Highlights

1825-76 — Early Religion

The first building used for religious purposes in the DuBois area was a tavern in Luthersburg in 1825. There were no hymn books or Bibles and all services were held at night by candlelight.

Sunday School is said to have been held for the first time in 1865 in the old log schoolhouse south of town.

The first church was erected at the corner of E. Long Ave. and Church St. in 1874 , with a minister of the Brookville Evangelical Church in charge. The building was built on posts about two feet above the ground and sheep from the neighborhood are reported to have disturbed the services by bumping their heads on the flooring.

The Evangelical Church later acquired property at the site of its present location for building purposes and the Methodists built at the corner of Long Ave. and Franklin St. shortly after 1870.

The First Presbyterian Church was organized on May 9, 1876, in a barn at the corner of Main St. and W. Long Ave. Other denominations followed in later years.

1827-76 — Early Schools

The first school in the DuBois area was held in a bar at Luthersburg about 1827.

Hewn log structures were late erected for dual purposes of school and church and by 1848 there were five for such purposes in Brady Township.

The first school to be erected with public money was on S. Main St. Extension in 1860 and is still standing. The term was for three months and the school was said to have been shared by pupils and sheep alike during the year.

In 1876, a two-room school was built on W. Scribner Ave., where the now demolished Central School stood at a later time. A second school was opened in a loft on N. Main St. at the same time.

Class terms were limited to three months in the early years, extended to four and finally to five. If a student wanted additional education, they had to earn money to attend academies in other parts of the state. Girls as a general rule did not go beyond the common schools.

1870s — Some Early Ordinances

Times and needs have changed quite a bit in DuBois since its early years. In the late 1870’s DuBois was granted borough status and elected L.A. Brady as the first burgess or mayor.

The primitive style of life of the community is reflected in some early ordinances:Feeding and milking of cows on sidewalks or public crossings was prohibited. Regulations were established for breeding stallions inside the new borough line, providing for the process to be done under cover and away from residences. People were prohibited from depositing manure, dirt or ashes on the public street. Stove pipes must not run out of the side of a house. Slaughter houses were prohibited from the central part of town. Herds of pigs were not permitted to roam the streets.

 

1861-64 — Bucktails Battle in Civil War

The United States Civil War is the most devastating confrontation in terms of military losses in our nation’s history. DuBois residents, along with those of surrounding counties, played a major part in that conflict.

One of the most famous Union regiments was the 13th Pennsylvania Reserve or the 42nd regiment infantry, also known as the Bucktails who served from May 28, 1861, through June 11, 1864. They were recruited in Clearfield, Elk, Cameron, Chester, Tioga, Perry, McKean and Warren Counties.

On April 17, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to fight for three months. General Thomas L. Kane from Kane in McKean County recruited the Bucktails; DuBois residents went to Curwensville where they formed Company K.

The Bucktails were participants in the first Union victory in the Civil War on Dec. 20, 1861, at Dranesville in Virginia. Among their many campaigns, they were very prominent in defending their home state at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, where there are several monuments in their honor.

Out of the twelve hundred men that had enlisted with the Bucktails, one hundred sixty-two were killed or died of wounds, ninety-three died of disease, four hundred twenty-four were wounded, and two hundred fifty-five were listed as captured or missing. Two of them also earned the Congressional Medal of Honor.

1867-1873 — DuBois Begins to Grow

Little of what is now DuBois would be recognizable to a visitor from our earlier time period.

DuBois grew slowly in its early years. Between 1867 and 1873, DuBois expanded from four families to 16. A public road, now DuBois St., had been obtained, extending from N. Main Street to the Low Grade Railroad with a plank platform set up as the new railroad station.

At the same time, John E. DuBois was erecting two sawmills, one of which was to be the largest in the state. The mills led to the planning of N. Brady St. and later, the Old Plank Road, as access to the new mills. A five-foot fill was required to traverse the waterbed and because lumber was plentiful, a plank road was built. It would be replaced in later years by a brick highway.

A toll gate was erected at the corner of Long Ave. and Courtney St. (now Brady St.), and persons going to the Pennsylvania Railroad, near the current Pizza Hut and WOWQ radio station, had to pay a toll.

DuBois, The Divided City

DuBois as it exists today was once a dual town. One section was known as the east or DuBois side, to distinguish it from the older Rumbarger side.

Rivalry existed for many years between the two sections and the coal miners and their families living in Rumbarger and the lumbermen and woodsmen residing on the DuBois side.

To get across the half mile of low beaver dam between the two towns, slabs from the mills were used to construct a corduroy or mud bridge. Later known as a plank road it is now Liberty Boulevard.

