LAC

KA

WA

NN

A H

ISTOR

ICA

L ASSO

CIA

TION

HISTO

RIC

AL SC

AV

ENG

ER H

UN

T

1.

LAC

KA

WA

NN

A P

UB

LIC LIB

RA

RY

7. M

ASO

NIC

TEM

PLE

1

3. O

UR

LAD

Y O

F VIC

TO

RY

BA

SILICA

2.

PO

TTER

’S FIELD/H

OW

AR

D’S C

EMETER

Y

8. C

ITY H

ALL

1

4. FA

TH

ER B

AK

ER M

USEU

M

3.

PA

RK

VIEW

AP

AR

TMEN

TS

9. ST. JO

SEPH’S G

AR

DEN

15

. # 71

5 R

IDG

ERO

AD

4.

LAC

KA

WA

NN

A C

HA

MB

ER O

F CO

MM

EREC

E

10

. FAT

HER

BA

KER

’S GA

S WELL

1

6. C

UR

LY’S G

RILL

5

REED

’S CEM

ETER

Y

1

1. M

ERC

Y N

UR

SING

FAC

ILITY

17

. HA

LE HO

USE

6

OLD

TO

LL HO

USE

1

2. H

OLY

CR

OSS C

EMET

ERY

18

. 55

1 R

IDG

E RD

. - ST. BA

RB

AR

A’S R

ECTO

RY

3

4

5

6

2

9

7

8

1

18

17

16

1

5

13-14

12

11

10

This Scavenger Hunt uses historical sites

relating to the history of the City of

Lackawanna, New York. This fun challenge

is an educational tool to introduce families,

youth groups, and visitors to the rich

history of the city.

Please use this booklet and the map at the

end to locate each site. Read the text to

learn a little history about each site and

answer the question. Write your answers in

each box.

To have your answers checked and receive

a certificate of participation e-mail your

answers to :

lackawannahistorical@gmail.com

Attn. Scavenger Hunt

SCAVENGER HUNT TIPS

*Estimated time 2-2:30 hours ( you do not have to do it all in one day) Use the marker map to help you follow the route. The Scavenger Hunt allows you to start at any site and loop around back to where you started. 1. Have Fun! 2. Be respectful of people and property. Some sites have notes about access requirements and tours. 3. Do not take or leave anything at a site without permission. 4. Be carefully crossing streets -you are on the main street of the city. Cross at a cross walk even if it means walking a little farther or back tracking. 5. If your group is large, please check with the site about accommodating your group. 6. Take Pictures and share them with us. (e-mail: lackawannahistorical@gmail.com Attention: Scavenger Hunt. Please include a release giving us permission to use the pictures for publicity purposes.) 7. If you are doing the Scavenger Hunt as part of the Lackawanna Heritage Patch your pictures can be used to complete other activities that are a part of that program. 8.Write your answers in the information box for each site. 9. E-mail your answers to us to be checked and receive a certificate of participation.

#551 RIDGE ROAD

Now a private residence this large

red brick house once served as the Rectory of the 2nd.St. Barbara’s RC Church that was built in 1931 on the site next door.

The parish served many Polish-Americans in the Steel City until its closing in 2008. The bell from its bell tower was placed in Holy Cross Cemetery at the South Park entrance and can be heard ringing to note a burial in the cemetery.

Located in the front flower bed at the house you can find the cornerstone from the first St. Barbara’s Church/school complex which was originally located on Caldwell Street behind this site.

The owner has granted permission for you to enter the front yard to look in the flower bed for the original church’s corner stone.

What is written on the cornerstone?

18

OTHER PLACES TO SEE or VISIT

Botanical Gardens

Veteran’s Memorial at Veterans’ Stadium

Holy Cross Cemetery- especially the old section

The Bell from St. Barbara’s Church –inside the cemetery at South Park entrance

Col. John Weber’s House – Abbott Road-no tours

The many diverse Houses of Worship throughout the city

The many Veterans’ Post located throughout the city- Many have displays honoring local Veterans.

First Fire Station circa 1909 on lower Ridge Rd.-west of Wilkesbarre Ave. (Now a store the original barn that housed the horses (Tom, Bill & Dick) is still behind the old firehouse.

