Ambridge in Beaver County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Harmonist Wool Block

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, September 20, 2022

1. The Harmonist Wool Block Marker

Inscription. The southeast block of the intersection of Church and Thirteenth Streets served the Harmony Society's woolen industry amongst other trades. In operation from 1826 until about 1845, the wool mill stood on the corner of Twelfth Street and Ohio View Avenue (now State Route 65) next to the dye shop. The weavers shop sat in the center of the block behind the wine press building on Church Street. Two wool houses, a warehouse, and a dry house completed the woolen industry. The Harmonist bee yard and hops grove were tended behind the dry house on the south side of Thirteenth Street.
Almost all of the buildings on the block were demolished around the turn of the twentieth century to prepare room for the burgeoning housing needs of the newly-created Ambridge industries. Today the two houses on the eastern corners are all that remain from the Harmony Society era.

Erected by Ambridge Historic District, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Ambridge Rotary Club, Old Economy Village.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 40°

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35.725′ N, 80° 13.929′ W. Marker is in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County. Marker is on Church Street south of 13th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ambridge PA 15003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Greenhouse and Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Economy (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage House and Summer Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Harmony Society Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Harmonist Church / St. John's Lutheran Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Economy Memorial (about 600 feet away); Economy Hotel (about 600 feet away); Water Pump, Bank, Restaurant, Croatian Club (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ambridge.

Also see . . . Old Economy Village. (Submitted on September 21, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, September 20, 2022

2. The Harmonist Wool Block Marker

Left Side Photos
View of the northeast side of the large, four-story, brick woolen mill, as it looked in the 1890s.

Harmonists hired workers take a break from picking hops in 1891. This 3:00 Vesper lunch consisted of dry bread and cider served in tin cups. From left to right, the women were Amalia Yockel, Lizzie Flack, Mary Kimmich, Caroline Kroll, Emma and Sophie Flack, Lydia Wagner, and Marie Yetter. In the background were Bertha Liebermann and Lizzie Kuemmerle.

A portion of the Historic American Buildings Survey of 1967 shows the wool block of the Harmony Society in relation to the Rapp houses and church, As Economy would have looked around 1840.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, September 20, 2022

3. The Harmonist Wool Block Marker

Right Side Photos
Bee keeper, circa 1900.

Looking northwest from the weaver's shop, gardeners tend the hops in the foreground. Bee hives stand neatly in the yard next to the long dry house on Thirteenth Street. A vineyard grows in the background beside a frame wool house. The Ohio River flows beyond the scene.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, September 20, 2022

4. The Harmonist Wool Block Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 21, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.