California celebrating 175th anniversary all year long

1 / 3

The California Area Historical Society sports patriotic colors, as one of the features of the anniversary celebration is a Red, White and Blue Decorating Contest.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

2 / 3

A sign bearing a logo for California’s 175 anniversary greets visitors entering the borough.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

3 / 3

One of California’s examples of an early 20th-century colonial revival house is the Gallagher House on Wood Street, which is the current headquarters of the California Area Historical Society.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

[expand]

close

California Borough is marking the 175th anniversary of its founding all year long with a number of events and activities.

“Throughout the year, we’ll be doing some different things,” said Lisa Buday. “We’re hoping (to have a lot planned).”

Buday’s father, the Rev. Norman C. Hunt, was the chair of the town’s 150th anniversary.

“It’s so important to remember our town,” Buday said, adding that her ancestors lived in California many years ago, including a great-great grandfather who lived on Second Street and fought in the Civil War.

California was founded in 1849 and incorporated as a borough in 1853. Other names considered for the town at the time of its founding were Columbia and Sagamore. However, it was named after the state of California since the town’s founding coincided with the California Gold Rush, which symbolized growth and prosperity.

The current California Borough is made up of two communities, East Pike Run Township, which merged with California in 1953.

Amelia Mitchell, chair of the committee’s celebration, is working on a historical timeline to depict California’s rich history.

“I decided to do a timeline to pull out information about certain events that happened like floods and the building of the first school,” said Mitchell, a lifelong borough resident. “I pulled a lot of photos from the historical buildings that were there, like the Hollywood Theater, when it was built and when the bowling alley was built underneath and when it was demolished, also, when the pavilion was put in the same spot.”

Mitchell plans to give a PowerPoint presentation of the timeline at a free picnic community dinner scheduled for 6 p.m. June 5 at the Hollywood Pavilion, 313 Third St. Hot dogs will be provided by California United Methodist Church and drinks by KeyBank. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish to share.

Dinner will be followed by a walking tour of the historical sites in downtown California.

As part of the festivities four logos have been selected, three of which will adorn T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies that will be available at BeeGraphix. One of the logos can be seen on the sign that greets borough visitors.

Making its return from the 150th anniversary event will be the 175 Club, with a change in name to reflect the anniversary year. Anyone who donates $175 to be used to help fund any anniversary activities will be a member of the 175 Club.

The town’s Memorial Day ceremonies also will be part of the anniversary celebration, complete with a 21-gun salute and participation from the Boy Scouts, California Volunteer Fire Department and Roscoe American Legion post. Festivities are planned for 11 a.m. that day at Monument Circle at Fourth and Liberty streets.

As part of the event, the town is holding an essay contest. The winning essays will be read as part of the Memorial Day ceremony.

A Red, White & Blue Decorating Contest will be held in June, and any property in the borough is eligible. The decorations can be colonial, modern or traditional and can adorn residences and

businesses. Judging will take place June 29 and 30 with the winners announced July 1 and celebrated at the community 175th picnic on July 4.

To register, email 175calpa@gmail.com or call 724-938-1355.

California Riverfest, held annually on the fourth weekend in August, is expected to feature festivities celebrating the 175th anniversary.

The nonprofit organization, California Area re:Generations (CARE), will be offering Pop-Up Memories throughout the year. Memories will “pop up” once a month, providing remembrances of things that were once in the town, complete with giveaways at their former locations.

“The little pop-ups will be a way to commemorate businesses that had been around,” Buday said. “It’s a way to get people to think of past things.”

Giveaways are expected to include bags of Swedish fish at the location of the former Menias store, hot dogs at the old Shake N Dog location, pizza where Alfano’s once stood, and ice cream sandwiches near an old ice cream shop, as well as festivities around what was once Santa Claus Lane during the holiday season.

Buday added the hope is that there also will be a float in the PennWest California Homecoming parade in October.

“There’s a lot to be excited about,” Mitchell said.