The park was a product of the Depression era and civic ingenuity and dedication. Hundreds of Follansbee Steel workers were unemployed at the time and the men were hired to build the park. The mayor of Follansbee appointed a Welfare & Unemployment Committee that included: L.A. Diller (chairman), George Hahne, Robert Cash, Arthur McCort, and Mayor Charles H. Manion, member ex officio.  Donations were solicited from the citizens of Follansbee for a fund to be used as wages for the unemployed at 25 cents per hour.  City churches, schools, and other organizations  helped to collect the funds.  Wheeling Steel, which had earlier provided ground for the High school and football field, donated the land required for the park.

The first swimming pool in Follansbee, with the historic Cyrus Ferguson house seen in background. Circa 1934

Using rock taken from the widening of Route 2 near the Market Street Bridge, the Simonetti brothers cut and laid the stone for the walls and foundations of the park buildings. Oglebay Park in Wheeling provided the shrubs and trees.

Municipal Park:  Follansbee Park Memorial.  Photo courtesy of Mayor’s office Follansbee.

An inscription on the cornerstone at the southwest corner of the pool reads: “Built by the unemployed of Follansbee — 1932.”

Recent Photo of Follansbee Pool. Courtesy of Mayor

Follansbee Park entrance under construction 1932.  Concession building on right. Photo- Follansbee Brooke County Library.

Follansbee pool constructed 1932-33. See Football field behind High School dedicated in 1928. Photos- Follansbee Brooke County Library.

Community House build in 1940s. Photo – Jim Mirasola  

A towering ancient tree standing on Jefferson street, near Allegheny, was cut down the day before Christmas. The tree stood between the Thomas and Gunion homes. The removal of the tree left an open space where its massive trunk and tremendous height dwarf the surrounding community. The newspaper described the tree as “a prominent landscape” in existence for at least a century. It was known that the tree stood when the Mahan family first came to the area in 1815.  “The Mahan run (now called Allegheny creek) originally rippled by the yenerable old tree before its course was diverted to its present bed along Allegheny street.” See 1815-Wiliam Mahan.  

• Follansbee Review, “Remove of Ancient Tree on Jefferson Street,” December 31, 1931, front page.

By 1931, the Depression had put millions out of work.  In Follansbee, the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, struggled to keep its union members employed.  As the Presidential election approached in 1932, Amalgamated workers were encourage to vote for the candidate most likely to assist union labor and government relief for the unemployed. 

 Two major events were planned including a big city union meeting, and the annual August picnic at Rock Springs Park. The purpose of both events was to foster the goodwill of organized labor between trades people and the citizens of Follansbee and vicinity. 

 On March 28, 1931, prior to the Amalgamated August picnic, a monster meeting was held in Follansbee at the Rexy Theatre.  The principle speaker was Rev. Father James R. Cox, of Old St. Patrick’s Church in Pittsburgh.   Father Cox needed no introduction. He was known as the “Pastor of the Poor” from his broadcasts of the Holy Mass over WJAS radio (Pittsburgh).  Rev. Cox was a social activist for the unemployed & homeless. He argued for government public works programs and the rights of labor unions.  He was campaigning for the Presidency of the U.S. with the backing of the newly formed “Jobless Party.”  Father Cox’s appearance in Follansbee was perhaps the first by a Presidential contender.  

 The Amalgamated annual picnic occurred at Rock Springs Park on August 15^th.  The event was sponsored by five lodges in Follansbee, Toronto and Canonsburg, Pa.  Of the five thousand who attended from local cities, at least seven hundred were Follansbee residents.  They packed into ten chartered train cars for the trip to the park at Chester.  The men were served cigars complements of the Marsh Company of Wheeling.  Fairs for 250 passengers were paid through the generosity of influential Follansbee citizens.  James Lindell of Follansbee was honored as the oldest union member attending the picnic.  A baseball game was featured between Follansbee and Canonsburg, won by the latter 6-1.  The most exciting event of the day was a tug-of-war, the prize being a box of cigars, which was divided between Follansbee and Toronto.

