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The Soldier Statue in Greensburg’s Courthouse Square

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 …

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The Hidden History of Greensburg’s St. Clair Park

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 …

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The Hidden Hoist in Greensburg’s McColly Building

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. …

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The Rise and Fall of Westmoreland Glass Company

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. …

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The La Rose Shop Fire: Greensburg’s Deadliest Fire

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 …

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Hotel Rappe: Greensburg’s Last Downtown Hotel

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 …

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Oakford Park: Jeannette PA’s Defunct Amusement Park

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 …

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Do You Know the Muffler Man? We have one in Greensburg!

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 …

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