Early Land History
In 1826 the extensive land holdings in the Tyrone area of the John Gloninger Company were acquired by Lyon Shorb Company. As early as 1820 several homes were built here, and Captain John Logan and his co-Indians lived near the Big Spring on Washington Ave. Some of the Burley family had settled in the area in 1837.
In the fall of 1850 William G. Waring and brother Robert bought a tract of land above the Big Spring and established a nursery garden of fruit and ornamental trees. In the spring of 1851 William Lyon hired John Mathias (superintendent of Tyrone Forges) to lay out a town site of seventy-five large lots, usually six to a square. This is the area now included in the present Tyrone Historic District.
Taking a tour of this area helps people understand better how Tyrone began, grew, and finally made necessary changes. Let’s consider Lincoln and Logan Aves.
Early Lincoln Avenue
In earliest times Lincoln Ave. was considered the back yard while the front of the homes faced Spring St. (railroad tracks). The garages for horses and buggies were on Lincoln St.
An iron fence ran down from 13th St. to 10th St. on the west side of the street. The trees along the street were taken down when electric wires were installed. This was true for the other streets that had electric wires installed.
In the 1800s Tyrone’s elite, such as judges, lawyers, bankers, jewelers, and industrial leaders lived in these homes.
Starting at Juniata (10th) St. in 1906 was built W.F. Hoffman’s home. He was the iron cream magnate. It was one of two Victorian styles. It had an elevator, eleven foot ceilings, hardwood floors, circular staircase, and many stained-glass windows.
Frank Acklin’s (jeweler) home above wasn’t liked by his wife, so a house at the 11th St. corner was built for them. It had sixteen-foot-high ceilings; tall, arched windows; and five fireplaces. The outside attraction was the entrance way with outside balcony and pillars. Built about 1890, that first home for Frank Acklin was built and then sold to Judge Hickes. It had seventeen rooms. The first floor had the best wood while floors two and three used poorer-quality wood. The front door has two layers of hand-cut, leaded glass. It cost $12,000 to build in 1890. Presently Larrie Derman Funeral Home owns the home, and in 1991 the outside brick siding was cleaned.
About 1880 the Catholic school used the Acklin home with the nuns living on the second floor.
Going up Lincoln Ave. was the former Walsh family home (1251 Lincoln Ave.). Mr. Walsh was in the lumber business. This home was built in the early 1900s.
Next door to Walsh’s was the A.A. Stevens home, also built in the early 1900s. He was a lawyer, etc., owning much land in Tyrone. He gave land for Reservoir Park and the YMCA.
In the next block was the former senior-junior high school. The senior high was built in 1911, and the junior high was built on Waring property in 1914. Note Fred Waring’s marker in front of the senior high school.
Early Logan Avenue Highlights
The Tyrone-Snyder Library was the original Elks Lodge built in 1928.
Across the street is the YMCA, built in 1914. In early days many high school graduations, plays, etc., were held here.
Above 11th St. at the corner is the Municipal Building built in 1916. All businesses were closed during the hours that the building was being dedicated.
Across the street at the 12th St. corner is the Methodist Sunday School complex built in 1927 and the church added in 1963.
At the 13th St. corner was the Lutheran Church built in 1905 and the Presbyterian Church built in 1928 on the site of a previous church built in 1882.
At the corner of Logan Ave. and 14th St. is the brick apartment building that once was the Beyer Building. It was built in 1894 as a business center for that area of Tyrone. On the front of the building can be seen the outline of the name “BAZAAR” and two wooden inserts from which was suspended a large balcony and awning. On the 14th St. side could be seen the faded lettering for J.C. McConahy — they had a popular shoe store in the building. Unfortunately, from an historic point of view, the building was painted blue several years ago and hid all the above.
Tyrone and Its History
Street names were changed in 1893 when East Tyrone was added to the borough: 10th was Juniata, 11th was Ridge or Hill, 12th was Allegheny, 13th was Clearfield, 14th was Dallas, and Pennsylvania Ave. was Main St.
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