Portage Area Historical Society

A look back - Anthony Good was the shop foreman at Portage Mine No 2 of the Johnstown Coal and Coke Co. Photo is from his days in the military, and working at Portage Mine No 2. He was born in Patton, he went to Philadelphia to work as an apprentice machinist for Midvale Steel. When Germany began acting up with the US in 1917, he enlisted in the Navy and served in France. When discharged he went back to Patton and began working for the Johnstown Coal and Coke Company, and eventually obtained the position of Foreman at the Portage Coal Mine. He was well like because it was said that he would not ask men to do ao job he wouldn't tackle hinself. (From a Tribune Democrat article 1945). Does anyone have a connection to Tony Good?

A look back - This is a photo of the Keenan family. We know that Charles Keenan is the man seated on the left. Does anyone know the other family mambers' names? Keenan's had a confectionary store, and a garage on Main Street. Thanks to Kathy Bilchak Gartland for sharing this photo.

Thanks to Ken Kovach for sharing this wonderful story. What a story! What a life! What a tribute! But, very much the life of an immigrant to the US, and life in the coal mines and towns. (Boldog Nagymama Napja Is ) If you’re a member of the baby boom generation and lucky enough to have memories of a grandmother, you may have called her Baba or Bubywka, Babicka, Babcia, Nonna, Nugymama and the list goes on. I grew up in Martindale, Pa., in the 50s and 60s and we referred to...Continue reading

TBT - Can anyone name these lovely ladies? Year?

A look back - letter to Santa from 1963, November. Right after JFK was killed, and in the Dispatch that had articles about his burial. A different time. It is fun to read these.

A Look Back - October 2000 - Fashions direct makeovers in social structure - Sophomores studying American Culture took part in a fashion show and put on clothes their ancestors might have worn. (Portage Dispatch)

A look back - December 1991, Portage Dispatch - thanks to the Stager Family, the Portage Passenger Railroad Station became the Portage Station Museum and is still to this day.

A look back - December 1999 - The Portage Area Historical Society celebrated its 10th anniversary with a ribbon sutting ceremony to mark the completion of its mural project. Shown, from left, are six of the 16 volunteer painters: Dominique Vocco, Patricia Rocker, Sondi Wilson, Barbara Yetsko(society president), Nancy Troxel, and Barbara Prostejovsky. According to Yetsko the mural was created to beautify our town and at the same time preserve the memories of some of our interesting old buildings. 20 years later - the mural still looks good, and is a monument to Portage.

A Look Back - Portage Area Firemen - always willing to lend a hand! June 28, 2000, Portage Dispatch.

A Look Back - Board of Director of the Portage Area Historical Society grand opening of the Portage Station Museum. Front row - Betty Cann, secretary, Sondi Wilson, museum curator/registrar; Barbara Yetsko President; Donetta Gilbert Treasurer; back row Ferdinand Bioonaz, solicitor; Charles Richardson, vice President; Andy Raptosh, Rich Bem, Jerry Bolton, Ray Vandzura, and Gary Yusko, Manager. Kathleen Shuler, museum director is absent from the photo

A look back - Annette Tomaselli Bernazolli shared this photo and story with us. What a great story of the way things were. "These are my dad’s parents in their engagement picture. I believe it’s 1926. They were married in 1927 and had my dad Tony in 1928. She was 17 (!) and he was around 30. The marriage was sort of arranged although her parents asked her if she wanted to get married. I once said but grandma how did you know you loved him? She said we learned to love each other. They lived at 908 Webster Ave and then my husband and I lived there for almost 44 yrs." Thank you so much for sharing.

A Look Back - November 28, 1963 - the 'official' car of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is an ad from the Dispatch.

A look back - 1993 - Volunteers are recognized for their work at the Station Museum. We still depend on volunteers to run the Portage Station Museum, to give tours, talk to vistors, set up displays, etc. If you are interested in volunteering - please contact the Museum. Can you identify any of these volunteers?

A Look Back - 1977 - Flood, Portage Dispatch. What are your memories of the flood?