The village of Rumbarger near what is now Long and Main Streets was soon outdistanced by rapid building on the DuBois side of town. DuBois soon became the name by which the community was known.

1883 — DuBois Gets the Second McCrory’s

McCrory’s, one of the most famous five and ten cent store chains in the nation’s history, has connections to DuBois history.

John G. McCrorey was born in Indiana County in 1860 and opened the first of his stores in Scottsdale in 1882. A store was opened in DuBois the following year and the Scottsdale site closed. Although the Scottsdale store was reopened in 1915, the DuBois site was the longest in continuous operation until its closing in the 1980s.

McCrorey dropped the silent E from his name on the stores. At one time the chain owned 775 stores and 554 restaurants throughout the U.S. with headquarters in New York City.

McCrorey was president of the company for 50 years, vacating that position in 1931 to become chairman of the board. He retired two years later and lived on until 1943.

 

1877-1915 — From Borough to City

The origins of the officially designated City of DuBois date to 1877 with the first attempt to organize the town of DuBois into a borough.

However, there were several delays and DuBois did not become an incorporated borough until 1881. Although already known as DuBois since 1876, there was some interest in officially naming the area Rumbarger or Sandy Valley. L. A. Brady was the first burgess (similar to a mayor) of the new borough.

In 1883, the borough was divided into three wards. Two additional wards were added during later years.

On Nov. 2, 1914, the borough of DuBois voted to become a third class city. Governor John Tener granted the city charter on Dec. 28, 1914, and DuBois officially became a third class city on Jan. 1, 1915.

Great Fire, June 18, 1888.

The fire started around 1 p.m. On a hot afternoon in John Baker’s Hotel near the present B & O crossing on Long Avenue. The one-hose cart in the community responded but only a trickle of water could be obtained from the hydrant because of a water leak.

The wind blew the fire toward Main Street., consuming nearly everything to State Street by 3 p.m. Then the wind shifted causing the fire to jump the railroad tracks and head up Long Avenue. Dynamiting buildings in an attempt to stop the flames only spread it further.

When the winds ceased blowing that evening the fire dissipated. By then it had devoured buildings and businesses bordered by Long Avenue, Stockdale Street., East Scribner Avenue, to beyond Main Street. Damage would be estimated at $1 million, but luckily no lives were lost in the disaster.

1888 — Great Fire Spurs Formation of Fire Companies

Within a week of the June 18, 1888, Great Fire, which leveled most of the City of DuBois in approximately 8 hours, the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department was born.

The first company formed was Volunteer Second Ward, on June 25, 1888. It was followed by Friendship Fifth Ward, VanTassel (later J. E. DuBois Third Ward), Fourth Ward, and Goodwill Hose Company in the Fifth Ward. The first fire chief was James Whitehall.

The first fire truck to serve the community was homemade and cost $1,200. Weaver’s Garage on S. Brady St. converted a used car into a good imitation of a motorized fire truck for the Fourth Ward Hose Company in 1916.

From these beginnings, DuBois now can claim one of the finest and longest existing volunteer fire companies in the United States

 

1888-1891 — DuBois Rebuilds from the Great Fire

Like the classic Phoenix arising from the flames, DuBois quickly rebuilt itself following the Great Fire of June 18, 1888.

The ashes were barely cool and there had been no real time to seek insurance claims when the rebuilding of larger and sturdier buildings in the fire area started.

To insure that the Great Fire would not be repeated a new water system was needed. A reservoir was constructed in upper Clear Run and by 1890-91, DuBois had a new water system.

Gas lines were installed and a franchise for lighting streets was granted by council bringing electricity throughout the City. By the time the Gay 90’s arrived, DuBois had all the major utilities needed by a city.

The busy 10-year building period after the Great Fire provided the semblance of a new central city, that in layout remained nearly intact in 1997, DuBois’ 125 th Anniversary Year.

 

1893 — First Firemen’s Parade

In June of 1893, firemen lined up for a parade in downtown DuBois. At seven o five, the whistle blew, signaling the start of the parade.

Every year since, the firemen’s parade tradition continues. Firemen from all over the area process through the town as the rest of the community applaud their service.

High school bands march along to entertain the crowds with their music. Main roads of the city are blocked off to allow the parade to pass by without pause.

Dads, husbands and big brothers wave to their families from the back of their fire and rescue trucks which shine from days of polishing and waxing.

The City of DuBois realizes the important role that fire fighters play in the safety of their homes and businesses. The firemen’s parade is a chance for the entire community to show their appreciation to these courageous men.

