Area History: A History of Mahanoy Area written by John Sullivan Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shirley E. Ryan, sryan@enter.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ______________________________________________________________________ This article was written for the Quasquicentennial (125th) Anniversary of the incorporation of the Borough of Mahanoy City. John “Puck” Sullivan is a 1927 MCHS graduate and is a well known contributor of Mahanoy City items to the Pottsville Republican newspaper HISTORY OF MAHANOY AREA 1963 - 1988 BY JOHN “PUCK” SULLIVAN Many years ago, the late James H. Kirchner, owner and publisher of our long gone Record-American newspaper, coined the phrase “Mahanoy City, the city on the level”. Most befittingly, it remains the town’s slogan. And, for the benefit of former residents that haven’t been back here since our 1963 centennial, we’ll level with you and present a briefing of some of the changes and events which have taken place in the past 25 years. Gone are the famed Mike Gavula, Paul Gavala, George Bakalar, Jake Markus, Tom Keegan, Joe Giesen taverns, were many of you spent your social hours. The lot, where once stood the ‘Slim” Kozokas Tavern, is now a memorial shrine to all our deceased veterans of past wars. Whalen’s Pharmacy, just a memory, replaced by a TV Video Shop operated by Mrs. Kathryn Erbe. The former Guinan Department Store, now the headquarters of the vast Service Electric Cable TV, Inc., under the guidance of the esteemed Miss Esther Walsonvich. The beautiful Meridian Bank, with is spacious parking lot, has been a joyous addition to our business district. It’s also the new location of the community Christmas tree, sponsored annually by Mahanoy City Social Club. The 100 block of West Centre Street boasts of four eateries: Village Inn, Paesano’s, Angela’s and Dave Dunsavage’s bar and grill. Gerry Scully’s fashionable dress shop has replaced Bohorad’s Men’s Clothing Store. D’Amico & Hendricks Clothing Store, now the radiant “unique Crafts Studio”. Original owners of Regal & Blum Jewelry Store, both deceased. Successors, Emil and Michael Yenchick, now living in retirement. Vets Pool current occupant of the building. In the very late 70’s, Mahanoy’s Hi-Rise Home for the Elderly replaced once proud but dilapidated Hotel Mansion. A beautiful, towering structure adding elegance and dignity to the very heart of town. The once most popular, Tregellas Shoe Store is now Amato’s Pizza Restaurant, specializing in Italian delicacies. In 1976, the landmark, State Theatre building, then occupied by Morton’s Furniture Store, along with half a city block, was destroyed by fire. From the ashes arose the “Stop-N-Go” food store, long may it prosper. Devastating fires continued in the ‘70’s with the Morris Drug Store being completely destroyed, but fortunately, rebuilding began within months and, with a brand new establishment, the first has prospered ever since. Still, another row of wooden structures was felled by flames at 2nd and Centre Streets. On the very lot, now stands the elegant estate of Mrs. William Haverkost. Ever rising costs to function forced the local elementary parochial schools to combine under one roof and are now quartered in the St. Canicus School Building. The former “Maff’s London Shop” is now the comfortable quarters of the energetic Mahanoy Area Senior Citizen’s organization. Three of our five Fire Companies has celebrated their centennial anniversaries: No 1 Humane in 1968; No 2 Citizens in 1970; and No. 3 Washington Hook and Ladder in 1986. Each celebration done with proper pomp and ceremonies, and climaxing with huge street parades. The latest, and most welcome, addition to our business district is the “Locker Room” a combination bar and grill, featuring a sports world motif, owned and managed by Clyde “Champ” Holman. In our surrounding Mahanoy Township and beyond, great landscape changes have taken place. Many of the unsightly waste lands have vanished, replaced with scenic forestry, adding luster to the well known villages where you find suburbia at its finest, attractive homes complete with garden and garage. Those who venture to the New Boston and Morea area are awed by the number of new homes mushrooming along the highway leading to Schuylkill Mall. Every one of them, without exception are large, ornate, and stately, giving the area a truly showcase quality. At the Mahanoy Township Supervisors final meeting in 1987, Secretary-treasurer Joe Whitaker released the good news that, when the soon-to-be completed Cogeneration Plants at Morea and Yatesville begin operations, the township will benefit $20,000 annually from real estate milleage. Three of our landmark school buildings have since departed the local scene forever. The old MCHS building at 5th and Centre Streets, having outlived its usefulness, was demolished. Just an open lot remains its future unknown. The 12th Street School Building, long idle, was finally purchased by a private family. The building was demolished and a beautiful ranch type home built upon it. A better fate awaited the Pine Street School Building. It became city property. It was torn down and replaced with a most pretentious one-story building. It is now our seat of government housing within it the Sewage Authority Office, Council Chambers, Mayor’s Office, Police Headquarters, complete with detention facilities and known officially, as “Borough Municipal Building”. The lobby of the Victoria Theater (the grand old “Vic”) is presently serving as our Quasquicentennial headquarters, where all business concerning the celebration can be transacted quickly and efficiently. We point with pride to our highly regarded Medical Center, located at the extreme end of North Main Street. Expertly staffed and skillfully serving medical care to all. Driving west on Mahanoy Street will lead to the Mahanoy Area High School Complex. Rated academically and athletically, one of the finest in the region. .txt