[PRCo] Re: 4th of July

[John Swindler]

>Jim Holland commented:
>
>	Fireworks were staged in the swimming pool parking lot with
>backup on the hill opposite the pool.    A  *Huge*  Public
>Park bordered the swimming pool, Dormont Avenue, and ran up to
>the High School and its  *Huge*  *Ball__Park!*


Was this the swimming pool adjacent to Banksville Road near Cochran Rd?

And if so, wasn't the park surrounding this swimming pool a former railroad 
yard??


>	The Dormont Swimming Pool itself was extremely large and very
>well maintained in addition to being very popular.    Bought a
>pass there every summer.    I believe the pool is still there.
>	Inside the Park were the usual sand boxes and swings in
>addition to an open air Dance pavilion  --  these located just
>below the High School field.    This left one huge area for
>picnics.


>	But the 4th was much more than this.    Dormont Park was
>absolutely filled with concessions, rides, and games for the
>Holiday.    Tickets were sold in advance to obtain Grab Bags
>for the kids at the High School while the same allow
>participation in competitive sports and games which were held
>in the High School Ball Park.    A game late in the day
>featuring the Dormont Baseball players against another borough
>were not uncommon until the mid-1950s.


People could walk to Dormont Park.  Same applies to most other 'streetcar' 
suburbs.  But in too many cases today,  families are condemned to needing a 
car.  Last year walked from my sister's house to watch the Mt. Lebanon 
fireworks (at high school).   In Lancaster County one generally needs a car 
to get close to fireworks displays and most other family activities.


>	Meadow Gold Milk gave away free Buttermilk and since we were
>just 2-blocks from the park, I was traipsing back and forth
>all day getting buttermilk for Grandma to bake with!


Don't seem to recall any 2% Meadow Gold milk, either (:>)


> > Dormont itself was a neat place in a Pittsburgh some
> > place special.
>
> > The borough was small.  You could walk every where.
> > The high school was in walking distance.
>
>	How about 1.5-blocks for me!
>


How about up the street three houses, then across Maple Ave. in Edgewood for 
me - and still managed to be tardy a couple times.  Lived near Jane St. loop 
during grade school, then across from Edgewood RR station from about 6th 
grade on.

>
>	There was another Isaly's in Dormont on W.Liberty immediately
>across from the 42-line wye.    Chipped Ham for sandwiches was
>a favorite here in addition to the ice cream cones for
>dessert.


Ahhh, yes, I remember that Isaly's store with much fondness.  In early 
1960s, would start out on a day of  Sunday/Holiday pass riding with a 
dollar.  The pass cost 75 cents, and a quarter would buy an Isaly's 
milkshake.

John

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