# Something you don't know about Pennsylvania **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 25, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056 "2004-05-25T20:47:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/21 "2004-05-26T14:11:25Z")
> [@](#): > > The day the Susquehanna River disappeared > > What’s the story here? [Here is one summary:](http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/mines/knox.htm) [Here is a more general link, with a good map of the PA coalfields](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/go_with_inspector/coalmine/Anthracite_Coal_Mining.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/22 "2004-05-26T14:11:26Z")
The world’s first oil well was drilled there. The world’s _second_ oil well was drilled there, & my ancestor was a partner in it. His father built what may have been Pennsylvania’s first steel foundry. (Don’t ask to borrow money; my family lost all its dough during a stock market collapse in the late 19th century.) ---
**Author:** ![brix11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@brix11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brix11)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/23 "2004-05-26T14:17:54Z")
Thanks for all the tips! > [@Little Nemo](#): > > Of the eight original states named after people, Pennsylvania was the only one named after an American. Actually, Pennsylvania (or “Penn’s Woods”) was named in honor of Sir William Penn, an English admiral whose son, also William, received a charter from Charles II for his father’s service to the crown. My guess is that Washington is the only state named for an American. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/24 "2004-05-26T14:29:43Z")
So, **brix11** , since you’re in the area, may we expect you at PA Dope? Robin ---
**Author:** ![brix11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@brix11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brix11)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/25 "2004-05-26T14:40:38Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > So, **brix11** , since you’re in the area, may we expect you at PA Dope? Alas, no, as I already have plans that day. Hope everyone has a good time though! ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/26 "2004-05-26T14:45:43Z")
> [@brix11](#): > > PA is a junk food mecca (Hershey’s, potato chips, pretzels, cheese steaks) Don’t forget about TastyKakes (Philly)! Mmmm butterscotch crimpets. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/27 "2004-05-26T17:27:57Z")
The first jeep (defined as a quarter-ton 4X4 reconaissance car) was designed and built in 1940 at the American Bantam plant in Butler, PA. Karl Probst was the engineer in charge of the project. Though they lost the government contract to build jeeps, American Bantam did build trailers for the jeeps; they’re considered to be quite valuable today. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/28 "2004-05-26T17:40:05Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Don’t forget about TastyKakes (Philly)! Mmmm butterscotch crimpets. Poseur! They’re Krimpets. Factoryville PA is the birthplace of original Hall of Famer [Christy Mathewson.](http://www.christymathewson.com/news.php) Zippos are made in Bradford, PA. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/29 "2004-05-26T19:43:36Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > Joe Montana and Stan Musial are both alumni of my high school. There probably aren’t too many high schools in America that can claim two Hall of Famers. Okay, help me out, then, will you? I know that now that whole area has been consolidated into the Ringgold district, but what school did they actually attend? I’m pretty sure that I’m remembering correctly that they’re both from Monongahela, so was it Monongahela High? ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/30 "2004-05-26T20:03:56Z")
I’m not from PA. I live in MA. Are there many technology jobs where you all live in PA? How much does real estate cost? (Can you tell I’m thinking about moving?) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/31 "2004-05-26T20:35:16Z")
> [@TeaElle](#): > > Okay, help me out, then, will you? I know that now that whole area has been consolidated into the Ringgold district, but what school did they actually attend? I’m pretty sure that I’m remembering correctly that they’re both from Monongahela, so was it Monongahela High? I’m a Ringgold grad. Since the consolidation, and the building of the “new” high school in 1979, both men are considered Ringgold alumni. Joe Montana graduated from the Monongahela High School, today the Monongahela Elementary Center. Stan Musial graduated from the (now closed) Donora High School. Incidentally, other athletes have also graduated from the school and its predecessors. Ken Griffey Sr. was in the class of 1969 (Donora High). Ken Griffey Jr. was actually born in Pennsylvania, while his parents still lived in Donora. Patriots fans probably remember Scott Zolak, Bledsoe’s backup QB. He graduated a year ahead of me. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Frank\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_2)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/32 "2004-05-26T20:53:48Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Are there many technology jobs where you all live in PA? How much does real estate cost? (Can you tell I’m thinking about moving?) There are tons of tech jobs in the Phila area. Try a search on any of the job-placement sites i.e. [monster.com](http://monster.com). Housing in southeast PA is anywhere from $100k to $250k for a decent sized house on a 1/4 - 1/2 acre, depending on the neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/33 "2004-05-27T01:38:01Z")
[Slinkies](http://www.slinkytoys.com/history.asp) come from Hollidaysburg, PA! ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/34 "2004-05-27T01:58:43Z")
I’ve been trying since this thread started to think of something worthwhile to say about Altoona, but I just can’t think of _anything_. Well we do have (I think) the oldest gas station still in existence in the country and of course, there’s the Horseshoe Curve, but every body knows about that since its “world famous” \ And then there was the big controversy when Al Roker insulted our Minor League baseball team’s mascot on national television. Oh, and local drug lore claims that Altoona was the Quaalude capital of the world in the 70s. Other than that… ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/35 "2004-05-27T02:44:47Z")
Bradford, Pennsylvania has been the home of the [url=http://www.zippo.com]Zippo\*\* lighter company since 1932, when it was founded. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/36 "2004-05-27T02:52:23Z")
And 2/3 of the time, I screw up URLs. ---
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/37 "2004-05-27T02:59:12Z")
**nitroglycerine** , that’s just sad. Here’s my random tidbit for Altoona: it’s where the main character Alex says she is originally from in _Flashdance_. Betcha didn’t remember that 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/38 "2004-05-27T04:04:49Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > My father’s from Pennsylvania. So’s mine. He grew up in Titusville, where the first oil wells were built. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/39 "2004-05-27T04:25:36Z")
> [@Magickly Delicious](#): > > **nitroglycerine** , that’s just sad. Here’s my random tidbit for Altoona: it’s where the main character Alex says she is originally from in _Flashdance_. Betcha didn’t remember that 😛 Haha…I didn’t know that. Remember the TV show that was set in Pittsburgh, Mr. Belvedere? Whenever they wanted to talk about a crappy town nearby, they’d always use Altoona. And George Burns made a joke about us when he guest starred on Alice. The Mishler Theater was one of his regular stops back in the day. We’re sorta famous for the [undercover drug bust](http://home.earthlink.net/~penmarpenguin/altoonaplayboy.htm) they had at the High School a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056/40 "2004-05-27T06:29:02Z")
Philadelphia claims to have the world’s only statue of [Charles Dickens](http://www.experiencepa.com/experiencepa/details.do;jsessionid=89526C5BF037F02A6003A35E0CFBAC70?name=Sculpture+of+Charles+Dickens). In his will, the writer had stipulated that no monuments be erected to his memory. The mounted body of Grip, Dickens’s pet raven, is on display at the [Philadelphia Free Library](http://www.angelfire.com/zine/digest/dinn.html). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-you-dont-know-about-pennsylvania/247056.md?page=3)