This article was written by Suzanne Sickler Ohl, an early member of the Tyrone Area Historical Society.  It was first published in February 1992.

            Good memories continue to surface in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.  Former buildings and businesses are receiving new life.  Whether walking or riding there is much for people to see.  Three current examples are of interest because of their relationship to early Tyrone and its history.

A Renewed Business

            On the corner of 12^th Street and Washington Avenue (Allegheny and Spring streets) can be found a two story wooden building, often referred to as the “Red Barn.”  The new owner, Joseph Anderson, is in the process of restoring the building into a woodworking shop and office.  Anderson also specializes in making moldings for restored buildings.  Much work is involved in converting the building into a woodshop.

            The building was constructed in 1855 by the United Brethren religious community as the first of their churches.  Financial problems necessitated renting the building in 1857 to the First Presbyterian Church when it first was organized.  Then in 1858 the building was sold to the Baptists.  Bought back in 1863 it was used until 1887 as the Church of the United Brethren.  During that time the Civil War occurred and the building was used as an army barrack and hospital.

            After 1887 the building was sold and used as a studio by scenic and theatrical artists.  W. F. Wise Company, who was responsible for the scenic work in the First National Bank Building in 1902, was the first artist-occupant.  Then George Dayton did his work as a designer of theatrical backdrops here.  Some pulley fixtures used for lifting the scenery were found on the second floor.  They were unique because of the four cut-out heart designs on each side of the pulleys.  Samples of wall coverings in which old wallpaper was used as the canvas have been given to the Historical Society.

            About sixty years ago the building was acquired by Miller Brothers for use as storage facilities.  Lee Wertz, the last owner who also used the building for storage, sold it to Mr. Peterson.

A Restored Home

            Around the corner is the home purchased by Norman and Kathy Eye of Tipton.  It was the former home of the Frank Albright family, early Tyrone settlers and business people.

            Mr. Albright bought the home in 1907 from Mrs. Helen Howe.  The home originally was a red brick farmstead.  Mrs. Howe had it remodeled into a three-story structure.

            In 1910 Mr. Albright replaced the wooden front porch with a brick porch having a tile floor.  The home was a magnificent place having a library on the second floor, sliding shutters on all the tall, first floor windows and sliding walnut wood doors between the dining room and the parlor.  A beautiful stained glass window is on the wall over the fireplace mantle in the entrance room.  Gas heat replaced the coal furnace in 1936.

            The Eyes have done much work to restore the old home which had become badly run down.  Jack Cowher, painter, was responsible for restoring the outside of the house.  The dirty, peeling yellow paint over the bricks has been removed and the bricks painted bright red to match the red bricks on the sides and back of the house.

            Inside the house paneling had been installed over all the walls.  It has been removed and the walls freshly painted.  The natural walnut, carved woodwork has been cleaned and repaired where necessary.  The hardwood floors, black with dirt, were sanded and varnished to restore them to their original beauty.

            Another interesting area yet to be refurbished is the basement.  Large in size, it has four separate rooms.  It still contains a unique three-section soapstone wash tub.  In one room it is easy to visualize its use as winter storage for fruits and vegetables.

            The house presently contains three apartments, but should a future desire arise to restore it to a one-family dwelling, it could easily be done.

New Taxi Service

            In early Tyrone the common form of transportation was walking.  When the railroad got established in the 1850s free bus service was provided from the stations to the hotels in town.  That might be compared to the taxi service of later times except that horses drew the vehicles.  By the late 1890s a commercial carrier operated the service to any part of town for a quarter.

            For people who preferred to use horses for transportation rather than to walk, livery stables were run by D. C. Hagen and Charles Wooden in the 1880s.  It was the livery stable behind the City Hotel in which the famous fire of July 1880 got its start.  Most of the main business block was destroyed in that fire.  In the early 1900s G. B. Shellenberger and S. S. Stanley were livery stable owners.

            In the 1920s and 1930s the taxi service as we know it today was conducted by a much beloved person, Neal White.  When Neal was on duty as janitor of the post office, his wife Betty would drive the taxi.  Memory helps to recall a serious accident when Betty, driver of the taxi, had both legs broken in a wreck that was not her fault.

            In the 1940 Tyrone Directory Walter B. Shellenberger was listed as the sole operator of the taxi business in Tyrone.  In the late 1940s and 1950s two taxi companies were operating – City Cab and Ready Taxi Company.  The Ready Taxi Company still was in operation in the 1960s.  One of the last companies to provide taxi service was the Meckes Taxi Cab Company.

            Like the railroad, the taxi business suffered with the increase of automobiles in town.  For many years it became necessary to accept offers of rides from friends or to walk.  With an increase in the number of older people or those with health problems the need for taxi service has become a serious concern.

            Greeted with much enthusiasm was the news that Fred Hamilton was to open the Tyrone Cab business on February 1, 1993.  Now with “round the clock taxi service” Tyroners once again can call for a cab and go.  No longer need the worry of how to get there deter people from doing what they want.

            The Historical Society extends congratulations and appreciation to Joe Anderson, the Eyes, and Fred Hamilton for recognizing opportunities in Tyrone and taking advantage of them.  Once again part of Tyrone’s heritage is being saved.  It is hoped that Tyroners will respond to their efforts with support and encouragement.