•  Follansbee Review, “Annual Picnic at Rock Springs Park,” June 11, 1931, front page. 
• Follansbee Review, “Organized Labor will hold Monster Meeting,” March 28, 1931, front page
• Follansbee Review, “Thousands Attend Picnic Saturday,” August 20, 1930, front page. 

Organized in Follansbee in 1931, the Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity has become one of the more active organizations in the city’s history.  Its goal is to create harmony and brotherhood among the youth of American Italian descent and encourage the highest standards of the social and moral character of its members.

Over the years the Fraternity has supported nearly every enterprise that has to do with the improvement of Follansbee.  Among its founding members were the D’Aurora brothers – Mino, Domenic and John, Phillip Weeda and others mentioned in this article.

The following are some of the Theta Chi Alpha events that occurred during the fraternity’s first decades.  On May 7, 1936, the Fraternity held its annual Parents-Son banquet. The affair was held at Penn Street Hall then located next to the City Building. Toastmasters for the event were John Ciccolella and Frank Vagnozzi, “the former speaking in English, and the latter using the Italian tongue.” The Beta chapter colors of gold and blue were predominating throughout the hall. 

The speakers and their subjects were as follows: “Hugo Broccolini, “Fraternalism,” Mino D‘Aurora, “Mother,” Pete Cilone, “Origin & History of Beta Chapter,” and Domenic D‘Aurora, “Relationship of Parents-Sons.” The pledges also presented a program of entertainment including Nick Fuscardo, Master of Ceremonies; Tony Bellanca, banjo and vocal solos; Fred Bellanca, poem on “Mother”; Pete Ferrelli, “History of Pledges”; and finally the Pledges sang a group song.                                                                                              

During fall 1936, Theta Chi Alpha held their 6^thannual dinner-dance.  Following the September business session, president Hugo Broccolini announced that a dance was scheduled to occur in the city park community house on Saturday, Oct. 3^rd. August DiMarzio was chairman of the planning committee, with Louis Basil and Angelo Ciccolella assisting. Other activities scheduled were dances for the fall and winter seasons and rehearsals for the fraternity’s annual minstrel. 

A large number of delegates were also planning to attend the Theta Chi Alpha convention at Steubenville.  In addition, the fraternity expected to be involved in numerous social and civic projects as part of a busy season. At the time, the fraternity had 32 active members and eight inactive ones. John Ciccolella was recently elected as the new vice president.  Other officers consisted of Pete Cilone, secretary: Donald D’Aurora, treasure: and Mino D’Aurora, historian and grand chapter chairman.  

In December 1936, the Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity and the Men’s Civic Club planned a joint Jubilee and Minstrel venture.  Promoted as the fourth annual “Dixieland Minstrels & Monster Amateur Jubilee,” the performances occurred during January 15-16 at the high school auditorium.  The Civic Club arranged to present amateurs and was looking for local talent. The joint profits were used for community improvements. 

During the weekend of July 3-4 1937, the annual S.M.S. Garibaldi Days festival was planned with the Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity as the co-host. A joint planning meeting met at Hugo Broccolini’s home on Main street with Angelo Iannucci, Frank Gaudio, Nickolas Cosenza, Frank DeSantis, Joseph Basil and (chairman) Joseph Tost.              

During World War II, the Theta Chi Alpha answered the call to serve our country. The Follansbee chapter honors its members who served, especially Eddo Ciccolella, who was killed in the War. His memorial picture at the lodge reads: “He gave his life so that others could live In Freedom.”  

During the 1946 welcome home celebrations for Follansbee servicemen, brother Louis Basil was singled out by keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Robert W. Grow of Fort Knox, as typical of the soldiers sent into the world battlefields. General Crow credited Louis, who from an armored car, was first to communicate by radio with the French Army of Gen. Devers that landed near Marseille, and came up from the south, and the Army of Gen. Eisenhower that fought to achieve a landing on the Normandy beach. The Theta Chi Alpha continues to serve the city of Follansbee.  

