Peters Township Public Library - Historic Images and Documents Collection

Photograph of the Crest Theatre sign at Donaldson’s Crossroads. The theater opened on May 27, 1964, and closed on May 21, 1989. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Diary of Rachel Ann Bell during her residence in Peters Township. A relative of the Roach family, Rachel Ann was born on January 18, 1844, and died on April 22, 1926. The youngest of six children, she never married, living with her mother until the latter’s death in 1886. Diary entries focus on domestic activities, such as baking, washing and sewing; social, civic and recreational activities; and church attendance. There are frequent mentions of weather conditions and Rachel’s health. A few pages document expenditures for items such as fabric, sewing supplies, clothing and stamps. Interleaved are newspaper clippings of a marriage announcement and a religious poem about death. Title supplied by Contributing Institution.

Photograph of the Donaldson family homestead in 1900. The home was located on the northwest corner of Donaldson’s Crossroads, i.e., the intersection of U.S. Route 19 (Washington Road) and McMurray Road. Pictured left to right: Kathryn Donaldson, Robert N. Donaldson and Walter E. Donaldson. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Photograph of Donaldson siblings (left to right) Nancy, Richard and Patricia perched on the back of an automobile. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Photograph of U.S. Route 19 (Washington Road) looking north from Donaldson’s Crossroads, which is where the route intersects McMurray Road. The Cheeseman home sits to the left of the route, which cut the family’s farm in two. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Photograph of the south end of Donaldson’s Crossroads Shopping Center in 1963-1964. A Murphy Mart (subsequently Ames) later anchored the south end. Ultimately, Giant Eagle expanded into the space. Note the telegraph lines overhead. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Photograph of the southeast corner of Donaldson’s Crossroads, i.e., the intersection of U.S. Route 19 (Washington Road) and McMurray Road. At the corner is Pleasant Valley Service Station. To the left, in the red house, is Twin Pines Realty. To the right is a Mobil Service Station and Vitte’s Hardware. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Photograph of Donaldson’s Service Station in the early 1900s. The station was located on the northeast corner of Donaldson’s Crossroads, i.e., the intersection of U.S. Route 19 (Washington Road) and McMurray Road. Pictured are Jim Boone (left) and Walter E. Donaldson. Caption on back reads, “First service station at Donaldson’s Crossroads.” Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.

Journal created by Dr. David Miller Anderson to record financial transactions related to his medical practice in Venetia, Pennsylvania, from 1875 through 1891. Entries consist of the names of the heads of the households visited, the date of each visit and the amounts charged, including for medication. Many patients are not named, but are referred to instead according to their relationship, e.g., wife, child or uncle, to the head of household. Occasional mentions are made of the conditions treated. Title supplied by Contributing Institution.

Photograph of Elmer Schultz on a tractor he built. He’s in front of the house built in Thompsonville by his father-in-law, Matt Micklege. Title supplied by Contributing Institution. Creator unknown.