|
|
Latrobe
A Great Town in
Westmoreland County, PA
by
Karen Fetter
The City of Latrobe is a
town filled with the pride of its residents.
Located in the foothills of the Laurel Mountains
between Greensburg and Ligonier, this city
offers both a small town feel and the benefits
of an urban area. Many long-time residents have
shown great civic pride, which makes the area
such a friendly and safe place to live.
Latrobe History ;
Latrobe Resources ;
Latrobe
Activities & Events
|
Latrobe offers
something for everyone. There are several
parks located nearby that offer hiking,
hunting, and outdoor activities. Latrobe
also offers culture and entertainment
through Saint Vincent College's Theater and
the Latrobe Art Center. Traveling into
Latrobe should never be a problem either.
Amtrak service is available at the restored
train station landmark located downtown.
Also, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport offers
more than commuter flights. Since its
partnership with Northwest Airlines, flights
can be scheduled to destinations all over
the country. |
Panorama of Beautiful Latrobe Area |
|
 |
Latrobe features
top-rated schools, a low crime rate, and
inexpensive housing. These are just a few of
the qualities that make Latrobe an ideal
place to live.
Latrobe is one city in Westmoreland County
that has
truly contributed to this country’s culture
and heritage.
Two major celebrity icons have grown up in
Latrobe –
Fred Rogers and Arnold Palmer, both
graduates of
Latrobe High School. Latrobe is the hometown
of the
the first
Banana Split, the first scheduled airmail
pickup,
and is the location of
Saint Vincent Basilica and College, where
the Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp is
held annually. Needless to say, residents
have a reason to feel pride about
their community.
History of Latrobe
The first explorer to
record his journey to the area that is now
known Latrobe was Christopher Gist about 250
years ago. It was in 1852 that civil
engineer Oliver Barnes laid
out the plans for the community that would
be
incorporated in 1854 as the Borough of
Latrobe. |
The change from Borough to City came about as
the result of a Home Rule study. The history behind the
name of Latrobe, which is appropriately
pronounced “La – Trobe,” came from Barnes’ best
friend and college classmate, Benjamin Latrobe,
who was a civil engineer for the B&O Railroad.
Its location along the route of the Pennsylvania
Railroad helped Latrobe develop into a
significant industrial hub.
The Banana Split
While this treat is very tasty, few may know how
it began. Of course, many resident of Latrobe
can proudly tell anyone who asks. Pharmacist
David Strickler created the world’s first banana
split in 1904 at his drug store. The delightful
treat has one scoop each of chocolate, strawberry and
vanilla ice cream with a banana split in half
along the sides. Each scoop is topped with a
serving of chocolate, strawberry, or pineapple
topping and then finished off with whipped cream
and a cherry. First patrons of the treat were
actually Saint Vincent College students. Now the
dessert can be found anywhere ice cream is
served.
Saint Vincent College & the Pittsburgh
Steelers Training Camp
Latrobe has a connection with professional
football since the time of its conception in the
1890s.
Latrobe native John Brallier was one of the
earliest players to play football
professionally. Also, the Latrobe Athletic
Association was the first team that was made up
of professional players to play a full season of
football. But in addition to this piece of
significant history, Saint Vincent College is
also the site that hosts the Steelers Training
Camp each year. Fans come to watch the players
before the season begins and are able to take
part in games and activities along with the
opportunity to get free autographs from the
players. This annual event is one that many
Latrobe natives look forward to each year.
Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers was born
in Latrobe in 1928. He joined the WQED staff
in Pittsburgh in 1953 and dedicated his time
to children’s programming. His show “Mister
Rogers’ Neighborhood” was available
nationally in 1968 and has been seen by
children everyday. Characters like Lady
Elaine, King Friday, and Henrietta Pussycat
became household names. The same values and
environment that Fred grew up with in
Latrobe are reflected in his shows. He also
received the Presidential Medal of Freedom,
the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Needless to say, Latrobe is proud to
identify with Fred Rogers. |
Downtown Fountain & Park |
Arnold Palmer
Latrobe is the birthplace
to golf legend Arnold Palmer. He began golfing
at a young age and was a caddy from age eleven.
He became professional in 1954. Arnold won 92
championships including four Masters
Tournaments, two British Opens, and one U.S.
Open. His popularity contributed to the interest
in golf during the 1960s and is a great source
of pride for Latrobe.
