Stahlstown, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stahlstown
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Near the intersection of Pennsylvania Routes 130 and 711
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 Stahlstown
Location in Pennsylvania
Stahlstown
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Westmoreland |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
15687
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| Area code(s) | 724 |
Stahlstown is a small place in Cook Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of the larger township.
Stahlstown is about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh. You can find it near the Donegal exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It's located right where two roads, Route 711 and Route 130, meet.
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Discovering Stahlstown's Past
This village was first called Centerville. But there was already another Centerville nearby in Somerset County. So, the Post Office asked them to change the name.
They decided to name the town Stahlstown after Leonard Stahl. He was born in 1734 and passed away in 1829. The village was built on land that belonged to him. Leonard Stahl was married to Elizabeth King.
Elizabeth's brothers, William and Enos King, also helped start Stahlstown. Enos King built the very first house in the village around 1799. It was made of stone and was located near the intersection of Route 711 and Route 130. This old house is still lived in today!
What Stahlstown Used to Be Like
Years ago, Stahlstown was a busy little place. It had three gas stations, a general store, a pub, and even a post office. There was also a firehouse and a Nickelodeon movie theater. Imagine watching movies there!
The Flax Scutching Festival
Stahlstown is home to a very old and special event called the Flax Scutching Festival. It's the second oldest festival of its kind in the entire country! It happens every year in September.
A popular part of the festival is the "Indian Raid." This is a historical re-enactment of a battle between Native Americans and American pioneers. It ends with a smoky gun battle and the burning of a pretend cabin. In 2007, the festival celebrated its 100th birthday!
A Secret During World War II
During World War II, a farmhouse just outside Stahlstown had a secret. It was used by a group called the German American Bund. This group was connected to the German government during the war.
The farmhouse became the main office for a large spy network in the eastern United States. This network also had offices in Chicago and New York. People living at the farmhouse helped gather information. They also placed workers in factories, shipyards, and even the armed forces.
Cool Motorcycles and Fun Fairs
In the 1980s and 1990s, Stahlstown was the only place in North America that imported Bimota motorcycles. These were special, high-performance sport bikes from Rimini, Italy. People from all over the country, including famous people like Jay Leno, would come to Stahlstown to buy them.
Every second week of July, the Chestnut Ridge Community Volunteer Fire Company hosts a week-long fair. It's a lot of fun with amusement rides, live entertainment, and a parade. The fair ends with a fantastic display of Zambelli Fireworks on Saturday evening.
School Districts and Golf
Here's something unique about Stahlstown: State Route 130 divides the village. This means that some homes are in the Mount Pleasant Area School District, and others are in the Ligonier Valley School District. This can sometimes give parents a choice about which school their children attend.
In 2017, a private golf course was built in Stahlstown. It's used as a practice area for the Mount Pleasant Area Golf Team. The course also hosts an annual golf tournament called the Par 3 Classic. The Pisula family maintains and operates the course today.
