It seems that only when we grow older do we fully appreciate the stories our elders told us when we were youngsters. Often, we wait until it's too late to capture their memories or identify the people and places displayed in old photos stored in the attic. Fortunately, that isn't always the case.
The idea of publishing a new Manor history book, "Manor, Pennsylvania -- A Place in History," was discussed for several years. Finally, an independent Manor Book Committee, made up of 21 current and former Manor citizens, was formed to see the project through to completion.
"We wanted to do something for the town that would last," said Dorothy Miller, one of the book's editors. "Phylis Pietrusza-Levino (committee chairperson), in particular, took charge. We tried to pick people for the committee who were 'Manorites' who have the history in their heads." Other contributors were recruited for specific Manor stories.
"Many of the people on the committee are fourth-generation Manor citizens," added Gail Noll, committee co-chair.
"My mother helped with the first history book," Audrey Cox Kozain said when asked what motivated her to participate in this project. "I learned a lot from her and I thought I could carry on with the next book. Four generations of my family went to Manor School."
Marlene Altenbaugh Cox is participating as a tribute to her husband, Dale, who passed away in 2004.
"He would have loved this; he lived here all his life," Cox said of her late husband. "He was a fourth-generation Manor resident. Everyone came to Manor to shop, bank and go to the movies. If you weren't born here, you're not a native. He always said he could never leave Manor, and he never did."
People telling their stories bring history to life for the enjoyment and education of future generations. The committee members, collectively, represent more than 1,500 years of community history. Without a printed record of their experiences and memories, as well as those of their ancestors, these stories eventually would have been forgotten and lost forever.
Manor once was part of the area known as Denmark Manor, one of the "manors" or estates acquired from William Penn's descendents. The early residents were Pennsylvania Dutch farmers who settled on the rich farmland along Brush Creek. The farmers built a blockhouse nearby for protection from Indian attacks at what became known as Fort Walthour.
Grain was the primary source of income in Manor Valley between 1790 and 1850. With the arrival of the railroad in the mid-19th century, the town of Manor was developed along the Pennsylvania Railroad's main line. Manor Valley Railroad was built later to haul coal from the Claridge, McCullough and Jimtown mines, and the railroad town prospered as new industries were developed around it.
Manor Borough, then known as Manor Station, was incorporated in 1890.
The Pennsylvania Railroad bisected the town east to west and Brush Creek surrounds it on three sides. The PRR provided regular commuter service to Manor Station. A 1927 train schedule shows 13 daily westbound passenger trains stopping in Manor and 16 eastbound trains. West Penn Railways' Irwin-Greensburg line also passed through Manor, helping to make the town a major transportation center.
The new history book includes stories about Manor National Bank, Manor businesses and industries, Old Manor Whiskey, train wrecks and destructive fires. Other accounts of Manor Theater, minstrel shows, orchestras, Labor Day celebrations, community picnics and Manor's athletic teams provide a look at the town's recreational and social activities.
Race Street was the location of most of Manor's businesses. At least five different hotels operated there between 1850 and 1940. There were numerous general stores, drug stores and shoe stores in business there during that time period.
Local resident Harry McCracken recalls delivering groceries for P.H. Butler Co., one of those Race Street stores, as a young boy.
"I pulled groceries all over town in a wagon; I earned five cents if the order was $5 or less and 10 cents if the order was over $5," McCracken said.
"Pete Piazza had a shoe repair shop in the same building as Butler's store," McCracken said. "Butler bought him out and doubled the size of the store. It became a Clover Farm Store and then an independent store owned by Edna and Oscar Wilkins, my sister and brother-in-law. Buster Walters later made it into a newsstand and confectionary store."
The Manor merchants sponsored an annual picnic at Idlewild Park in the 1920s that became a community tradition. Enid Walter, chairwoman of the picnic committee for the past 12 years, described the significance of the event.
"People who have moved away come home every year for the picnic," Walter said. "We always receive cards, thanking us for having the picnic. People like to come back to the community and renew old friendships."
When the Manor Book Committee members were asked what word comes to mind when they think of Manor, they all responded in unison: "Home!" Gail Noll added, "Home is where your history begins. Manor is home. That's what Manor means to me."
"I was born and raised here," explained Helen Sowash. "My father took over H.A. Lauffer's General Store in 1907. My parents had 12 children -- 11 were born in Manor. I don't know anything but Manor, and I just love it. Manor is a unique town -- the friendships. We've all helped each other over the years. You feel at home here. I left a couple times due to marriages. I know that I'm not leaving any more."
Just as it was the purpose of the original Manor history book, "The Story of Manor Pennsylvania (1783-1940)," published in 1976, the purpose of this book is to "rekindle memories of the past and preserve them for the future." Pietrusza-Levino, a longtime Manor school teacher, also was the chairwoman of that original book committee.
Only 650 copies of the original book were printed. Accounts from that book covering Manor's history up to 1940 also will be included in the new publication.
George Heasley, committee member and graphic editor of the 1976 book, says, "Someone should continue the story. No history is ever concluded. A lot of Manor's history wasn't in the original book; there were many stories remaining to be told."
A second history book, "Manor Celebrates Centennial," was published in 1990 as a commemorative book by Manor's Centennial Committee (1890-1990). The committee was co-chaired by Albert Kukovich and Karen Lauffer.
Walter summed up the message she hopes the latest book will convey to the public: "A sense of the importance of the community -- what it was, what it is and what it will become."
The message Pietrusza-Levino would like the book to communicate is continuity.
"I hope Manor will continue as it has in the past," she said. "There are a whole lot of new people here. I hope they will blend in and continue the history."
"Manor, Pennsylvania -- A Place in History" is being published by Word Association Publishers in Tarentum, and should be available for purchase by mid-December at the following locations: Manor National Bank, Manor Public Library and the Manor Borough Building (tax collector's office). To reserve a copy, priced at $20, call 724-863-7875.
