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Etna Borough. History. General Wilkins was the original owner of a large tract of land at the mouth of Pine Creek, embracing the present site of Etna borough. David Anderson purchased the land from him, and started designing streets and lots.
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History • General Wilkins was the original owner of a large tract of land at the mouth of Pine Creek, embracing the present site of Etna borough. • David Anderson purchased the land from him, and started designing streets and lots. • Early in its history it received the name of Stewardstown, from David Stewart, an active citizen, and one of the 1st after Wilkins.
History Con’t • The manufacturing of scythes and sickles started in 1820 on the site of Spang, Chalfant & Co.’s works. H.S. Sprang purchased this primitive establishment in 1828, and adapted it to the rolling of bar-iron. • In 1874, Spang Company laid seventeen miles of iron pipe from Etna to Butler for natural gas conveyance, an event of historic significance. • This firm had significant impact on the local economy until it closure in 1959.
History con’t • After its incorporation in 1868, Etna continued to serve as an industrial nexus, spurred by the construction of rails, streetcar routes, and the road that is now route 8. • After WWII, improvement were made to the road, encouraging new industrial development.
Etna is a small bustling community covering one square mile along the banks of the Allegheny River, and is bordered on three sides by Millvale, Shaler Township, and Sharpsburg. • Centrally located, Etna is just 10 minutes (non-rush hour) from downtown Pittsburgh • close enough for easy access to the shopping centers in North Hills, Fox Chapel, and Monroeville, the cultural opportunities in Oakland and North Side, and the nine local Colleges and Universities.
Etna is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. It flourished in the past when it was the site of rolling mills, furnaces, steel-mills, galvanized-pipe works, and other manufactures. • There is a small business district along Butler Street, which features houses and structures from the turn –of the century and earlier.
The View Butler Street Route 28
POPULATION • 1900 - 5,384 • 1910 - 5,830 • 1940 - 7,223 • 2000 - 3,924 Total population: 3,589 (All urban)
The community was named after Mt. Etna, volcano in Italy, because of the community's iron and steel industries
Yearly Events • Memorial Day Parade • The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. along Butler Street from Maplewood to Freeport, down Freeport and into Sharpsburg
Firemen's Street Fair • Usually the end of May or in June at the Etna Ball field on Crescent Avenue. Rides, games, bingo, food, and week-long fun for all ages
Community Events • E.T.N.A. Community Day - First or Second Saturday in August. It's a family affair held at the playground and swimming pool with entertainment, games, and activities for all ages and a get to know your neighbor fellowship.
All Saints Summer Festival • Held in the middle of August. Features a parade on opening day, ethnic foods, games for children, bingo, home made crafts, bake sale, raffles, and more all week long. All Saints Church grounds. • Light-Up Night • The day (Friday) after Thanksgiving, sponsored by the Etna Light-Up Night Committee, and the Borough of Etna. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a hometown parade escorting Santa to his headquarters on Walnut Street where he greets children with a special treat. • There’s family entertainment, a live Christmas music program, and fun-filled activities headed up by the scouts, the local sports teams, and other organizations in town. The stores stay open offering special treats and special sales and the Christmas lights are turned on transforming downtown Etna into holiday wonderland.
All Saints • All Saints parish was founded in 1902 to serve the Catholic community of Etna. The first pastor was appointed in April 1902 and work began on a new church in the summer of 1902 on Wilson St. • This first church, a frame building, was dedicated on August 3, 1902. Due to the growth of the congregation, the church building quickly became inadequate to meet the needs of the parish. • Rather than tear down the church, however, the parish moved it to another part of its property and built a new church on the site of the old church. • Groundbreaking began in September 1914 and the finished church was dedicated on December 19, 1915. This church continues to serve the pastoral needs of Etna Catholics.
All Saint's School and Church / Etna, Pa. The old All Saints school, which was torn down (circa 1950s)
On September 17, 2004 flooding in Etna caused by tropical storm Ivan damaged the church. The flood waters damaged the floor and wiring of the building. The church was closed for six months for repair. During this time, Mass was celebrated in the parish activities building. The church reopened on March 19, 2005.
All Saints Catholic SchoolEtna, PennsylvaniaRoom 8 - Class of 1936 Fr. Keller 1st pastor
Butler Street, Etna, Pa. / 1908 Current Post Office
Former Etna Elks building, diagonal from E-Town Grille and American Legion. Was torn down and present building was put up. Elks Home, Etna, Pa. / 1913
Bird's Eye View, West Etna, Pa. All Saints Mt. Royal Slag pile, now houses High Street?
West Etna Public School, Etna, Pa. 1921 Wilson Street