Carol Dietrich Ripper

Monaca Carol Dietrich Ripper

Monaca is a Beaver County river town located 25 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded by dissidents of the Harmony Society in 1832. Their New Philadelphia Society lasted less than two years, but many settlers stayed and laid the foundation for the community they named Phillipsburg. In 1892, the name of the town was changed to Monaca in honor of the Iroquois chief Monacatootha. Monaca will take readers on a journey down memory lane to visit businesses such as Hahn and Reno Furniture, Callaghans Pharmacy, Balamut Electric Shop, Frank's Place, Graters Dairy Bar, Heckman's Hardware Store, M. W. Carey Grocer, and H. C. Weirich Bakery. The town's rich history is relived with stories about its churches, schools, hotels, bridges, and people. In 1892, the Phoenix Glass Company began production; it would survive four devastating fires and become part of Anchor Hocking Glass Company. These stories and many others are waiting to be told in Monaca.