The Union Ship Canal in the Industrial Park-off N. Gates Avenue. Lower Ridge Rd.-search http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp

Steel Plant Museum-Lee Street , Buffalo, NY

CURLY’S GRILL

This is one of the longest oper-

ating restaurants in Lackawanna. Founded by Francis Warthling it was first located on Gates Ave. It was reopened at its present location in 1939.

In what year was it originally established? (Hint-look at their canopy)

16

Hale Nursery/Greenhouse

Located ay 1248 Electric Avenue,

behind Curly’s Grill, this large house has undergone many renovations but, the trim around the front win-dows is thought to be original. The house and land around it was once owned by Mrs. J. Hale. Mrs. Hale was a florist in Buffalo and built her home and green houses on this site. The property is listed to J.Hale on a map of Limestone Hill dated 1880

What color is the house presently

painted?

17

LACKAWANNA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Lackawanna Public Library is a beautiful colonial style building with

magnificent oak woodwork through-out the interior. The library was built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie was a 19th Century steel tycoon who became one of the 20th Century’s most famous national philanthropists. The Lacka-wanna Library was one of the last Carnegie Libraries ever constructed. Claire Whelan, a local woman was instrumental in acquiring the grant. Take time to see the inside of the Library and the little museum downstairs.

What year was the library built?

1

POTTER’S FIELD-HOWARD

CEMETERY

The Library itself was built on a potter’s field. A “potter’s field” is a

piece of land used as a burial place for the poor or, in some places, strangers to the community. The graves were moved to a location, to the right of what is now the Library parking lot where you can see a large concrete slab. The monument was added later at the edge of the parking lot to honor the unknown laid to rest there.

When was the monument placed?

PARK VIEW APARTMENTS

In 1906 this was the site of the first Lackawanna High School. Around

1958 when the school district adopted the Jr. High School model it was converted into Hoover Jr. High. On December 18,1980, the 74 year old school was destroyed by an early morning fire. The Park View apartments were built on the site opening in 1983 to provide affordable housing for citizens of Lackawanna.

What is distinct about the building’s shape?

2

3

LACKAWANNA CHAMBER

OF COMMERECE

The goal of the Chamber is to deliver the

best possible services, support, and commu-

nications to the members and business

community. It also has information about

tourism in Lackawanna and occasionally

houses some interesting art work. Ask for a

possible tour of the art gallery if you are

there during business hours.

What 3 organization’s names are listed on the front door?

4

REED’S CEMETERY

This cemetery dates from 1850

before the Civil War. It is located on Nason

Parkway between Electric Ave. and Ridge Rd.

Tucked amongst older residences, the ceme-

tery property through the 1800’s belonged to

Nelson Reed, one of the largest landowners

in the area .The LHA has a map showing the

original burial plots of prominent local fami-

lies.

What is the name on the tallest grave marker?

5

FATHER BAKER MUSEUM

During late 2009, construction be-

gan to create a small museum about Father Baker's life and the history of the Our Lady of Victory Institutions. A number of photos, official documents, vintage newspapers, and Baker's belongings are on display. Items such as Father Baker's desk, books, clothing, and furniture can be found throughout the museum. Also in the muse-um are cases of photos, information, and memorabilia from the Our Lady of Victory Institutions, such as the Infant Home, Orphanage, Protectory, and the Basilica itself. Visits to the museum are free.

Where in the Basilica is the museum

located?

14

#715 RIDGE RD.

In 1917 this building across from City Hall once housed the

Lackawanna Police Headquarters and jail. It is believed there was an underground tun-nel to city hall and some remnants of it are said to still exist in the basement. For 70 years it was the last stop for the shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 98 steps! In the past it housed the Limestone Club and the Cherrystone Lounge.

What is its name now?

15

HOLY CROSS CEMETERY-

Officially opened in 1849 as a parish cemetery, although rec-

ords show burials dating as far back as 1830.This cemetery's boundaries contain the graves of early Irish immi-grants - those who dug the Erie Canal, built the railroads, worked the docks and Great Lake's steamboats and labored at the grain elevators and steel mills. Those who died in tragedies also lie in place here; nine children ranging in age from 12 to 19 and a young fireman who all died in the 1880 wallpaper factory fire on Perry Street in Buffalo; nearly 700 victims of the 1918 flu epidemic; Casimir Mazurek, victim of the 1919 strike violence at a steel plant and Edward R. Lonegrin, a young Irish lieutenant and Fenian solider, killed in the 1866 battle of Ridgeway, Canada.

