Leechburg begins weeklong 175th anniversary celebration with worship service
As Leechburg began a weeklong celebration of its 175th anniversary with a Sunday worship service, Greensburg Bishop Larry Kulick, one of its native sons, invoked the area’s original name: Friendship.
“Christian friendship is more than just a politeness or a casual acquaintance,” Kulick said in his reflection. “Christian friendship is a proud and transformative relationship rooted in the love of Christ that mirrors the relationship of Christ and what he offers to each and every one of us.
“At its core, Christian friendship involves mutual love, support and encouragement that reflects the Lord’s love for each and every one of us,” he said. “It means stepping outside of our comfort zones, sharing our lives, our resources and the gifts and talents with others, not for our own advantage, not for our own sake, but indeed for the common good, for the good of the community.”
Before the interdenominational service, which was forced indoors at the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. because of light rain, a 5K race kicked off the celebration. Events to observe the borough’s dodransbicentennial (the dictionary term for a 175th anniversary) will continue daily through next weekend, culminating in a drone show and closing ceremonies Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
“There’s something every day going on,” Mayor Doreen Smeal said. “We think we have something for every age group.” (A complete list is published at the bottom of this article.)
In her remarks, Smeal said Leechburg, founded in 1850, may never have existed had it not been for the construction of two canals, one built by namesake David Leech and another by the state. The canals connected the Harrisburg area with Pittsburgh and transformed the area into a small industrial center.
“Over time, Leechburg became known as a steel and coal town. However, as the decades passed and the steel mills eventually closed, the town faced significant change,” she said. “Now, as Leechburg celebrates its 175th anniversary, it is once again reinventing itself. With a cleaner river and the opening of a scenic bike trail, the town is embracing new opportunities and a renewed sense of vitality.”
The worship service included performances by the Kiski Valley Community Band and prayers for elected officials, law enforcement, emergency first responders, schools, military, business and industry, agricultural workers, scouts and neighbors in need.
Tours of seven churches, six in Leechburg and one in Gilpin, followed the service. The first day’s events ended with the dedication of a historical marker to boxer Jackie Wilson, who was born in South Carolina but grew up and lived in Leechburg, at Veterans Field. Members of Wilson’s family attended.
Planning for the commemoration of the borough’s founding began about two years ago, said Smeal, who has lived in Leechburg all of her 71 years.
“This community is what is the best part of Leechburg. There’s not anything in this town they don’t come together to support or help with,” she said. “A lot of youth want to move away right away. When they come home, they realize this is home. That’s the feeling the town gives you.”
Leechburg celebrates its founding every 25 years. The Leechburg Area Historical Society has updated a history book, “Navigating the Future,” from its publication for the borough’s 150th celebration. Copies of the new book are available for $25, which will include a copy of the sesquicentennial edition while supplies last, society President Larry Boehm said.
A Leechburg resident since 1999, Boehm, 52, said the borough’s school district drew him and his wife, Jennifer, to raise their three children there.
With their son and grandchildren in Leechburg and working from home, Boehm said they have little reason to leave.
“It’s rural but convenient. Pittsburgh is 30 minutes away,” he said. “All the services I need are here.”
Boehm said his interest in history started with the railroads. Learning about the canals roped him into all of it.
He noted it’s been about 10 years since Leechburg lost its core industry when ATI closed its Bagdad plant. While in Gilpin, it provided a tax base for Leechburg’s school district and jobs for its residents.
“I see a lot of communities in rural areas become unincorporated. I like the fact they’ve been able to maintain their government,” Boehm said.
Kulick said Leechburg, situated in a corner of Western Pennsylvania and on the winding banks of the Kiskiminetas River, is part of a larger plan in the eyes of God.
“From Leechburg through the years, out into the nation and throughout the world, our residents, our natives have gone. Commending themselves to the gifts they have received, but also taking from this community the best that it had to offer,” he said.
“As we celebrate 175 years, we remember today the visionaries, the hard workers and the faithful individuals who shaped Leechburg into what it is today,” he said. “Most of those people aren’t named in the booklets, they’re not on the granite markers in our local cemeteries, their pictures don’t adorn our majestic buildings, our schools, our churches, our fraternal organizations. The majority of those people’s faces and lives are in our minds an in our hearts, but most importantly, are in the mind of God.”
Schedule of events
Monday
• 10 a.m.: Leechburg Area Museum presents “What Is This,” identifying common items of the past for kids on the museum lawn, 118 First St.
• 1 p.m.: Bike safety with UPMC at the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. grounds, 268 Canal St.
• 5 p.m.: Leechburg Public Library presents Level Up Game Night / Skip Booker’s Jazz Band at Riverfront Park Gazebo
Tuesday
• 11 a.m: Leechburg Area Museum presents a “Tour of the Leechburg Cemetery,” transportation by Byers Taxi, parking at 271 Main St. Shuttle leaves at 11 a.m.
• 6:30 p.m.: Unveiling of the Leechburg Santa painting, Leechburg School auditorium, 215 First St., followed by Leechburg Museum’s slide show history of Leechburg.
Wednesday
• 11 a.m.: Antique appraisal / Ruman & Kraft at the Leechburg Museum, 118 First St. Limit three items.
• 6:30 p.m.: Slovak heritage dancers at the Leechburg Area School auditorium, 215 First St.
• 7 p.m.: Leechburg Museum presents old films of Leechburg.
Thursday
• Noon: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission hosts a children’s fishing demonstration at the Masonic Hall grounds, 248 Market St.
• 3 p.m.: Keystone Elk County Alliance of Benezette at the BPOE ballroom, 228 Market St.
• 4:45 p.m.: Dedication of the Hyde Park walking bridge historical marker, 476 Canal St.
• 5 p.m.: Ducky race from the Hyde Park walking bridge to the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. boat ramp.
• 5 p.m.: Art show by Iron Element, 301 Market St.
• 7 p.m. Annual Flag Day ceremony / Kiski Valley Community Band at BPOE ballroom, 228 Market St.
• 7 p.m.: Mingle on Market with Magic and the Hot Metal Brass Band.
Friday
• 4 to 8 p.m.: Car show at Christ the King Church, DJ and food trucks, 125 Park Road.
• 6 p.m.: Bar crawl of Leechburg sponsored by Cat Crusaders begins at Sharp Shooters, 118 Third St.
• 7 p.m.: Catfish tournament begins at Leechburg Riverfront Park, continues to 7 a.m. Saturday.
• 8 p.m.: Leechburg High School Class of 1975 reunion, 135 River Ave. Dance opens to public at 8 p.m.
Saturday
• 10 a.m.: Anything that Floats race begins at Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. boat ramp, 268 Canal St. Race ends at Leechburg Riverfront Park kayak launch; awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
• Noon: Hot dog eating contest, Leechburg Riverfront Park.
• 1 p.m.: Amber and Alexia perform at the Leechburg Riverfront Park gazebo; food trucks at event.
• 6 p.m.: Parade on Market Street.
• 8 p.m.: Drone show and closing ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Field, 151 Logan Ave.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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