ABOUT THE WALKING TOUR
WE’RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE!
Original 1776 Map of Beeson’s Town Lots
How it all began:
In 1768, young Henry Beeson traveled over the mountains with his wife on his way to Kentucky. But seeing the beautiful land in the shadow of the Appalachians, the most ancient mountain range in the world, he decided to stay; his brother Jacob soon followed. These two Quaker brothers would become the founders of our town. It was referred to originally as Beeson’s Town, Beesontown or the Town of Union. On July 4th, 1776, just as our nation was being born in Philadelphia, the Beeson brothers offered 54 building lots for sale. Henry tacked the notice of the auction on his mill. Prospective buyers acquired their locations by chance rather than bidding on specific plots. Buzz Storey, a local historian, wrote the following:
“Henry Beeson located his 54 lots on two short streets, Elbow and Peter. Elbow (later to be renamed Main) ran from Redstone Creek to the western limit of Henry’s land, Cheat (Morgantown) Street. Elbow got its name from a 25 degree angle resulting from the contour of the land (the angle is still there, in front of the courthouse.) Peter, paralleling Elbow but much shorter, with only seven lots, was named for a friendly Indian, Peter Redstone.” The street still bears his name.
Henry Beeson
Jacob Beeson
When a property dispute developed, Peter Redstone, or Indian Pete as he was commonly called, left for land overlooking the Monongahela River (present day West Brownsville.) A large gathering of Native Americans came to his property. Not far away, petroglyphs can be found from an earlier time.
Beeson’s Town or Beesontown became incorporated in 1796. The first burgess, Ephraim Douglass, had once referred to this new town, Uniontown, as “the most obscure spot on the face of the globe.”
But when the route of the National Road was chosen to go straight through Uniontown ( the county seat), numerous inns, taverns, shops, banks, churches as well as professional offices, physicians and
lawyers were established. The heyday of the National Road came to a slow end around 1858 when tracks were laid and people started traveling by train.
The next significant period in our history, the late 1800’s, revolved around banking and coal lands. Speculators, including banker J.V. Thompson, bought up farmers’ land for coal. Many farmers moved to town and built some of the finer homes and churches you will see. With all of the money pouring into town, this period was referred to as the “gilded age” in Uniontown. There were more millionaires per capita here than anywhere else in the United States. Magnificent homes adorned with Tiffany windows were erected. The “upper class” hosted lavish parties. Uniontown even had its own royalty, Princess Lida of Thurn and Taxis, niece of J.V. Thompson. After divorcing her first husband, she went searching for a title. The Prince of Thurn and Taxis, a small principality of the Austro-Hungarian empire, satisfied her requirements. He had no real money of his own but his title was worth a million to Lida.
Princess Lida of Thurn and Taxis
The gilded age came to a screeching halt with the collapse of J.V. Thompson’s First National Bank. Thompson’s creditors came calling and he didn’t have the ready cash to satisfy his debts. Many lost everything.
The early 1970’s brought about what was called a “renaissance” but unfortunately too many of our buildings were lost to the wrecking ball. The Fayette County Historical Society’s mission is to preserve and educate the public about our history.
Uniontown is known as the birthplace of General George C. Marshall, the first five-star general of the Army. Marshall left Uniontown to attend VMI and serve in the military, but he often returned with no fanfare to visit friends and his birthplace. He thoughtfully remembered his days in Uniontown and his friendships in his memoirs. And did you know the Big Mac was created here? Don’t let Pittsburgh convince you otherwise.
General George C. Marshall
As you walk along the Main Street in Uniontown, remember the Beeson brothers who founded this town on July 4, 1776. If there is another town founded on the same day, we could not discover.
Special thanks to the Uniontown Public Library, Jack Gates, Jr. for the access to his father Jack Gates’ collection, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Go Laurel Highlands, the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Jeffrey W. Hughes Photography, and the members of the Historical Society for their photos and narratives.
Please visit the Fayette County Historical Society website: fayettehistoricalsociety.org or our Facebook page: Fayette Historical Society/Abel Colley Tavern and Museum where we post hundreds of photos and stories every year.
Fayette County Historical Society
P.O. Box 193, Uniontown, PA 15401
724.439.4422