Uniontown Centennial

Off-white background with red text and a black illustration of the Fayette County (Pennsylvania) Courthouse

The Daily News Standard reported the arrival of “the ideal summer day” just in time for Uniontown, Pennsylvania’s centennial celebration. The city celebrated 100 years in July, 1896 and went all out in preparation for the festivities. Every building in Uniontown was decorated with banners, flags, streamers, and bunting. Addresses made by local leaders, music from popular bands, firework shows, bicycle races, mock battles, and parades drew in locals as well as people from out of town. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Y.M.C.A. donated a new fountain unveiled during Uniontown’s celebration. Exhibits included a three-ton chunk of coal displayed by the W.J. Rainey Company, as well as Amos Joliffe’s curios display. These “unusual Fayette County artifacts” consisted of antique weaponry, cookware, books, and even a deer’s head. There is some confusion surrounding Uniontown’s founding date; however, while plans were drawn in 1776, the borough in which Uniontown resides was not officially established until 1796. Uniontown continues to hold its annual Founding Day Festival with car shows, kids activities, art booths and displays, history wagon tours, food trucks, and fireworks.