This article was written by Suzanne Sickler Ohl, an early member of the Tyrone Area Historical Society.  It was first published in April 1993.

            Time was when people in Tyrone, Pennsylvania could leave their doors unlocked, take a stroll downtown, meet many of their friends, stop in the drug store or sweet shop for an ice cream soda, and then stroll home.  Or, for an evening of entertainment, they could choose to go to one of the two movie theaters or out to Reservoir Park pavilion to a juke-box dance.

            In the fall, Gray Stadium would be filled to overflowing for the football games.  Then, win or lose, the school crowd would march down 15^th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.  There they would parade the avenue sidewalks cheering loudly if it were a victory night, and walking quietly if the team had lost.  For a special victory, such as the 1940 State Co-championship, a bonfire at the 10^th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue intersection was the gathering point for the celebration.

            In all seasons Friday night was “shopping night” downtown.  People came into town from the surrounding areas to get their purchases and to collect all the news.  Saturday afternoons were when the Grier School girls arrived in town.  Their first stop was McLanahan’s Drug Store.  Then they quickly covered the town before the return to school deadline arrived.

            Another crowded gathering place was the railroad station.  By bus and cars people arrived from over the mountain to get the train, meet a traveler, or mail a letter.  Many a person had to rush down the steps and through the subway under the tracks to get up to the boarding station before the train departed.  A few daring souls tried to sneak across the tracks to save time.  Usually a sharp whistle alerted them to their careless behavior.  Only the express baggage wagon was permitted to cross the tracks.

            Tyrone was proud of its post office with its first class rank.  Much credit is due to the Wilson Chemical Company and its Cloverine Salve sold by mail.  Then the government stepped in and forbade the way young children were encouraged, through comic book advertisements and the use of the mails, to sell the Salve. This resulted in a great loss of business for the Company.

            A favorite place in the summer was the Athletic Park, especially at the swimming pool.  Children walked to the park and spent ten cents for an afternoon of swimming.  After working hours the adults adjourned to the pool for an early evening swim.

            The industries in town were prospering, many operating around the clock.  Several generations of a family were employed by the railroad, the paper mill, the Chicago Rivet, or the Reliance factory.  Tyrone people stayed in town to shop so local businesses also prospered.

            Not to be forgotten is the Big Spring on Washington Avenue.  Visitors in town often would include a stop-over to see the big trout in the spring.  And picnics at Reservoir Park were a popular event.  Picnic tables had to be reserved in advance.  Family reunions were a common gathering in the park.

            Few people left town to live elsewhere.  Many of those who did still considered Tyrone their home town and were supportive of its projects.  A notable example was Fred and Tom Waring.  Fred made a practice of mentioning Tyrone on his programs and giving of his band’s talents to raise funds for many worthy projects such as the parade when the Reliance Factory opened, the Waring Canteen during the War, and the Tyrone Hospital.

            Tyrone’s first hundred years provided a rich heritage – good family life, many educational and cultural activities, and a storehouse of wonderful memories.  Then, Mr. Progress took over.  Tyrone changed – but not necessarily for the better.  Much happened in Progress’ name these last forty years that the people of the 1990s are coming to regret.

            Consider what was lost when the town demolished in order to improve???  The Blair County Development Program and the Route 220 Bypass took many beautiful homes, stores and businesses, theaters, and the Masonic Building.  The decline in railroad transportation took away many jobs, support for recreational facilities, and a beautiful station.  In the name of environmental improvement the Paper Mill suffered a reduction in its labor force.  With the decrease in employment opportunities people had to leave Tyrone to find jobs elsewhere.  All this had a direct effect on community life since it mostly was the younger generation that moved away.  Tyrone went from its population of 9,521 in 1949 to its present [1993] population of 5,849.

            The cohesiveness that was characteristic of Tyrone was disappearing fast.  However, there still remained the spirit and determination that had been prevalent in Tyrone residents through the many tragedies of the past.  In the late 1950s and 1960s concerned people united to form the Tyrone Improvement Corporation and sponsored the “Jobs for Joes” campaign to bring industries back into town.  The Industrial Park replaced the now defunct Athletic Park.  A new high school was built to provide educational and recreational programs that continue to be high quality and adaptable to future changing requirements.  The high school became a true community center which continues today.  Evidence of this was the recent music and arts program held in the high school for an overflowing crowd.

            The Revitalization Plan for all of Tyrone and the Main Street Program for the downtown area are bringing new hope for the future.  The variety of summer programs such as the Riverfest held in June, the Mid-Summer Fest, and the Farm/City Day in the fall are bringing people from surrounding communities back into Tyrone to mingle together, shop, and create new memories.  Often is heard the statement, “This is getting to like the good old days.”  Even the recent snow storms are compared to the “storms of 1888 and 1966!”

            The South Pennsylvania Avenue area has a promising future too as the Tyrone Heritage Railroad Park begins to move from the planning stage to reality.  The efforts of some Boy Scouts last summer helped to spearhead the program.  The efforts of the Borough and the Main Street Manager in securing grants for the project are worthy of commendation and deserve the cooperation of everyone in the Tyrone area.

            All the different organizations in town, both religious and civic, are participating in “Tyrone Reborn.”  The Tyrone Area Historical Society was organized to help in the preservation of Tyrone’s heritage – the history, the artifacts, and the memories that made Tyrone a good family and community environment.

            Changes are to be expected and might even be considered necessary.  Older people are coming back to retire here.  Younger people like what they see but they need job opportunities.  It is a different type of population living in Tyrone today.  Undoubtedly the type of jobs will differ from those in early Tyrone’s history.  But that isn’t bad.

            The key words throughout all the efforts expended should be rebuild not demolish and praise not criticize.  Then working together with all people being involved, that which happens in the name of Progress in the years ahead, should make the people of the 2000s rejoice in what was done.