Local Businesses

Universal Steel Works. The Universal Steel Works in 1910. The building to the left housed the company's bolt works.

The Norwood Hotel Bar. The interior of the Norwood Hotel was richly appointed and well furnished--for such a 'fronter' establishment. Taken in December of 1911, this picture shows a couple of customers exploring the amenities of the "men only" bar.

Bennett Drug Store. The interior of Bennett Drug Store on Washington Avenue. Featured from left to right are John Bennett, William Bennett, Lyda Hodgakiss and Ethel Horstman.

The Norwood Hotel. Built in 1876 by Joseph Wright, the Norwood Hotel was the first hotel in the area to feature running water. It quickly became an escape destination for those needing a break from the city. It was in operation, under various owners, until it burnt to the ground in 1961.

Norwood Hotel Fire. The fire at the Norwood Hotel was one of the major events of Bridgeville history in 1961.

Businesses on the Pike. Two early businesses located along Washington Pike were Bennett's Drug Store and the Supan Auto Livery Service. Date unknown.

Brdgeville Post Office, 1911. The interior of the Bridgeville Post Office in 1911, when it was located on Station Street.

John F. Hosack and Co. Store. An early picture of the John F. Hosack and Company Coal, Flour and Feed Store--complete with horse-drawn delivery wagon.

Supan Auto Livery. Supan Auto Livery and Supan Transfer and Moving, offering bus and taxi service to Bridgeville and Cecil. Located at 438 Washington Avenue. Photo taken between 1918-1925.

D. Ali Trucking employees. Date and individuals unknown.

Universal Steel Offices. The building on Station Street which housed the main offices for Universal Street has had many occupants. Once Universal moved out, the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind occupied the building. Later, it became the home for Southwood Psychiatric Hospital.

Louie's Market. For many years, the Dernosek family ran Louie's Market on Union Street. Date unknown.

Bridgeville Post Office. An early picture of the Bridgeville Post Office, circa 1912. It was located behind the Bridgeville Trust Building until 1939. Seated - DM Bennett.

Central Restaurant The Central Restaurant, on Washington Avenue. Date and individuals unknown.

The Galaxy Theater. The Galaxy Theater on Washington Avenue was a popular spot on the main street until it burned down. It was located in the former Rankin Theater building.

The Butler Store. The interior of the Butler Store on Washington Avenue, with Mrs. George behind the counter.

Viale's Hotel. Viale's Hotel was one of the many Baldwin Street businesses which caused the street to be nicknamed the second main street of Bridgeville. The site is currently occupied by Blanc Printing. Photo dated 1926.

Sawmill. In the late 19th century, a sawmill was locataed along McLaughlin Run Road, near Cliftonville. Photo circa 1880, individuals unknown.

Silhol Builder's Supply. One of the buildings which makes up the Silhol Builder's Supply property. Date unknown.

Blair Pharmacy. Blair Pharmacy was the successor to the Bennett Drug Store, which had operated out of this Washington Avenue premises for many years.

Bennett Drug Store. Bill Bennett, of Bennett Drug Store on Washington Avenue, was one of several business owners who helped the trainees of the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind to practice the skills they learned. Photo circa late 1960s.

American Cyanamid. Employees of the American Cyanamid factory, circa 1940.

American Cyanamid Bowling Banquet. American Cyanamid Bowling Banquet, held at some point during the era of black and white photography and formal business attire.

Vanadium Steel Works. A view of the Vanadium Steel Works, later to become the Universal Cyclops Steel Works. Photo circa

Mayer Airfield. Among his many passions, C.P. Mayer loved flying--so much so, that he built the Mayer Airfield. This picture shows the Pride of Pittsburgh, one of the airplanes which regularly made use of the field.

C.P. Mayer Brick Company Engine. Jim Quinn pokes his head out of the engine box of the C.P. Mayer Brick Company's train engine. The picture was taken in 1917, somewhere behind Mayer Street.

Abramovitz Food Store. The building located at the corner of McLaughlin Run Road and Mill Street was originally the home of Abramovitz Food Store. Photo taken 1979.

The Flannery Bolt Company. The Flannery Bolt Company employees posing for a picture. In the second row, beginning third from the right are Tony "Doc" Casciola, "Teasy" Demsher and Fred "Putt" Doneeli.

Bridgeville Glass Works. The water tower from the Bridgeville Glass Works, part of the General Electric Corporation.

Higbee Glass Plant. The J.B. Higbee Glass Plant, later the General Electric Plant, around 1920. Many fine pieces of cut and pressed glass were produced at the factory.