Latrobe Resources
|
The first library in
Latrobe originally began in 1927 as the
Latrobe Public Library. The library was an
instant success and continued to expand each
year at its location in the Masonic
Building. However, George Hamilton Adams
recorded in his will that he would like to
donate money to provide a new building for
the library, which was done in 1954. As an
honor to Adams the library was renamed the
Adams Memorial Library. It offers a wide
range of services for its patrons such as
free internet access, CD-ROMs, audio books,
videos, large print books, magazines,
newspapers, microfilm, and a high
circulation of books. There is also a
children’s book room and several programs
offered to adults and children. Furthermore,
there are branches of the library at other
area locations, and a Bookmobile that
travels through the area making many stops. |
Holy Family Church |
There is much history
behind the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. It
had its beginnings in the early 1920s when it
was first used by Charles B. Carroll. In 1919,
Carroll established a permanent flying field in
the area at the intersection of the Lincoln
Highway and Manito Road (Now Route 30 and Route
981). This location was ideal because of the two
major highways and the proximity to the railroad
and nearby towns. The airfield was called
Longview Flying Field and opened in 1924. Then
it became the site of the world’s first
scheduled airmail pickup by All American
Aviation on May 12, 1939. The airport flourished
and was officially purchased by Latrobe Borough
in 1950. The airport continued to expand and
change ownership over the years. In 1999 it was
renamed for Arnold Palmer on his 70th birthday.
Today, the airport manages 50,000 aircraft
departures and landings per year.
Return to Top of Page
 |
A board oversees
Legion-Keener Park, which features a 1 ½
mile fitness trail with a one mile
extension, sponsors activities
year-round for children and adults
including basketball, baseball,
softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer,
hockey, swimming, archery, science and
nature, yoga, and gymnastics. There is
also a popular children’s area called
Playland that was community designed and
constructed. |
Saint Vincent College and Monastery
www.stvincent.edu
|
Brother Boniface
Wimmer founded Saint Vincent College in
1846. Wimmer was a Benedictine monk from
Germany who wanted to provide education
for the sons of German immigrants and to
train clergy. He established the first
Benedictine college in the United
States. |
 |
The campus was
built by monks on 200 acres of countryside.
Today the college and monastery continue to be
sponsored by the monks, which is also shared by
the seminary and Saint Vincent Parish. The
College has continued to expand and offers
undergraduate and graduate level courses. Also
on the campus is the Summer Theater where
professional and student performances can be
seen.
Latrobe Area Historical Society
The Latrobe Area Historical
Society has taken great lengths to preserve the
history of this colorful town. Volunteers and
workers have recreated a replica general store
and classroom to illustrate life in the early
1900s. Also photos, books and other documents
are preserved in its location within the Latrobe
Elementary School in downtown Latrobe. However,
plans are being made to move the location to
Route 981 in 2006.
The Latrobe Area Chamber
of Commerce is supported by the voluntary
memberships of businesses, industries,
professionals, and other organizations and
individuals in the community. Members contribute
their input to the development of the Chamber's
Business Plan, and then work with Chamber staff
and other member volunteers to accomplish the
tasks. Services offered by the Chamber include a
business and industry expo, community awareness
programs, economic education programs, an annual
dinner, a monthly radio show and several
networking opportunities.
Industries
Historically, the Latrobe
area is known for its production of carbide. The
top two manufacturers are Kennametal, Inc. and
Newcomer Products, Inc. Timken Specialty
Steel in Latrobe is a high-quality specialty
steel maker offering more than 300 grades of
high-speed, tool and die, high-strength,
corrosion-resistant and bearing steels. There are many
more thriving businesses in the area that
produce a wide variety of materials. Latrobe
offers quality labor and access to convenient
transportation, which helps local businesses
succeed.
Latrobe Area Hospital (Excela Health
Services)
www.excelahealth.org
Health care and human
services employ a significant number of area
residents. As the area's largest business,
Latrobe Area Hospital employs over 1,500 people
at its main location and 6 community health care
centers. Physicians, Dentists, and other health
care providers have professional offices located
throughout the Latrobe area.
Latrobe Activities and Events
For current dates on
all activities, please visit
www.GreaterLatrobe.net
Latrobe has one major event each year that
attracts visitors from all over Westmoreland
County. It is the annual Greater Latrobe 4th of
July Celebration with activities planned throughout the town.
Such activities include a Miss Fourth of July
Pageant, Firecracker Frolic, baking contests, festival food, arts
and crafts, musical performances, a parade, and
a fireworks display. This event is always a
success and invites many residents and visitors
to participate in celebrating the nation’s
birthday.
In addition to the Fourth of July Celebration,
Latrobe also celebrates many holidays and
seasons with parades including Veterans Day,
Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Halloween. Visit
the Chamber of Commerce’s website to find out
specific dates for each parade.
Latrobe offers Sunday night band concerts in
Legion-Keener Park during the summer, a visit
with Santa Clause after Thanksgiving, and arts
and crafts festivals in the spring and fall.
Latrobe is always a great place to visit.
Return to Top of Page
Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA
|
