Editing New Castle, Pennsylvania (section)

===20th century===
[[File:Scottish Rite Cathedral, New Castle.jpg|thumb|The [[Scottish Rite Cathedral (New Castle, Pennsylvania)|Scottish Rite Cathedral]] was built in 1925]]
In 1908, New Castle was linked to [[Pittsburgh]] by the [[Pittsburgh, Harmony, Butler and New Castle Railway]], an [[interurban]] trolley line. Steel and paper mills, foundries, a bronze bushing factory, and car-construction plants contributed to the region's economy. Shenango China produced commercial china and created the fine Castleton China line for the [[White House]], including dinnerware for [[President of the United States of America|Presidents]] [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. Other ceramic factories produced bathroom fixtures and industrial refractory materials.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

In the 1920s, New Castle enjoyed its greatest prosperity. The landscape of the city was transformed with the building of many beautiful structures, some of which still stand, such as the Scottish Rite Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, and the Castleton Hotel. The city also established its identity. New Castle is known both as the "hot dog capital of the world" and the "fireworks capital of America". Its [[chili dog]]s are the product of [[Greek Americans|Greek immigrants]] who came to New Castle in the early 20th century and established restaurants along with their homes. The renown for [[fireworks]] is credited to two local fireworks companies of international stature, S.Vitale Pyrotechnic Industries, Inc. (Pyrotecnico) and Zambelli Internationale.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} The first fireworks manufacturer in New Castle was Leopold Fazzoni, who owned and operated the Fazzoni Brothers Fireworks Company. Fazzoni came to New Castle from Italy in 1886 and worked in the tin mills to earn enough money to start his own business. He was issued the first certificate for fireworks manufacturing in the state. Of the people who worked with the Fazzoni family, many founded their own businesses, such as Paul Rozzi, Jacob Conti, Constantino Vitale, and Joseph Zambelli.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

Despite recent economic challenges, the city continues to serve as the headquarters of [[Pyrotecnico]] Fireworks, the winner of the 2008 Gold Jupiter, awarded at the world's most prestigious fireworks venue: LaRonde in [[Montreal]], Canada. The company was started by Constantino Vitale in Italy in 1889, who immigrated to New Castle in the 1920s, continuing his business there. Five generations of the Vitale family have transformed the company. In the 1990s the company's name was changed to Pyrotecnico and has grown to be a world leader in the industry. Also located in New Castle is [[Zambelli Fireworks]], which was founded in New Castle. [[Zambelli Fireworks]] is one of the world's leading [[fireworks]] and [[pyrotechnics]] companies. These fireworks companies have been featured in venues such as presidential celebrations and Super Bowls. Pyrotecnico and Zambelli Fireworks have changed the face of the fireworks industry. This has gained the city the nickname of "Fireworks Capital of America". New Castle has recently opened Zambelli Plaza near the [[Cascade Center]] in 2007 in honor of the Zambelli family's accomplishments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Santangelo |first=Denice M. |title=George R. Zambelli Known as Mr. Fireworks |url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/? |access-date=October 5, 2012 |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=December 30, 2003}}</ref>

In the 1930s, the city, along with most cities of America, suffered during the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]]. During this time, the federal government established the [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA) and the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC). These programs offered jobs to many displaced workers. Many of the stone walls built by the WPA and the CCC still stand as a reminder of the historic demise of the economy.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} In the 1940s, industry temporarily surged during wartime.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

In 1950, the population peaked at 48,834, but became part of the [[Rust Belt]], with population dwindling to 28,334 by 1990. New Castle is the county seat of Lawrence County which has a population of approximately 91,000.

In 1998, New Castle was a host city for the History Channel Great Race. Over 15,000 spectators gathered downtown for the festivities. The city celebrated its 200th birthday in 1998 with a downtown fireworks festival that attracted over 30,000 people.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

The [[Lawrence County Courthouse (Pennsylvania)|Lawrence County Courthouse]], [[North Hill Historic District (New Castle, Pennsylvania)|North Hill Historic District]], and [[Scottish Rite Cathedral (New Castle, Pennsylvania)|Scottish Rite Cathedral]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>