• Follansbee Review, “Local Fraternity To Honor Mothers,” May 7, 1936.
• Follansbee Review, “Theta Chi Alpha To Hold Dinner-Dance,” Sep. 17, 1936.
• Follansbee Review, “Jubilee, Minstrel Committees Active,” Dec. 3, 1936.
• Follansbee Review, “To Hold Annual Garibaldi Festivities,” Ap. 1, 1937.
• Steubenville Herald-Star, “Record Parade Staged..” Aug. 19, 1946. p.1. (Louis Basil recognized by General  Crow.)
• Louis Headman provided historical information regarding the Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity, July 2017. 

The city newspaper reported on a series of events coined as “Follansbee’s first professional boxing.” The fights were held in the Rexy Theatre. Jack Dear, a highly regarded city boxer, managed the events.

Half the proceeds were given to the City Welfare Fund.  Boxing was nothing like we understand today. Ladies were admitted free when accompanied by a male escort.   The boxing card featured a “Battle Royal,” involving three or more combatants turned loose in the ring at one time until only one was standing.   One evening began with an entertaining three rounds by the Mitchell Midgets, 50 pound boys from Wellsburg.

The shows generally consisted of six preliminaries, a six round semi-final, and an eight-round main bout. The preliminary fights were mostly amateur contests.   One or two main bouts headed the card, featuring professional fighters.

Each evening, a couple main fights headed the card.  Mexican Joe Rivers of Zanesville (Ohio) was scheduled to fight Tommy Bennett of Columbus (Ohio) at the middleweight class.

Among the locals scheduled in the boxing events at the Rexy were the following:   (Names spelled as in newspaper, weight divisions also given far right)

Bus Jones (Follansbee) v. Buddy Rowe (Wellsburg) at 118
Dominick Nineralli (Follansbee) v. Bob Hardsock (Wellsburg) 160
Johnny Rogers (Follansbee) v. young Donally (Wellsburg) at 188
Ham Headman (Follansbee) v. Freddie Green (Mingo) at 130
Nick Fuscardo (Follansbee) v. young Gallagher (Wellsburg) at 130
Mario Boney (Follansbee) v. Mike Stanko (Toronto) at 100
Bob Morgan (Follansbee) v. Bob Decker (Zanesbille, Oh) 145

• Follansbee Review, “Battle Royal Will Feature Fight Card,” May 21, 1931, front page.
• Follansbee Review, “Benefit Boxing Show Next Thursday Night,” April 23, 1931, front page.
• Follansbee Review, “Fast Scrappers Meet in Tonight’s Show,” April 30, 1931, front page.

Carlin Dodrill wrote a history of the Cedar Lodge in 1982. He noted that the club was started ” ….by a group  of men who loved to make home brew and drink it, too.” They looked for a place where they could enjoy cook-outs and found an old farm house on Bethany Pike at the foot of Buchanan Hill on the Southwest side of Buffalo Creek.  Prior to selecting the farm house, a tent was used to congregate near the farm house.   There was a cave in back of the house where the home brew was stored.  The farm provided plenty of room for a garden and fishing. In 1932, while at the Bethany Pike location, a charter was written and the club was named the “Cedar Lodge” because of the cedar trees near the farm house.  The club moved to Follansbee around 1934.  The new location was the Brandt Building located on the West side of Main Street in the 900 block.   Cedar Lodge had the entire second floor and Harry Brandt had a barbershop on the first floor.

The first floor was later occupied by Blakley’s Barbershop. About 1938 the club decided to have a basketball team.  The uniform colors were turquoise blue and satin black with white leather shoes. Teams were played from local towns.  Dodrill explained, the team would meet at the club and drink a lot of beer before the games.  “It didn’t make much difference because we only played half the court — the first guy dribbled until he was past the center line, then shot.”

The club remained in the same location until 1945 when the Brandt Building was sold. With many members serving in the war overseas, a move was made to a couple rooms in the back of the old Leon Building, later known as the Dr. DiBiasse Building.   Jim DiPasquale, the local distributor for Fort Pitt beer, helped the club move with his truck.

