[PRCo] Re: 'maybe' not East McKeesport

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

Mr.Swindler!

Looking at various maps, this makes more sense now doesn't it.
At one time a line operated between McKeesport and Wilmerding.
E-McKeesport is next door neighbor.  Some quotes:

"East McKeesport is a borough located four miles north of the
Monongahela River in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
It is bounded on three sides 
by North Versailles and on the north by
the borough of Wilmerding. The 
borough, which has an altitude of 1200 feet,
is located on a beautiful 
plateau sandwiched between the Turtle Creek,
Monongahela, and 
Youghiogheny Valleys.
The area of the community is 0.4 square miles."

"At No. 51 December Sessions 1893, 
the Court ordered and decreed 

incorporation of the borough of East 
McKeesport as petitioned to be granted."

"At the time of the 
incorporation of the borough, a toll-gate had
stood for many years at 
the intersection of what is now the
Lincoln Highway and Fifth Avenue. 
This toll-gate was not owned or
operated by the state but by a stock 
company and was later removed
by a resident, Thomas H. Taylor."

"A short time after the borough was incorporated, Council granted the
Pittsburgh Railway Company the right to lay tracks through the borough
on Broadway. As a result of this action, street car service became
available to Wilmerding and McKeesport. The fare was five cents and
service was available every ten minutes. 

Sometime later the tracks were 
moved from Broadway to Fifth Avenue."

http://eastmckeesportboro.com/history.htm

In other photos at this website is a toll gate, but they were as plentiful
as autos in those days.  Interesting but hardly useful for this identification.

While a very general history it does give some information doesn't it.  All
but the RR.  The railroad doesn't have to be in town but somewhere
between McKee and E-Mc.

A double track jct on the east end of the 87-line station street Goes 

east some more then makes a big arc to head SW to McKeesport.

The PRC line mentioned above is 'apparently' on the Museum map.
It starts inside the arc to McKeesport making a large arc itself, then
heads SW on Broadway - later one block east on 5th, then abruptly
heads north for another connection near the West end of the 87-line
Station Street, all single track.

When the double track line nears McKeesport there is another single 

track line parallel (to the west) following the curve of the 

Monongahela to the bridge over the Monongahela that was WP
used by the 68.  All this just NW of the Pirl St. Loop where the
double track line from Wilmerding joins the McKeesport line.

I submit that what Mr.Swindler indicates as E-McKeesport is possibly
in this area and the "Highland Grove Traction Company" that operated
the single track line connecting to WP 'may' be the one in the photo.
This location allows for RR tracks.

This location north east of McKeesport proper 'may easily fit' the photo
here.  This is an interesting challenge and discussion; all contributions
are highly informative and reasonable.


Phil

I find the following quote worht a little sarcastic chuckle:

"The first action of the [School] Board was to levy a tax of six mills....."

For a country founded on a Tax Revolution, the first action of the
"Grandsons" of the founding Fathers as a new school board
is to tax!





>________________________________
> From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
>
>How about "east of McKeesport"???
>
>> From: pcc_sr at yahoo.com
>
>> I wondered the same about a river, Mr.Swindler.
>> Coupling that with Mr.Barry's comments make the
>> position of RR and Trolley track seemed reversed
>> doesn't it.  RRs often follow river valleys.  Seems to
>> be a rather large yard possible here, or several 
>> passing tracks.  The few RR cars seem to be on
>> a grade compared to the "main" in the foreground.
>> 
>> Mr.Brannon noted the foliage; the hill seems steep
>> and high for Pgh. area.  Because of OH reference I 
>> 
>> thought of Ohio River Valley of Wheeling area.  It
>> has been 5-decades since being that way; I can't
>> remember steepness of hills.
>> 
>> To reconsider the E-McKeesport link I am looking at
>> the WP maps along the Youghiogheny yet all
>> alignments here seem to put the RR against the
>> river cancelling the alignment in the picture.  I was
>> never along this river so am not familiar with the hills;
>> they would still seem to be lower than those in
>> the picture.
>> 
>> The WP map shows "East McKeesport" as between
>> Wilmerding and Trafford.  There is a creek/river and RR
>> running east-west; the RR branches to both sides of
>> the river east of E-McKeesport.  This would then suggest
>> the Trafford line.  Hills here seemed to be higher than
>> those closer to Pgh.  Still much of the trolley line allowed
>> the RR closer to the river as I remember, at least latter
>> day alignment.  Mr.Barry may have hit the nail on the head.
>> 
>> "East McKeesport" must be marked on the photograph
>> for it to be included here.  Whether location or address
>> of photographer or other could be debated.
>> 
>> It seems the Stewarts left one "key word" out of their
>> description:  "1974"  Anyone familiar with local or PA
>> state license plates in 1906?
>> 
>> Has everyone assured their Black Friday deals?
>> 
>> Phil
>
>> >________________________________
>> > From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
>
>> >I was wondering if there was a river off of the left side of the picture????  The collection includes some pix from southern Ohio.  Could this have been enroute, perhaps around the Steubenville area??  As a disclaimer, this is total speculation NOT based on any evidence.
>> >
>> >Happy Thanksgiving holiday
>> >John
>> >
>> >> From: mrb190 at pitt.edu
>
>> >> The first thing that came to my mind was that it was the Trafford route. But, the railroad tracks should be below the streetcar tracks.... Not sure.
>> >> ________________________________________
>> >> From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementix.org [pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementix.org] On Behalf Of Derrick Brashear [shadow at gmail.com]
>
>> >> so where the heck is it?
>> >> http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/20th-Century-Automobiles-Trucks-and-Boats/G0000flbWWbccdiw/I0000RZxXcxRETYA
>> >> 
>> >> Derrick
>