechin's Firehouse pizza (yum!) we headed back to old Greene County. On the way home, we decided to make quick stop the old abandoned go-cart track along Rt. 21. I vaguely remember when the track was open; it seems like it has been empty for years. The amazing thing, upon a closer look, is that that concrete track itself is in amazing shape. Anyone who works with concrete in this area knows it's rare to see sections this old unbroken.We figure the carts were lighter than cars or trucks, so it never really held much of a load. The track looks as if it could be re-opened with minimal effort. Does anybody remember the name of the track or who ran it? If you do, please leave a comment.

Alicia # 2 Tipple - Alicia, PA

Photo courtesy of the Coal & Coke Heritage Center, Penn State University Fayette Campus, Uniontown, PA  Circa 1930's

And 2013

Today was another rare day where Evan, Danielle, and myself actually had a chance to go on mission together. Time was a factor so we decided to stay local. A recent post by Mike Billetz on our Facebook page included some cool shots of the old coal load out on the Mon river near the Grays Landing Lock. So, we disregarded the crappy weather and headed on down to get some shots. I'll admit, we don't know very much about this facility other than it is very old and seems to have been abandoned some time. That's okay, though.We like when the readers comment with information and details! Actually we prefer it to looking up boring facts. We like hearing from folks whose families may have worked there. Enjoy the photos and video clips and please comment with any details you may have on the facility. Old photos are welcome, too! Our goal in 2013 is to make this blog more interactive with input from the readers, so hit us up!!

End of the year ride on the Fredricktown Ferry and a general whirlwind tour of Brownsville, Pa

We took a short ride to Brownsville today for some breakfast (and chili dog?) at Fiddles.The ferry was running so we hopped a ride and shot a little video. We checked out some furniture at Krause's.   It's one of the few remaining business in downtown Brownsville.   The old four story building is worth the visit itself. They have some really nice furniture, too!   We also browsed vintage computers and the latest in handguns at Elm o's.Where else can you buy Microsoft FrontPage 98 sealed in the box and a SCCY 9mm all in a former Synagogue? Brownsville, Pa...thats where!

Fiddles and Trains....

Ancient carvings

Brunch at Fiddles.  Awesome!

at Elmos Computer, Gun Synagogue.

More Elmo's    See it here!  http://www.elmos.co/index.html

Union Station in the background

D was w/ us in spirit today, as seen in this file photo.  Travel w/ Jesus has left the building.

Obligatory ferry crossing and special message....

Greene County, Pa Courthouse Clock Tower

If you've ever been to Waynesburg, Pa, surely you are familiar with the Greene County Courthouse up on High Street.  The courthouse that we all know was built in 1850 for $10,000 dollars and replaced a smaller brick courthouse.   One of the defining characteristics of the building is a high clock tower, with a statue of General Nathanael Greene perched on top.   The original statue was destroyed in a fire in 1925, and replaced in 1927 with another. In 1997 the statue was removed yet again and replaced with a brand new statue.  There is an interesting article and a series of old pictures here about the statue, published in the 1960's. 

Photo care of Rose Lucas

I found this picture in the series of photographs here, also courtesy of Rose Lucas.

But the clock tower has always interested me. The Downey House hotel fire of 1925 sparked blowing embers to the old court house and damaged it's cupola.

Downey House Hotel.  Site of Ft. Jackson Hotel currently  Source unknown

Downey Hotel, Courtesy Ten Mile Creek Counrty
http://tenmilecreekcountry.blogspot.com/2009/03/waynesburg-post-card-views.html

  The original court house did not include a clock, and it was not until after the fire in 1925 that destroyed the Downey House (where the Fort Jackson Building now sits), that a clock tower was installed. I contacted Greene County Judge, and fellow explorer, Farley Toothman to arrange a tour, and he was more then happy to oblige.  

Courthouse before clock installation.

And Today.

We met up with Farley on a Sunday afternoon, and after an hour or so tour of the court house building, we climbed the wooden stairs up into the tower.   The following pictures are from our tour.

Looking up, where the pendulum once hung down.  Since removed and located at the Greene County Historical Museum

The "New" mechanical clock movement, installed in the late 1950's

Dad and Donna joined me today for the tour.  Here, the old man poses in front of the leaded glass clock face.

Again, many thanks to Farley, for letting Dad, Donna and myself up into the clock!