This Saturday, we here at SWPARE are donating a J Turser Electric Guitar to be raffled off at the SkyView Drive-In Fundraiser!! More details here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/512960812117718/
Southwestern Pennsylvania Rural Exploration ....the blog that gives back!!
Exploring and photographing southwestern PA's abandoned mines, industry, homes...and whatever else we may find. A little history, a little legend...from the most massive structures to the minute details we walk past every day.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Farewell to Fred. Last day of the Fredericktown ferry.
History of 'Fred' the Ferry
The Fredericktown Ferry is the last of three original ferries to run across the Monongahela River in Washington County. It was the last (or at least one of the last) of the cable-driven ferries east of the Mississippi River. The ferry, affectionately called "Fred," operated under private ownership until 1969,
when it closed. In 1979, the ferry was re-opened, through the efforts of the community and a Ferry Boat Commission, formed during its period of closure. For the ferry to remain open, both Fayette and Washington counties would contribute 50% of the costs using Liquid Fuel dollars, with the Fayette side in charge of operating and maintaining the ferry. This agreement was later amended in 2003.
"Fred" is located in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania. The ferry boat landing is located near the Bower Brothers Bar. While it is suggested that passengers remain in their cars, the ferry does offer pedestrians and bicyclists the ability to cross the river between Fayette and Washington Counties without a vehicle.
The ferry is large part of history, playing an important part in cross-river traffic for residents and the coal mines, as well as allowing employees of local businesses a faster way across the river.The purpose of the ferry is convenient travel across the Monongahela River.Due to an increase in maintenance and operation costs, the loss of a federally-funded grant, the closing of surrounding mines, as well as the opening of a new bridge spanning the river about five miles away causing a decline in ridership, the ferry has closed, possibly forever, after its last ride on August 28, 1:45pm. The future of the ferry is up in the air; will it be sold for scrap? Face life as part of a museum dedicated to "Fred" and others like it? Or just be dry-docked and left to rust?
The 'Farewell to Fred' party on August 28, 2013 brought riders from all over the are, wanting one last ride on the ferry before it was taken out of operation. One couple traveled to ride the ferry as part of their anniversary celebrations. Others just came to relive some of their favorite moments and reminisce about ferry memories and discuss what it meant to them. Some expressed sadness that their children and grandchildren would have such a short time to have been able to ride the historic ferry, and other children would never get the chance. Reporters from the Herald-Standard, Observer-Reporter, and Tribune-Review all arrived with photographers to capture the last hurrah of Fred and his loyal fans.
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| The local police provided traffic control |
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| Both the Trib and Herald-Standard reporters |
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| Luzerne Twp. supported the ferry on its last day |
We have quite a few blogs on this and other ferry boats of the area. Just type in "ferry" in the little search box, or follow a few of these links....
http://swpare.blogspot.com/2012/12/end-of-year-ride-on-fredricktown-ferry.html
http://swpare.blogspot.com/2011/07/ferry-boat-festival-fredericktown-pa.html
http://swpare.blogspot.com/2012/06/final-word-on-nekoda.html
http://swpare.blogspot.com/2012/09/and-we-thought-we-were-done-talking.html
http://swpare.blogspot.com/2012/01/visits-margaret-mitchell-crucible-ferry.html
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Vote now to help save the SkyView Drive In, Carmichaels, Pa.
Honda of America is donating 5 digital projectors to 5 drive in theaters across America. Watch the short video for the details, then click the link to vote. You can vote twice daily, we believe. One via the interwebs, and the other via text. Then repeat the next day.... The contest runs 30 days, so get on in there!
SKYVIEW DRIVE-IN
The Skyview Drive-In located in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania first opened its gates in 1946. To our knowledge the Skyview has been in constant operation ever since. Many have come to the Skyview on their first date and also on their wedding night. There are so many people who have great memories from their visits here. Chuck and Liz Walker, the current owners of the Skyview Drive-In are dedicated to keeping it open for current and future generations of families to enjoy a fun filled summer watching movies under the stars.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Save the SkyView Drive In! Carmichaels, Pa's very own drive in theater.
Most of our posts are about things that are gone. It may be something that is gone in essence, but still remains in ruins, like Nemacolin Mine. It could be something that is gone forever, like the Dry Tavern school. This post is going to be a little different. This post is about preventing something from being gone.
We love our history, that is why we do this blog. We love to share memories and get people talking about their memories. That is how we learn. We post up a picture or video and let people share their stories. This time we want your memories... and your help.
The SkyView Drive In theater has sat along route 88 in Carmichaels PA since it has opened in 1946. It was one of two drive ins in Greene County. The other being the long gone Waynesburg Drive In in west Waynesburg. The SkyView has been a staple of summertime entertainment for people in the area for what seems like forever. A classic set-up, it has hosted the best Hollywood has to offer right in our own backyard.
The SkyView features a cool,two lane box office with retro glass block front and the omni-present snack bar complete with vintage video games! The original concrete screen stands 55' tall. It is massive when standing close up! The second screen and additions to the original screen (to facilitate wide-screen format) were added in 1986. Many of the classic drive ins built in the 40's had lavish screens that were themselves, pieces of art. The original Sky View screen isn't by any means fancy, but is certainly a Greene County icon. As I mentioned, this icon needs your help.
Liz and Chuck Walker bought the SkyView in 2007. They have lovingly kept it running since. After a visit with them, you can see their passion for what they do. They gave us 'behind the scenes' access to the SkyView. You have no idea of what all it takes to make the drive-in tick!
Check out the photos of the projector and the reels! Imagine whats involved in keeping a movie running seamlessly.Not to mention the box office... the snack bar... general maintenance... A labor of love, for sure!
This year,Hollywood will stop producing movies on the 35 mm film format. This requires all older theaters to convert to the very expensive digital projectors. So the funds need to be raised to convert the projectors to keep the summertime magic alive. This is where you come in. There are several ways to help keep the drive in alive. You can make donations directly at the website www.skyviewdriveinpa.com. Make sure you "like em" on FaceBook as well! You can support/attend one of the several fund raising events that are soon underway, such as the farmers market, or you can do perhaps the easiest of all, go see a movie at the SkyView!
I always hear people say "I haven't been to the drive-in in years". Some of the younger generation have NEVER even been to a drive-in! In this day of Ipods/pads/phones, we're watching movies anywhere... but it just isn't the same! The experience of a drive-in is one of a kind and it is disappearing. There were nearly 200 drive-in theaters in PA in the late 60's. By 1999 the number was in the 30's... even less now.
I don't care if you're with the spouse and kids, your special someone or a carload of buddies, there is something special about a night at the drive-in. The cool night air, the smell of the popcorn, the fun memories... you can't download that!
We've got to rally so save our drive in! Numbers of drive in theaters decrease every year and the digital conversion will surely kill off more.
We will be posting information on saving the SkyView and upcoming events to our Facebook page. Look for info on SkyView's Facebook and official sites, also. Please spread the word and link to this post to anyone who might be interested.
One blog we NEVER want to do is... "Remembering the SkyView Drive-In."
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| The main screen of the Skyview Drive In in Carmichaels, Pa |
Watch the video. Fun facts about the Skyview and drive in histories as well!
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