Vindicator file photo | Edward A. Shuba


June 5, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Vindicator file photo | Edward A. Shuba

A $3 million fire swept through the Joy Manufacturing Co.’s No. 3 pant in Franklin, Pa., 50 years ago, almost to the day. The fire was fought by nine companies from nearby communities and was described as the worst in Franklin’s history. Smoke could be seen in Oil City, nine miles away. About 100 employees worked at the plant producing precision machinery such as cutters used in coal mining.