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South Fayette celebrates 175 years

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South Fayette Township was officially established on March 16, 1842. One hundred seventy-five years to the day later, March 16, 2017, the township will celebrate with a Birthday Bash, kicking off a slew of celebratory events and activities this year. The 175th Birthday Bash will be held 5-8 p.m. at Fairview Volunteer Fire Department’s Sunset Room, and is a free family event. Activities include games, prizes, birthday cake (of course!), face painting, a magician, photo booth, crafts and more. Merchandise will be sold to benefit the township’s parks and the Historical Society of South Fayette Township.

According to the township, it was named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French general who served the United States during the American Revolution. What is today known as South Fayette Township “was claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia,” the township website reads. “In 1788, the area became part of Moon Township, one of the seven townships in Allegheny County. Two years later, Fayette Township was carved out of Moon Township. Finally, in 1842, Fayette Township was divided into two municipalities – North Fayette Township and South Fayette Township.

As the year progresses, folks will be able to share their favorite local memories and photos online, with the possibility of them being included in a time capsule that will be buried this year to commemorate the 175th anniversary. On the second Tuesday of June, July and August, the South Fayette Senior Center will host historical speakers, movies and more at 6 p.m.

And, later this year, bricks will be for sale for a structure in the new park in honor of the 175th anniversary. South Fayette’s goal is to sell, you guessed it, 175 bricks.

The photo on this page is obviously not from 175 years ago. It’s a circa 1985 aerial view of the township and the Interstate 79 interchange. As you can see, a lot has changed since the image was taken. “Pictured at left is the T-intersection of Route 50 and Washington Pike,” says Community Development Director Andrea Iglar. “Everything above Chartiers Creek is South Fayette Township, and below the creek is Bridgeville Borough.”

Iglar says that the back of the photograph is marked “Official Pennsylvania State Police Photograph.”

For more information on South Fayette’s 175th year, visit southfayettepa.com/175.

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