Tracing the history of Everson

You can't tell the story of Everson without telling the story of what led up to its founding as a borough 100 years ago, according to Barbara Dzambo, co-author of a book written for the community's centennial celebration that traces the history of the town.

The book -- "Everson: The First 110 years, Its Town and People" -- notes that the tract that would one day become Everson was originally settled by American Indians.

White settlers who in the mid-1700s came upon the tribe dubbed its leader Jacob, a name they would later give to the creek that ran through the settlement and would divide Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

Some of the earliest white settlers are believed to have been Mennonites who came to establish what was known as Jacob's Creek Settlement.

In the 1800s, the community, which had become part of Upper Tyrone Township, continued to grow as European immigrants -- mostly Polish -- came to work in the local coal and coke fields and industrial plants.

The workers and their families made up what is believed to be one of the first Polish Catholic parishes in western Pennsylvania with the formation of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in the late 1800s.

Their presence also led to the establishment of the town's Polish-American Club, which continues to operate to this day.

By 1903, the community had grown to nearly 1,400 residents, prompting a group of citizens to take steps to have the town incorporated as a borough.

The people decided to call their new municipality Everson, in honor of B.M. Everson, a local businessman who operated a mill on the Fayette County side of Jacob's Creek. The area below the borough from the Baltimore and Ohio railroad tracks to Jacob's Creek remained in Upper Tyrone Township and became known as South Everson.

Over the years, the borough continued to grow to include a public school, post office, a volunteer fire department, an Evangelical church, a Veterans of Foreign Wars post, a police force and various civic clubs and organizations.

The borough's main street became crowded with shops, restaurants, hotels, grocery and drugstores, bakeries, taverns, doctors' offices and other retail and service-related businesses.

Everson at one time also had a bottling works, a glass plant, a foundry, a men's clothing factory, a rail car shop, a newsstand, several dance hall and a trolley that carried people to and from neighboring towns.

Like other communities, many businesses in Everson closed and some families moved with the decline of coal, the railroad and other staple industries.

Over the years, several institutions in Everson have withstood the test of time.

One of them is St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, which was founded in 1887 and is believed to be one of the oldest Polish parishes in western Pennsylvania.

Erected a block above the main street, the church grew to include a rectory, a convent and a school. By the early 1900s, some 450 families had joined the church and nearly 600 students were enrolled at the school.

Several organizations grew from the parish, including the Holy Rosary Society, the Ladies Guild and the Parent-Teacher Guild. Although the school closed in 1990, the building continues to be used for religious instruction and for social events. The congregation today is served by the Rev. Robert Washko.

Another church with a long tradition is the Everson Evangelical Church.

Founded in the early 1900s, the church has undergone several changes in affiliations over the years.

The church continues to play an important role in serving the spiritual needs of residents and in being a good community neighbor, according to the Rev. Neil Stevens, pastor.

"I think that in a small community, everybody needs to get involved," he said. "One of our goals as a church is to be involved in our community."

Another long-standing entity that continues to serve the public is the Everson Volunteer Fire Company.

Formed in 1909, the company provides fire protection and other emergency services not only to Everson, but to Upper Tyrone Township and other neighboring communities in Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

In November 1983, ground was broken for the company's home at the corner of Jones and Painter streets. In 1970, a ladies auxiliary was formed to hold fund-raisers and to provide other support for the company.

Established in 1921, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 595 in Everson continues to serve those who served in battle abroad.

Not long after organizing, the post moved to neighboring Scottdale and remained there for a time before returning to Everson.

The organization today has about 135 regular members and about 250 social members, according to Joe Eckman, a Navy veteran who serves as quartermaster.

He said the post supports various community endeavors, including sports and scholastic programs at local schools and other civic and social organizations. Eckman said the post also makes its spacious, recently remodeled social hall available for various community functions at no charge.

Perhaps the one organization that most reflects the ethnic heritage of Everson is the Polish-American Club.

Created in 1908 to advocate on behalf of Polish immigrants, the club over the years expanded its mission to assist other groups and causes.

The club, which is based in a building erected for it in 1928, today has about 750 members and draws not only from Everson, but from neighboring communities, said Jack Kubasky, president. "This club is a big part of the town's history," he said. "People have a lot of pride in their heritage."