Author Description

From the rear cover of this 262 page book: "A little more than a century ago, a man of character and vision planted the seeds of his dream in a valley near a small river in southwestern Pennsylvania. The fruit of his dreams still proclaim his name from every corner of 'The Workingman's Paradise'. The investments which he made, not only in the town's industry but in the townspeople themselves, lives on in a unique spirit of excellence, unity, and community pride. His dream produced a unique marriage between two very traditionally separate forces in society: industry and labor. In a time when most steel towns were nothing more than a cluster of ramshackle homes along muddy streets, McMurtry was planning a monument to Victorian architecture and modern landscaping ideals. This is also the story of an industry and community married through time to the same ideals. It is the history of a town moving through generations without losing its heart. It is a testimonial to those who seized the opportunity brought about by McMurtry's ideals and who, like McMurtry, believed that greater things could be obtained through investment into the lives of others. There is a spirit about this town called Vandergrift. You can hear it whispering through its beautiful trees every Spring. It wraps around you like a warm blanket in Summer. It floats heavy in the Autumn air and glimmers across the snow covered lawns in Winter. It seems a place of destiny. It carries that spirit of 'something better than the best'." Also included are many black and white photos and illustrations.