BACK TO: Lawrence County Exhibit
TIMELINE 1849-1899 | Diet 1849-1899 | Education 1849-1899 | Health 1849-1899 | Industrial 1849-1899 | Religion 1849-1899 | War 1849-1899
TIMELINE: 1849-1899
1849
Lawrence County is formed from Beaver and Mercer County March 20.
The Father of Lawrence County
You can read a brief biographical sketch of Senator David Sankey, the “Father of Lawrence County” on the Pennsylvania State Senate website.
1850
First Court of Common Pleas held in First Methodist Church on South Jefferson Street, New Castle.
1850 (July)
Photo by John Mitchell
Many communities formed militias. The Lawrence Guards was the first military drill unit formed in New Castle. It was organized in July 1850 by Major W.W. Taylor. This picture was taken by John Mitchell at McGuffin’s Corner. Judge L.L. McGuffin is standing in the doorway.
1852
Lawrence County Court House completed at a cost of $32,000.
Westminster College founded in New Wilmington.
First McConnell’s Mill built.
1854
Wil-Roy furnace built in Slippery Rock Township.
1855
Bank of New Castle established.
1860
Population of County 20,000.
The Eagle, a new boat on the New Castle Packet line, prepares to leave one of its scheduled stops (September 8, 1860). Packets, primarily used for passenger service, left the New Castle packet landing at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m., arriving at New Brighton at 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., timed to make connections with trains going east and west.
1861 – 1865
CIVIL WAR
Over 4,000 men from Lawrence County served – Nearly 500 lost their lives 1864
1864
Villa Maria began by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary on William Merrin farm
1865
President Abraham Lincoln assassinated
1866
First limestone quarries opened for by Green, Marquis and Johnson.
1867
Shenango Hall (later the Opera House then the Capital Theater) opens on South Mercer Street, New Castle.
1874
Wampum Cement and Lime (Shinn Brothers) began operation.
1876
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
1882
Water system established in New Castle.
1886
Gospel hymn composer, Ira D. Sankey donates first YMCA to New Castle.
1886
The Park Opera House on the Diamond (New Castle) opens
1887
Hillsville limestone quarry workers
Bessemer Limestone and Cement started
1889
First electric plant in New Castle.
First street car service in New Castle.
1891
Elliott Brothers Steel Company established. One of first strip steel mills.
1892
Ellwood City is created. Ellwood City became a booming industrial town within a short period of time.
1892
McKinley Tariff act passed
1893
Greer Tin Mill opens
Fazzoni Fireworks begins operations
1895
First seamless steel tubes in America pierced at Ellwood Weldless Tube
1896
Nancy’s Island opened in Pulaski
1897
Frank Jongrass hanged at Lawrence County Court house for murdering his fiancée.
1897
Cascade Park opens in New Castle.
Cascade Park was once the entertainment center of Western Pennsylvania. Once a popular picnic spot known as Big Run Falls. It was developed into a trolley park in 1897 by the New Castle Traction Company. Designed by leading landscape architect, Frank Blaisdell, the buildings and amusements enhanced the natural beauty of the setting.
Cascade Park: A Narrated History
To learn more about the history of Cascade Park, see our video and read our books.
1898
Spanish-American War
Company B 16th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, marched down Court House Hill as they departed for war.
1899
New Castle treasurer, John Blevins, found murdered in his office at city hall.