Vintage Photo Gallery
The Industries of Dead Man's Hollow
There are very few photos left in existence of the industries that once prospered in Dead Man's Hollow. Two of the featured images are of the Union Sewer Pipe Plant as it was during the turn of the 20th century. The other photographs were taken in the years that followed the factory's unfortunate demise.
Early Living in Dead Man's Hollow
Calling Dead Man's Hollow 'home' had an equal amount of advantages and disadvantages. Weather conditions seemed to have the greatest impact on the families that resided there. From flood waters to severe snowstorms, the inhabitants of the hollow learned to adapted with the changing seasons. The photographs below capture the true image of life in the secluded valley along the Youghiogheny River.
The Bendzuch House in Dead Man's Hollow
Magdalena Bendzuch and Grandson George
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The Flood of 1945.
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Farming in Dead Man's Hollow
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Clearing the Fields in the Hollow.
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 The Bendzuch Children 1924 |
Playing near Dead Man's Run
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 Winter Entertainment |
The Holiday Meal
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Much To Be Thankful For
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Preparing The Feast
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Michael Bendzuch Jr.
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John Bendzuch
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Drinking From the Spring
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The Bendzuch Girls in The Meadow
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Lil' Mikey
Local Law Enforcement
Constable Stephen J. Bosnyak
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The Boy Scout Camp of Dead Man's Hollow
Even though most of the pipe factory was destroyed by the fire in 1925, several structures on the property were able to escape with little or no damage. The remaining buildings were eventually abandoned by the factory owner and slated for demolition. At this time, a local man by the name of Andy 'Moe' Nemchick acquired the former blacksmith shop with the intent of converting it into a new camp for the local Boy Scout Troop. Once the renovations to the small block building were made, Troop #10 was able to use the 'cabin' at any time of year. The photographs below were taken in the 1930s and feature some of the Scout activities at the camp.
The Boy Scout Camp in Dead Man's Hollow
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Winter Activities at the Camp
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A Visit from Cpl. Stephen J. Bosnyak Sr.
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The Scouts Walking to the Camp
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 Andy 'Moe' Nemchick |
Inside the Boy Scout Camp
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Flag Dedication with John Bendzuch
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The Catfish Pond and Surrounding Properties
The following photo gallery was provided by a former resident of Liberty Borough named Ray Lindberg Jr. His vintage photographs were taken during the 1960s along the ridge that sweeps from Liberty Way and Jeffrery Drive. In addition to these extremely rare images, Lindberg Jr. offered a brief description with each one. The first photograph in this collection was taken at the Catfish Pond. With a quick glance, it would appear that nothing has really changed over the years. However, a closer look does reveal that the Catfish Pond had more of a 'swamp-like' appearance in those days. A large number of submerged stumps and a few fully grown trees rising up from around the water's edge helped to create this guise. The second image in this collection features a rustic shack that was pieced together with mud and fallen timbers. Lindberg Jr. labeled this photograph as the 'Short Person' Cabin because it was most likely built by children and for its lack of standing room. The third photogragh shows the remains of the Anderson homestead and orchard. According to the description, the Anderson's home had a fresh water spring in the basement. The final photograph in this set captured the radio towers above Dead Man's Hollow during the height of the WIXZ Rock and Roll era. This image was taken somewhere near the edge of the Taylor / McLean plan in Lincoln Borough.
Many thanks to Ray Lindberg Jr. for sharing his childhood memories and these wonderful vintage photograghs with the DMH Website.
