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A Walking Tour of The Oak Road and Vicinity

On April 20, 2024, Steve Peitzman and Nancy Pontone led a tour of The Oak Road. Click here to see the tour description. Here are a few of the historic sites that we saw:
Alden Park; Steel’s Stone Stable; Henry W. Brown residence (Timmons House); Ivy Cottage; Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd 

Click here to see photos from the tour.

JOSIAH WHITE: THE FIRST BIG BUSINESSMAN IN FALLS OF SCHUYLKILL

Arriving in East Falls in 1810, Josiah White made a fortune from a wire mill and anthracite coal, and he even built an early (unsuccessful) predecessor of the Falls Bridge. Click here to read about him (and his bridge) in the May 2025 column in East Falls NOW.

MEDICAL STUDENTS IN EAST FALLS FIFTY YEARS AGO

They sang for their supper.  Every week or so the two young women would go down to Pete’s Cafe on Midvale near Ridge, walk down the alley to the “Ladies’ entrance”.  Once inside, one would play the guitar and the other would sing for the patrons, and their reward would be dinner. Read more about the life of students at Woman’s Medical School in the Class of 1970 in the February 2025 column in East Falls NOW.

East Falls Historical Society has recorded more than 60 oral histories! Here are the latest:

Head of School at Penn Charter from 1976 – 2007, Dr. Earl Ball discusses his challenges, achievements, and memories of his years there.

Marie Boyle, a lifetime Fallser, grew up on Bowman Street; later, she and her husband George bought the house next door to her parents where they raised six children. Marie shares memories of her life in “The Falls, focusing on St. Bridget School and Church, and working at MCP.

Sister Dorothy, a lifelong Fallser and St. Bridget parishioner, describes her journey becoming a nun and a teacher at St. Bridget School.  A natural storyteller, she relates memories of old East Falls – Gustine Lake, Alden Theater, Hohenadel Brewery, the Kellys, and local stores.