THE BOST HOUSE, FRANCIS CHRISTIAN BOST

The Bost Building in Homestead, Pennsylvania
The Bost Building, also known as Columbia Hotel, is located on East Eighth Avenue in Homestead, Pennsylvania. During the 1892 Homestead Strike, it was used as headquarters by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1999.

THE FAMILY OF FRANCIS CHRISTIAN BOST
Francis Christian Bost was the fifth child of Catherine (Renn) (BH-S) and Henry Bost (BH). He was born on the 13th of February, 1861 in Pennsylvania. He was baptised that year with Franciscus (Francis) Bost and Catharina (Catherine) Kunstler as god-parents.
Francis is listed on the Pennsylvania Census for the year 1870 in the village of Baldwin, Mifflin Township. (roll 1294) as being age 10. Called “Frank” by family and friends, he was a blacksmith by trade. In 1880 the census calls him a blacksmith and age 19. (PA Census, Vol 4, sheet 27, line 1 - ID# PA 4525098 Ancestry).
Frank maintained a blacksmith shop behind the Bost Building, which he and his brother William built. That site is now a National Historic Landmark.
According to the biography of Francis Bost, published in the “Memoirs of Allegheny County” (Pennsylvania), he had just finishing shoeing a horse and had mounted it, when hired gunmen of the Pinkerton Detective Agency stormed the area in search of people involved in the Homestead Strike of 1892. In the fracas Frank’s horse was killed under him. Enraged, Bost jumped from the dying animal and proceeded to overcome the Pinkerton man. In the process Frank grabbed the man’s billy club and beat him with his own weapon. That club is displayed in 2000 in the John Heinz History Center.
Frank Bost married a woman by the name of Leona.


LEONA ____________, ____________ (BH-1-5-S)
born: ________ June, 1861 in ____________, Pennsylvania
married: ___________, 1883 to Francis BOST (BH-1-5)
in _______., _________________
died: _______________, in ______________, _______________, _____________
buried: ____________ in ________________ Cemetery, in ________________, ______
source: Bonnie Boyle Harvey Irishdancr@aol.com


CHILDREN OF LEONA (___________) AND FRANCES BOST

1) CHARLES H_____________ BOST (BH-1-5-1)
born: 27 February, 1885 in
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)
died: _________ February, 1975 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania
social security #: 209-10-8446

2) EDNA C________________ BOST (BH-1-5-2)
born: _____ July, 1888 in _______________, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)

3) ALMA ______________ BOST (BH-1-5-3)
born: ____October, 1891 in ______________, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)

(This family continues on the next page)


4) ELDA _________________ BOST (BH-1-5-4)
born: _____ October, 1893 in _______________, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)

5) FRANK C_______________ BOST (BH-1-5-5) may be Francis
born: 30 September, 1898 in Homestead, Pennsylvania
mother: Leona (____________) (BH-1-5-S)
father: Francis BOST (BH-1-5)
died: 21 March 1990 in
social security #: 174-03-6673

BOST FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO THE HOMESTEAD STRIKE?

There is strong evidence (but not as yet absolute) that our first ancestors in America came to McKeesport, Pennsylvania because there were Bost family members there. Among the Bosts who are connected to us by baptismal records, were the founders of the United Steelworkers Union. This article refers to the Bost House, a national historic site.

THE McKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Industrial icon Bost Building takes on new historical role

Bost Building offers historical treasures Building is symbol of an era
By Natalie Neysa Alund Daily News Staff Writer
The renovated building that rests at 623 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead, means more to Homestead residents than an improved appearance in the Steel Valley.

A ceremony yesterday marked the completion of the restoration of the 110-year-old structure and its official opening as headquarters for the Steel Industry Heritage Corp.

"Today, the Bost Building stands as a testament to the resolve of a community to rebuild its main street corridor," said August Carlino, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area president, "to honor the men and women who worked in the steel industry."

After two years of renovation and $4.5 million worth of construction, the Bost Building, now also the main visitors' center for Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, lies in one of Pennsylvania's 11 designated state heritage regions.

The renovated building also houses a third floor exhibit hall, restored rooms used by union leaders during the events of 1892, when the Homestead Lockout and Strike, one of America's most dramatic labor episodes, occurred.

State funding for the renovation project was $2.4 million while private funding totaled $100,000.

"People said this building couldn't be saved," Carlino said. "but it has been."

Gov. Mark Schweiker, who was in attendance yesterday, said he was proud to dedicate the building because of what it stands for.

"This building is a gateway to understanding steel workers," the governor said. "It's so important to dedicate this building as a memorial ... a remembrance of their dedication and work -- these people worked together to build our communities."

The governor concluded his speech by asking those in attendance to be thankful, reflect on former steel workers' efforts and enjoy the economic fruits of their labor.

The Homestead Lockout and Strike did not prevent the building from dilapidation. By the 1980s it had become abandoned and desolate.

More than a century old, the renovated building was built as a hotel for the rapidly growing workers' ward of Homestead.

The building served as the headquarters of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers; the third floor of the building was used as a watchtower for steel union officials who monitored activities at the millsite.

The building also served as the base for American and British newspaper reporters who filed their stories as the world kept a close eye on the Homestead labor strike.

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Swissvale, said it is appropriate to preserve this era of history for future generations.

"Now the younger generations look (at Homestead and The Waterfront) as a place to come for dates ... to have fun," Doyle added. "It's hard to believe this area had the largest and most profound steelmills in the world."

The congressman added the Bost Building highlights the former struggles of the area.

"It will enable us to preserve our region's siginificance to the history of the United States and provide us the opportunity to share the stories of the steelmills with generations to come," Doyle said. "We should always remember the workers who sacrificed in these mills and honor the steelmaking industry."