The new location was a failure from the start because the Lodge’s entrance was in the back. No one came in. Within a month another location was secured in the old Linorelli Building, which once stood just south of where the Yacht Club is today.   The club gained momentum as army boys came home from the war. In 1946, a house across the street (present club) was for sale.  Hearty DiPasquale was living there at the time. The Cedar Lodge was able to buy the place for cash. With Carlin Dodrill acting as the Lodge Secretary, work on the house began including construction of a bar, a new gas line and furnace.

The Cedar Lodge remains in the same location and is one of the most  successful clubs in the Northern Panhandle. Since the late 1960s the membership has diversified to include many from the lower end of town.

During its formal years, the Cider Lodge became a symbol for the Orchard section of town where a number of prominent factory bosses resided.    For years, the Cider Lodge membership was closed to Lower Enders based on ethic-social-economic lines.

Among the original 1931 charter members of the Lodge were William H. Lake, Brown Lattimer, “Bobby Dobbs” Morris, “Whitey” Glazer, Pete Adler, Sr., “Paddy” Walker, Lou Diller, Tommy Reese, “Heiddy” Heid, “Dunk” Grant, George Shindehetti, “Bobby” Spohn, Jack Keane.

Original Cedar Lodge on Buffalo creek circa 1931.  Photo courtesy of the Cedar Lodge.

Picture Cedar Lodge members. Photo courtesy of the Cedar Lodge.

• “History of the Cedar Lodge As Recalled by Carlin Dodrill,”  May 1982,  (unpublished).

Antonio’s life story is the story of hundreds of Follansbee immigrant families.

Born in Italy in 1896, he came with his brother Pasquale to the States in 1912.  His brother Mareliano, who was already in the U.S, helped him get a job working for a railroad in Scranton, PA.  Antonio remembered laying tracks at night in knee-deep snow. He earned 17 cents an hour. In 1915 Antonio arrived in Follansbee and worked 12-hour shifts in the Tin Mill.  He boarded with other Italians including the DiMarzio, Paesani, and Fiazza families until 1917.  He was then drafted and sent to Camp Lee (VA) where his training involved using broom handles to simulate a rifle.  He was shipped overseas on a British transport that took 23 days to arrive in England. On ship, their meals consisted of mutton, which was fowl.  That led him to eat raw cabbage instead of regular meals.   He returned to the US in 1919 and received his citizenship with a $30 bonus.  Back in Follansbee, he again worked in the Tin Mill sorting room.  Rather than giving kickbacks to the boss to keep his job, he quit and went to the open hearth.  In 1924 he went into the grocery business with Tony Nazionale.  Before refrigeration was available, Antonio would get up at 5:00 a.m. to go to Steubenville to get ice to keep the meat fresh.  He bought a truck in 1924.  The only driving instructions involved driving it around the block.  He returned to Italy to marry Donnina Quaranta in 1926.  He became the sole owner of Ferrante’s Market in 1928, later the name changed to Main Street Market because of its location.  During 1930, he went to local farms to butcher calves and lambs to sell at the store.  When the Depression became widespread, he donated beef to the soup kitchen.  Mr. Ferrante was forced to close when the business lost $10,000 due to unpaid credit.  In 1936, he moved the store to 910 Main and continued to operate during World War II. He finally sold out in 1963.   Even though Antonio received only a few months of education, he was able to send four of his five children to college.  He took pride in that he worked hard and always moved his family ahead.

• Liberatore Ferrante, “Antonio Ferrante,” July 10, 1974, (unpublished family document)

Picture of Antonio Ferrante in front of his store circa 1930 with his young daughter, Luisa, and his brother-in-law. On left, looking through the window is his wife, Donnina. Photo Courtesy of Anna Berardi.

                                             [Οι Ελληνες της Πόλης μας]            

The original Greek families in Follansbee immigrated to the city from approximately 1910 through the1920s.  Organized in 1916, the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton was the earliest to act as the spiritual and social center for the local Greek community.  Near by in Steubenville, Ohio, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was established in 1946.

