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East Falls Historical Society
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  • Oral Histories
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    • Oral Histories
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  • Home
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  • Events
  • Explore
    • Oral Histories
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    • Daisy Quilt

Oral Histories - Page 1

Browse and click on a photo to read the interview.


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CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 2

Mary Cashman

Paul and Freddie Costello

Paul and Freddie Costello

Born in 1925, Mary moved to Eveline Street in East Falls in 1947 and never moved. Interview focuses on St. Bridget Church, stores along Ridge and Midvale Avenues. 

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Paul and Freddie Costello

Paul and Freddie Costello

Paul and Freddie Costello

Interview with John Costello and his wife Freddie,  John was an  American triple Olympic Gold Medal winner in 

rowing, who grew up in East Falls and rowed with his cousin John B. Kelly, Sr.

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Ella Boyd McGlynn

Paul and Freddie Costello

Ella Boyd McGlynn

Born in 1893 in East Falls, Ella gives vivid descriptions of stores, institutions, medical care, and people of of East Falls past, including the Dobsons, Kellys, and Hohenadels

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Mary Webster

The Kelly Sisters

Ella Boyd McGlynn

 Mary describes working at Dobson  Mills, talks of the Dobson family, and shares memories of Forest School,  doctors, and life in East Falls. 

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Mae Mohr

The Kelly Sisters

The Kelly Sisters

Mae gives memories of Falls Presbyterian Church, her involvement with Old Academy Players, and the Stetson Hat Factory.

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The Kelly Sisters

The Kelly Sisters

The Kelly Sisters

Entertaining interview with the sisters of Grace Kelly reminiscing about their growing up in East Falls. 

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Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes

Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes

Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes

These animated Nancys talk about growing up on West Queen Lane - playing, shopping, exploring, school.


Nancy Berman shares memories of her grandfather's business - Turner Funeral Home at Ridge and Midvale.

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Robert Connolly

Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes

Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes

 Born on Calumet Street, Robert lived in four East Falls locations.

This unique “interview” contains six years of email correspondence in 

which Robert writes vivid, detailed reminiscences of Woodside Park (where his father worked), the Bathey, Breck School, Falls Library, Dutch Hollow, Fourth of July, stores, recreation, and more.

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Theresa (Altomare) Corcoran

Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes

Theresa (Altomare) Corcoran

Born in 1923, Theresa grew up and raised her family in East Falls. Highlights of her interview include: Stanton Street, St. Bridget, the Depression, Irish and Italian immigrants 

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Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm

Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm

Theresa (Altomare) Corcoran

 Memories of two sisters growing up in East Falls, including their recollections of Dobson Mills. 

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Ruth Emmert

Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm

Five Fishes on the River

Ruth  recalls, with humor, coming to East  Falls as a bride in 1926 and details a typical day for a  housewife, Prohibition years, hucksters, and her involvement with Old Academy Players - especially her memories of Grace Kelly. 

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Five Fishes on the River

Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm

Five Fishes on the River

Tom Williams and Keith Shively give the background of the 

installation of the Five Fishes sculpture, located along the Schuylkill River in East Falls.

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Eileen Flynn (Left) and Nancy Ann Sullivan (Right)

Eileen Flynn (Left) and Nancy Ann Sullivan (Right)

Eileen Flynn (Left) and Nancy Ann Sullivan (Right)

 Lifetime residents of East Falls, these sisters share memories of St. Bridget Church, local stores, WWII rationing, and more. 

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Robert Freed

Eileen Flynn (Left) and Nancy Ann Sullivan (Right)

Eileen Flynn (Left) and Nancy Ann Sullivan (Right)

 Robert shares his memories of Old Academy Players. 

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Daniel Furman

Eileen Flynn (Left) and Nancy Ann Sullivan (Right)

Daniel Furman

Daniel’s descriptive memories of growing up in East Falls focus on recreation, sports – especially rowing, and church picnics 

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Stan Gorski

Louise Halstead

Daniel Furman

 Stan Gorski, Director, Paul J. Gutman Library at Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University), gives the history of the significant buildings on 

the campus.

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Edith Gotwols

Louise Halstead

Louise Halstead

Interview focuses on Edith’s involvement with Old Academy Players and the Falls Presbyterian Church. 

She received an honorary plaque from Old Academy in 2014  

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Louise Halstead

Louise Halstead

Louise Halstead

Interviewed at age 99 in 1981, Louise shares her memories of 

working in Dobson Mills, attending Forest School (photo), and reminiscing about 

her father, who was a lamplighter.

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Herb Henze

Elizabeth Jeffords

Elizabeth Jeffords

  Herb talks about growing up in East Falls during WWII – rationing, etc. He also gives an absorbing account of his business -Penn Fishing Tackle Mfg. Co (“Penn Reels”).

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Elizabeth Jeffords

Elizabeth Jeffords

Elizabeth Jeffords

  This great-great grandchild of John Dobson gives her perspective of the extended Dobson family as well as Dobson Mills and its English roots. 