The Colussy Motor Company. The employees of Colussy Motor Company pose in front of their "newer" showroom in 1930. Seated, from left to right, are Unknown Man, Al Gastgeb, Bill Sands, Ollie Adams, Clarence Redd, Mitch Delphus, Ben Gastgeb, George Baumgartner, and Walt Davis, with Bud Delphus in front. Standing, from left to right, are Pete Delphus, Gilbert Colussy, Art Colussy, Elizabeth Kovach, Jack Taucher, Leo Sands, Jack McMillen, Albert Colussy and Wilbert Delphus.

Weise's Store. The Weise's Store delivery van making its rounds.

Bridgeville Hotel. AA Pepe operated the original Bridgeville Hotel at 112 Washington Avenue. Date unknown.

Louis Dernosek. Another image of Louis Dernosek, outside of Louie's Market on Union Street. Date unknown. Donated by Catherine Dernosek.

The Delphus Theater, 1917. The Delphus Theater on Railroad Street was a popular spot to see the latest movies. Women #7 in the back row was Mary Delphus, while the woman to the extreme right was Catherine Mayer Picard. Seated, from left to right, are Anne Savage, Blanche Delphus Kinney, Rose Delphus Picard, Albert Picard, Unknown, Agnes Picard Callahan, Unknown boy, Catherine Callahan and Marion Picard Schneider. Oh, and the dog's name was Bit.

The Norwood Hotel. Built in 1876 by Joseph Wright, the Norwood Hotel was the first hotel in the area to feature running water and featured a natural spring amongst its many amenities. It quickly became an escape destination for those needing a break from the city. It was in operation, under various owners, until it burnt to the ground in 1961. Photo donated by Dana Spriggs.

Bridgeville Post Office, 1912. In 1912, the Bridgeville Post Office was located on Station Street, in a building that later became the rear of the Bridgeville Trust Company. At that time, Web Connor was responsible for delivering to Rt. 1, whilst Paul Tidball was assigned Rt. 2. Just visible to the left were Murray's Stables.

LaVelle Funeral Home Building. A snowy picture of the LaVelle Funeral Home Building on 432 Washington Avenue in January of 1987. Later the building became the home of the Bridgeville Fireman's Club.

Bridgeville Post Office, 1912. In 1912, the Bridgeville Post Office was located on Station Street, in a brick building that later became incorporated into the rear half of the Bridgeville Trust building. On the left is DM Bennett.

The Norwood Hotel Fire. The Norwood Hotel Fire in 1961, which destroyed the iconic building.

Outside the Norwood Hotel. A group of men getting ready to leave for World War I pose outside of the Norwood Hotel on May 27, 1918. Shown are Henry Supan, Unknown Man 1, Unknown Man 2 and Frank Supan; with Mr. Mosti driving.

Louis Dernosek. A young Louis Dernosek, posing with the delivery car Louie's Market. Date unknown. Photo donated by Catherine Dernosek.

Bridgeville Dairy. Dick Schneider posing in front of the Bridgeville Dairy's Ford Delivery Truck in 1945.

H. Poellot and Sons Hardware Store. Will and Wash pose in front of H. Poellot and Sons Hardware Store in 1901. This site later became home to Sarasnick's Hardware Store.

Schaffer Woolen Mill. An artists depiction of what the Schaffer Woolen Mill looked like in 1859. The mill, owned by A.D. Schaffer, was a one-stop location, carding and fulling wool to eventually be used in cloth making.

Vanadium Steel Corporation. Employees of the Vanadium Steel Corporation posing on fire truck. On the fire truck, the eighth person from the left, in a dark suit and flat cap, is Steve Nagy. The third man down from him, leaning against the engine, is Casper Picard. The shorter man to the right, next to the fireman in white, is Harry Schadel, the tax collector, with Dorothy Shadel standing in front of him and Mr. Tidball, the commissioner, directly to his right. The first man on the left is Tony Miller; the man kneeling beside him is Joe Picad. The fireman standing in front of the truck is Carl Gessee; while kneeling in front of the truck, third and fourth mnn from the left, are Ed Halloran and Herman Picard. According to the Kirwan Heights Fire Department, this photo shows the beginnings of their fire department, starting out as a fire brigade at the Universal Cyclops, and forming, by charter, into the fire department in 1926.

Weise's Store. Celebrating Christmas with the paper boys and delivery boys of Weise's Store on Washington Avenue.

Bern-Hart Motor Company. The Bern-Hard Motor Company, located at 606 Washington Avenue (the present site of Jenlor Integrations, Inc.)

Poellot's Hardware. The delivery team from Poellot's Hardware, on McLaughlin Run Road.