DERRY
A Great Town In Westmoreland County
by Karen Fetter
Like many areas in Westmoreland County, the Greater Derry
Area developed from the railroad and the coalmining
industry. However, it was first known for agriculture and
still maintains that reputation today. The Greater Derry
Area consists of Derry Borough and Derry Township with a
population of nearly 19,000 combined. Where one ends the
other begins, and they maintain a unique relationship with
one another. Today, Derry Township is the largest
geographical township in Pennsylvania measuring at 101
square miles. The steady growth in population continued
through the years and now Derry is a place many call home.
There are currently more than 5,000 families who are proud
to live in the Greater Derry Area. Lets take a look at this
rural area and see what it has to offer.
Derry History :
Community Groups & Resources :
Activities & Events
The Borough of Derry is located along Route 217 and
within the Township of Derry. The Township of Derry is large
and reaches many surrounding communities. The Township
stretches to Route 30 and crosses Route 22. It borders
Indiana County, Salem Township, Unity Township, and
Loyalhanna Township. Surrounding towns include the City of
Latrobe, Blairsville, and Ligonier. While there are no major
attractions in the area, Derry does offer some of the most
picturesque scenery at the foothills of the Chestnut Ridge.
History of Derry
Derry was originally populated by the Scotch-Irish who
immigrated from Huntingdon and Franklin Counties in 1769, at
a time when it was first possible to legally purchase land
in Western Pennsylvania. At that time the land was called
the Derry Settlement and became known for agriculture.
The population grew rapidly and by 1775 Derry Township was
established. This was just two years after Westmoreland
County was formed. However, once the Pennsylvania Canal was
built in the 1820s, industry changed from farming to coal
mines, quarries, salt wells, and timber. This new means of
transporting goods gave renewed life to the area. It wasnt
long after that the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed in
the 1850s. This allowed even more industrialization to take
place. Villages began to grow up around the coal mines and
railroad stations. The culture became so diversified that
the area had immigrants from all over the world. The
blue-collar workers enjoyed the location of Derry and made
it their home. These villages would soon turn into the Derry
Station. As years went by and this area was growing in size
and gaining importance, it was incorporated in 1881 and
officially became the Borough of Derry.
In 2006 year the Borough of Derry celebrated its 125th
anniversary!
The Borough of Derry and Derry Township work well together.
In the 1950s, the two areas joined with New Alexandria
Borough and formed the Derry Area School District. There is
one main campus and three elementary schools in various
locations through the area. Also on the main campus is
another elementary school along with athletic fields,
greenhouses, walking/jogging trails, and a historic one-room
schoolhouse.
While the industries that started this area are no longer
what makes it thrive, the Greater Derry Area continues to
grow and change to meet the future. Now there are cutting
tool manufacturers, machine tool builders, and Internet
service providers.
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Community Groups & Resources
There are many community groups within the Greater Derry
Area that work to improve the quality of life for the
residents. These groups and resources include:
- Derry Area Development Corporation
- The Derry Area Steering Committee
- Derry Area Business and Professional Association
- Derry Area Community Group
- Derry Historical Society
- Adams Memorial Library
Derry Area Development Corporation
The Derry Area Development Corporation is one of the oldest
organizations in Derry serving the area for over 50 years.
Among its many accomplishments, the Derry Area Development
Corporation founded the Community Center and the Derry Area
Pool.
The Derry Area Steering Committee
The Derry Area Steering Committee is comprised of
governmental and business leaders who place an emphasis on
industrial and commercial development as well as
intergovernmental corporation projects. The group is working
to construct an extension to the walking/jogging path. This
new extension will be called the Lake Ethel Walking Path and
will connect with the existing trail around the Derry Area
School District Campus.
Derry Area Business and Professional Association
The Derry Area Business and Professional Associations main
goal is to enhance the quality of life in the community and
to serve the needs of businesses and the professional
community. This group sponsors the Derry Area Community
Picnic at Idlewild Park, the Halloween Parade, and the
Christmas Lighting Contest. Also, this association serves as
the host agency for the "Great Garage Sale" each August.
