Backyard Archeology

Backyard Archeology Backyard Archeology is a volunteer-run digital group preserving Mercer, Pennsylvania’s history through photographs, stories, and local information.

We share the past to entertain, educate, and connect our community with its rich heritage.

MILAN'S RESTAURANT LOUNGEMercer, PaAir Conditioned - Parties and Banquets11:45 A.M. to MidnightFeaturing Seafood and Ste...
10/25/2026

MILAN'S RESTAURANT LOUNGE
Mercer, Pa

Air Conditioned - Parties and Banquets
11:45 A.M. to Midnight
Featuring Seafood and Steaks

The “New” Mercer County Courthouse (Early 1910s)The cornerstone for the current structure was laid in 1909, and the buil...
10/24/2026

The “New” Mercer County Courthouse
(Early 1910s)

The cornerstone for the current structure was laid in 1909, and the building was completed between 1910 and 1911 by contractor W.W. Lyuster (designed by the Youngstown architectural firm Owsley & Boucherle, primarily led by Charles F. Owsley).

With an initial bid of $324,000, it had a final actual cost exceeding $500,000. The courthouse is a three-story, rectangular red brick and light sandstone structure featuring a 160-foot-high dome patterned after Rome's St. Peter's Basilica, a four-compass clock tower, and sandstone pillars. The building features a 30-foot-diameter rotunda with an art glass ceiling, a grand marble staircase, and historic portraits and county seals.

The interior includes iconic corner murals in the third-floor/courtroom area representing Justice, Power, Guilt, and Innocence, painted by New York artist Edward Simmons, as well as additional murals by Vincente Aderente and A.E. Foringer in Courtrooms One and Two.

A self-guided tour pamphlet for the courthouse is available on the county government page here:
https://www.mercercountypa.gov/History/Mercer.County.Courthouse.History.Pamphlet.pdf

Building the second Mercer County Court HouseThe first courthouse, a two storied 460 feet by 330 feet square brick build...
10/23/2026

Building the second Mercer County Court House

The first courthouse, a two storied 460 feet by 330 feet square brick building, contained a courtroom on the first floor and three jury rooms on the second story. It was destroyed by fire in 1866.

The second courthouse was built in 1867. Costing $98,000, Barr & Moser of Pittsburgh served as the architects. Built of red brick with stone trimmings, it featured a tall cupola visible throughout Mercer Borough. A four-sided town clock was installed in the cupola in November 1907.

This building served the county until December 15, 1907. At around 10pm it is believed faulty gas piping or gas lights illuminating the newly installed four-sided cupola clock failed and caused a fire. Brisk winds fanned the flames and low local water pressure hindered firefighting efforts. The interior was completely gutted, leaving only the four exterior red brick walls standing, though most official county records were saved.

North Diamond StMercer, Pa
10/22/2026

North Diamond St
Mercer, Pa

South Diamond St and beyondCourthouse view down Strawberry StMercer, Pa
10/21/2026

South Diamond St and beyond
Courthouse view down Strawberry St
Mercer, Pa

South Diamond StMercer, PaThe McClain Print Shop, South Side Market, Dunn-Timblin Ford
10/20/2026

South Diamond St
Mercer, Pa

The McClain Print Shop, South Side Market, Dunn-Timblin Ford

Mercer Cottage HospitalOriginally started as a state hospital for coal miners (treating conditions like black lung disea...
10/19/2026

Mercer Cottage Hospital

Originally started as a state hospital for coal miners (treating conditions like black lung disease and accident injuries), it later transitioned into a community cottage hospital.

Dr. David E. Vogan bought the property from the state in 1924 and ran it for 42 years. He brought many renovations and improvements to the property including expanding the hospital with additional wings, building the nurses’ quarters with gymnasium, adding a fully functioning farm, as well as recreational improvements including a tennis court and an in-ground pool. He lived on the hospital grounds, served as the main doctor and surgeon for the hospital, and farmed on the hospital grounds.

The hospital closed on September 15, 1966 and had about 50 people working there at the time.

There were plans to convert the main hospital building into a nursing home however those plans were never realized due to the fact the building was a wooden structure and nursing home code required that buildings be made of concrete. The main hospital building was later demolished in the 1970s. Some outbuildings (such as the large nurses quarters and gymnasium, the morgue, the laundry building, and several farm structures) remain on the former hospital grounds.

This photo is from the later years of the hospital after multiple changes to the property. One of the major changes included a design by architect James J. Stevenson and completed by contractor John Untch Jr., both from New Castle. That renovation included new business offices, a records room, new admissions room, and three additional restrooms. This also included removing the central part of the large front porch to add a car port and an updated brick and limestone exterior at the entrance. (This is why this photo is different than many of the Cottage Hospital postcards and photos you normally find.)

North Pitt StMercer, Pa
10/18/2026

North Pitt St
Mercer, Pa

First National Bank (mid to late 20s)Mercer, PAPhoto shared by Linda Kelecy - whose husband’s grandfather was Earl Knapp...
10/17/2026

First National Bank (mid to late 20s)
Mercer, PA

Photo shared by Linda Kelecy - whose husband’s grandfather was Earl Knapp, who worked in Mercer banking for 44 years. The Knapps lived on South Otter street from roughly 1928 until 1987. A newspaper clipping about Earl is posted in the comments.

North Pitt/South Pitt StreetsMercer, PA(East side of the Courthouse square.)
10/16/2026

North Pitt/South Pitt Streets
Mercer, PA

(East side of the Courthouse square.)

Address

Mercer, PA
16137

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