Arcadia Publishing’s newest addition to its Images of America series, celebrating the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country, is Millvale, by Bill Stout ’73 and his cousin Jean Domico.
Located three miles up the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh, Millvale was built along the valley formed by the creek called Girty’s Run. Named after the iron mill of Graff, Bennett & Co., the “mill in the valley,” Millvale, attracted hardworking German, Irish, and Slavic immigrants. Many of Millvale’s immigrants created their own small businesses and social organizations, such as the Baeuerlein Brewing Company and St. Anthony’s Music and Benevolence Society. They built schools and churches, including St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church, internationally famous for its Maxo Vanka murals.
Prussian brothers Anton and Andrew Kloman established a small forge and made superior railroad axles. Needing capital to expand, the brothers turned to Thomas Miller, Henry Phipps, and Andrew Carnegie as partners, which brought about the start of Pittsburgh’s steel industry.
This is the first book dedicated to the history of the Borough of Millvale. Using more than 220 images, including period maps and period items, the 128-page book tells the story of Millvale from the early 1800s to present.
The authors were born and raised in Millvale of grandfathers who were brothers who emigrated from Austria-Hungary in the early 1900s. After pursuing various and varying careers in government and business fields, the authors recently returned to Millvale in retirement. A 2002 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Bill now serves on Millvale’s seven-member governing council. Jean is involved in glass making and serves as a docent at Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center.
Their book is available through major retailers.