MOUNT PLEASANT
A Great Town In Westmoreland County
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.
History :
Things to Do :
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 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 wasnt 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.
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. Lets take a look at a few local treasures that
make Mount Pleasant so pleasant.
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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!
Another favorite eating place is Leos 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 its 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.
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'.
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 Resources
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Mt. Pleasant , Westmoreland County, PA
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