Book gives Dravosburg a thorough look
History lovers and people with ties to the Mon Valley borough of Dravosburg can get a read on the community.
Resident Jan Burton Catalogna wrote a 350-page, hardcover book -- "All About the 'Burg' -- A Story of Dravosburg, PA 1903-2003" -- that was released last month. The book tracks the borough's history from colonial times to its 100th anniversary.
Catalogna said this is the first time anyone has compiled a complete history of Dravosburg.
Members of Dravosburg's 2003 Centennial Committee asked Catalogna to write the book after they pieced together photographs and newspaper clippings for a historical display. Several committee members contributed to the research.
"We had a lot of excellent articles and pictures," committee President William Snodgrass said. "We realized we really needed to put all this stuff together."
The book's first section outlines the area's history, from land grants in 1769 to Dravosburg's incorporation in 1903. The second section tracks the borough's growth from 1903 to 2003.
Another part details the history of the Dravosburg American Legion and the borough's fire companies, provides photographs and biographies of military veterans, and tells the stories of 50 Dravosburg families.
Catalogna said jobs in three large coal mines supported Dravosburg's earliest residents. Later residents went to work in steel mills.
Although Dravosburg no longer supports any large businesses, Catalogna said, people have stayed because of their family roots.
"I think that's something that's very unique to Dravosburg," she said. "It's mostly people who have lived here for awhile and who didn't exit when the steel mills went down, so it's a very close-knit community."
People can purchase "All about the 'Burg'" for $40, plus a $5 shipping fee. The money goes to the Centennial Committee for community service projects. To reserve a copy, call Catalogna at 412-469-2710. The initial printing of 200 books sold out, but more will be available in June.
"I've always had an interest in history, and this is my hometown, so it felt really natural to do this book," Catalogna said. "There's a lot of information that I think people will be able to use as a reference in the future."
"The way the book takes you back to the very beginning is phenomenal," said Dravosburg Mayor Gerald McGrew Jr., a lifelong resident. "My favorite things are the pictures comparing locations from the early 1900s to the same spots now. That's just remarkable to see."
