Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park is an 18.5-acre park nestled in a gap of Tuscarora Mountain in Franklin County. Today, the area is still a quiet place, but on April 23, 1791, at the time of James Buchanan’s birth, Cove Gap was on the western edge of civilization — a place alive with the sights and sounds of a center of commerce. Although the surrounding Allegheny Mountains provided a formidable barrier to those seeking the way to the west, Cove Gap cut through two of the three parallel mountains, making the westward journey a little easier. During those days, anyone seeking a route west passed through this gap and by the last mercantile store for many miles.
The park today provides historical interpretive signage and opportunities for picnicking and fishing. I previously visited the park, which is featured in this post.
The James Buchanan Cabin (believed to be the birthplace of the first Pennsylvanian to be elected president of the United States) was originally located at the site. It was erected sometime before 1791. The cabin was moved to Chambersburg, where it served various uses. To ensure that the cabin would be adequately stored and maintained, Mercersburg Academy purchased it in 1953 and placed it near Nolde Gymnasium on campus.
Mercersburg Academy (formerly Marshall College and Mercersburg College) is an independent college-preparatory boarding and day high school. Founded in 1893, the school enrolls approximately 447 students in grades 9 through 12, including postgraduates. Among its illustrious alumni are James Stewart anb Benicio del Toro. It has a lovely and impressive campus.
Mercersburg is a borough in Franklin County that is 72 miles (116 km) southwest of Harrisburg. As of the 2020 census, Mercersburg had a population of 1,507. The land currently known as Mercersburg was previously territory of the Massawomeck people who were part of the Iroquois Nation.
Due to its location in a rural area, it had a relatively large percentage of African-American workers who had been enslaved from the Revolution. It was called “Black Town” in the early 19th century before incorporation under its current name. Refugee African Americans escaping from slavery in the South also settled here, and the area was known as “Little Africa”.
Mercersburg was platted in 1780. The borough was named after Hugh Mercer, a general and hero in the American Revolutionary War. A post office has been in operation at Mercersburg since 1812.
Located near the southern border of Pennsylvania, the rural community became a place of refuge during the antebellum years for escaped African Americans who had been enslaved in the South. Some came to the area via the Underground Railroad. After the American Revolution, Pennsylvania had abolished slavery. In this area were communities of free African Americans who had worked in agriculture. It was relatively easy for refugees to join their communities after passing over the border of Maryland. In later years, black people moved away from here as they were at risk from slavecatchers, especially after passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, which had more stringent rules against free states. Many African Americans moved to Philadelphia, which had a large and free black community, which helped new arrivals get settled.
The Mercersburg Historic District, Lane House, and Mercersburg Academy are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Irwin House
On September 26, 2003, this corner property was destroyed by fire exposing this log house built in 1791-1792 by Archibald Irwin. Irwin’s granddaughter Jane married William Henry Harrison, Jr., and served as First Lady when her father-in-law, William Henry Harrison, Sr., was elected 9th President of the United States. Irwin’s granddaughter Elizabeth married John Scott Harrison and became the mother of Benjamin Harrison, who served as 23rd President of the United States.
The statue if James Buchanan.Stoner’s Mansion HouseMany beautiful older properties around town.
The Mercersburg Fountain is a beloved historical icon, originally placed in Center Square (The Diamond) in 1916. In 1915, the Woman’s Club of Mercersburg (now the Women’s Club) successfully raised money to install a fountain instead of a grass plot. The fountain stood in the Square until it was removed in 1959. After being lost for decades, it was purchased from an antique collector in 1991, restored, and rededicated to the Borough in 1994, finding a new home on North Fayette Street.
Probably the most interesting used car dealer I’ve ever seen.
The town of Somerset, with a population of around 6,000, is the county seat of Somerset County. It is close to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and is a good jumping off point for the many varied activities that the Laurel Highlands area has to offer. The county is a beautiful mix of mountainous and agricultural areas and small town charm.
This is one of the more distinctive county courthouses in Pennsylvania, and it dominates the town skyline.The town contains some interesting late 19th and early 20th century architecture.I would take this building as an office.The Somerset Milling Co. is still a provider of feed and grain products.
The Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery in Chester County is a fascinating property. It lies near the Brandywine Battlefield historic site. It contains some interesting grave marker and memorials, including memorials to Generals Lafayette and Pulaski.
I traveled to Lancaster yesterday to pet superstore That Fish Place/That Pet Place to check out a small vendor and hobbyist swap they were hosting in conjunction with the Aquarium Club of Lancaster. It was a great event. especially if you were in the market for cichlids or plants. Alas, as I was looking for some specific types of community fish, shrimp and snails, I didn’t get anything. The store is well worth checking out, and I bought some supplies – some fish food, nitrifying bacteria supplement for a new tank and test strips. One of the coolest things in the store is this shallow ray tank:
Check out the rays and other fish. Excuse the glare and reflections.
I took route 741 across Lancaster County and saw quite few buggies and horse plow teams out on a sunny Saturday. Hopefully I can get back for some pictures soon. I also stopped at Stuaffers to pick up some catnip plants for my cat, Kona. He wouldn’t be happy if I came back empty handed.
It looks like the much delayed Autumn color has finally arrived to Chester County this year. I just hope the season isn’t brief. Here is a sample of some of this year’s color.
A corn field seems to be on fire in Glenmoore.
It looks like this is what was growing on those stumps in the previous picture. This and another tree were next in line with the stumps but had not yet been cut.
A beautiful farm in Coventryville. I always love the star on the barn.
Another radiant fall cornfield and treetops.
Scotts Run in French Creek State Park. It’s apparently a red and orange free zone.
Along side one of the bucolic covered bridges of Columbia County, I found residents with some strong opinions about the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. This pipeline is designed to bring natural gas from Marcellus Shale fracking operations to markets on the East Coast. Construction began in 2017.
Sorry about the car window here. Such is photography with the car running. This sign was too good and colorful not to include.
