The City of New Castle, Pennsylvania history

Jesse DUSHANE here from Delaware in 1802.

Joseph TOWNSEND and his sons John and Isaac came in 1803.

The first adult who died was John WILSON in 1804.

In the hewed log building erected by Jesse DUSHANE in 1805, a little north from Washington street, in the north-west angle of the Diamond, was opened the second hotel, or rather "tavern" in the place.

A church was built by the Seceders in 1814. It is said that in 1806, eight years after the town had been laid, the best lot in town could have been bought for $10.

His cabin, built of round logs, stood near what is now known as the Falls spring; and he lived there until as late as 1810, after which he seems to have changed his place of abode, but just where he removed to is very uncertain.

Two companies were raised in this vicinity at the time of the war of 1812.

There were four mercantile houses in New Castle in 1813, and three hotels, the latter being "The Pokeberry Exchange", one in the "old stone corner," and the third on the present site of CLENDENIN's Block.

The first bridge over the Neshannock was erected in 1814, where the present structure now stands at the head of Washington street.

The first over the Shenango was built in 1815.

Joseph T. DUSHANE built the American House on the site of the present St Cloud Hotel, in 1829.

The first fire company was organized on the 29th of September 1836.

James D. SHAW launched another in a few hours, called the "Alpha." The original of the Etna Iron Works was erected in 1838.

In 1840 New Castle's population was 611.

A grocery store was opened by David Emery as early as 1846.

The Croton Glass Works were put in operation in September, 1848.

The first engine purchased by the Council, for the Eagle Fire Company, arrived at New Castle on Saturday, the 30th of August, 1851.

The first burying-ground in the vicinity of New Castle, belonging to the Catholics, exclusively, was opened in the year 1852, on the north side of Washington Street, in West New Castle.

The Leslie house was erected during the season of 1853, and was considered the largest hotel in Western Pennsylvania.

The New Castle Gas Light Company began lighting the town in 1856.

In 1858 he built an addition to his greenhouse, in order to extend the cultivation of plants, and also added about 20,000 young stock plants to his nursery, such as evergreens, small fruits, grapes, etc.

After his death McClymonds continued the business until March, 1861.

The origin of a popular and up-to-date place of amusement dates back to March 12, 1866, when a stock company, under the title of the "New Castle Hall and Market Company" was chartered, with a capital of $25,000, and authority to increase to $175,000.

New Castle became a city in 1869 and was headed by its first Mayor, Thomas B. Morgan.

The first issue of the Lawrence Guardian made its appearance on the fifth of August, 1870, under the proprietorship of Captain R.G. DILL, George E. TREADWELL and William PLATT. The paper is a nine column folio; is Republican in politics, and gives all the county and general news.

A new charter was obtained in 1872, and a new company organized under the name of the New Castle Railroad and Mining Company.

In 1873 a new cemetery was located on the Crawford Kiefer farm, about a mile and a half from the center of the city, where the church purchased sixty acres of land, devoting a portion to cemetery purposes and cultivating the remainder.

For several months the Eagle steam fire-engine, though it weighed fifty-three hundred pounds, was drawn to fires by hand, but in January, 1874, a team of horses was purchased by the Councils for the sum of $500, Frank Miller being made driver.

The Daily City News was started in the fall of 1880.

In 1881, Doctor THAYER removed to New Castle, Pa., where he has since been in charge of the Disciple church, preaching, there as elsewhere, on practical, living questions, entirely careless of "Isms" and fearless of chains.

The present water system of New Castle was established in 1882, and gives excellent service.

In 1886 the name of the church was changed to Shenango M. E. Church.

The following are the present city officials, 1887.

Constantino Vitale, who also worked with Fazzoni, started his own pyrotechnics company in 1889 in Pietramelara, Italy.

A charter was procured January 19, 1891, and that year the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for a building and $7,500 for furnishings, on condition that the citizens of New Castle raised $10,000.

Gibson, who spent the winter of 1892-93 in an almost continuous canvass from house to house and among the business men.

The first patient entered the hospital November 10, 1893, since which time 7,766 patients have been treated and cared for.

In 1894 the subscription list had reached a total of 438 names, and to date approximately $40,000 has been contributed to this institution by citizens of New Castle.

The first superintendent was Miss Eliza Nelson, who served until March, 1895, when she was succeeded by Miss R. F. Johnson, who in turn was succeeded by Mrs.

The Firemen's Relief Association, of New Castle, was chartered February 23, 1897.

In the year 1899 over 700 new houses were built.

In 1902 the current Chappaqua railroad station was built – the original station was further north on North Greeley Avenue.

The report on its condition, made December 1, 1907, reveals the following interesting facts:

In 1912, Chappaqua put in its first central water system.

In the 1920’s, New Castle enjoyed its greatest prosperity.

The Lawrence County Historical Society, chartered in 1938, has for its purpose to preserve the history of Lawrence County and to educate the public.

Lei, Yu. “Fireworks capital New Castle hosting annual pyrotechnic show.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 10 July 1997: D07.

In 1998, the City of New Castle was a host city for the History Channel Great Race.

For example, in a 2007 interview with CNNMoney, George Zambelli, Jr. commented, “My dad took the business to another level.

Wood, Sam. “Two fireworks blasts to welcome 2010.” The Philadelphia Inquirer 30 Dec.