First Posted: 10/22/2014
Question:
In 1954, what Dupont structure was regarded in a national publication as “the largest in the world?”
1952 – 62 Years Ago
Known as the “solid seven,” Duryea High School Wildcats linemen Alex Pucilowski, Lou Sapolis, Bernard Balchune, Donald Elm, Joe Wycallis, Casimir Ruda and Joe Chesslock were noted as the “finest collection of players in the Greater Pittston area.” The Oct. 26, 1952 edition of the Sunday Dispatch wrote, “This year they have all Wyoming Valley keyed up with their splendid performance in each game. It has been a long time since local football enthusiasts have witnessed such terrific defensive work.”
West Wyoming Council was dealing with a missing street in the borough. After the widening of Narrow Street, borough residents asked that neighboring Gay Street be accepted. Council sent an engineer to survey the plot, upon investigation he realized there was actually no street there. The land owner claimed the entire tract of land as private. It was discovered that early maps of the borough planned a street in the vicinity of the tract of land in question, but found the offer may have lapsed when the street was not accepted within a designated period of time. The council agreed that the the issue of acceptance be reopened.
1962 – 52 Years Ago
Rumors circulated of the closing of the Comerford Drive-In Theater in Pittston Township near Dupont. A quick check by the Sunday Dispatch found the rumors unsubstantiated. However, Pittston Township supervisors were informed that owners were considering the action due to the “heavy tax millage of the Northeast School District and an additional 10 percent amusement levy. The theater was constructed in 1952.
Residents of Avoca and Greater Pittston observed the 75th anniversary of the Mud Run disaster of 1888, the worst train wreck in local history. More than 60 deaths were attributed to the rail accident, many of them youngsters from Pleasant Valley which is present day Avoca. The day began as an annual train excursion to Hazleton to observe Father Mathew Day, a date set aside to honor the founder of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union. The amount of travelers was so great eight trains were enlisted to transport those attending the event. After a day of parades and programs, weary groups from Greater Pittston and Scranton piled onto train five with most of the Avoca and Greater Pittston contingent settling into the last car. As dusk fell, the train caravan approached Mud Run, a station near White Haven. Train five was held up for a “reason that was not clear.” Only minutes away, train six was speeding along, Flagmen tried to warn the oncoming train of the stopped train ahead, but were unable. Train six “telescoped” into the back of train five, killing all in the last car and maiming many others. The entire crew of train six, and the conductor of train five were charged with gross negligence. At the trial held on March 16, 1889, all defendants were acquitted. Fr. Mathew started the temperance movement in the United States in the 1840s. By 1851, when he left the United States, a number of strong societies carried on his work.
1992 – 22 Years Ago
Members of the Veterans’ Council of Greater Pittston, Vincent Savarino, Samuel Miceli, Lem Phillips, Alex Podladsik, Joe Tavaglione, Richard Mogavero, Norm Gayz, George Parrick and John Coval were finalizing plans for the annual Veterans’ Day parade. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration the Armistice, a pact ceasing hostilities in World War I. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of war when it passed a resolution on June 4, 1926.
Pittston and Wyoming Area girls’ cross country teams were garnering a lot of attention as both schools were out-performing the competition. In a meet against Tunkhannock PA’s Traci Mulhern took first place, Denise Insogna, third; Jen Cefalo, fourth; and Jen Boyle, fifth. Christy Dreabit took first place for WA in a meet against Berwick.
In 1992, the American Theater on Main Street, Pittston was scheduled to be razed. Residents remembered enjoying stage shows, movies and the music of Cork Lane resident Ray Keating and his orchestra. A photo of the American Theater in the 1960s can be seen on our web site www.psdispatch.com, click on Peeking into the Past.
Answer:
In a September 1954 issue of “Billboard” it was written, “A movie screen, the largest in the world was under construction at the Comerford Drive-In in Dupont.” The 130 ft. wide screen, costing $30,000, would accommodate motion pictures shot in CinemaScope according to theater manager, Bill Keating.
1881 – Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday & Clantons involved in gunfight at OK Corral, in Tombstone, AZ.
1916 – Margaret Sanger arrested for obscenity (advocating birth control).
1949 – President Harry Truman increases minimum wage from 40 cents to 75 cents.
