Archive for the ‘History & Landmarks’ Category
Johnstown Inclined Plane and City View Restaurant
Published Friday, January 20th, 2012
A signature of Johnstown’s landscape for many years has been the Inclined Plane. Originally built for commuters after the 1889 flood, the world’s steepest vehicular incline still offers transportation to local residents, but now offers itself as a destination for visitors and locals alike. Whether you’re looking for a bit of history, a pleasant view or something to eat, a trip to the top of the Incline is a great way to spend part of your day in town. (more…)
Laurel Arts
Published Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Photo Courtesy of Laurel Arts
The mission of Laurel Arts, according to their website, is “…to promote, exhibit, collect and preserve multi-disciplinary art, to foster the creative process of individuals and groups, to provide cultural diversity and accessibility to a broad scope of arts for people of all ages in Somerset County in particular, and to interface with people in any geographical area that may share in the mission of Laurel Arts.” Mike Oliver, Executive Director of Laurel Arts, agrees, “As a rural arts organization, we are extremely proud of the quality and quantity of the arts opportunities that we provide to the residents of Somerset County and the surrounding areas. I am confident in saying that the talent of our instructors and local artists rival that of those in bigger cities.” (more…)
Immigrant Christmas Traditions at the Wagner-Ritter House & Garden
Published Friday, December 2nd, 2011
On December 10-11 and 17-18 at noon and 3pm, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association will be sponsoring “Immigrant Christmas Traditions” at the Wagner-Ritter House and Garden. This year, the Immigrant Christmas will focus on crafts, stories and treats from Germany, Hungary, Italy and Wales in the late 19th and 20th centuries. (more…)
Grandview Cemetery
Published Friday, November 11th, 2011
Photograph Courtesy of Grandview Cemetery
Grandview Cemetery was named in 1885 for the “Grand View” of Johnstown that it provides. The history of Grandview has always been tied to the city of Johnstown, both through its tragedies and its triumphant moments. Though perhaps best known for the flood memorial, Grandview Cemetery is also home to several other important historical monuments–these structures represent both the history of our town as well as the history of our country, spanning decades and telling the stories of thousands of lives.
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Kentuck Knob
Published Monday, October 24th, 2011
The mention of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the Johnstown, PA region will, more often than not, immediately bring to mind Fallingwater, the masterpiece located near Ohiopyle that exemplifies creating a structure that is one with its natural surroundings. Another dwelling designed by Mr. Wright can be found in near proximity. Known as Kentuck Knob, this home employs a less ostentatious approach to design, but succeeds in being an architectural gem in its own right.
Flight 93 Dedication and Commemoration
Published Thursday, September 8th, 2011
On September 11 of each year, the eyes of the nation and world look to our region with thoughts of honor and patriotism. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the 2001 attack on America, the memorial at the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, PA will host a series of events to honor the passengers and crew that gave their lives protecting our country, including a dedication of the permanent memorial and a 10th Anniversary Commemoration.
Miners’ Memorial Day Festival
Published Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
Photograph courtesy of Eureka Coal Heritage Foundation
While our nation’s Memorial Day has passed by, our region will be remembering the working class heroes of the coal industry in Windber this month during the 12th annual Miners’ Memorial Day Festival. The event will take place Fathers’ Day weekend (Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19) in downtown Windber. (more…)
Pennsylvania Maple Festival
Published Friday, April 1st, 2011
The trees in our region provide us with scenic views, shade and fresh air, but some of these trees provide us something even sweeter – maple syrup. And in this part of the state, there’s no better place to celebrate the syrup production season than the Pennsylvania Maple Festival in Meyersdale.
A tradition that started in the 1940s, the maple festival brings in crowds to celebrate maple syrup, local talent, history and small town life.
Fallingwater
Published Friday, March 11th, 2011
Photograph courtesy of Shawn Schmalz
Out of all of Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic buildings, the house at Fallingwater is perhaps his most celebrated project. Tucked away in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Laurel Highlands area, the house draws around 150,000 visitors every year.
Created as a quiet get-away house for the family of Edgar Kaufmann, president of Kaufmann’s Department Store in the 1930’s, Fallingwater was given National Historic Landmark status in 1966. To this day the house is something to marvel at, even for the mildest of architecture enthusiasts. “2011 is Fallingwater’s 75th Anniversary” says Clinton Piper, Museum Programs Assistant at Fallingwater, “so look for special activities throughout the year.”
The Path of the Flood Trail
Published Friday, February 25th, 2011
There are, of course, many sites around Johnstown that commemorate the historic flood of 1889 and one of the most immersive of these is the Path of the Flood Trail. What could be more hands-on than walking or biking the exact path that the waters took as they bounded through our area?
