Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in Hempfield
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a suggestion for a future installment, please email gtrcity@triblive.)
Situated in the center of Westmoreland County, Hempfield is a bustling, busy suburb that encompasses commercial thoroughfares, historical sites, parks and recreation areas, and residential neighborhoods.
As the oldest municipality in Western Pennsylvania, Hempfield was one of six original townships created as part of Bedford County in 1771. Two years later, the township became part of Westmoreland County.
The area was named after Hempfield Township in Lancaster County, as settlers from that area moved into the region. The Lancaster County Hempfield got its name from the production of hemp and was later divided into East and West Hempfield.
The township is part of Hempfield Area School District, the largest school district in the county.
GreenForge Building
This eco-friendly building on Donohoe Road is Westmoreland County’s first green rehabilitated commercial building and the first building in the county to have a “green roof” where plants grow. The 23,000-square-foot building was previously used for business and warehousing. The living roof reduces stormwater runoff and provides other environmental benefits.
The building is part of the Donohoe Center campus, which features the Richard E. Thorn Memorial Demonstration Gardens. This Master Gardener site is open to the public year-round and shows home gardeners how different ornamental and edible plants tend to grow in Western Pennsylvania. The demonstration gardens hold tours, programs and an open house.
Westmoreland Mall
Built in 1977 and renovated in the early ’90s, Westmoreland Mall has long been a center for shopping in the region. Located at 5256 Route 30, the complex is operated by CBL & Associates Properties and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on most days, closing early at 5 p.m. on Sundays.
The two-level mall features more than 90 stores, anchored by Macy’s and JCPenney, a food court and Chuck E. Cheese’s fun center. In addition, the annual Hempfield-Greensburg Fire Prevention Night at the mall is run by the Hempfield and Greensburg fire departments to teach children about fire safety through live demonstrations from first responders.
Santa arrives in center court to delight children Nov. 10, and pet-friendly visits are planned this year.
Live Casino Pittsburgh
If you’re feeling lucky after shopping at the mall, you can walk over to Live Casino Pittsburgh, a 100,000-square-foot casino with 750 slots and about 40 live action table games; a designated poker room; a FanDuel Sportsbook; and The Venue Live, a 7,000-plus-square-foot multi-use event space.
The casino also includes the Sports & Social Steel City sports bar with traditional American fare; Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar serving trash can nachos, brick chicken breast, righteous 4-way chocolate cake and other Fieri favorites; and PBR Pittsburgh, popular for parties and those brave enough to ride a mechanical bull.
Hempfield Park
The 95-acre Hempfield Park at 220 Forbes Trail Road features rental pavilions, baseball and soccer fields, a walking trail, a multipurpose athletic field and tennis courts. One of the baseball fields is named for Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, who once lived in Hempfield.
A newly built inclusive playground was installed at the park in 2022. It includes play areas for ages 2 to 5 and ages 5 to 12, and features swings, spinning structures, a kids’ climbing wall and tower and even a musical area.
Concerts are often held for free during the summer at the Smail Auto Group Amphitheater.
An indoor sports facility has three athletic courts, an indoor walking track, a concession stand and restrooms.
DeLallo Italian Marketplace
Though its address says Jeannette, DeLallo Italian Marketplace is Hempfield’s own headquarters for homemade Italian foods. At 6390 Route 30, the marketplace started more than 70 years ago as a roadside market founded by George and Madeline DeLallo.
A custom and ready-to-buy bakery, colorful olive & antipasti bar, specialty cheese and prepared foods counter, full-service deli and grocery store bring a taste of Italy to Westmoreland County.
During the holidays, DeLallo is a popular spot for those seeking the perfect foods to serve during the traditional Italian feast of the seven fishes.
Baltzer Meyer School House
Hempfield Area School District third graders dress up as old-fashioned schoolchildren and travel back in time every year to visit the Baltzer Meyer School House, a historical 1800s schoolhouse managed by the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society.
The society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of Westmoreland County with an emphasis on Southwestern Pennsylvania families.
At 669 Baltzer Meyer Pike, the schoolhouse was built in 1881.
Greensburg Art Center
This center for art classes, programs and workshops is operated by the Greensburg Art Club nonprofit. The group dates to 1952, when it grew from the smaller Kinderhook group. It’s located inside the former two-room public school at 230 Todd School Road.
The building is also called the Alex Fletcher Memorial Art Center in honor of the painting group’s first mentor and first president, a local professional artist.
Art classes for children and adults are available at the center, including lessons on painting silk scarves, oil painting and clay sculpture throughout the month of November. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Historic Hanna’s Town
Established in 1773, Hanna’s Town was the site of the first seat of government for Westmoreland County. It also was the site of the signing of the Hanna’s Town Resolves during the Revolutionary War.
In one of the final conflicts of the Revolutionary War, Hanna’s Town was attacked and burned on July 13, 1782, by British and Native American forces.
Westmoreland County and the Westmoreland Historical Society purchased the 180-acre property in 1969 for the purpose of creating a historic site. Today, visitors can tour the restored and relocated log buildings and visit the Westmoreland History Education Center. The site is a popular venue for historical reenactments and encampments throughout the year.
An antiques and collectibles market is held one weekend a month throughout the summer at the site, 809 Forbes Trail Road.
Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival
The annual Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival takes place in July, offering visual and live performing arts, traditional and fine crafts, cultural heritage activities, humanities and ethnic foods.
The event is free and is usually held around the Fourth of July holiday Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, across more than 8 acres of Twin Lakes Park. Annual attendance numbers average about 125,000.
The festival is celebrating a milestone next year, as the 50th festival will take place July 4-7.
Twin Lakes Park
In addition to the festival, events and recreation activities take place year-round at Twin Lakes Park at 219 Twin Lakes Road.
The park stretches across 467 acres and includes its eponymous lower and upper lakes, stocked with game fish by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The Twin Lakes Boathouse, which sits on the shore of the lower lake, offers pedal boats, canoes and rowboats for rental.
A free Father’s Day Fishing Derby is held at the park, sponsored by Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation and the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League.
The park’s Peach Plaza Expansion Area features a skate park, dog park, amphitheater, playground and sports and exercise areas.
Julia Maruca is a TribLive reporter covering health and the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She joined the Trib in 2022 after working at the Butler Eagle covering southwestern Butler County. She can be reached at jmaruca@triblive.com.
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