Among the many Greeks who distinguished themselves in commerce helping Follansbee become prosperous were John Pappas, Pete Giovanakis, and Steve Kohelis.  Their business establishments exemplified Follansbee’s golden age of confectionaries -1910-1970.  The decline of confectionaries paralleled the closing of the two city high schools, St. Anthony High in 1964 and Follansbee High in1969.

John Pappas, born in Neohorian, Asia Minor, in 1888, came to town in 1914.  He operated the “Follansbee Restaurant” with Mike Cornelis in the 800 block of Main street until 1923.  Then he took possession of the old Tony Leon building where he remodeled and operated a pool room until 1928.

John’s marriage to Christine Kohelis in 1924 lasted until her untimely death in 1940.  In the 1930s, John with Christine opened the “Buffalo Confectionary”.  The Buffalo became the city’s most popular hangout for folks of all ages, especially high school kids.  John sponsored a popular Buffalo Buccaneers softball team known for their flashy yellow and purple uniforms.  In 1937, he moved the confectionary into a new brick building located where the Senior Citizens Center stands today.  He managed the Buffalo with Harold Moore from 1942-48, then sold out to Dr. Ralph McGraw in April 1948, and retired.

Beginning in 1930s, Pete Giovanakis was proprietor of the “Strand Confectionery,” more commonly known as the Kozy Corner on Main & Ohio streets. He also opened the “City Confectionery” at Main & State streets.  Confectioneries at the time carried a broader range of products.  His newspaper ad said, “A winning outfit for School – Complete line of students’ Supplies – and look!  A free Pencil with every purchase” In May 1936 the city paper reported that Pete, accompanied by George Kotroumanis, returned to Pete’s boyhood home on the island of Chios, Greece, for the first time in twenty years.

The Kohelis family shared the Greek tradition for entrepreneurship.  During the early 1930s, Pete and Mike Kohelis operated a popular billiards room and restaurant called the “Sanitary Quick Lunch.”  Cedric and Lula had a Shoe Shine Shop that offered such services as polishing, boot repair and leather care.  In the early 1940s, Pete and Steve Kohelis managed the “Royal” movie theater, located in the building currently occupied by today’s American Legion.  Steve also operated a joint cigar store-confectionary, and he was a booster for the High School Football team.

The 1930s Depression put local steel and tin plate workers out of jobs.  The Kohelis Brothers and John Papus helped sustain a city soup kitchen.  In January 1931, they joined others in sponsoring a meeting of the Amalgamated Steel & Tin Workers of Follansbee and Toronto, Oh.  The meeting occurred at the Follansbee Moose Lodge.  The Toronto delegation chartered a trolley to travel to Follansbee.  Over two hundred delegates attended.  The program that focused on jobs for union members, “climaxed with a delicious “hot” supper.”  Smokes and tobacco were passed out during the evening.  The other sponsors were the Wheeling Marsh Company, and Block Brothers, of Wheeling, and James Walmsley of Follansbee.

Mike Chirakopos and Alex Pappas owned the City Grocery (IGA) at the corner of Main & State. In 1931 it was the first town grocery to install metal shelves upon which all store goods were arranged, introducing to housewives the modern “serve yourself” system. Nick Clovis also contributed to the success of the IGA.

During the 1950s-60s, Alex also operated the “Five & Dime” store on Main near where the city library is today.  Town folks also remember Charles and Erma Rangos who managed the “House of Fashion” during the 1970s.

Other Greek residents remembered were Pete Kavadas, who was killed during World War II, and awarded the Purple Heart.  Pete was son of George Kavadas and Mary Kohelis Kavadas.  Another Greek resident was John Xanthakis who died in 1936.  Steve Kohelas, William Lampolas, Mike Cornelles, George Elos, William Zimbillis, and Mike Chirakopos all served as American soldiers in World War I.

George Kohelis, with his wife Dianne “Pappas” Kohelis, provided helpful materials regarding the Greek community for this timeline.  George graduated from FHS in 1961, played football at West Liberty, and later became principle at Weirton High School.  He served as president of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference in 2000.

