Marker # 11 Yough Motors, Bands & Confectionary

Quincy Murphy built the Yough Motor Company in the early 1900’s as a full service auto repair shop offering parts and painting. Quincy’s sons Ralph and Robert worked in the business as mechanics and the whole family lived upstairs in the apartments.

Quincy built the brick building next door for their new confectionary business and he and his wife Mary Martha moved into the apartment upstairs. The Confectionery
featured sweets and a classic soda fountain ambience with many a town romance beginning at its counter.

The town’s first bandstand was located at a forgotten spot called Oak Grove. When the railroad came to town, townspeople moved the bandstand down to the railroad tracks for a huge celebration to greet the first train. It was then moved to where the Post Office is now, then finally beside Yough Motors. Quincy Murphy placed speakers on the roof and it became a popular town gathering place to listen to the news, special events and most importantly to KDKA and the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games.

Most of the storefronts in town had benches for the old timers to sit on and pass their time talking and watching the townspeople go by.

Quincy Murphy towing a steam powered thresher. The band stand can be seen beside the Yough Motors Building.