1896-1902 — Automobiles Come to DuBois

Cars, now a common site on DuBois streets, were once an object of wonder when they were operated.

The first automobile to be seen or operated in DuBois was with the Barnum & Baily Circus in 1896. It was such a novelty that people paid admission to see it. Automobiles continued to be an attraction for almost a decade.

Two cars arrived in DuBois almost simultaneously in 1901. B. M. Marlin, president of the Union Bank and Trust Company, and George and Tom Stockdale, owners of the Union Bargain Store, owned the cars.

On June 13, the Stockdales drove their “steamer” two days to Driftwood, becoming the first car to be seen in Bennett’s Valley.

A year later, 1902, Professor Thom of the Business College drove his “steamer” to Clearfield, becoming the first car to be seen in the county seat.

Dr. Gann was another early auto owner, and it is reported that children lined the streets to watch him take his drive around town.

1897 — DuBois Gets a Hospital

Doctor’s Hospital opened in a house on W. Scribner Ave. in 1897. The 23-bed facility was damaged by fire in 1909. At that time the physicians asked the Sisters of Mercy from Erie to operate the facility and in 1910 the facility, later known as the DuBois Hospital, was under new management. Eventually the Sisters opened a new building on Hospital Ave. on Oct. 23, 1915.

In 1912, John E. DuBois offered $10,000 and a tract of land for development of a second hospital, one that would be a non-profit, non-sectarian community facility. This resulted in the opening of Maple Avenue Hospital on Oct. 8, 1918.

Both hospitals served the medical needs of the DuBois area for decades before a historic and unprecedented merger in 1985 joined the two facilities as the DuBois Regional Medical Center.

The Steam-Driven Automobile

“If” is always a big word in history.

But, if a car designed in DuBois had worked it might possibly have resulted in another industry for the community. Unfortunately that was not the case. A steam-driven automobile constructed at the Iron Works (now Rockwell) and patented by Joe Keefer did not work.

However, even without manufacturing automobiles, the Iron Works became one of the many repair shops to grow up around the 105 automobiles in DuBois by 1910.

By 1916, there were six car dealerships in DuBois: Weaver’s, DuBois Garage, Renninger’s, Tate and Schrecongost, Moulthrop Sales, and Logan’s. Among the cars being sold were the Buick, Nash, Cadillac, Jordan, Maxwell, Saxon, Vin trucks, Oaklands, Chevrolet, Studebakers, Briscoes, Overland, Ford, and Dodge. Prices ranged from $495 to $1,675. The love affair Americans still have with their automobiles had begun.

 

1919-32 — Prohibition Fails to Close DuBois Brewery

Prohibition was passed in 1919.

It hit all brewery operations in the country very hard, with many of them closing, but the DuBois Brewery found a way to survive. The Frank Hahne family shifted the efforts of the brewery to making near beer, ginger ale, and root beer. They also manufactured ice which they sold to the railroads for refrigeration and local households for iceboxes.

Frank Hahne Sr. died in 1932, just a year before Prohibition ended. His son, Frank Jr., and three daughters Marie, Caroline, and Emilie took over the business. One of the big advantages Frank Jr. had in taking over the business was no violations against the DuBois Brewery during the Prohibition period. Because of that when Prohibition ended, they were able to apply for a new license and the number on the license was G2, which was the second license issued from the state of Pennsylvania after Prohibition.

The DuBois Brewery was able to bottle 300 bottles or 250 cans per minute when they were in full operation, and they produced one thousand fifty barrels annually, first in Pennsylvania, and later in West Virginia, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. The payroll amounted to approximately one-half million dollars annually for approximately 100 employees.

 

DuBois Budweiser, The Beer That Made DuBois Famous

The DuBois Brewery under the direction of brewmasters such as Walt Eiser and Abel Herring produced a wide variety of beers. One was called Vitalis, like the hair tonic; Wurzburger, a very dark beer; Hahne Porter; Pixie Ale; Burgundy Brau, which had a red color to it; and the premium, Cloud Nine. But the beer that made DuBois famous was DuBois Budweiser. It also led to a number of famous court cases with brewery giant Anhauser-Busch.

Anheuser-Busch claimed the name Budweiser. There were other companies in the United States who also produced under the Budweiser name. Anhauser-Busch simply scared most of them to drop the name. Frank Hahne decided he wasn’t going to allow that to happen and he went to court with them. He lost in one lower court, but pursued it on to a higher court where he won. DuBois Budweiser continued to be produced until Iron City Brewery purchased the DuBois Brewery in 1967. At that time Iron City took a large settlement from Anheuser-Busch and dropped the Budweiser name. Five years later the brewery was closed forever.