Photo above and to the right is taken in City Grocery

Front Roll:  Left -1st  Helen Sabol, 2nd Mary Broccolini

Back Roll:  3rd left – Alex Pappas

*Follansbee Review, “Remodeled Pool Room,” Jan. 27, 1922, p. 1.

*Follansbee Review, (Strand/City Confectionery Ad), Aug. 27, 31.

*See Pete Kavadas, West Virginia Veterans Memorial, online.

*Follansbee Review, “Amalgamated Lodges Hold Joint Meeting,” Jan. 15, 1931, p. 1.

Following the stock market crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression, factories began to close.  By 1930, the depression and unemployment rate began to have an impact on people’s lives.  Many lost their jobs, were evicted from their homes and many ended up on the streets.  In Follansbee, efforts were under way in November 1931 to raise relief funds for the unemployed and desperate.  L.A. Dillar took charge of the city’s welfare campaign.  William Lake was responsible for solicitations from the mills and industries, and Robert Cash conducted a house-to-house effort for contributions throughout the city.

Heading the list of contributions was $2,700 donated by employees of the Follansbee Brothers mill.   Officials of the mill gave $1,900.  The schools contributed $500, the city and city employees $250, Sheet Metal Specialty company $1,250, and Sheet Metal employees $900.   City organizations also chipped in including the Knight of Pythias, Loyal Order of Moose, Eagles Lodge, Volunteer Firemen, and the Tar Products Company.  Businessmen and other citizens contributed another $1,500.  By early December the relief campaign totaled $9,000.

Follansbee’s Soup Kitchen

In September 1932, a soup kitchen was organized by the Follansbee Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers Unions.   An average of 650 persons per day were being fed by the kitchen located in Rose Alley next to the old Traubert’s Bakery near the City Building.

The soup kitchen provided soup, bread, and milk daily. Traubert’s Bakery brought day old bread from Wellsburg.   As a young lad, “Windy” Mario Cipriani recalled folks holding buckets and pots and standing in the long line in Rose alley.  His father explained to him that “if you don’t go, we don’t eat.”

Mr. William S. Woodhouse appears to have organized a Follansbee High School band for an early appearance at the 1928 Fort Steuben Bridge dedication in Weirton (WV).  However, the Follansbee Review documents September 1, 1929 as the beginning of Woodhouse’s official marching band composed of fifteen members.  By 1931, the band expanded to a 52-piece organization with Jane Clare (Claire) acting as the drum major. In addition, a drum and bugle corps was organized in January 1931, taking its regular place with the band.   Consisting of nine drums and nine bugles, the corps was led by drum major Betty Lake.

The city took pride in the band’s perfection of music, uniforms and marching.  One of the stellar attractions during public concerts was a cornet duet entitled “Swiss Boy” preformed by Edwin Halikka of Hallidays Cove and the band director Woodhouse.

Woodhouse’s band became a sensation winning superior awards in its first tournament at the Ceramic Theatre (May 1931) in East Liverpool.  Woodhouse was voted best band director and Miss Claire best drum major. The young band placed second behind Weirton for overall performance in the class B group, beginning a band rivalry between the two schools lasting until 1968.

During June 1931, the KDKA radio station in Pittsburg invited Woodhouse and his talented band to perform on the air.   While in Pittsburgh the band was the guest of Follansbee Brothers Company.  The band was taken to the William Penn Hotel where the received lunch.  The band members toured the Carnegie Museum and Pittsburgh Press Newspaper building.   The KDKA 25 minute broadcast of the band was heard throughout the Northern Ohio Valley and surrounding states.

Following photos from 1939.

1933 Band concert at FHS football field. Photo Courtesy of James Piccirillo.

• Follansbee Review, “Blue & White Band,” August 27, 1931, front page.
• Follansbee Review, “Blue & White Band to Broadcast Over KDKA,” June 4, 1931, front page.
• Follansbee Review, “Pepper Club Boosters Supplement – Jimmy Carey Day,” Oct 5, 1939.