Manorville Celebrates 150th Anniversary!

by David Croyle

Local Historian John Englert painted word pictures as he described Manorville, Pennsylvania in the 1991 Quasquicentennial book:

“God created Manorville and blessed it with peace and quiet. He laid blocks of stone one upon another to surround it with mountains, and then drew his finger through them to make a channel for a river. He then added other things of beauty —- plants, flowers, trees, birds and people —- living things. It has always been beautiful. On the coldest day of winter, it is a warm place to be. One shouldn’t be surprised to find that next to people’s hearts, the noblest creation is Manorville today is the tallest of trees on the riverbank near the Methodist Church. Forsythia, dogwood, and roses abound. The sun rises in the east each morning, and the sunsets are glorious… We will never know who first looked upon this place, but we can be sure of one thing. He or she must have been impressed.”

Manorville was incorporated as a borough on June 6, 1866.

To commemorate its 150th anniversary, the town-folk are dressing it up in style. New 9-1-1 approved address markers were given to each homeowner. Banners hang from utility poles. And several new signs welcome the visitors to a peaceful, tranquil town along the Allegheny River.

A committee gathered in a member’s home to plan next Saturday’s outdoor festivities that will include food booths, children’s activities, and music from 3-11PM by five different bands. But the conversation moved from business to memories as members began to share their early days living in Manorville.

Nancy Gaul said when she was a child, hobo’s used to come off the train and search for a benevolent soul that would provide a meal.

“He knocked on the door, and of course, Mom was always willing to feed them. So she would say, ‘Okay you can come on in,’ and he looked at our table and he saw places for 8 people. He said, ‘Oh Ma’am, you have enough to feed. I don’t want your food.’ So he left. But Mom said ‘No, you sit on the porch’ and she took him food out. There was seven of us in the family.”

Linda Cornman is chairperson of the anniversary committee. She recalls the memories that drew her to settle here 37 years ago.

“Our mother, Doris Hawk, was born and raised here. We lived in East Franklin growing up. But every time something went on in Manorville, whether it was the water came up - Hurricane Agnes where the water was level with the guard rails - or something that was going on, we always had to jump in the car and ride to Manorville. It was in her blood to come back home because she wanted to be here when all that stuff was happening. Even though we didn’t grow up here, when I got married I moved here and I’ve been here 37 years. Even though I didn’t live here, I spent a lot of time here. I went to church here. We had family here. We had picnics here. We were always in Manorville.”

Kim Pirvetta’s father, Hyatt Lafaffette Hawk I, was an architect engineer who designed many of the buildings in Manorville and Ford City. She remembers her father as a white-collar businessman.

“Our Mom used to tell us, her dad was a brick layer. And he would go to work when he built the church in a white shirt and a tie. He would come home and there wouldn’t be one bit of cement on him.”

Nancy Busch was overcome with her rich heritage of her town.

“I’m the fourth generation to live in Manorville. Our great-grandparents lived in the house up the street. My great aunt and uncle, my grandmother, my father - It’s not one particular incident like the fun we had in the river. When you are walking the streets, and you think back four generations that you are walking where all your relatives walked (and think) what were they doing on a day like today… when you look out and see the sunset hitting the river, or the snow in the winter, it’s just outstanding! It’s just a beautiful place.”

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