Donora

The industrial community of Donora was founded in 1901 on a bend of the Monongahela River, 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. The founding of Donora was the result of social, political, and economic interaction among elite and powerful capitalists. Andrew and Richard Mellon partnered with William H. Donner and Henry C. Frick to create the Union Improvement Company and build a mill, developing the surrounding municipality. In less than a year, the population of Donora quickly boomed from an original 12 residents to more than 4,000 inhabitants. The opportunity for employment drew people from all over the United States and Europe, generating a diverse community. Regardless of differences, the races, religions, and ethnic groups that settled in Donora shared a common value system based on education, hard work, and devotion to faith and family.

Charles E. Stacey, Brian Charlton, and David Lonich are all area residents and members of the Donora Historical Society. Since 1946, the Donora Historical Society has undertaken the task of collecting and preserving the borough’s rich history. The collection of photographs and documentation in Donora is a tribute to the historical society’s continuing work.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.