Henry Clay Township

Henry Clay Township sits 75 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Fayette County and includes the Borough of Markleysburg. With abundant natural resources, Henry Clay is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, but it's more than that. Mary, a lifelong resident of Henry Clay Township and employee at locally owned Rustic Joe's Coffee House, says, "We're a 'how can we help' kind of community. Whether it's to help a family whose house burned down or to support a local charity, we're here for each other no matter what."

Organizations like the Markleysburg Henry Clay Volunteer Fire Department and the Mountain Fellowship Center help unite the community. These organizations provide gathering places, whether for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser or, like at the MFC, for youth sports or community activities like paint classes, holiday bingo breakfasts and Friday night skate nights. You'll also find friends at Township Park, a serene green space with a pavilion for special events, a playground, a baseball field, a football field, and a basketball court.

Located in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, much of the township is undeveloped land, farmland and protected state game land, offering ample spots for hunting, hiking and fishing. But the township's crown jewel is the 16-mile-long Youghiogheny River Lake. Considered one of the state's premier water sports and powerboating destinations, it attracts visitors from all over and plays a significant role in local life with boating, fishing and swimming. Mary says, "We go there all the time. Growing up, we called it 'going to the beach.'"

Tourists are common from April through October, so campgrounds like the Yough Lake Campground offer seasonal campsites, boat launches and kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals, along with amenities like a playground and nature trails. But the township stays busy even in the off-season because parts of the lake are open for trout fishing all year, and the Great Allegheny Passage along the lake's edge is a hotspot for hikers and bikers in any season.

Homes are primarily well-established single-family homes down winding country roads or in small clusters. You'll also find small groups of homes along the lake and in the Borough of Markleysburg, a separate municipality but a central part of the community. For around $200,000, you could find a half-acre lot near Markleysburg with an updated ranch home featuring three bedrooms and 1,400 square feet or a 1,200-square-foot Craftsman-style ranch house with modern updates in a lakeside community. An updated split-level with three bedrooms and 1,200 square feet overlooking the lake or a contemporary cabin with mountain views, 1,800 square feet and four bedrooms might be closer to $300,000. For more land, look for a modern three-bedroom chalet tucked away on six wooded acres for around $600,000 or buy undeveloped land at an average price of $11,500 per acre.

U.S. Route 40 bisects the township and provides convenience for commuters to Farmington, Uniontown or Confluence. It's also where you'll find Rustic Joe's Coffee Shop, part of Leber's Log Cabins, a fourth-generation family-owned cabin retreat. Just down the road, you can enjoy smoked pork and chicken on outdoor picnic tables at Bubba's Bar-B-Q or grab homestyle food and freshly baked pies at Curt's Family Restaurant. Groceries can be trickier. Mary says, "You can find daily staples here and there, usually within 10 or 15 minutes, or go to the Family Dollar in Markleysburg, but you have to plan for big grocery shopping. Even for a Walmart, you'll need to drive 30 or 40 minutes west to Uniontown or south to Morgantown."

Henry Clay and Markleysburg students attend Uniontown Area Schools, including Marclay Elementary and A.J. McMullen Middle School, both located in the township. Marclay Elementary earns a B-minus from Niche, and A.J. McMullen Middle earns a C. Students can finish strong at Fayette County Career & Technical Institute or Uniontown Area High School. The high school earns a B from Niche and ranks No. 1 in Fayette County based on academic building-level scores. However, it comes with a commute, and students may be on the bus 45 minutes or more.

Henry Clay may have few urban resources, but for a close community and natural beauty, this rural hideaway is hard to beat.

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

Stacey Callaway

Video By

Bill Jennings