Origin of the Community Center

Many thanks to our neighbor who found these articles while researching the history of the Community Center! The first is from the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph and the second is from The Pittsburgh Press.

Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph - 12/15/1939

North Homestead Citizens Dedicate New Community Center, ‘Swisshelm Park’

Citizens of the North Homestead district last night moved into their new Sarah Jackson Black Community Center with a double feature program, dedication of the building and adoption of a new name for the district, Swisshelm Park.

The donor of the property was Robert G. Jackson, the McCandless Township former who is fighting a Milk Control Board ruling that he raise[d] the price of his milk.

Jackson, officers of the sponsoring association and representatives of city and county governments spoke at the dedication ceremony.

‘HOMECOMING’ TO DONOR

Also introduced was Helen Molyneaux, 12-year-old schoolgirl who submitted the new name for the district in a contest sponsored by the community board of trade.

Jackson, who with his wife deeded the property and the original barn of the Swissvale Farm for use as a community center, said:

“This to me is a home-coming, for on this spot my great-grandfather, George Jackson, built a one-room cabin in 1820. He lived happily in this home until his death in 1848, more happily than many live today, I believe.

But I come here tonight to do honor to that little band of consecrated men and women who made this building possible. Especially do I pay tribute to Tomo Horrocks, for uppermost in his mind is a great unselfish ideal of working for his fellow-men.

BUILDERS PRAISED

As we look upon this structure we see that it is not built of wood and stone, but of the sinew, bone and mind of this group who gave their time and energy so freely. Often did they work on Sunday, and who shall say on these Sundays we did not receive the greatest sermon ever told?

I trust the example they have given us will never be forgotten.”

Plans were announced at the meeting by J.W. McGowan for a recreation program for young people of the community, in the new center.

Under the leadership of Thomas J. Horrocks, chairman of the building committee, the barn has been moved, cased in brick, and lined with knotty pine lumber. The two-story structure, measuring 30 by 110 feet, contains an auditorium and dance floor, a foyer, and stage on the first floor.

FINANCED BY BONDS

In the basement there are a large dining room, a completely equipped kitchen and meeting rooms. Alterations were completed at a cost of $10,000, financed through a bond issue. Many of the bonds are being returned for life memberships in the association.

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson selected the name Sarah Black Jackson Community Center, in honor of Mr. Jackson’s aunt, who once owned the property.

Phyllis Gallina, 13, of 1230 Uptegraf Street, was awarded a prize by the Swisshelm Board of Trade for the best essay on why the name of the district should be changed.

Swisshelm Park was adopted as the new name of the community in honor of Jane Grey Swisshelm, Pittsburgh’s first newspaper-woman and sponsor of the Pennsylvania law allowing married women to own and sell property. Her great-granddaughter, Mrs. Helen Porteous, of 7532 Vernon Street, Swissvale, was present at the announcement of the adoption of her name.

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The Pittsburgh Press- 12/31/1939

From Cow Shed to Community Center

(This is the text from the photos

from left to right, top to bottom)

The attractive Sarah Jackson Black Community Center. Landscaping is all that remains to complete the remodeling. Swisshelm Park is in the 12th district of the Fourteenth Ward, is separated from Squirrel Hill by Frick Park and was called North Homestead because it is across the river from Homestead. To get there by the main road you have to go out of the city and pass through part of Swissvale.

The 20-year-old cow shed. Its frame walls were brick-veneered, its tarpaper roof replaced with slate. The district’s isolation from the city and lack of a meeting place were among the factors that prompted the creation of a community center.

Under the remodeling program the building was moved back 10 feet and raised four feet. Existing foundations were used together with additions and 33,000 pounds of structural steel. Twenty feet were added to the building, making the two-story structure 30x110 feet.

Four years ago a group of residents of North Homestead, now known as Swisshelm Park, met in an old barn on the Swissvale Farm and organized a community center. The owner of the barn, R.G. Jackson, donated the building as a meeting place and the organization adopted the name of Sarah Jackson Black Community Center in memory of his aunt. Improvements were made from time to time, but this year the organization decided to completely remodel the structure. Men of the community donated their time, working nights and Sundays. The building was recently completed and dedicated. Because most of the labor was free, the remodeling work cost about $12,000 instead of $30,000.

The interior of the first floor has knotty pine walls, plaster ceilings and maple floors. Mrs. H.J. Jeffries, Mrs. H.S. Ray and Mrs. J.L. Harkness are shown here in the attractive lobby furnished with modern maple furniture.

The main auditorium is 30x90 feet, has a smooth maple floor, a stage for theatricals and a loud-speaker system. Through dances, parties and by renting the building to other organizations the Community Center hopes to clear off its indebtedness.

To Thomas J. Horrocks, show here hanging a picture of Sarah Jackson Black in the main lobby, goes most of the credit for the community center. One of the founders of the organization, he helped carry the remodeling plans through and was always on hand where there was work to be done.

Busy here arranging flowers are three other active members of the organization. They are Mrs. Joseph R. Willis, President J.W. Barnett and Mrs. P.D. Heyne. About 250 persons belong to the center, membership being confined mainly to residents of the district.

Among the many activities sponsored by the center are dancing classes for children. Above, Carolyn Harkness “swings it” as Bobbie Emigh “beats out” a tune. At times there have been classes in dramatics, arts, crafts and needlework.

Women members preparing sandwiches for a community party. The first floor auditorium can be used as a dining room or as a recreation hall for such activities as target shooting and dartball. The cow stalls on this floor were ripped out and the floor concreted.

An important feature of the center is its big, well-equipped kitchen. In background are Mrs. Thomas J. Horrocks and Mrs. John Steinmetz. In foreground is Mrs. James M. Dickson. The center has its own supply of china, glasses, and silverware. The building is heated by steam and hot air, has a janitor to keep the place spruced up.