Monday, September 11th, 2023
Utility 13 handled traffic control at the scene of a no injury MVA in the 3000 BLK Tyrone Pike (SR 350) in Rush Twp. Utility 13 operated for one hour with 7 volunteers.
Monday, September 4th, 2023
Call # 47. Box 13-10.Engine Rescue 13 assisted a homeowner with a controlled burn on Oak St in Rush Twp.
Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
Call # 46. 9/2/23. 05:55 hours.Box 13-10Landing ZoneSandy Ridge BallfieldEngine Rescue 13 established a landing zone at the request of EMS for LifeFlight 2. Company 13 operated for a little under 1 ho...
Friday, September 1st, 2023
Call # 45. 9/1/23.Box 13-20MVATYRONE PIKE @ FIRETOWER RD, RUSH TWP.While at the controlled burn, Engine Rescue 13 was alerted for a MVA with injuries. Upon arrival of EMS, found one vehicle off the ro...
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
The 2023 Homecoming 50/50 Winner in the amount of $3,234 is Val Moore of Sandy Ridge! Congratulations!!
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
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Pictured are the 2023 Homecoming chinese Auction winners along with the ground prizes which consisted of a 65" smart TV, Blackstone grill, and a gas fire pit.We thank everyone for their support o...
Wednesday, July 12th, 2023
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Over the past 3 years, we have been in the process of updating our structural firefighting turnout gear as ours was over the recommended NFPA replacement date of 10 years. We have purchased 7 sets of ...
Friday, June 2nd, 2023
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We would like to congratulate PO graduate Brady Lewis. He had completed his Essentials of Firefighting and his National Registry EMT before graduation. We want to wish him all the best in his pathway ...
Sandy Ridge History

Sandy Ridge was founded as brickyard town mainly because of the abundant quantity and quality of the clay.  The current Sandy Ridge was originaly made up of Powelton, Retort and Sandy Ridge.  During it's boom era in the early to mid 1900's, there were 2 brickyards, 3 post offices, 3 general stores, school, a shoe store, a movie theatre, and a skate rink.  During it's prime, the Sandy Ridge Brickyard, was producing the most bricks in the country; second only to Star Works of Pittsburgh. Most of the early houses in town were "company houses" which is why most had similar appearances.

In 1879, W.J. Jackson leased a track of land in the area known as Powellton which he continued a coal mining operation. The mine extended into the mountain 1.25 miles which yielded 4400 tons of coal monthly. Mr jackson employed 75-80 men at his year round mine. Also he began manufacturing brick. The "excellant" quality clay was mined about a mile away and was taken to the brick yard by tram. At this time, there were 48 tenements in Powelton. At that time, the village contained the company store, school and church.

 

Sandy Ridge Schoolhouse around 1948.

Sandy Ridge School students approx 1950.

Established in 1866, the Sandy Ridge brick works were established under the name of William R Miller. At the time, it was the most extensive enterprise of its kind, possibly in America. At the beginning of the operation, the daily brick yield was 4000 bricks daily. In August 1881, the 10 kilns were changed to the down draft pattern which yielded 25,000 brick daily and 7,500,000 for the year. This was to be the most of any brick yard in the country second only to Star Works of Pittsburgh. In "Sandy Ridge" at the time, there were 36 tenant houses for the workman. There was also a school, but no church. For worship, residents had to attend the Methodist Episcopal church in neighboring Powelton. Below is an artist rendition of the Sandy Ridge Brickyard.

Retort Brick Yard workers

 

 


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