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Mount Pleasant
A Great Town in
Westmoreland County, PA
by
Karen Fetter
While traveling through
Westmoreland County, one pleasant surprise
awaiting visitors is the borough of Mount
Pleasant. With a population of about 5,000,
Mount Pleasant is close to Routes 119, 31, and
981, making it easy to get to from any part of
Westmoreland County or its surrounding
communities. Located in the foothills of the
Laurel Highlands, Mount Pleasant has a lot to
offer to residents and visitors alike. Its
location makes it perfect for relaxation, as
well as the enjoyment of great food, local
history, and shopping.
Things to Do
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Mt Pleasant Resources ;
Laurel Highlands
Chamber of Commerce;
Local Events
Mount Pleasant
Originally a coal-mining town, Mount
Pleasant is better known today for the
manufacture of glass and crystal products
from such world renowned companies as Sony
Engineering/Manufacturing of America, L.E.
Smith Glass Co., and Lenox Crystal.
In the center of town stands the statue of a
soldier commonly referred to as
the “Dough Boy.” This is not the only
tribute to veterans in this patriotic
community, as there is also a Veterans Park
in the center of town, and a Wall of Honor
dedicated to area soldiers who have lost
their lives in war.
Plans are underway for downtown Mt. Pleasant
to define and preserve a major portion of
Mt. Pleasant as a Historic District. The
district will include approximately 250
buildings, and the local chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution is
acting to preserve this district through
National Register listing.
While Mount Pleasant sits away from the
commercial traffic that surrounds many of
the towns in Westmoreland County, it
flourishes because of its strong community.
Residents promote the area and keep economic
development alive through its unique shops
and attractions. |

