Headlines

• Summerfest Ball

• Great Portage Yard Sale

• Museum Update

• Rivoli Theater

• First Summit Bank Donation

• Freight Station Gift

• Grass Cutting

First Summit Bank Donation

The Historical Society Committee would like to thank First Summit Bank for a $10.00 donation for the Great Portage Yard Sale. They sent a check for an ad but it didn't arrive until the dale of the sale. When contacted and the situation was explained to them, they said we could keep the money as a donation.

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Freight Station Gift

Mr. Gene Stepp has given the Portage Area Historical Society a wonderful gift, the building commonly known as the "Old Freight Station." It stands on the eastern side of Main Street, next to the railroad track. The small building was the first real train station in Portage and was constructed in 1861. That same year, a water reservoir and a wood shed were built nearby for the use of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

By 1876 the station was accommodating passengers, who were mostly people wanting to move to Portage to work in the coal mines. The building was enlarged, and continued to be used for unloading freight even after the brick depot was built on Lee Street in 1926-27.

Mr. Stepp's generous gift was given with the hope that the station will be preserved and perhaps restored as a piece of Portage's history. There are many interesting possibilities for ways to use the building, but no plans have been made, as yet.

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Grass Cutting

The Committee of the Portage Area Historical Society would like to thank Chuck Adams for volunteering to mow the grass around the newly acquired freight station. Don't forget to thank Chuck the next time you see him.

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