Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in the Mt. Pleasant area

(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.)

History books sometimes refer to Mt. Pleasant as “the town that grew at the crossroads,” and it is one of the oldest communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania, incorporated in 1828.

The borough was formed from the junction of two Native American paths. Those two routes — now numbered 31 and 819 — would become major arteries to the western wilderness and early America. Seeing the flow of traffic at the crossroads as an opportunity for settlement, Englishmen, Scots, Irishmen and Germans — many of whom were veterans of the Revolutionary War — decided to put down roots in the borough, building taverns, inns and blacksmith shops to accommodate the travelers who passed through.

The rich farmlands of the area also began to prosper. Farmers grew items to be used in the village, most notably grain to make whiskey, which was easy to transport to the eastern markets. In 1794, during the infamous “Whiskey Rebellion,” federal troops who were encamped in the village began arresting the local “Whiskey Boys,” who protested the new tax placed on the alcohol. It was during this time that the village became known as “Helltown.”

When H.C. Frick, who worked at his uncle’s store on Main Street, began to consolidate the area’s coke and coal industries, the borough boomed. With immigrants already entrenched, local mines thrived. Soon, “patch towns” — company-­owned mining towns — dotted the area of more rural Mt. Pleasant Township, housing the workers.

As additional immigrants arrived, two glass factories moved into the area, offering more employment and yet another boost to the local economy. Bryce Brothers, established in 1896, made hand-blown glass and later became the world famous Lenox Crystal. L.E. Smith Glass opened its doors in 1907.

The mines and glass factories eventually shuttered, but downtown is home to a flagship Levin Furniture store and several mom-and-pop businesses with a unique flavor.

The rural area just outside the borough — Mt. Pleasant Township — was founded on April 6, 1773, as one of the 11 original townships in Westmoreland County.

Three Mile Hill

Though this hill on Route 31 in Mt. Pleasant Township is only 2 miles long, it is rumored that wagon drivers said it felt more like 3 miles because of its steep slope, giving it its name.

On a clear day, visitors are in for a scenic treat. The U.S. Steel and BNY Mellon Center skyscrapers in downtown Pittsburgh — about 46 miles away — are visible from the top of Three Mile Hill.

Saloom Department Store

Originally a mom-and-pop store, Saloom Department Store at 508 W. Main St. in Mt. Pleasant evolved over time into a hunting and outdoor mecca that carries gear of all sorts. Saloom’s sells firearms, fishing gear, ammunition and outdoor equipment.

The store has been run by the Mowry family for 95 years. It is managed by third-­generation owners Leon and Christy Mowry.

Giant Slide

Kids and adults who are young at heart can slip and slide down the hill at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township, where two approximately 100-foot-long stainless steel slides and a 40-foot-long plastic slide are available for families to enjoy.

Daily park hours are 9 a.m. to dusk, and the Giant Slide is at 171 County Park Road, accessible from routes 981 and 982.

TreeTops at Polymath Park

A verdant dining experience awaits those who visit the TreeTops restaurant at Polymath Park, located at 187 Evergreen Lane in Mt. Pleasant Township, near Acme.

Gourmet meals are served at private “treehouse” tables amongst the forest, with options for dinner, lunch and brunch reservations.

Four architecturally unique homes are available to tour at the site, two designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and two designed by Peter Berndtson. The two Wright homes were relocated to the area from Illinois and Minnesota.

Mt. Pleasant Doughboy

A life-size granite statue of a World War I U.S. Army “Doughboy” soldier stands on a pillar in the center of Mt. Pleasant Borough.

The current statue is the third one to stand at the site since the first was installed in 1924. The prior two were destroyed in traffic accidents in 1968 and 1981.

Coal and Coke Trail

Relive the region’s railroading history on wheels or on foot along the Coal and Coke Trail. The trail links Mt. Pleasant to Scottdale and follows Jacobs Creek past former coke ovens.

The trail is accessible from Route 119, with an entrance near the former American Architectural Salvage, and through Kendi Park in Scottdale.

Westmoreland Fair

Visitors can enjoy fairground food and farm-themed activities, from animal competitions to square dances and monster truck rallies, at the Westmoreland Fair, which will be held from Aug. 16-24 in 2024.

The first fair was held in 1953 by a group of local farmers. A museum on the fairgrounds celebrates the legacy of those early men — and women — who worked the land.

The fairgrounds at 123 Blue Ribbon Lane in Mt. Pleasant Township also hosts the Overly’s Country Christmas holiday celebration, the PA Arts & Crafts Labor Day Festival on Labor Day weekend and the spooky Lonesome Valley Farms Valley of Terror in October.

Kecksburg acorn

Visitors looking for an out-of-this-world outing can blast off to Kecksburg’s own UFO monument — an acorn-shaped model outside the fire station at 5128 Water St. commemorating a mysterious fireball that landed in Mt. Pleasant Township in 1965.

The town holds an annual UFO festival in July, where upwards of 2,000 enthusiasts gather to support the fire department and peruse arts and crafts vendor stands alongside paranormal, UFO and Bigfoot researchers.

Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival

Held in late September each year, the Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival pays homage to the borough’s industrial heritage and features glass-making demonstrations, foods, contests, a parade and fireworks.

Live music, kids’ activities, handmade craft sales and edible treats from around the world are available, along with tours celebrating the “old town” of Mt. Pleasant as it was in the 1800s.

Sand Hill Berries

This family farm at 304 Deerfield Road in Mt. Pleasant Township has a history dating to 1779. Raspberries, blackberries, red currants, gooseberries, black currants, heirloom apples, strawberries, a few stone fruits, black currants and seedless grapes grow on the farm.

The farm bakes pies and cookies daily in the Sand Hill Berries kitchens and sells them at the farm store. Visitors can check out Café Persimmon for dessert and the Cabin Café for salads and sandwiches in spring through fall.