Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! There is so much to look forward to in the new year at Historic Fort Steuben. And with that said, it is also good to look to the past too. Below is my latest "History in the Hills" article that appeared in the Sunday, January 5th, 2025, Steubenville Herald Star and the Weirton Daily Times. Enjoy the look at Steubenville in the past-
Just a few days ago, we ushered in 2025. I didn’t do much to be honest on New Year’s Eve. My wife and I spent the evening at home with our son Paul and watched some coverage of the events going on in Times Square. Life with small children makes it impossible to go out to celebrate the New Year like we did years ago, but that’s ok. I am quite content to stay right at home with those I love and welcome the new year together. At New Years eve, I always get more nostalgic than I already am, and I find myself reflecting on the previous year or years that have gone by. For this column, I thought it would be cool to do just that-look back on the news at New Years of the past. Thankfully I have access to the Steubenville Herlad Star through the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County which greatly aids my research.
On December 31, 1924, issues surrounding prohibition were newsworthy, and boy do they make for interesting reading. Steubenville in the 1920s was quite the place. According to the Steubenville Hearld Star in their last edition of 1924, headlines read “City Police Gassed in Raid on North Fourth Street “Booze Fortress.” According to the article, during a raid on what was described as the king of the city’s liquor dispensaries on North Fourth Street in Steubenville, four men, two police officers, and two dry agents were gassed with deadly chemicals that were admitted through a hole in a brick wall behind in which was a speakeasy. The article states that the gas was similar to gases used in the first World War. Luckily for the police and dry agents, when the gas was dispensed, the men ran out into the street before they had been affected. After about 20 minutes, the officials again began to force entry into the illegal speakeasy by using a sledgehammer to break down a brick wall adjacent to an iron door that was the entrance. While the wall was being demolished, the door was opened from the inside and officials rushed in. Unfortunately for them, no alcohol was found but officials reported that they could still hear the booze running down the drain. Two men were inside the room, but no arrests were made.
There were, however, four other successful booze raids that were made that same night. Eight federal agents quietly entered the city and raided other speakeasys and nine arrests were made. In one establishment they found 192 cases of beer, two dozen bottles to a case; 10 and a half quarts of colored whiskey; 10 quarts of moonshine; 2 gallons of gin; 120 gallons of homebrew while in fermentation. All of this was destroyed. The speakeasys were located all downtown Steubenville, one being on Market and Sixth street; South Sixth street; Lower Market Steet; and finally, one in the rear of a building on Market St fronting on the alley between Market and Washington. At this establishment they broke down the door and destroyed the liquor. All nine men spent the night in jail while the dry agents spent their night at the Fort Steuben Hotel.
Not all the news from 100 years ago was as exciting as liquor raids and dry agents. There were quite a few interesting advertisements from the leading business establishments of the day such as the Hub, Munkers, and Sulzbachers. At Sulzbacher, one could find a dress skirt for $3.95, an electric Iron for $2.95, or a whole China dinner service for 12 for $29.98. One could also get a deal for glasses, both frames and lenses, for $5 at Reichblum’s located at 438 Market Street. For furniture, stop by the Hoover-Phillips Company for the very best deals. A new bedroom set of three pieces would set you back $114. Or stop in at May and Leopold. At the Strand theater at the new year, one could see the film “West of the Water Tower.” At the Rex, stop in to see “The Hook and Ladder.” And at the Victoria Theater, see “Mind over Motor” for .55 cents at the evening show. If one was in the market for an automobile, stop and see the friendly folks at the Fort Steuben Motor Company located at 206-220 North Third Street for a new Studebaker Light-Six Coupe-Roadster for $1,195, or if you want something bigger, see the new Hudson sedan for $1,895 at M.E. Ryder Motor Company located at 519 Logan St. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation calculator, the new Hudson cost more than $34,500 in today’s money. There were also a number of quality used vehicles at the Nash Brandt Company on Bellview Blvd.
Looking to the Herald Star 50 years later on January 1, 1975, headlines moved far from dry agents and prohibition troubles to those related to the Watergate Trial. Proving that things never change though is the opinion from the paper on page four describing 1974, “Steubenville felt the weight of inflation in higher prices for food and other items as was general everywhere. Housing starts were fewer, interest rates were high and sale of high-priced items such as automobiles were down.” Other achievements in 1974 were the beginning of the construction of the Joint Vocational High School, the opening of the Fort Steuben Mall, and plans were readied for the development of Third street by the Downtown Business Association. New for 1975, were the plans for the Route 22 bypass but, plans for the new bridge were on hold. Over 1,000 students were enrolled at Jeff Tech. At Beatty Park, a new pool was planned, and an ice rink and tennis courts were suggested at Bellview. Hopes were high for a prosperous 1975.
I don’t know about you, but my hopes are high for 2025 too. Spending time with my family at home this New Years eve was the perfect occasion to reflect on the past and hope for better days to come in this new year. May 2025 be the best year yet.