 

1928 — An Airport is Built

In 1928, the local American Legion Post took on a huge task of clearing a tract of land and building a new approximately one-half mile road. A grant had been received by the City of DuBois to build an airport. Anxious for the economic impact of such a facility the city accepted but had no way to reach the selected site in the Oklahoma area of town, at the later location of McDowell Manufacturing, off Maple Avenue. The Legion was approached and they accepted the challenge.

Several months of work was need to clear the field of a six-inch-diameter growth of trees. That was followed by construction of a road to the site. Because the runway was short, only smaller commuter planes could use the airport. Half a dozen private planes used the field frequently. Within a few years, it was determined that smaller commuter planes were not commercially feasible and since the runway could not be extended the airport was closed.

 

1930s — C.C.C Completes Public Works

The works of the Civilian Conservation Corps, known as the C.C.C., are still visible in DuBois and the immediate area.

During the great Depression of the 1930s, when millions of Americans were without jobs or food, the federal government sought to help by establishing the C.C.C. The C.C.C. brought thousands of young men off the streets into military style Conservation Camps where they were paid to complete projects for the public good. One of those camps was at nearby Parker Dam. In addition to constructing the dam and spillway and other parts of the park at Parker Dam, they also built and improved many of the roads in the area.

In DuBois, under the direction of the Works Progress Administration constructed the still in use Mansell Stadium and the stone stairs and wall at the end of Liberty Boulevard. These projects stand in continuing memory of the men who completed the work.

 

1950s — Soap Box Derby Races

One of the biggest youth participation sports in the 1950s in DuBois was the Soap Box Derby. The Courier-Express/Schneider Motors sponsored the yearly event. A hundred or more boys (and a few girls) would enter each year and spend several months designing the cars to be used. Some of the cars were so well designed that they would reach a speed of 30 miles per hour.

The races were held on Maple Avenue with the starting point about half way up the hill. The finish line was near the Beaver Meadow Creamery. Hundred’s of spectators would line the route to cheer on their favorites.

The winners went to Indianapolis for national competition. The races came to an end when competitors struck spectators edging on to the course resulting in some law suits.

August 11, 1960 – Dime Store Fire

August 2020 marked the 60th anniversary of what the locals refer to as the dime store row fire on August 11, 1960. The fire on Long Avenue’s business section destroyed F.W. Woolworth’s, Matthew’s Book Store, J.J. Newberry, June Hess Beauty Shop and B. & J. Restaurant.

At 3:10 a.m. night patrolman Joe Wilcox reported the flames he discovered in the basement of either B. & J. Restaurant or Newberry’s and sounded the alarm. As fire units arrived, there were flames shooting from the roof of the B. & J. Restaurant.

Friendship and Goodwill Companies were delayed by a train blocking the Long Avenue crossing. The pumpers had to take Sugar Alley and West Washington as a detour. The John E. DuBois, Friendship, and Goodwill Companies worked at the rear side of the buildings and the others, including Sandy, worked at the front.

Over 500 feet of hose was used for the fire. Volunteer Hose Co. No. 1 used its 75-foot aerial ladder to pour water onto the fire from above. One police officer commented that the street looked like a spaghetti factory with all the hoses stretched out. The firemen were unable to move more than a few feet into the Newberry’s building due to the thick smoke. During the fire, attics and ceilings crashed down, delaying efforts.

Luckily, ammunition stored in Matthew’s Book Store had been removed by management. Supplies of paint and varnishes exploded in the dime stores when the fire reached it.
Tommy Gillung, Jr. helped with rescue. He ran to the third floor of the Turner building to awaken tenant Olive Crum and lead her safely out. She suffered emotional shock. Firefighter William Tankalavage was treated for a right knee injury. Firefighter Thomas Swauger was overcome with smoke.

There was no wind but steady water pressure; both elements aided firefighters.

Another concern was that walls could collapse, creating flying sparks that would cause more problems.

The building housing Woolworth’s was completely destroyed and had to be rebuilt. Newberry’s, Matthew’s, and B. & J. Restaurant were completely gutted and had to be demolished. June’s Beauty Shop, located on the second floor of the Newberry building, opened only a few months before the fire. Turner’s store, suffering only smoke damage, was closed a few days but planned to open for the weekend. Tamler’s department store, which was next to McCrory’s, was open the next morning. Fans were used to clear the air. There was no fire or water damage.

The fire lasted three hours and damage was estimated at $500,000. The fire was the most extensive since the fire of 1888 that destroyed the entire business district.