How did Daniel Stoy and Stoystown help shape American history?

Beth Ann Miller, The Daily American
·3 min read

STOYSTOWN ―This Somerset County borough is older than the United States of America, and its presence was a significant influence on the nation’s early history as well.

On March 21, Stoystown residents will welcome special guests and the public to the first in a series of events this year, called “Celebrate Stoyestown 250,” that will celebrate the community’s 250th anniversary.

The first of Stoystown's 250th anniversary celebration events takes place on March 21 at the Stoyestown Historical Society's Log House, right, at 129 W. Forbes St.
The first of Stoystown's 250th anniversary celebration events takes place on March 21 at the Stoyestown Historical Society's Log House, right, at 129 W. Forbes St.

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At 5:30 p.m., church bells in the community will ring and an anniversary program will be held at the Stoyestown Historical Society Log House, 129 W. Forbes St. State and local elected officials have been invited to the event, said Dave Fox, president of the Stoyestown Historical Society.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 206 E. Main St., also plans to host a vegetable soup sale on Thursday, with take-out quarts of soup available to purchase at 3:30 p.m. until all the soup is gone.

“We hope people come and learn the history about Stoystown and celebrate the event with us,” Fox said.

Other activities being planned for the anniversary year include: A basket party from 1 to 4 p.m. April 28 at the Stoystown American Legion; A Memorial Day program and parade on May 27; a day-long celebration on June 8, featuring a pancake and sausage breakfast, a 5K race, walking tours through town, a chicken barbecue, kids’ games, bingo and an adult dance at the Stoystown Volunteer Fire Department’s social hall; and additional activities to take place on Aug. 17.

The community of Stoystown (formerly Stoyestown) was founded by Daniel Stoy on March 21, 1774 .
The community of Stoystown (formerly Stoyestown) was founded by Daniel Stoy on March 21, 1774 .

The list of activities scheduled so far are posted at the Stoystown Lions Club’s Facebook page. More activities are being considered, and the actual schedule of events is subject to change, Fox said.

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The history of Stoy(e)stown

Daniel Stoy founded Stoyestown on March 21, 1774, laying out lots for the town on 368 acres of land he received from an unnamed source, Fox said.

Stoyestown was a significant place in the earliest days of American history, as it was the halfway point for anyone traveling the Forbes Road between the forts in Bedford and Ligonier, both before and during the American Revolution. Daniel Stoy also served as a sergeant in the Continental Army, according to the Stoyestown Historical Society.

“In those early years, there was a lot of traffic, east to west,” Fox said, noting that because of the traffic, livery stables, blacksmith shops and other businesses were plentiful in the area to accommodate travelers’ needs.

The Hite House on W. Main St. in Stoystown, at left, was built in 1853 and served as a hotel and restaurant for those needing a break while traveling through the area by stagecoach, railroad or automobile. The building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 and is now a senior citizen apartment building.
The Hite House on W. Main St. in Stoystown, at left, was built in 1853 and served as a hotel and restaurant for those needing a break while traveling through the area by stagecoach, railroad or automobile. The building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 and is now a senior citizen apartment building.
This mural commissioned by the Lincoln Highway Experience honors Stoyestown's history as a stop along the Lincoln Highway, the nation's first coast-to-coast highway. The mural is painted on the side of the Mayapple Marketplace, a locally-owned general store at 101 W. Main St.
This mural commissioned by the Lincoln Highway Experience honors Stoyestown's history as a stop along the Lincoln Highway, the nation's first coast-to-coast highway. The mural is painted on the side of the Mayapple Marketplace, a locally-owned general store at 101 W. Main St.

In the early 1900s, after the invention of the automobile, Stoyestown became a stop along the original Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first east-to-west, coast-to-coast highway. The town again grew with businesses that catered to motorists traveling this section of the iconic highway, also known as U.S. Route 30, between Bedford and Ligonier.

The "e" in Stoyestown was dropped by the U.S. Postal Service on June 1, 1935, Fox said.

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Volunteers, old photos are welcome

A committee of Stoystown residents involved in the historical society, borough council, the fire department, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, the American Legion and the Lions Club are organizing the anniversary events.

Fox said anyone who wants to participate in these events, or has old pictures of Stoystown they’d like to share with the historical society, can contact him at 814-442-4950 or foxfire15563@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Stoystown PA celebrates 250th anniversary with multiple events in 2024