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Robert Levy

Elizabeth Jeffords

Robert Dagney

 These two interviews focus on Mr. Levy’s career and family, his uncle, William S. Paley (founder of CBS), his father Leon Levy, Frank Sinatra’s wedding to Ava Gardner, his friendship with the Kelly family, and how the Levy/Paley mansions became

part of Jefferson University.

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Robert Dagney

Godfrey "Fred" Ford

Robert Dagney

Bob Dagney, a third generation Fallser, reminisces about his family, St. Bridget's, the old neighborhood, and his experiences in Viet Nam 

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Godfrey "Fred" Ford

Godfrey "Fred" Ford

Godfrey "Fred" Ford

Godfrey "Fred" Ford is the grandson of Godfrey Ford ("Fordie"), chauffeur for the Kelly family for many years. Fred would often help his grandfather in the Kelly household. In this interview, Ford shares anecdotes of the Kellys and reflects on the impact his grandfather, and the Kellys, had on him.

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Catherine McBeth

Godfrey "Fred" Ford

Godfrey "Fred" Ford

 Catherine, a third generation Fallser, talks about St. Bridget, playing on Netherfield, and local stores. 

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Lorraine Brown

Jean Buckley (right, with sister Arelene)

Jean Buckley (right, with sister Arelene)

In 1953, Lorraine and her family moved to Abbottsford Homes, federally built housing in East Falls primarily for military employees and veterans.

Lorraine describes the camaraderie of the residents and her memories of Abbottsford's transition to low income public housing.

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Jean Buckley (right, with sister Arelene)

Jean Buckley (right, with sister Arelene)

Jean Buckley (right, with sister Arelene)

Born in 1920 on Cresson Street, Jean also lived on Indian Queen, New Queen, Netherfield and Vaux Streets.

Jean shares memories of her youth in East Falls, the Falls Methodist Church, and her role as a local air raid warden in WWII.

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David McClenahan

Jean Buckley (right, with sister Arelene)

Robert McClenahan

 A lifetime resident of East Falls, Dave’s interview focuses on Falls Presbyterian Church and Mifflin School

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Robert McClenahan

Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin

Robert McClenahan

 Bob reminisces about his childhood activities in East Falls, Mifflin School, and Falls Presbyterian Church

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Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin

Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin

Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin

  

Alexis Franklin, founder of the Friends of McMichael Park, talks  about the formation of the Friends and activities and maintenance in the park. 

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Jack McNicholas

Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin

Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin

 Raised in East Falls and a postman here, Jack shares memories of sports, D-Day, local stores and factories, the Beneficial Club, golf, and more. 

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Eileen Furlong

Gerald (Jerry) Porto

Eileen Furlong

Born in England in 1923, Eileen recalls crossing to Canada during WWII and moving to East Falls after marrying attorney Joe Furlong. She describes her life here, from owning a Midvale doughnut shop to becoming a legal secretary.  

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Joe Petrone

Gerald (Jerry) Porto

Eileen Furlong

 A lifelong Fallser, Joe entertains with lively anecdotes of wild childhood antics, descriptions of everything Falls, neighborhood changes, and his career with the Philadelphia Housing Authority. He knew the neighborhood intimately. 

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Gerald (Jerry) Porto

Gerald (Jerry) Porto

Harry Prime, Interview 1

Jerry Porto, born on Calumet Street in East Falls, talks about his life in East Falls – St. Bridget, Ridge Avenue, making wine at home.

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Harry Prime, Interview 1

Harry Prime, Interview 1

Harry Prime, Interview 1

Detailed, humorous memories by Big Band singer and Falls resident Harry Prime. Includes Kelly for Brickwork, Grace Kelly, John B. Kelly, Sr., holidays, Bathey, Clayton’s Market, more.

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Harry Prime, Interview 2

Harry Prime, Interview 1

Harry Prime, Interview 2

Photo: Harry at 95

After his failed attempt to be a baseball player, Harry Prime pursued a singing career. Read about his musical influences and career path - the Jimmy Dorsey Band, the Chesterfield Radio Show, the Palladium - and the impact on his person

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Alice Reiff

Harry Prime, Interview 1

Harry Prime, Interview 2

Alice has lived on Ridge Avenue since 1948, witnessing changes in the shopping and housing (Schuylkill Falls). She also talks of her involvement with Inn Yard Park, Tree Tenders, and Arbor Day. 

Learn more
CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 2

Name Index

Interviewees and links to other East Falls Names


Click here Altomare, Theresa ['Theresa (Altomare) Corcoran' interview]

Click here Arfaa , Anne 

Click here Berman, Nancy ['Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes' interview]

Click here  Bernhardt, Gerard 

Click here  Boyd McGlynn, Ella

Click here  Brown, Lorraine 

Click here  Buckley, Jean 

Click here   Camburn, Ruth

Click here  Cashman, Mary 

Click here Conlan, Peggy Kelly  ['The Kelly Sisters' interview]

Click here Connolly , Robert 

Click here Corcoran , Theresa 

Click here Costello, Freddie ['Paul and Freddie Costello' interview]

Click here Costello, Paul ['Paul and Freddie Costello' interview]

Click here Cote, Mary, MD

Click here  Dagney , Robert 

Click here Dobson Family ['Mary Webster' interview]

