Gone, But Not Forgotten

Gone, But Not Forgotten. . , The Ford Memorial Methodist Church and parsonage stood at the south end of the 700 Block of Third Avenue. The plot of ground was donated by John B. Ford. They, in turn, named the church in his honor. The first service was held on June 1, 1890. In 1923, PPG, which owned the Ford assets, exchanged the property for its present sit at Fourth Avenue and O'Connor. The parsonage still remains at the corner. The three houses to the left replaced the church., The Mateer Building was erected in 1897 at a cost of $23,000 by Captain John B. Ford as a public library for the borough. Before the structure was completed, however, the Fords disposed of their stock in the PPG Company, and the library never materialized. Mr. Ambrose M. Mateer purchased the building for a general store and carried on business there for a number of years. The American-Slovak Store occupied the building for a while, and it has been used by various businesses ever since. It is currently referred to as the Folta Building. The open area to the right was used as a clay surface tennis court for PPG workers., Located where the Union Hall is was A.C. Bailey Limited. It was the first store in Ford City. The establishment was a "company store" that sold sundries, hardware, clothing, drugs, and sweets. It was also the first big fire in Ford City in 1897. Bailey rebuilt, only to have two more fires before finally closing circa 1905., Dedicated in 1951, The Federation of Glass, Ceramic and Silica Sand Workers of America CIO Local 14 "Union Hall" served as the center of the labor force in Ford City. It was also a place that will be remembered for its many social events held by the union workers. Variety shows, musicals, Christmas treats, and others were staged in the building. After PPG closed, it has been used by various businesses., The Ford City Hotel was located at the corner of Third Avenue and Sixth Street. Built in 1889, it was one of the hotels used by many residents and immigrants who came to work in the factories. It was also used as a temporary space for PPG while a new office was being built. The hotel was razed in 1937, and the location is now a parking lot., Photos are courtesy of Bill Oleksak and Larry Vorpe