Fort Ligonier offers more bang for the buck

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | Tuesday, April 30, 2002 | Angel Brownawell

[Willie Green]

In a garage along Route 30 near Ligonier, Drew Mooney chips away at bronze, accurately reproducing the logo of King George II of England.

The 6-pound bronze gun he's chiseling was once on display at Fort Ligonier, but the engraved date wasn't correct. Neither were the fine details of the 18th- century king's logo.

[Willie Green]

Take a virtual tour of Fort Ligonier on the Web.

And if your summer vacation plans include Western Pennsylvania, the real thing is certainly worth visiting!

[mountaineer]

You're right! It's in a really lovely part of Pennsylvania, too. Also, if you're near Steubenville, Ohio, drop by Ft. Steuben.

[RayBob]

And you can appease the kiddies by including a trip to nearby amusement park, Idlewild Park, which has a water park, old-style amusement park and Storybook Forest for the little tykes.

[pubmom]

I haven't been to Fort Ligonier since the fifth grade, I'll take the kids during the summer.

After everyone has visited the fort and Idewild, (The Wild Mouse causes MAJOR bruises) if you don't mind driving North a bit, there is an Amish community with some very nice shops. Listing for shops, and some Amish Etiquette

[Willie Green]

Also, if you're near Steubenville, Ohio, drop by Ft. Steuben.

And you can appease the kiddies by including a trip to nearby amusement park, Idlewild Park,

Great additions to our vacation tour!!!

I suppose we should also include Fort Necessity and Fort Pitt / Fort Duquesne.

[Willie Green]

I haven't been to Fort Ligonier since the fifth grade, I'll take the kids during the summer.

The kids might also enjoy a tour of Laurel Caverns.

Adults would be more appreciative of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater.

[martin_fierro]

I used to attend Christian summer camp at First Presbyterian Church Camp in Ligionier.

It's now called somthing else, but Ligonier truly is God's country. Some of the best times I ever had were there.

[JenB]

I wonder if that's the church that's now Ligonier Presbyterian? I've been there once or twice, lovely little church but I don't know if they have a summer camp.

[martin_fierro]

I think the camp was owned by FIrst Presby in Pittsburgh at that time.

Now the camp is called "Ligonier Camp and Conference Center".

Mrs. Fierro & I stopped by there a few years back, and we could still see some of my graffitti on the cabin walls. What a punk I was. <|:)~

[JenB]

No, looks like it's not related to Ligonier PCA... I think First Presby is PCUSA so they wouldn't even be in our Presbytery. Oh well; that's a beautiful piece of the world, isn't it?

[martin_fierro]

Abso-freaking-lutely beautiful.

[mountaineer]

The camp still is owned by First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, and still is going strong. (My mother is a member of FPC). This brings back a lot of memories from the times I attended camp there!

[Willie Green]

Let's pray that the eco-nuts don't spoil that view with one of their goofy windmill farms!

[Clemenza]

If you are in SW Pennsylvania you should also check out Ohiopyle State Park, a park of incredible beauty which puts most of our National parks to shame!

[Willie Green]

Seven Springs would be a good place for out-of-staters to stay while enjoying all these attractions!

[Sam Cree]

"Adults would be more appreciative of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater"

My wife would love to see Fallingwater. If we're ever in the area, we'll go see it.

A friend of mine has a brother who cast in bronze a working (capable of being fired) model of a cannon from that era in high school as a science fair project. I saw the thing, really beautiful. Imagine trying that for the science fair in today's America.

[Willie Green]

My wife would love to see Fallingwater. If we're ever in the area, we'll go see it.

The good news is they've just completed some major structural renovation: Stabilized Fallingwater getting itself back together, although I imagine there may still be some cosmetic maintenance to perform. Just the same, it should be in excellent shape when you get a chance to see it!!!

[Willie Green]

Oooops!

I should mention that reservations are required for all Fallingwater tours.

[Joe 6-pack]

I grew up in Indiana, PA and know the area well. Both the fort and Fallingwater make for a great vacation and are both inspirational in their own ways. I would heartily recommend anyone trekking across PA take Rte. 30 instead of the Turnpike. I went to Gettysburg College and would pick up 30 in Bedford. What a wonderful and relaxing drive, especially when the foliage turns in Autumn.

[Sam Cree]

Thanks for the info.