Mount Pleasant's Dough Boy |
Mount Pleasant History
The earliest records for the Mount Pleasant area
date back to the Revolutionary War. While the
origin of the name “Mount Pleasant” is unclear,
one theory holds that the town received its name
due to its pleasant atmosphere and location.
Another possibility relates to the Redstone
Presbytery, which organized the Mount Pleasant
Church in 1774. The town, in turn, may have
taken its name from this historic old church.
Further steps in the development of Mt. Pleasant
included a public inn, erected by Michael Smith
in 1793. But it wasn’t until 1797 that Andrew
McCready laid out the town on land he purchased
from Nathaniel Marshall.
By 1810, there were about 34 log houses in the
village. The first brick house in Mount Pleasant
was built in 1812 and used as a store-room known
locally as Isaac Stauffer's.
Mount Pleasant was incorporated on February 7,
1828. The town lay along a road known as the
Glade that was built by the State. This road
provided the main east-west corridor at the
time, connecting Somerset, West Newton, and
Pittsburgh.
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The Gazebo |
Things to Do
Mount Pleasant is
home to many wonderful businesses that help
bring economic development to the area and
provide great service to local residents and
visitors alike. Let’s take a look at a few
local treasures that make Mount Pleasant so
pleasant.
Eateries
One great place to go in town is the
R and R Station Restaurant and Inn
located on West Main Street. This
121-year-old hotel has 17 rooms and offers
home-style cooking, historic photographs,
and memorabilia from Mt. Pleasant and
surrounding areas. There is also a Victorian
Tea Room available for private banquets and
the Caboose Lounge, which serves your
favorite cocktails! |
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Another favorite
eating place is Leo’s Pub and Grille on
North Diamond. This restaurant offers a
large variety of domestic and import beers
and a take out six pack shop. The menu
includes items such as chicken and pasta,
seafood, sandwiches, and famous burger
platters.
And after eating a great meal it’s always
good to satisfy your sweet tooth, so why not
stop in Sugar Plum Chocolates. Here you will
find a variety of chocolate covered items to
choose from, including more exotic favorites
like chocolate covered Oreos and chocolate
covered pickles! The store is located at 101
N. Church St. |
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Glass Factory Outlets
Of course, Mt. Pleasant is famous for its glass
companies, so you definitely want to take the
time to stop in at L.E. Smith Glass Company
located at 1900 Liberty St. and the Lennox
Outlet Store on Route 31 East. L.E. Smith Glass
has been producing fine glassware for over 90
years! You can tour the factory, purchase
first-rate quality, and discount priced
'seconds'.
Whispering Winds
Whispering Winds is a unique Bed & Breakfast
that offers a welcoming environment, cheerful
and inviting rooms, well-prepared foods, and the
company of great hosts You’re sure to enjoy
beautiful flowers in the spring, horseback
riding in the summer, and colorful foliage in
the fall, with many nearby adventures awaiting,
including skiing at nearby resorts in the
winter. Whispering Winds is a tranquil setting
located on a 22-acre estate. Call Claire and Bob
Kemp at 724-547-2550, visit their website at
www.wwsr.biz,
or read our
Great Places article on a weekend at
Whispering Winds.
Sandhill Berry Farm
Sandhill Berry Farm is both an experience and a
treat. This family-owned farm began producing
products such as pies, jellies and jams in 1991.
All products are made on the farm in their own
kitchen. In 1986, Sand Hill Berries began with 5
acres of red raspberries and 2 acres of black
raspberries. Thirteen years later, everything
was removed in the fall and replanted with
raspberries, blackberries, red currants,
gooseberries, black currants, heirloom apples,
strawberries, and a few stone fruits, and
seedless grapes. They hope to add a consistent
kiwiberry crop, blueberries, and perhaps more
grapes. If you are looking for quality, fresh
berries and pies, take a trip to this farm to
see how it is done first-hand. Call 724-547-4760
for more information. Store Hours are 10:00 -
5:00 Monday to Saturday and Noon - 5:00 Sunday.
Visit the website at
www.sandhillberries.com.
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Mount Pleasant
Veteran's Memorials
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Mount Pleasant Historical Society
The Mount Pleasant Historical Society was
formed in 1995. The society's purpose is “to
provide a public forum for the review and
discussion of historical issues, to promote
the history and culture of Mount Pleasant
and the surrounding region, to preserve and
collect local artifacts, and to further
develop the resources of the area.”
Any person or business interested in joining
The Mount Pleasant Historical Society is
encouraged to contact the Society at
724-547-9115. Regular meetings are held the
second Thursday of each month at their
office located in the In-Town Shops on Main
Street. For more information, you can also
visit their webpage at
www.mtpleasantpa.com/histsoc.html. |
Mount Pleasant Public Library
The Mount Pleasant Public
Library is a great resource for the area. In
addition to the regular services it provides,
the Library offers special programming such as
nature appreciation, Stage Right! Productions, a
weekly story hour for children, a summer reading
program, weekly teen program, and a book
discussion.
• Nature Appreciation
• Stage Right! Productions
• Weekly story hour for children 3-5 years old.
Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Summer reading program
• Weekly teen program held Wednesdays at 6:30
p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Book Group Discussion-held the last Monday of
every month: 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
The Library is located at 120 S. Church Street
and the hours are Monday through Thursday 11 – 8
p.m., Friday 11-5 p.m., Saturday 9:30 –4:30 p.m.
The Library is closed on Sunday. Visit their
website at
www.mountpleasantpalibrary.org.
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Frick Hospital
Frick Hospital, a 153-bed hospital
with 18 skilled care beds has served
Mount Pleasant for over 100 years. The
hospital offers general acute care,
cardiac services, cancer care, emergency
services, inpatient and outpatient
surgery and rehabilitative services.
Frick Hospital also offers a variety of
services in the community setting such
as home health care, physical, speech
and occupational therapy.
Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce
Mount Pleasant belongs to a
regional chamber of commerce known as
the Laurel Highlands Chamber of
Commerce. However, Mt. Pleasant is
fortunate to have the office located in
the heart of town at 537 West Main
Street. LHHC membership is comprised of
local merchants, manufacturers,
agriculture, finance, health, media,
elected officials, churches, service
clubs, and individuals. |

Mount Pleasant Library

Frick Hospital |
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The Laurel
Highlands Chamber of Commerce is a
non-profit organization established to
promote the Fay-West region: which
consists of Southern Westmoreland,
Northern Fayette, and Western Somerset
Counties. With over 380 members, the
LHCC is an active, growing organization
working to promote the economic and
regional interests of their membership.
You may visit the website at
www.laurelhighlandschamber.com. |
Return to Top of Page
Community Events
In addition to several
parades held through the center of town, a major
event each year for Mount Pleasant residents is
the annual community picnic that is held at
Idlewild Park. The date for 2006 is July 10. All
those interested in tickets should contact the
Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce at
724-547-7521.
There is also the Mt. Pleasant Ethnic and Glass
Festival, celebrating its 20th year in 2006.
Including contests, activities, parades, and
entertainment such as the Vogues and the Poverty
Neck Hillbillies this year, the Mt. Pleasant
Ethnic Festival is one of the highlights of fall
in this great Westmoreland County community. For
more information, please visit the website at
www.mtpleasantglassandethnicfestival.com.
Take a day and enjoy a drive to Mount Pleasant.
With plenty of stops to make while you are
there, you are sure to find out why it is so
pleasant in this wonderful Westmoreland County
town.
For more information about Mount Pleasant, you
might also visit
www.mtpleasantpa.com, where we learned some
of the facts and history included in this
article.
Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA
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