West Overton, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Overton Historic District
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Christian S. Overholt Store and House, HABS Photo, Summer 1990
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Frick Ave., East Huntingdon Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Built by | Abraham Overholt |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Vernacular Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001572 |
| Added to NRHP | July 18, 1985 |
West Overton is a special historic village in Pennsylvania, about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It is located in East Huntingdon Township. This village is famous for two main reasons. It is the birthplace of a very important businessman named Henry Clay Frick. West Overton is also where the well-known Old Overholt rye whiskey distillery first started.
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The Story of West Overton Village
West Overton Village began in 1800. It was founded by German Mennonites who came from Bucks County. They were led by a man named Henry Overholt. At first, these families were farmers who grew their own food.
The Famous Distillery
In 1803, Henry Overholt's son, Abraham Overholt, started a distillery. This is a place where alcoholic drinks are made. His whiskey quickly became popular in the area. This was the beginning of Old Overholt Whiskey. It is one of the oldest whiskey brands still made in the country. It is especially known for its rye whiskey.
As the distillery grew, Abraham Overholt added more businesses. By the 1830s, he built a gristmill and a flour mill. He also added more whiskey stills. This made West Overton a busy industrial center in the early 1800s.
A Time Without Whiskey
Whiskey production at West Overton stopped in the 1920s. This was during a time called the Prohibition era. During Prohibition, it was against the law to make or sell alcohol in the United States.
When Prohibition ended in 1933, new government rules helped farmers grow corn. However, these rules did not help rye farmers as much. Because of this, whiskey made from corn, called bourbon, became cheaper to make. Rye whiskey never became as popular as it once was in the local area.
The Overholt Company was sold in 1927. Today, Old Overholt rye whiskey is made by Beam Suntory in Kentucky.
Henry Clay Frick's Beginnings
One of Abraham Overholt's grandsons was Henry Clay Frick. He was born in West Overton in 1849. Frick grew up to be one of America's most important businessmen. He started his career right here in West Overton.
Later, Frick became involved in the coal and coke industries. These were very important for making steel. Frick eventually worked with Andrew Carnegie. Together, they played a big part in building the U.S. steel industry.
West Overton Today: A Living Museum
Today, West Overton Village is a museum. It shows what a rural industrial village looked like in the 1800s. It is the only village from before the American Civil War that is still complete in Pennsylvania.
The museum has been updated. It now teaches visitors about the Overholt family's businesses. These include making whiskey, milling grain, and working with coal and coke. The museum reopened for tours in August 2012. The Overholt Homestead, the family's home, reopened in June 2013.
The old barn at West Overton has also found a new purpose. Since 2012, it has been used as a place for weddings and other events.
In October 2020, whiskey production returned to West Overton. The Educational Distillery now makes Monongahela rye whiskey again.
West Overton Historic District
The West Overton Historic District is a special area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located in East Huntingdon Township. This district includes 19 important buildings in West Overton Village.
These buildings were mostly built in the mid-1800s. They show a style called Greek Revival. Key buildings include the Christian S. Overholt Store and House, the Abraham Overholt Homestead (built in 1838), and the Overholt Mill (built in 1859). The springhouse at the Abraham Overholt Homestead is where Henry Clay Frick was born in 1849.
The West Overton Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
