Rostraver Township Historical Society

08/17/2026

Picture taken in the summer of 1953 in Pricedale . In the picture is my Aunt Helen (Gadus) Hepple who was a junior at the Rostraver High School and the baby she is holding is me. My aunt Helen is celebrating her 90th Birthday today and still going strong. Picture was taken in what we called Sunny side Pricedale and was located across the road from the Rostraver High School. The road in the picture still exists today but is covered with vegetation today. The road at one time hooked on to Lenity Road by St. Mary’s Cemetery. When 70 was built the side road was closed. My Aunt Helen when this picture was taken was working at Joe’s Dairy Bar(See picture) which was a stones throw from my Grandfathers house. My grandfather worked in the Somers mines 2 & 4 that I have pictured here. I also included a picture of the row of houses that we lived in 30 years earlier. The 8th house down from the big blacksmith building is where the picture of my aunt and I was taken 30 years later.
So many fond memories of the patch I was raised in and loved so much. Happy Birthday Aunt Helen and many more to come and I will see you at the Rostraver Gathering on Saturday.
John Hepple

08/16/2026

Cross Road garage at Rankin Cross Roads in Rostraver Township. Thanks to Henry Perney for the Newspaper articles.

08/15/2026

Student Council at the Rostraver Jr/Sr High School 1956.

08/14/2026

One question that we get at the society a lot is why don’t we tell people about George Washington’s visit to the Cook farm during the Whiskey Rebellion?
During the Whiskey Rebellion in Southwestern Pennsylvania President George Washington would never come to this area. At the peak of the rebellion in September 1794 President George Washington would take command of 13,000 militia men and march from the Capital in Philadelphia. President Washington would march his militia men to Bedford where he would set up headquarters at the Espy House on October 19-20. President Washington would then send his militia men to southwestern Pennsylvania under the command of General Light-Horse Henry Lee who was also governor of Virginia at that time. It would be General Lee that would come to this area and not President Washington and it is General Lee that may have visit the Cook Farm. General Lee was father to another famous general by the name of Robert E.Lee. General Light-Horse
Henry Lee a hero of the American Revolutionary War and Governor of Virginia would not have a great future after the Whiskey Rebellion. General Lee would lose large amounts of money on land speculation and would be penniless by his death in 1818. He would even spend time in Debtor Prison.

President Washington’s headquarters at Bedford, Pennsylvania on October 19-20th the Espy House still stands today along the old historic Lincoln Highway in Bedford. A picture of the Espy house taken recently and one taken over a 100 years ago is posted along with the historic plaque telling the story of Washington’s visit and a picture of General Lee. President Washington would be the only president ever to lead troops in the field. Washington would also set a precedent that the government had the right of taxation.

08/11/2026

A lot of people have requested more history information on the Cook Farmhouse since the Cook Farm 250th celebration. Well we will take you back in time to 1769 when Edward Cook would leave the Chambersburg area to explore for a new home in the western part of Cumberland County Pennsylvania. In 1770 Edward Cook would build a log cabin and start a trading post in the western wilderness of Cumberland County Pennsylvania.
In 1771 Edward would return back to the Chambersburg area to pack up his family to return back to his wilderness home. In 1771 the wilderness area Edward Cooks returns back to now has a name and that name is Ross Straver in the newly formed Bedford County which was formed from Cumberland County and Ross Straver is one of the 8 original townships in the newly formed Bedford County. In 1772 Edward decides to build a larger house in Ross Straver from the lime stone quarry on his farm. In 1773 Edward would see another change made to his homes location. His new home that he started building in 1772 now exists in the newly formed county of Westmoreland Pennsylvania and Ross Straver will now be Rostraver named for a town in Ireland. In 1776 Edwards new stone house would be completed but the winds of change is blowing hard. In 1776 the 13 original colonies declare independence from Britain. Virginia will stake claim to a large portion of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Edward would now find his newly build home not only in Westmoreland County but in Yohogania County Virginia. Both Virginia and Pennsylvania try to tax the people but the inhabitants of the southwestern wilderness don’t want to belong to neither Pennsylvania or Virginia and petition the Continental Congress to form a 14th state. That state would be called Westsylvania. Benjamin Franklin would endorse the idea but because of pressure from governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia the Continental Congress would shelve the idea.
In 1780 Virginia would lose claim to the land in southwestern Pennsylvania. In 1783 Colonel Edward Cook would see one more change to the location onf his new Farmhouse. A new county would be formed from Westmoreland County and that county would be Fayette County and with the help of Colonel Cook the boundaries of the new county would split his farm in half. Half in Westmoreland and half in Fayette and the home in built in Rostraver Township in Bedford/Westmoreland would now reside in Washington Township in Fayette County.
The Farmhouse that Colonel Cook started building in 1772 would be visited by George Washington in 1783 and in May of 1825 General Lafayette would pay a visit . The farm house would never leave the Cook family and today the farmhouse is celebrating its 250th birthday.

08/10/2026

John Gibson and Son distillery in Gibsonton.

08/09/2026

Scenes from the Cook Farm early in the morning prior to opening ceremonies . The weather cooperated and we hope that everyone enjoyed the celebration. We want to thank everyone that took time out of their busy schedule to attend the 250th Cook Farm celebration. A special thanks to all the volunteers that made it possible.

08/08/2026

The Cook Farm 250th is happening today 8/8/2026. A event that you definitely don’t want to miss. The biggest 250th event in the area. Gates open at 9AM and opening ceremonies kick off at 10AM. Be sure to stop by the Rostraver Township Historical Society table near the Cook Farmhouse today .
Rain or shine the event will go on.

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

A Reminder of the Cook Farm 250th this Saturday (8/8/2026). from 10AM-7PM. Gate open at 9AM and opening ceremonies begin at 10PM.
Parking is available at the following locations where buses will pick you up and drop off at the Cook Farm.
1. Hope Church on Fayette Ave.
2. Washington Twp. Fire Hall
3. Belle Vernon Area Middle School
4. Rehoboth Church
There will also be parking in the field at 367 Cook Road weather permitting.