I don't know how long they've been doing this, but the Herald-Standard has been featuring short quizzes about interesting Fayette County facts. The latest one reveals:
- Slaves existed in nearly all townships in the county, even though Pennsylvania was a free state. Awesome news. Sure to help improve that reputation people have been so concerned about.
- There used to be 20 high schools, compared to the seven today. Another sign of the county's wealthy and populated past?
- P. T. Barnum's circus rolled through a few times, and in 1917 the main tent collapsed and a woman was killed.
- In 1905, the Uniontown high school principal embezzled money and fled to Europe, where he was arrested in England. We were making headlines for our crime even then!
- Hula hoops were a big deal. Like, hugely popular. One hundred million sold in the county in 1958, and the State Theatre held a contest to find the best hula hooper.
Neat stuff. Really, the county is full of plenty of interesting stories. You just have to know where to look. Or hope that things settle down so I can start telling the ones I know.
I love random facts and knowledge like this stuff!
ReplyDeleteThe hola hoop fun fact is hilarious. I picture all the towns people in the community outside on their front yards and on the streets hula hooping.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! It's really sad, but I think that hula hoop thing must have stuck around for generations. I had like 10 of them when I was little. They're still in my garage. You may have just inspired me to go buy a new one for the spring and summer. lol I wish we still got the Herald Standard on a daily basis. I'll have to keep an eye open for that column. Also, my high school's former principal that escaped to Europe... he was probably the smartest one that UHS ever had, because he had the sense to get out of that place. I hated it, but I loved it at the same time. Everyone has carbon monoxide poisoning right now though. Isn't that classy? :) lol
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful.
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