The Historical Society of Tacony

04/14/2026

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...the Home and School Association of Hamilton Disston Elementary School, once the largest such group in the United States, had a very active "Plays and Players" acting troupe. This image from the auditorium shows a glimpse of the curtain call for a production of "Time In," a comedy in two acts about a fictional television station known as WTNT. The performances were held on April 28th and 29th, 1955 and starred, among others, Helen Soehle, Al Nicol and Al Gorman.

04/08/2026

Looking forward to another great day full of local history! Don't miss the Northeast Philadelphia HIstory Fair this Saturday!

The Northeast Philadelphia History Fair is this Saturday, April 11th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Canstatter's, 9130 Academy Rd, Phila, PA, 19114.

Dozens of historical organizations and historic sites will have displays and there will be a film presentation by Sam Katz and a presentation on Northeast Philadelphia and the Declaration of Independence by Jack McCarthy.

The event is free and open to all, with plenty of free parking available.

Hope to see you there!

03/12/2026

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY....it was March 27th, 1911, when a fierce and devastating hurricane tore through Tacony and surrounding areas, inflicting severe damage to many buildings and trees, even taking the life of a Tacony man. Longtime residents of the area talked about the storm for years after the event, and photographs of the destruction were used in print advertisements for insurance companies. Seen here in the southeast corner of Tacony, is a strip of homes called "Gillinder's Row,"named for its proximity to the Gillinder Glass Works. This postcard view shows the easterly side of State Road, south of Levick Street, looking in a southerly direction. At the time, the Glass Works employed about 225 people at the Tacony plant, and was known worldwide for the quality and craftsmanship of its glass products.

02/18/2026

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...On February 14th, 1919, a mass meeting of the citizens of Tacony was held by the Tacony Community Service Association at Henry Disston Memorial Public School, seen here, which was located directly across from Mary Disston Public School along Longshore Avenue between Ditman and Glenloch Streets. The purpose of the meeting was to ascertain whether or not the citizens desired a community center. The Association's Committee on Invitation and Publicity did such a thorough job that nearly 1,000 residents, including children, were in attendance. Serving on that committee were civic leaders H***n Rubin and Albert Uhl. At the meeting, F.B. Barnes, of the Federal Commission on Living Conditions, presented a slide show on the work of community centers in other cities. There was not a dissenting vote in the audience, and William D. Disston was swiftly elected chairman. In just over a decade, the community would see the Disston Recreation Center built on the school's opposite corner at Glenloch Street and Longshore Avenue. The Henry Disston School was demolished after the construction of Hamilton Disston School in 1923. The site remained vacant for a time until the rowhomes were built which exist today. The only remnant of the school that remains to this day is its rear section of wrought iron fencing that extends from Glenloch Street to Ditman Street along the rear of the rowhome lots

01/18/2026

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...Seen here is the cover of the January 1918 issue of Disston "Bits" - a Monthly Magazine of Inside Stuff. Published by Henry Disston & Sons Inc., its first issue was published in July, 1917 during World War I and was distributed to all employees. Intended to foster cameraderie among the workers and enhance company pride, the magazine featured inspirational stories from the war, notes and gossip from various shops including the file company, machine shop and steel works and coverage of events held in Tacony including some held by the Disston-sponsored Tacony Fathers' Association. There were also stories and box scores from various Tacony Athletic Association and Disston factory soccer and baseball teams as well as letters from Disston boys fighting in the war overseas. This issue features on the cover an 1815 quote from Henry Clay, an American peacemaker who helped put an end to the War of 1812. The magazine ceased publication by 1922.