Click here  Dobson Family ['Elizabeth Jeffords' interview]

Click here Emmert , Ruth 

Click here  Fishes on the River , Five 

Click here  Flynn, Nancy ['Eileen Flynn and Nancy Ann Sullivan' interview]

Click here  Ford , Godfrey "Fred"  

Click here  Frances Joseph , Sister 

Click here Franklin, Alexis ['Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin' interview]

Click here  Freed , Robert 

Click here Furlong , Eileen 

Click here Furman, Daniel 

Click here Gorski , Stan 

Click here  Gotwols , Edith 

Click here Halstead , Louise 

Click here Henze , Herb 

Click here Holmes, Nancy ['Nancy Berman and Nancy Holmes' interview]

Click here  Horne , Tom 

Click here  Jeffords , Elizabeth

Click here Jenkins, Anne 

Click here  Kelly Family ['Robert Levy' interview]

Click here  Kelly Family ['Godfrey 'Fred' Ford' interview]

Click here  Kelly Family ['Harry Prime' interview]

Click here Kelly, John B, Sr.  ['Paul and Freddie Costello' interview]

Click here  Kelly, John B, Sr.  ['David West' interview]

Click here Kelly, Grace ['Ruth Emmert' interview]

Click here Kelly, Lizanne ['The Kelly Sisters' interview]

Click here Kelly, Peggy  ['The Kelly Sisters' interview]

Click here Krebs, Gus

Click here LeVine, Lizanne Kelly  ['The Kelly Sisters' interview]

Click here  Levy , Robert 

Click here  McBeth , Catherine 

Click here  McClenahan , David 

Click here  McClenahan , Robert 

Click here   McDermott, Loretta

Click here  McGlynn, Ella

Click here  McNicholas , Jack 

Click here Mohr , Mae 

Click here  Paley, Willam S. ['Robert Levy' interview]

Click here Petrone , Joe 

Click here  Porto , Gerald (Jerry)  

Click here  Prime , Harry - Interview 1

Click here Prime, Harry - Interview 2

Click here  Reiff , Alice 

Click here  Rock, Catherine (Kitty) and Joe  

Click here  Rowland , Jean 

Click here  Scarpello, Rachel ['Sister Frances Joseph' interview]

Click here  Shively, Keith ['Five Fishes on the River' interview]

Click here  Shronk , Shirley 

Click here  Sinatra, Frank ['Robert Levy' interview]

Click here  Snyder, Ph.D, , Lee 

Click here  Specter , Joan 

Click here  Specter, Arlen ['Joan Specter' interview]

Click here  Stamm , Grace ['Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm' interview]

Click here  Stamm, Hazel ['Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm' interview]

Click here Steinberg , Philip 

Click here  Straface, Emilio and Sandy  

Click here  Sullivan, Nancy Ann ['Eileen Flynn and Nancy Ann Sullivan' interview]

Click here  Webb , Dick 

Click here Webster , Mary 

Click here  Welsh Whitty, Rose 

Click here  West, David 

Click here  Williams, Tom ['Five Fishes on the River' interview]

Click here Woolley, Edna

Go To Place Index
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Place Index

Far from exhaustive, this only lists places that figured prominently in interviews.

  

Dobson Mills 

Click here Mary Webster 

Click here  Grace Davis & Hazel Stamm 

Click here Louise Halstead 

Click here  Elizabeth Jeffords 

Click here  Rose Welsh Whitty 


Falls Presbyterian Church

Click here Mae Mohr 

Click here  Edith Gotwols 

Click here  David McClenahan 

Click here  Robert McClenahan 

Click here  Dick Webb 


Falls United Methodist Church

Click here  Jean Buckley

Click here  Tom Horne 


Forest School 

Click here Mary Webster 

Click here Louise Halstead 


Jefferson University 

Click here Stan Gorski (Philadelphia University)

Click here  Robert Levy (Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science)

Click here  Lee Snyder, Ph. D (Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science)

Click here  Dick Webb (Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science)


Miflfin School 

Click here  David McClenahan 

Click here  Robert McClenahan 

Click here  Shirley Shronk 


Old Academy Players

Click here Mae Mohr 

Click here Ruth Emmert 

Click here  Robert Freed 

Click here  Edith Gotwols 


Parks  

Click here  Five Fishes on the River (Fairmont Park)

Click here Friends of McMichael Park - Alexis Franklin 

Click here  Alice Reiff (Inn Yard Park)

Click here  Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks (Gustine Lake)


Ravenhill  

Click here Anne Arfaa 

Click here  Sister Frances Joseph 


St. Bridget Church 

Click here  Mary Cashman

Click here  Eileen Flynn and Nancy Ann Sullivan

Click here  Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks 


St. Bridget School 

Click here  Jean Rowland 

Click here  Rose Welsh Whitty 


St. Bridget's (May refer to church, school, or both)

Click here  Robert Dagney 

Click here  Catherine McBeth 

Click here  Gerald (Jerry) Porto 


Women's Medical College

Click here Cote, Mary, MD

Go To Name Index
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