Derry Area Community Group
The Derry Area Community Group is one of the newest groups
to form; however, it is one of the most active. The group
works toward increasing tourism in the Greater Derry Area
and raising community pride and awareness. Two projects that
are noteworthy are the "Flags over Derry" campaign and the
"Greater Derry Area Community Directory." The Derry Area
Community Group also operates the "Farmers Market" and
conducts various community beautification projects.
Presently they are creating a "Welcome Center" in the Derry
Borough Council Chambers building that will provide
information on The Greater Derry Area and South Western
Pennsylvania.
Adams Memorial Library
In addition to these clubs and organizations, the Greater
Derry Area has a branch of Adams Memorial Library located
within the Derry Area High School building. This branch is
called Caldwell Library and it shares operation with the
high school located at 988 N. Chestnut Street. Hours of
operation are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and
Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call 724-694-5765 or visit
http://www.adamslib.org/libraries/caldwell/
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Derry Area Historical Society
And lastly, the Derry Historical Society (www.derryhistory.org)
is a group of dedicated individuals that have worked to
preserve the historical content of the area. The Derry
Historical Society was founded in 1995 for the purpose of
encouraging the research, writing, and discussion of local
Derry Area History and Genealogy; cultivating an
appreciation of local historic architecture and
architectural restoration; promoting community and school
partnerships with the society; and establishing a centrally
located base of operations for the display and maintenance
of historic memorabilia and items of historic interest.
Currently the group is trying to increase its membership to
the next level. After purchasing the new Conestoga wagon,
they are beginning work on the Fulton House Historical
Museum Complex.
Below is a list of preserved structures throughout Derry
Area including hours of operation and location.
Derry Area School District's One Room School
House
North Chestnut Street Extension Open Wednesday evenings 5:30
to 8:00 PM during the summer months For more information
call 724-694-8383 This is a restored one-room schoolhouse
complete with the appropriate artifacts of the day.
Derry Station Railroad Heritage Park
Intersection of South Chestnut Street & the Railroad
Mainline Call 724-694-2218 to schedule a tour. The exterior
of the park is always open.
This park is dedicated to the memory of the men and women
who built the railroad. It features a PRR Caboose museum and
Blue Caboose Gift Shop. The site is a project of the Derry
Area Industrial / Cultural Heritage Association.
Derry Volunteer Fire Department Museum
114 East Second Avenue
Call 724-694-2653 to schedule a tour.
This Fire Department Museums features numerous artifacts
from fire fighters and much more.
Fulton House
Route 982
Call 724-537-2165 or 724-694-8253 for more details.
The Derry Area Historical Society restored this 1817 log
Stage Coach Inn.
Old Salem Church
Route 982, between New Derry and Sundial The
exterior of the Church and the Cemetery can be viewed during
daylight hours. Nondenominational Services are held at 2:30
PM on Sundays. All are welcome.
This church is the oldest place of worship in the Derry
Area. It was founded in 1786 as a Presbyterian Church.
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Derry Activities and Events
Derry has a variety of events for the public to
participate in throughout the year. Some events have not yet
been scheduled for next year, however, they occur in the
same month each year. Contact the Downtown Derry Borough at
724-694- 2030 or Derry Township at 724-694-8835 or visit
www.derrytownship.com
for more information.
Important events include the Derry Township Agricultural
Fair in July, the Great Garage Sale in August, and parades
for Halloween and other holidays throughout the year, and
Christmas Caroling in December.
The Greater Derry Area is a very scenic place to live.
People can enjoy the rural landscape, but can still be close
to highly developed areas for business and work. Take a
drive and visit the Greater Derry Area. You may find that it
is a perfect place for you to call home.
Derry, Westmoreland County, PA
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Westmoreland