Tonsil Hospital
Did you know that Trafford once had a private hospital? For many years, the building at the corner of Brinton and 3rd Street was unofficially known as the "tonsil hospital." Lawrence & Mary McGough bought lots 302 and 304 in 1945 to build this two-story brick structure in 1948, where Dr. McGough registered his practice with the state as a "private hospital."
Dr. McGough, born in Pitcairn in 1901, received his medical degree from Georgetown University and practiced medicine in Trafford for 35 years. His wife, Mary Blystone McGough, served as the secretary for the practice. During the 1950s and 1960s, tonsillectomies were widely performed as preventive measures, but with the rise of evidence-based medicine, the criteria for these surgeries became more stringent. The couple closed the practice in 1964 and retired to Arizona.
Today, the property's use has gone from healing people to healing hobbies. The former hospital now stitches up broken models. Nodicor Hobby specializes in various hobby supplies, including model kits, paints, and accessories for hobbies like model building and slot car racing.
History Presentation October 2, 2024
Was a secret death ray built in Trafford?
Discover the truth behind the rumors and explore the groundbreaking experiments conducted at the former Westinghouse High Voltage Laboratory.
This free presentation is based on our recent article in Westmoreland History magazine. We will delve into the mysteries surrounding this iconic site.
October 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Manchester Room 414 Brinton Ave REAR, Trafford PA 15085
To reserve your copy of the magazine that will be available at the presentation, please call the number below. The Westmoreland History magazine $6
This article appear in the South Bend Tribune on December 16, 1923.
Westinghouse Property Tour
The Trafford Historical Society recently toured the former Westinghouse property, now known as the Trafford Commerce Center. As we walked through the site, it was cool to envision the factory in its prime, almost hearing the echoes of clanging metal and the hum of machinery. Some areas of the interior still retain the marks of its industrial heritage. The old equipment remains untouched, serving as intriguing relics for our group of local history enthusiasts.
The former Westinghouse Power Circuit Breaker Division, once a bustling center of innovation, has been transformed into a commercial center and sizable warehouse for several companies. The expansive areas that once accommodated machinery and assembly lines are now occupied by towering shelves and stacks of goods.
The old Westinghouse buildings, though repurposed, continue to be a place of productivity and purpose, and we appreciate Mr. Paul Bova of the TCC for sharing his time with us – bridging the past to the present.
Our group departed the Trafford Commerce Center with a profound sense of awe and nostalgia, reminiscing about an era when innovation thrived and the dedication of countless individuals from Trafford and nearby communities who breathed life into the area. Although Westinghouse is no longer present, it remains a cherished memory of a time when it symbolized progress and ingenuity in our community.
Link to photo album on Facebook
