The Sketches Of Larry Mordan

 

Pat's Grill, one of many pencil sketches by Danville artist Larry Mordan [1952-2019]

While in the Lewisburg Antiques Mall, I came across the sketch of Pat's Grill.

 

The tag mistakenly labels it as "Lewisburg Milton Bridge", [Pat's was in Danville], but it correctly noted that the artist was a Danville native.

Photograph of Pat's Grill in the 1930s.

Located on the Corner of East Centre and North Mill Streets in Danville PA

Larry Mordan 1952-2019,  was a lifelong resident of the Danville area, graduating from Danville high school in 1970.  He was a well known local historian, especially regarding the Iron Heritage of the area, conducting tours of the nearby Harding Slope on the former Bogart farm. Mordan also conducted cemetery tours for the Iron Heritage festival, telling attendees of the lives of Welsh miners buried there. 

 His grandfather, James Bryant, was one of the last iron puddlers in Danville. His great grandfather, Charles Morgan Bryant, was among the last to work in the iron mines in Danville Pa. His great great great grandfather, Samuel Brant, came to Danville from Abersychan, Wales, in 1841.

"The Welsh knew how to get the iron ore out," Mordan said. "They had been doing it in Wales for many years before, " said Mordan in an interview with the Daily Item in 2012.

Mordan was well known for his pencil sketches and drawings.  He had sone a few paintings, but preferred to sketch with a No. 2 pencil.

Some of his sketches include:

The Row Houses formerly located along North Mill Street

The Franklin Furnace

Grist Mills

The Big Mill that was located where the Danville Middle School is today

The South Danville Railroad Station in Riverside

The Danville Trolley

Welsh  Congregational Church

Barns of the area

Pat's Grill was located on the Corner of East Centre and North Mill Streets. The restaurant was operated by Chris and Emma Dennen.  It had previously been known as Ryan's Hotel.

The Dylan Thomas Boathouse

The Montour was used in the 19thC in Danville Pennsylvania to haul iron rails from the Rough & Ready Rolling Mill iron works.

The Welsh Congregational Church in Danville PA was built in the 1800s for the Welsh immigrants who were responsible for building the iron industry in Pennsylvania. Dr. Joseph Parry was a member of the congregation

Many of his prints were sold at the Iron Heritage Festival Company Store, and at Beiters on Mill Street.

While having no formal training, Mordan credited his art teachers including his mentor Charles Berkey, who taught at Danville High School.

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