For nearly 100 years the soldier has silently watched over downtown Greensburg, a silent reminder of those Westmoreland County residents whose lives were lost in battle. While many may be familiar with Greensburg’s soldier statue, many more may not know the story behind this somewhat enigmatic statue. Beginning in 1865, at the end of the …
Right now in downtown Greensburg, off of Maple Avenue, is St. Clair Park. This unassuming city park is probably best known for its annual SummerSounds outdoor concert series held at the Robertshaw Amphitheater each summer. However, there is more history to this park than meets the eye. Last week we had a beautiful evening so …
The railroad was part of Greensburg’s lifeblood for a long time. After all, goods had to be moved by wagon so most of the businesses had to be local. This is why it can be so interesting to discover the original uses for buildings such as the McColly building on Pennsylvania Avenue here in Greensburg. …
At one time in Westmoreland County, glass was a big industry. Several glass plants in the county were hard at work producing various styles of glass. Two of these plants were just a few miles from each other — Jeannette and Westmoreland Glass. Both plants produced a variety of different styles and colors of glass. …
It is often easy to forget how things once were. In an era of cars and planes, we tend to forget that once upon a time people had to rely on horses and trains for their modes of transportation. While the Greensburg train station still plays a prominent role in town, the city’s equine history …
Many people in Greensburg think of golf when they hear the name Mt. Odin. While many people love the park for its golf course, there is so much more history to the property. When you visit the Mt. Odin park, it belies the fact that the history of the property dates back almost 200 years and …
This post contains a graphic image which may be disturbing to children and some people. Please use discretion. Greensburg has seen its share of deadly fires over the years. In 1972, two men were killed in a fire at the Penn Albert Hotel. Numerous people have lost their lives in house fires. However, nothing stands …
There have been several hotels in downtown Greensburg that have come and gone including the Hotel Ehalt, Fischer House, and the Penn Albert. While the Penn Albert still remains, it no longer serves as a hotel. The last operating hotel in downtown Greensburg was the General Greene Hotel, originally known as the Hotel Rappe. The …
Did you know Jeannette, Pa. was once home to a popular amusement park? Although nature has reclaimed the land, the area once was home to Oakford Park, Greensburg and Jeannette’s very own trolley park. Like many of the amusement parks of yesteryear, Oakford Park in Jeannette (sometimes listed as Greensburg) started out as a trolley …
Roadside oddities have always been some of my favorites. They are throwbacks to the days when traveling wasn’t just about the destination, but enjoying the journey was also part of the fun. One of these roadside giants that has risen in popularity in recent years and has piqued the curiosity of many is known as …
