UFO lore and rural charm draw crowds to Mount Pleasant Township
Located in Westmoreland County, Mount Pleasant Township's history lies in land-focused industries like coal mining and dairy farming, but 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. "We'll have as many as 150,000 to 170,000 attendees any given year. They come from all over," says VFD fire chief Duane Hutter. But more than UFOs draw people to this Laurel Highlands haven. "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," says Hutter, who has also served as the Chairman of Mount Pleasant Township for 24 years.
Mount Pleasant Township has some amazing views with a mountainous backdrop.
In Mount Pleasant Township, locals will find residential communities with plenty of large spacious yards.
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Small-town clusters include American Foursquares and ranch-styles
The township features a collection of small towns. Clusters of homes on main streets and small tree-lined grids surround local resources like post offices, parks and restaurants, and include American Foursquares, split-levels, colonials and ranch-styles. 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.
Mount Pleasant Township residents take great care keeping their homes looking great.
Peaceful residential communities are a big draw to living in Mount Pleasant Township.
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Mount Pleasant Area School District covers K-12 learning
Students can attend Mount Pleasant Area School District schools like Norvelt and Donegal elementary schools. Both schools serve kindergarten through third grade and earn B-minus ratings from niche. For grades four through six, students attend B-minus-rated Ramsay Elementary before heading to Mount Pleasant Area Junior High, which gets a C-plus from Niche. Mount Pleasant Area Senior High earns a B-minus. Students can participate in academic competitions like BotsIQ, SkillsUSA, Quiz League and Mock Trial or award-winning athletic programs.
Norvelt Elementary School is a public school option for Mount Pleasant Township Westmoreland students enrolled in kindergarten through third grade.
Students in Mount Pleasant Township Westmoreland may enroll at Donegal Elementary School from kindergarten through fourth grade.
Ramsay Elementary School in Mount Pleasant serves around 400 students from grade 4 through 6.
Mount Pleasant Area Junior and Senior High School have a combined campus for students in seventh through twelfth grades.
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Outdoor fun includes hiking, fishing, golf and mountain views
In Mount Pleasant, outdoor living comes easy, with plentiful hiking trails, ponds, lakes and creeks. Organizations like the Sportsmen's Association of Greensburg 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. Mammoth Park features a 24-acre fishing pond and two 100-foot slides. It hosts the popular Mammoth Fest, featuring live music, vendors, food and games. Architecture devotees can enjoy 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.
Stop in and get some supplies before playing a round of golf at Mount Pleasant Township's public Norvelt Golf Club.
People can be spotted fishing at Mammoth Park in Mount Pleasant Township just about every day.
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Locals dine at Brady's and venture outward for groceries
Brady's is a fan-favorite restaurant near the Donegal Highlands Golf Course in Acme. "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." Shop 'n Save covers groceries in the nearby borough of Mount Pleasant, while Walmart, Aldi and other commercial options are about 6 miles southwest. Interstate 70 bisects the township, and Interstate 76 is just minutes away, making commutes to employment, retail and entertainment hubs like New Stanton or Pittsburgh accessible.
Brady's Restaurant is a favorite choice for dining among residents of Mount Pleasant Township.
Friends gather for a fun night at the Kecksburg VFD Fish Fry in Mount Pleasant Township.
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Photography Contributed By
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Video By
Francesco Basti
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Kelly ChessBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
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Pamela DrakeBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
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