100 Years Ago, 1925: It was learned this morning from an authoritative source that a nationally known automobile tire company will come to Chester and operate a plant here employing several thousand men. On Thursday last, Minot Hill, of Philadelphia, purchased from the Delaware County Trust Company, the old Vulcan works property at the foot of Reaney streets in the 10th Ward for $150,000.
75 Years Ago, 1950: Parkside Council on Wednesday night approved without dissent a petition presented by 18 Brookhaven homeowners asking to be incorporated into Parkside Borough. The petition contained 22 names, the occupants of 18 houses. A similar petition will be presented to Brookhaven Council when that body meets on Monday. If that borough falls in line with the request, then there will remain the mere formality of getting the stamp of approval of the county courts, according to Edward D. McLaughlin, Parkside solicitor. The area involved in the petition is bounded by West Elbon Road, Arlington Road, Upland Road and the Upland borough line. The section is a tongue extending out of Brookhaven into the heart of Parkside.
50 Years Ago, 1975: Even the weatherman cooperated on Saturday to help make Cardinal O’Hara High School’s third annual Life-a-Thon a day to be remembered by participants, teachers and moderators alike. Almost 1,200 students took part in marathon bike rides, basketball, baseball and volleyball games, just to mention a few.
25 Years Ago, 2000: St. James High School Alumni Association members last night prayed for Cardinal John O’Connor of New York, the former St. James High School priest/teacher who went on to become a close ally of the pope. The oldest active U.S. bishop, who has been ailing since brain surgery last summer, died last night. He was 80. Besides teaching at the former high school in Chester for six years after his ordination in 1945, O’Connor was in residence at St. Gabriel’s Parish in Norwood. Joseph Giampalmi, editor of the St. James’ Alumni newsletter, The Bark, said several alumni prayed for the ailing cardinal during a newsletter meeting at Our Lady of Charity Church hall in Brookhaven.
10 Years Ago, 2015: Environmental Protection Agency on-site coordinator Richard Rupert confirmed Monday that EPA is testing samples of oil, water and stained soil taken from the former McCandless Fuels property in Havertown. The agency expects results to be available later in the week or early next week, Rupert said. The site is currently undergoing redevelopment as a residential subdivision, although the owner voluntarily suspended construction pending test results, Rupert said.
— COLIN AINSWORTH
