Wings Across Westmoreland
The story behind the Trafford Wings Project:
Though there are many other communities that have their own wings in Westmoreland County, there is a unique story behind the Trafford Wings Project.
In July 2021, Council President Kris Cardiff was looking for ways to add cultural development into the borough’s already existing focus on economic and community development. After the Trafford Theatre Factory merged with the Apple Hill Playhouse, Councilman Cardiff was inspired and had a discussion with Ashley Stack, the borough’s manager at the time. During the discussion, Stack mentioned that about a month earlier she had a conference call with the Westmoreland Cultural Trust where the Wings Across Westmoreland project was presented. Councilman Cardiff formed a committee to be made up of three council members, residents, and community leaders. The group met over the next few months for discussions and planning but ultimately, the primary objective was how to pay for the project. Several of the wings committee members offered to donate their own money towards the project but with the current economic situation in the country, the committee found that they may not be able to fund the project on their own.
By what may be an act of divine intervention, Ms. Stack received a phone call from the now former St. Mark’s Church. Unfortunately, St. Mark’s Church closed down in 2019 due to low attendance and diminished finances which ultimately lead to the church being sold. The St. Mark’s group asked Ms. Stack if there were any projects in Trafford that they could donate the remainder of their funds to and that is when everything came together.
Ashley reached out to Councilman Cardiff and informed him of the St. Mark’s group’s intent to fund a community project and Cardiff invited them to the next Trafford Wings meeting.
“The connection was surreal,” Cardiff said. “At the same time we are working on a project that involves angelic wings and here’s one of our community churches that had recently closed, and they have just enough leftover funds to cover the project. Talk about divine intervention!”
Over the next few months, the Trafford Wings design started taking shape with the help of the Trafford Historical Society. Council approved the location of the wings to be installed on the wall of the parking lot next to the Trafford Community Library and the Wings Committee approved the final draft of the wings that was presented by the Westmoreland Cultural Trust associated artists.
Councilman Cardiff said, “This is what I’ve always strived for. Our community leaders working together to do great things for our little dot on the map. I hope this inspires more cultural development in Trafford Borough.”
The following Trafford Community members participated in the committee for this project:
Pat Bayko, Trafford Council Woman and St. Marks Committee Member
Jean Gregg, St Marks Committee Member
Steve Perovich, Trafford Borough Council Vice-President
Andrew Capets, Trafford Historical Society
Bob Kozubal, Trafford Historical Society
Ralph Deabner, Former Council Member and Resident
Kris Cardiff, Trafford Borough Council President
1) One of the many logos used by The Westinghouse Company over the years. The complex began with the opening of the foundry in 1903. It would expand to include a high-voltage laboratory, a micarta plant, a power circuit breaker division and a printing division. Below the logo is an example of a circuit breaker loaded on a rail car to be shipped to a power company.
2) Located on the opposite side of the bridge from the Westinghouse Complex Trafford youngsters enjoyed America’s Pastime —- baseball. Over many years Little League Baseball in Trafford occupied the summer evenings of many children hoping to be future stars. In the late 1960’s a larger field was added behind the smaller field to allow Pony and Colt Leagues to play along with the American Legion team. Baseball was also played at the South Trafford fields along with the Trafford Middle School fields.
3) The familiar Trafford Keystone marker that today stands on the end of the Trafford bridge overlooking the site of the original Trafford Foundry. The information found on the marker states that Trafford was named by George Westinghouse after Trafford Park in England in 1904. This cast iron marker had been in disrepair and was restored to its original condition A replica of this marker is located on Route 130 as you enter Trafford from Penn Township.
4) Built in 1903 as the Trafford Inn it served as a meeting place for Westinghouse executives to gather and socialize. By 1923 it became the Trafford First National Bank and would later become the home of Mellon Bank in Trafford. Although referred to as the bank building, the other side of the building would house the Post Office for many years along with various other businesses. The basement would be the home of a couple of popular restaurants — Daniel’s and Jo’s.
5) After Trafford was founded the streetcars soon followed as a means of transportation from the valley and beyond to Pittsburgh. Later on another line was established that ran along Westmoreland Road and on to Irwin and Greensburg. And so Trafford became an important junction point for trolleys coming from both the east and west. However by 1960 with the increase of bus service with more frequent service the streetcar was reduced to a single daily run with the route being discontinued shortly thereafter. Notice the 1904 on the trolley to recognize the founding year of Trafford City.
6 and 10) A banana split or an ice cream soda could be enjoyed at
either of two local establishments that had counter service that was
popular from the 1940’s thru the 1960’s. Harlich’s and Weyandt’s
were both located on Cavitt Avenue and server food along with an
assortment of soda fountain goodies. Both were popular gathering
spots for Trafford teens on Friday evenings after enjoying a movie
at McBride’s Theatre.
