The Heilwood website is also available as a 66-page book. Click here to find out more! |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Misc 2 |
|
|
THE JAIL Located in the Sunnyside area, the jail was totally constructed of bricks with a cement roof. There were two small windows with bars, one on each side of the building. The interior was divided into two cells, enclosed by iron bars. An area in the front right corner of the building held a small heating stove, but there were no bathroom facilities within the building! Although the exact construction date is unknown, coal company records indicate that a "lock-up" was under consideration as early as April 1908. However, the tax records from Pine Township did not list the jail until 1928.
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE This was also located on the eastern edge of Sunnyside. Very little is known about the actual building, but it was referenced in a 1908 letter from the mine superintendent to a physician in Harrisburg (probably the state health department), detailing the location and possible contamination problems there.
THE BAND STAND The exact construction date of this facility is unknown, but some old photos show it as early as 1910. Located adjacent to the baseball grandstand near the park, the octagon-shaped, elevated structure was of frame construction (see photo). The early photos also show that on the side facing the baseball diamond, there was a scoreboard, which was used by the Heilwood baseball team for home games. Unlike many other old structures in Heilwood, the band stand’s demise remains a mystery – there’s no mention of it in either tax records or newspapers!
THE GREENHOUSE As reported in the Indiana Times on June 11, 1913:
This is the only mention of this building - its location, and whether it actually existed or not remains unknown!
HEILWOOD FARMS An advertisement published in the 1914-16 timeframe (see photo) contains a reference to “The Heilwood Farms.” While no other reference can be found to these farms, the Indiana Times article quoted above suggests that some farming took place. Additional photos show a very substantial area between the elementary and central school buildings and the Heilwood Dairy containing Victory Gardens, which date to the World War I era. We also know that from the 1920s to the 1940s, the coal companies made plots of ground, probably located within the 400 acres of the Dairy, available to Heilwood residents, on which they could grow vegetables for their families. This service was free and provided on a first-come, first-served basis! While seemingly unrelated, all these occurences might explain “The Heilwood Farms” described in the ad. It was probably an attempt by the coal company to create an area that would produce vegetables for the town of Heilwood.
|
|
Located in the Mine #2 Area, it was the "ole swimming hole" to many Heilwood youths. It was created to carry the water from Leonard’s Run under one of the tracks that made up the "Y" (enabling engines to turn) for the steel tipple located at the #2 mine. According to many residents who used the swimming hole, the water was very cold and deep. Also, a hierachy existed even here, whereby the older youths would make the younger swimmers add additional stones to the breast of the dam before they were allowed to swim! The "Two Pipe Rocks" are near here.
THE SEARCHLIGHT Built around 1906, the searchlight and tower, located at the corner of First Avenue and Chestnut Street, represented the coal company's attitude towards "undesirables" coming into town (mainly union organizers and peddlers). In all probability, the light was used to scrutinize not only the roads but also to observe the late train into town at 10:00 PM. With this device, the town policeman could easily see new arrivals and upon questioning, determine their business in town. If the newly arrived traveler was considered an undesirable, he would probably be escorted to either the town "lock-up" or the hotel for the night, and placed on the 8:00 AM train the next morning - straight back out of town! An older resident of town tells the story that many travelers, who heard of or experienced this inspection by the searchlight and policeman, would jump from the moving train several miles from the station and walk through the woods into town, undetected (at least for a short while). The residents of the town were also affected by the presence of the searchlight. One said that "it was a thing to be afraid of." Another suggested that "it was like living in a concentration camp." How long the search light remained in use is not known. However, pictures of the town taken in the early 1940s still show it standing in its original location (see photo). A reminder of the "good ole days"!
WATER TANK Located adjacent to the superintendent’s house, the water tank/tower was approximately 75’ tall and had a capacity of 50,000 gallons. Water to the tank was taken from a deep well pump located near the power house adjacent to Penn Mary #1 mine. The water from the tank would be gravity-fed into the houses in town as well as into the fire hydrants placed thoughout the town. |
|