12/17/2025

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...On December 24th, 1919, into the 25th, was held one of Tacony's most spirited and meaningful community celebrations. With World War I having officially ended that summer, a Christmas Festival was held at Tacony Library staged by the Community Service Association and Tacony Father's Association for the purpose of "ushering in the Yuletide in a manner that would imbue the citizens of the town with the spirit of 'Peace on earth, good will toward men.' "

A throng of citizens began arriving around 11:00 PM and were entertained by the George W. Tryan Band. Event chairman John Glenn introduced Frank Stowman, who conducted the singing with attendees singing a variety of Christmas carols including "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Silent Night." A few minutes before midnight the chairman suggested a brief silent prayer as "an appropriate prelude to the break of another Christmas Day." Silence took hold and men removed their hats, and just before midnight a button was pressed, with an electric current illuminating 350 colored lights on the immense Christmas tree in the northeast corner of the library lawn. The tree was "indeed a beautiful sight and elicited many expressions of admiration and commendation."

Several more carols followed, including "Joy to the World." The crowd continued to hum Christmas carols as it made it way home in various directions, "unanimously conceding that the object of the occasion had been attained." Seen here is a view of Tacony Library at Knorr Street and Torresdale Avenue not long after its construction in 1906, built with funding by Andrew Carnegie on a plot of land donated by the Disston family. (as reported in "Disston Bits" magazine.)

11/19/2025

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...Saint Leo the Great Parish was founded in 1884 when Pastor Joseph Strahan held worship services inside a house for the non-German speaking Catholics who were living in Tacony. In 1885, the basement level of the church and original portion of the rectory were built. The church was not officially dedicated until November 24,1895 at a poignant ceremony presided over by Archbishop Patrick Ryan. Sadly, the church building was destroyed by fire in 2021. Seen here are the church and rectory circa 1910.

11/10/2025

The semi-annual general meeting of the Historical Society of Tacony will be held on Monday, November 17th at 6:30 PM on the lower level of Holy Innocents - Saint Paul's Episcopal Church at 7001 Torresdale Avenue. Guest speakers from the Ben Franklin chapter of the National Sojourners Club will make a presentation about the history and significance of the American flag. A display of the Society's collection of images related to Tacony pride and patriotism will also be presented. All are invited to attend and consider supporting the organization as a member. Seen here is a caravan of classic cars proudly displaying their American flags in the 2012 Tacony History Day parade.

10/20/2025

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...It was 106 years ago on October 6 in 1919 that the Disston Saw Works lost one of its most legendary employees when James B. Stowman passed away (seen above). He worked at the Saw Works for 45 years, starting in 1874. He first served at the Front Street and Laurel factory as chief watchman, later moving to the Tacony plant in the same capacity. He was memorialized in the "Disston Bits" magazine as follows: "Mr. Stowman for many years was an active member of the Disston Keystone Beneficial Association, devoting much of his spare time in the up-building of this organization, to which a great deal of its success is due. Quiet and dignified in manner, honest and sincere in his methods, ever present at his accustomed task, he will be greatly missed by the employees of the establishment."

09/17/2025

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY...There wasn't a cloud in the sky as the neighborhood celebrated Tacony History Day on Saturday, September 15th, 2012. Seen here are members of the Ferko String Band making their way up Torresdale Avenue, where the History Day Parade would ultimately conclude near Disston Recreation Center. This is where the Disston Festival was held immediately after the parade. The day featured rides, contests, food and games, a large indoor history exhibit and a performance by Tommy Conwell.

08/16/2025

THIS MONTH IN TACONY HISTORY....Built in 1869, the first church in Tacony was for the congregation of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church. Located at the corner of Washington Avenue (today's Disston Street) and Wissinoming Street, it was consecrated by Bishop Stevens on August 22, 1872. The congregation continued to grow as Tacony's population increased; however industrial uses began to permeate the surrounding area. Worship service continued until April, 1898 when the congregation opened a new facility at the corner of Vandike Street and Tyson Avenue. For nearly twenty years, the church building was used for a variety of purposes, including a school. The property was ultimately sold to Star of Hope Baptist Church, which performed its first services there in May, 1918 after organizing the previous year. This congregation would spend over forty years at this location before being forced to move due to the construction of Interstate 95, forcing the demolition of the building in 1959.