Fayette County Historical Society/Abel Colley Tavern & Museum

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Fayette County Historical Society/Abel Colley Tavern & Museum PO Box 193, Uniontown, PA 15401
A non-profit volunteer group interested in preserving the history of

Here's a postcard that would have been sent to those students who had been at the Jumonville Orphanage. But newspapers ...
10/21/2026

Here's a postcard that would have been sent to those students who had been at the Jumonville Orphanage. But newspapers throughout Pennsylvania were also posting the notices of reunions for all the Civil War orphanges. They included the following: Chester Springs, Dayton, Harford, McAlisterville, Cassville, Mt. Joy, White Hall (Camp Hill), Mansfield and of course Jumonville. The article about those who were mentioned as coming was published by The Waynesburg Republican on Sept. 6, 1928. Did you know that there was an association specific to the reunions? It was called the "Sixteeners Association." The Soldiers Orphan Sixteeners Association was organized in 1881, by the graduates of the various soldiers' orphan schools in the State. These schools had been organized after the Civil War to care for the orphans made so by the war. The children remained at the schools until they were sixteen years of age, hence the term "Sixteeners." The newspapers, The Republic of Meyersdale, PA., on Aug. 30, 1928 published the announcement about the reunion, "The annual reunion of the former pupils of the Uniontown-Dunbar Camp Jumonville Soldiers' Orphans School, better known as "Sixteeners" will be held at Jumonville, Sunday, September 2, inthe form of a basket picnic. The usual session will be held in the afternoon."

I'm not certain how many more years the reunions were held but the Patriot News out of Harrisburg, reported that the next reunion would be held in October of 1930. I don't know if the other schools would have followed their lead.

It's nice to be able to share a bit about the history of the Orphan Schools with you.

Chris

10/21/2026

Old Log House in the mining town of Casparis near Connellsville, Fayette County. Casparis was once a fairly settled area during the early 1900's. The forest was clear-cut and several farms dotted the landscape along with a mining community. Connellsville School District even had a bus stop at the fork for the road leading back to the mines. In 1916, Kenneth Casparis purchased “Joyce's Tipple” (stone at the opening of the mines) and the Charles Hampshire Farm where he started the Casparis Quarry. A community of eighteen houses was created near the quarry to house the families who worked in the quarry. Some years later, the Vang Crushed Stone Company purchased the quarry and began drilling tunnels into the mountainside to obtain the stone. The mine was operated until the 1950's. Once the mine closed, the community quickly disappeared. Soon after the farms disappeared one by one having been either sold to the state or to tree logging companies.
(Photo from Ralph Lincoln via http://f.fay-west.com/)

10/20/2026

The Pritts Distillery located in Salt Lick Township Fayette County. Bill Pritts was a famous "Mountain Moonshiner" and began the Bill Pritts Distilling Company. After years of Revenuers hunting down and trying to capture "Old Bill", a distilling license was granted on April 25, 1903 to make his moonshine brewery legal.
(Photo from Deb White Felgar via https://www.facebook.com/bullskinhistory)

Have you driven by our Tollhouse and wondered what the “cute little lighthouse looking building” is all about? Stop out ...
10/17/2026

Have you driven by our Tollhouse and wondered what the “cute little lighthouse looking building” is all about? Stop out on this beautiful, but chilly, Autumn day and find out! Open Saturdays and Sundays, 11-4, weather permitting. If the “open” flag and signs are out, we’re here! Get out and explore the history of Fayette County and enjoy the beauty!

10/15/2026

Sylvia & Harry Sechrist. Snapshot taken at Fuller Station, at Whitsett in 1919. Paddling across the Youghiogheny River in a punt boat. They both were Whitsett School teachers.

Tickets are still available!!!Thursday, October 15, 2026Call for reservations (required)724-439-4422 or 724-322-2690
10/14/2026

Tickets are still available!!!

Thursday, October 15, 2026
Call for reservations (required)
724-439-4422 or 724-322-2690

It’s spooky season at Gate #3, Searights Tollhouse! Have a little bit of fun at the tollhouse this weekend. And when y...
10/10/2026

It’s spooky season at Gate #3, Searights Tollhouse! Have a little bit of fun at the tollhouse this weekend. And when you’re done learning about the history of the tollhouse and the National Road, there will be treats for the little ones!
We’re open 11-4, Saturdays and Sundays

Here's a 1910 view of West Leisenring. The writer says this is the row of houses leading toward the church. I looked f...
10/08/2026

Here's a 1910 view of West Leisenring. The writer says this is the row of houses leading toward the church. I looked for an interesting article around the time the postcard was sent and found this sad story from the Morning Herald on Dec. 7th: "Eddie Matsco, a 14 year old boy, died at his home in West Leisenering from internal injuries received while coasting down a steep hill there. The boy lost control of his sled while going down the hill and ran into a fence. He did not realize the extent of his injuries and continued coasting. Later he was taken ill at his home. At first he did not tell his parents of the accident, but when his condition became serious and a physician was called he admitted that he was injured while sliding. The physician gives internal injuries as the cause of his death."

Chris

Address

7083 National Pike
Smock, PA
15480

Telephone

+17244394422

Website

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