[PRCo] Re: 'maybe' not East McKeesport

[Derrick Brashear]

Realize there were 2 lines between Mckeesport and Wilmerding (via East
McKeesport) at different times, on different routes, one a West Penn
predecessor, the later one a PRCo predecessor. We've discussed it here
before.

On Sat, Nov 26, 2011 at 3:29 PM, Phillip Clark Campbell
<pcc_sr at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
>
>



-- 
Derrick