When Father Nelson Baker, founder of Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Homes of Charity died, he was laid to rest in the stretch of cemetery in the shadow of the Basilica. His grave was moved into the Ba-silica in 1999. Continue walking toward the corner of the fence near the Baker Hall School to the last monument near the fence.

What are the names of the 3 Butler

children written on this monument?

12

OUR LADY OF VICTORY BASILICA

Construction of the Basilica be-gan in 1921 as a shrine to the

Blessed Mother. Father Baker was able to get sufficient financial support to begin construction quickly and it was completed without the parish incurring any debt. It is said that there are over 1,000 statues of angels in the Basilica. Free tours are on Sundays at 1:00 & 2:00

How many large marble angels ( Do not count the cherubs ) are in this front en-trance way of the church?

13

OLD TOLL HOUSE

In the late 1800’s when

Lackawanna was still a part of West Seneca,

a toll gate was in place on what is now Dor-

rance Avenue. After tolls were discontinued

the toll house was moved to Nason Parkway

and was owned by the Avery family for

many years. Later it was known as the

Gannon’s Key Shop. Over 100 years old it is

once again a private home. The house

number is 101.

What color is the brick on the front of this

cottage like house?

Located next to the Toll House before you get to South Park is a stairway that will take you up to the parking lot of City Hall on Ridge Road. You will be near locations #7 & # 8 on your map.

6

MASONIC LODGE

In 1910, the Masonic Lodge was established as a brotherhood dedi-

cated to showing tolerance, respect and kindness in actions toward others; prac-tice charity and care for the community as a whole; and strives to achieve high moral standards in personal life. The Lackawanna Lodge on Ridge Road celebrated its first meeting in the new Lodge in January, 1920.

What year is on it’s corner stone?

7

LACKAWANNA CITY HALL

Opened in 1914 by Mayor John Widmer, this building’s stately

construction was representative of the City’s prosperity and growth in the early part of the 20th century. In 1970, a modern steel frame addition was erected at the front of the original building to accommo-date the growing City Government. Addi-tional alterations were made to the original building to make it suitable for the Police Department and City Council?

Who is the current Mayor of Lackawanna?

8

ST. JOSEPH’S GARDEN

Located on the corner of South Park and Ridge Rd. next to Baker

Victory Services (Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity) this little park is a tribute to Fr. Baker. At the North end is a statue of St. Joseph and at the South end facing the Basilica is a statue of Father Baker. Between them is the magnificent 12ft. stat-ue of Our Lady of Victory which once topped the orphanage of Our Lady of Victo-ry Homes of Charity, next door. Erie County added the historical marker noting Fr. Baker’s dedication to the building of the Basilica.

In what year did Father Baker die?

9

As you walk along in front of these red brick buildings re-member that they are over 100 years old and still used to provide service to the needy.

On your way to the Gas Well notice the Shrine to Our Lady of Victory.

FATHER BAKER’S GAS WELL

At this site a natural gas was

found at a depth of 1137 feet. This well and its twin continued to produce suffi-cient gas for many of the energy needs of Our Lady of Victory Institutions, Basilica, Hospital and Schools. Father Baker's faith caused him to thank Our Lady of Victory for her intercession with God for the gift of the gas from these wells.

In what year was the gas well discovered?

MERCY NURSING FACILITY MUSEUM

OLV Hospital opened in 1919 and served the Lackawanna Community

until it closed in 1999, following the cre-ation of the Catholic Health System. With Mercy Hospital less than 2 miles away, it was not finan-cially viable to operate both locations.

Catholic Health made a commitment to the Com-munity that the site would not be another set of abandoned buildings and promised renewal.

The concept of a “Senior Neighborhood” was born, with the opening of the Victory Ridge Apartments in 2007. Next came the Mercy Nurs-ing Facility, opening in 2008 and the LIFE (Living Independently For Elders) program, which opened in 2009. The public spaces of the cam-pus, including a Museum dedicated to the histo-ry of the hospital, a chapel and community room, opened in 2010. Stop at the security desk and register before going to the museum.

Which Religious Order helped found the hospi-tal in 1919? Look on the Advancing Victoriously display board for the answer.

11

10