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Hazelton (Youngstown, Ohio) facts for kids

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Hazelton
St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church
St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church
Country United States
State Ohio
County Mahoning
City Youngstown
Elevation
856 ft (261 m)

Hazelton (sometimes spelled Haselton) is a neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio. It's on the east side of the city. Hazelton is next to the cities of Struthers and Campbell. Long ago, in the early 1900s, people also called this area "the East End".

The Story of Hazelton

How Hazelton Got Started

Hazelton was once a busy place. It was located near many large factories called blast furnaces. These factories made steel along the Mahoning River. Some of these included the Haselton Iron Works Mill and Republic Steel's Youngstown mill. Even today, you can still see parts of these old factories along the river.

The neighborhood was first named after the Haseltine family. They owned a lot of land there. Later, people who moved in changed the name to Hazelton. They wanted it to sound more like a proper town. As the steel mills grew, so did Hazelton's population. Thousands of immigrants came to live here. They came from places like England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe. After World War II, more African-American families also moved to Hazelton.

Changes Over Time

For a long time, Hazelton kept its unique feel. It had brick streets, beautiful churches, and many family-owned shops. These churches were built in a style called neo-Gothic. This means they looked like old Gothic buildings.

However, the local steel industry started to slow down. This caused the neighborhood to become less busy. Many people moved away. Even so, if you visit today, you can still see the remains of the old steel factories.

Hazelton still has some important landmarks. One is Immaculate Conception Church. It is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the city. Another is Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church. This church is a symbol of the many Eastern European families who lived in the area.

Famous People from Hazelton

Some notable people grew up in Hazelton:

  • Frank J. Battisti – He was a judge for the U.S. District Court in Northern Ohio from 1961 to 1994. He is well-known for his decisions in a school desegregation case in Cleveland.
  • William M. Cafaro – He was a developer. He helped build many shopping centers, including the Eastwood Mall.
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