Mount Pleasant Township

Located in Westmoreland County, Mount Pleasant Township's history lies in land-focused industries like coal mining and dairy farming, so interestingly, what put it on the map was something out of this world. According to local legend, a fiery acorn-shaped object plummeted from the sky into a patch of local woods in 1965. Authorities didn't find alien life, but Mount Pleasant became a hotspot for UFO enthusiasts, and now, each July, the Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department hosts an annual UFO Festival. Former VFD fire chief Duane Hutter says, "We'll have as many as 150,000-170,000 attendees any given year. They come from all over."

But more than UFOs draw people to this Laurel Highlands haven. Dutton, who has also served as the Chairman of Mount Pleasant Township for 24 years, says, "People are leaving cities for a rural lifestyle. We're granting permits for new houses, and when a current house goes up for sale, it doesn't last much longer than a week or two." Mount Pleasant features a collection of small towns. Clusters of homes on main streets and small tree-lined grids surround local resources like post offices, parks, restaurants, mechanics and general stores, and contain historic four squares, split-levels, colonials and ranch homes. A three-bedroom split-level with 1,500 square feet lists for about $200,000, and a historic 1925 home with four bedrooms and 2,500 square feet might be $250,000. Between towns, you'll find houses ranging from a restored farmhouse with two or three bedrooms and an acre of land for $150,000 and a three-bedroom cabin with luxury amenities and 13 acres for $550,000 or more.

In Mount Pleasant, outdoor living comes easy, with hiking trails around every corner and plentiful ponds, lakes and creeks for fishing and exploring. Organizations like the Sportsmen's Association of Greensburg also offer shooting ranges, youth programs, hunting and fishing expeditions and a clubhouse. For a more refined outdoor experience, the Norvelt Golf Club provides an 18-hole championship course surrounded by mountain views and complemented by a rustic clubhouse restaurant and bar. In Acme, the Donegal Highlands Golf Course features an 18-hole mountainside course near local favorite—Brady's Restaurant. Hutter says, "We have several restaurants, but Brady's is number one. It's always packed. You’ve got to try the ham steak and the soups are tremendous."

Mammoth Park provides entertainment for locals and visitors alike, including a 24-acre fishing pond and two giant, 100-foot slides that send you racing down the hillside to a kids' play area. The park also features tennis courts, bocci ball, disc golf, a skate park and 14 event-ready pavilions—not to mention year-round events like Mammoth Fest with live music, vendors, food and games. You'll find similar activities at the Westmoreland Fair Grounds, which hosts the annual county fair and has featured top artists like Loretta Lynn. Finally, architecture devotees will swoon at Polymath Park, a unique mountain retreat that includes fine dining, tours and lodging in two famed Frank Lloyd Wright homes and two Peter Berndtson-designed homes.

For shopping, head to Shop N' Save on the town border adjoining Mount Pleasant Borough, or zip 6 miles southwest for a Walmart, an Aldi's and restaurants, retailers and entertainment like the Evergreen Drive-In. Plus, I-70 bisects the township, and I-76 is just minutes away, making commutes to employment, retail and entertainment hubs like New Stanton or Pittsburgh accessible.

Students attend Mount Pleasant Area School District schools like Norvelt and Donegal Elementary. Both schools serve kindergarten through Grade 3 and earn a B rating from Niche. For Grades 4-6, students attend C-plus-rated Ramsay Elementary before heading to Mount Pleasant Area Junior-Senior High. This school combines a Grade 6-8 junior high, earning a C from Niche, with a four-year high school that earns a B-minus from Niche. Students can participate in academic competitions like BotsIQ, SkillsUSA, Quiz League and Mock Trial or award-winning athletic programs.

Hutter, who has lived and worked his whole life in the area, puts it simply, "Mount Pleasant is a great place to live. It’s safe, it's family-oriented, and most of all, it's just filled with good people." And with that kind of praise? Alien life form or not, it's easy to see why Mount Pleasant is such a special destination.

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

Robert Beary

Video By

Francesco Basti