From 'Helltown' to Mt. Pleasant
Referred to by some as "the town that grew at the crossroads," Mt. Pleasant Borough in Westmoreland County is one of the oldest in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The town was formed from the junction of two Native American paths. Those two routes would become major arteries to the western wilderness and early America. Seeing the flow of traffic at the crossroads as an opportunity for settlement, Englishmen, Scots, Irishmen and Germans -- many of whom were veterans of the Revolutionary War -- decided to settle in the borough, building taverns, inns and blacksmith shops to accommodate the travelers that passed through.
The rich farmlands of the area also began to prosper. Farmers grew items to be used in the village, most notably grain to make whiskey which was easy to transport to the eastern markets. In 1794 during the infamous "Whiskey Rebellion," federal troops that were encamped in the village began arresting the local "Whiskey Boys," who protested the new tax placed on the alcohol. It was during this time that the village became known as "Helltown."
Mt. Pleasant Borough became incorporated in 1828, and there is no set documentation as to exactly how it received its name. Some say it was named for a Redstone Presbytery that organized a church outside of town called the Mt. Pleasant Church. Other popular folklore attributes the name to Gen. George Washington. Local legend stated that when Washington was in the area, he supposedly was atop his horse somewhere in the vicinity of the eastern part of the town looking at the mountains in the distance and proclaimed, "What a pleasant mount."
When H.C. Frick, who worked at his uncle's store on the main street of the town, began to consolidate the areas coke and coal industries, the borough boomed. With immigrants already entrenched, local mines such as those at Standard and Morewood thrived. Soon "patch towns" or company-owned mining towns dotted the area around Mt. Pleasant, housing the workers.
As more immigrants arrived, two glass factories moved into the area, offering more employment and yet another boost to the local economy. Bryce Brothers, established in 1896, made hand-blown glass and later became the world famous Lenox Crystal. L.E. Smith Glass opened its doors in 1907.
When the mines shuttered their shafts, the people of Mt. Pleasant found employment elsewhere, remaining in the borough, as shown by the population. Presently, the population is around 5,000. That number has not fluctuated by more than a few hundred since the first census of the area was taken.
"It's a good experience to live here and it's a great community," Mt. Pleasant Mayor Gerald Lucia said. "Everyone works closely together, and by working together, they make a good solid ground for a good solid community."
Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is one of the best examples of an old-time main street, housing several quaint stores and shops, and Levin Furniture, a three-generation-owned store that is still going strong, attracting customers from all over Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Known as a town that loves its parades, residents enjoy the excitement of a good march down Main Street.
"We have two parades for our veterans every year -- one on Memorial Day and one on Veterans Day. We have our firemen's parade at the fair, our glass festival parade and our Christmas parade," Lucia said. "We do love our parades and they are always well attended."
Honoring its veterans has always been a high priority in Mt. Pleasant Borough. The World War I Doughboy statue, standing in the town's round-about square, can attest to that, as well as the newer Veterans Wall and Veterans Park.
The Mt. Pleasant Glass Festival will be celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year. It attracts thousands annually. The Mt. Pleasant nativity and manger have graced the square diamond for the past 51 holiday seasons.
"That is one thing that I really like about this town, and that's the people and the traditions that they uphold here," said Cindy Underwood, lifelong resident and nativity committee chairperson. It's a close, friendly town with a wonderful, warm environment. Our long-standing traditions are what makes us special."
Many churches are active within the town, and the Mt. Pleasant Area School District, which serves the borough and the township, was recently recognized by US News and World Report for receiving a Bronze Award, one of only 44 high schools in the state to receive that distinction.
Mt. Pleasant Historical Society recently completed the restoration of an old log home that was unearthed from the walls of an existing house. The home is open for tours at seasonal times now.
"This town has a great make-up of people," Lucia said. "We have good social groups, such as the Rotary, Medic 10, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), the BDA (Business District Authority), the Chamber of Commerce, the historical society, and the fire department, just to name a few, and everyone works together.
"We have volunteers who will help when needed, super schools, a hospital, a great library and recreation for all ages. We've got it all here in our small town."
