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Our Town: West Newton

4 min read

Courtesy of Allegheny Trail Alliance

Courtesy of Allegheny Trail Alliance

West Newton Station has become the town’s Visitor Center.

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

East Main Street

West Newton sits on the river, but not the Monongahela River. This Youghiogheny River town was first settled in the 1700s, and it’s played a major role in our country’s westward expansion. In fact, according to its website, “In 1788, a group of Revolutionary War veterans from Ipswich, Mass., spent the winter at Simeral’s Ferry (named for the area’s first family to live in the area), making boats in order to travel west. Those veterans went on to settle the first town in the Ohio Territory: Marietta.”

Originally dubbed Robbstown, in honor of whiskey rebel Isaac Rob, who officially laid out the town, West Newton bustled in the 1800s, thanks to railroad, a large and busy paper mill and coal mining.

As with many river towns, West Newton has had its ebbs and flows. Mayor Mary Popovich, who is starting her 10th year in office, says that as of the last U.S. Census, West Newton’s population was about 2,800.

“It’s charming, the (more than) 100-year-old bridge adds nostalgia – it’s a Parker truss bridge, and there aren’t too many of those left. It has a small, hometown feel,” she says. “What I like about it is almost everybody knows everybody. People are friendly. I really do think that the small towns are going to come back.”

Courtesy of Allegheny Trail Alliance

Courtesy of Allegheny Trail Alliance

Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast is comprised of four Victorian homes in West Newton.

Today, the town takes advantage of being located on the Great Allegheny Passage, a recreational trail on the former site of the railroad tracks. The 1905 Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Train Station is now home to the West Newton Visitor Center, right on the trail. It’s a convenient and informative stop for trail travelers.

Pretty much right across the street from the Visitor Center is another business that trailgoers frequent: West Newton Bicycle Shop. They sell and rent bikes, as well as offer tune-ups and adjustments.

One of the town’s challenges, according to Popovich, is that businesses are so mixed in with residential homes, it can be difficult to navigate the area if you aren’t familiar. She’s got an idea to fix that, though: installing scan codes along the trail head, so that folks can scan it with their smartphone and pull up a map of town. “Why not take advantage of technology?” Popovich says.

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

A mural on the side of the West Newton Public Library was painted by a group of Yough High School students last fall.

While that concept is just an idea right now, there is no shortage of possibilities in West Newton. “There are some buildings that are available and I think it’s a good place for people to start up, like restaurants or maybe an internet café or hostel,” Popovich says. “I would hope that people would look here if they want to start a family-owned business. We get a ton of traffic and we have been doing well. Taxes are relatively inexpensive, it’s great place to raise a family. We have everything except for bus transportation.”

Some things to do while you’re in West Newton: visit the cemetery, just off of Route 136 on the west side of the river. Hannah Patterson, who was a leader in the women’s suffrage movement and the director of the Women’s Committee for National Defense, is buried there, as are former Pittsburgh Steeler Ralph Calcagni and 22 victims of the 1907 Darr Mining explosion. It’s accessible from the trail, and has become a tourist attraction in its own right.

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Jamie Yaroscak of West Newton takes her dog Josie for a walk across the West Newton Bridge while keeping her other dog, Markie, warm in her coat.

Crooked Creek Distillery makes craft moonshine, gin and vodka and sits at 104. S. Water St. Also on the menu are local wines and beers, and fare from Smoke Stack BBQ (housed in the same building).

Burtners Rock & Gem jewelry store is located at 128 E. Main St., and is known as a “women’s hardware store.” The eclectic pieces are made of minerals, gemstones, sterling silver, titanium, tungsten and more.

If you’re looking to stay more than a day, check out Bright Morning, a series of four Victorian homes turned into a bed and breakfast on Jefferson Court that offer 14 guest rooms, a full, hot breakfast and Patio Bar. This is also located right on the GAP trail.

“I grew up here, and you didn’t have to leave – you could get everything you needed here,” Popovich says. “I would love to see it be a hub again, and it’s coming around.”

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

West Newton Cemetery

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