7) After a long day working in the hot foundry many of the workers
went in search of their favorite “watering hole” to enjoy a cold beer or
two. Cavitt Avenue, Brinton Avenue and a few of the side streets
were the home to many of these such places too numerous to list
by individual name. Some of the ethnic groups also had social clubs
where members could gather with others that shared the same
language and customs. Of these the Polish and Italian Clubs still
exist today.
8) On a cold winters day youngsters in the area can enjoy ice hockey
or skating at the popular BY park. A simple pond that began in the
early 1900’s the pond was dredged in 1995 and the surrounding
area developed into the beautiful recreation park that we have
today. The name BY comes from a shortened version of the
Blackburn Wye. A term used to designate a turning point on the
nearby railroad.
9) The Westmoreland Heritage Trail that follows the route of the
railroad that once traveled from Trafford to Export. This trail
provides an opportunity for bikers and hikers alike to take
In the beautiful scenery as it runs parallel to the Turtle Creek.
Along the way there are historical signs that detail the history
of various points of interest.
10) See number 6 above.
11) The most popular place in Trafford on a Friday night was
McBride’s Theatre. Opened on Cavitt Avenue in 1921 at a cost
Of $40,000.00. The theatre showed silent movies in the early
years. It was renovated twice – in 1930 and again in 1949. It
continued to operate until 1977 when it was purchased by Sherm
Edwards and reopened as Sherm Edward’s Candies.
12) Did you know that the present-day Theatre Factory on
Cavitt Avenue was once a bowling alley. Known as the
Trafford Club Alleys it was in business from 1946 to
1968. It was a popular gathering place for Friday night
bowling leagues that were sponsored by various local
Clubs and businesses.
13) When anyone needed a prescription for a sickness or
ailment you could count on either Harlich’s or Weyandt’s
to come to the rescue. Both were located on Cavitt Avenue
and were typical of the local drug stores the were seen
throughout many local communities. They even made home
deliveries for local residents that did not have transportation
of their own.
14) With nearly 180 names the World War I monument was
dedicated on November 11, 1919. It is located on Edgewood
Avenue in the Memorial Park that contains monuments
dedicated to the other wars that the United States has been
involved throughout the years. This monument was designated
As a WWI Centennial Memorial by the WWI Centennial
Commission.
15) Saint Regis Roman Catholic Church was established as a
Mission church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1905. The
first church that was built on Homewood Avenue was
dedicated in 1907. The present-day church was built in 1959
with an integral school that opened in September 1960. Due to
declining enrollment the school was closed in 1993. However
the area that was occupied by the school remains in use as
the administrative offices along with other church related
Activities.
16) The prominent bell tower of the former First United
Presbyterian Church on Edgewood Avenue. The building was
dedicated in its present day location in 1931. In 1970 the
Church became the Faith United Presbyterian Church when a
merger took place between other congregations of similar
faiths. Today non denominational services are conducted there.
17) The bell that is rung at Penn Trafford High School for graduation,
football victories and other special events once hung in the bell
tower that was on the top of Trafford Elementary School on
Edgewood Avenue. The townspeople contributed the monies
needed to purchase the bell in 1909. It would continue to ring to
summon the students to school until the schools closing in the
late 1980’s.
18) The Christian Life Church located on Route 130. Originally
located on Cavitt Avenue and known as the Trafford Gospel
Tabernacle, it was relocated to its present site in 1973.
19) The Mount Bethel Baptist Church is located on Brinton Avenue. It
was founded in April of 1918 and still continues to hold Sunday
services as it serves the African American community in
Trafford and surrounding communities.
20) This patch represents Trafford Fire Company #1. It dates back to
1904 and the founding of the borough. For many years the fire
company was located on the ground floor of the borough
building located on Duquesne Avenue. The siren that was
located on top of the hose tower became a familiar sound to
local residents as it alerted the company members to report
to the station for any type of emergency along with sounding
the nightly curfew. The fire company presently occupies the
ground floor of the current municipal building.
21) The letter “T” could be found on almost anything associated with
Trafford High School. On letterman jackets and sweaters, on
cheerleader outfits, or on pennants that prominently displayed
the school nickname – The Tomahawks.” The last graduating
class before the merger that would be called Penn-Trafford
walked out the doors in May 1973 signaling the end of an era
that held lasting memories for all the former graduates
22) Trinity United Methodist Church is located on Duquesne Avenue.
It was formally organized in 1904 and plans were soon made to
construct a permanent structure to house the congregation. The
present day building was formally dedicated in 1924. The church
Is looking forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024.
23) Trafford had its first uniformed police officer in 1905 and the
borough continues to be protected 24 hours a day by our
present police force. The residents often see the police cars
making their routine daily routes throughout the borough. The
police offices are located on the ground floor of the borough
building and are equipped with the most up to date equipment
Needed to serve the community.
24) These wings were made possible through the generous
donation of the former St. Marks Lutheran Church located
on Fourth Street. Although the congregation met a various
locations throughout the years, they dedicated their permanent
home in June 1963. Although the church closed in 2019 due to
a declining membership its legacy will live on as the key
contributor to the Trafford Wings Over Westmoreland historical
display.
