About Fayette County, PA

Lying on the borders of Maryland and West Virginia, this southwest Pennsylvania county was founded in the late 1700s and name after the Marquis de Lafayette. Many historical sites dating back to these colonial times remain, as well as registered sites celebrating other historic periods like Westward Expansion, the establishment of the Mason-Dixon line, and the development of coal and steel production in the area. The modern population of the county, as of the 2010 census, is just under 137,000, and the area is connected with Pittsburg by US Highway 40.

With mountains in the east and many scenic waterways, the area is rich in natural beauty, and locals have many parks and nature centers to enjoy. Nearby Ohiopyle State Park offers hiking, camping, boating, and swimming. Visitors can learn about natural caves at Laurel Canyon, which offers tours and rock climbing. Cucumber Falls is a nearby gorgeous waterfall with a scenic overlook. The county contains the most famous Frank Lloyd Wright home, Fallingwater, as well as the lesser known property Kentuck Knob.

Uniontown PA

The seat of Lafayette County is Uniontown, which is also the most populous municipality in the county with 10,000 residents. In 1967, they became the birthplace of the McDonald’s Big Mac hamburger, and they retain this quaint small town American vibe in their historical downtown, which has a lot of local boutiques and restaurants.

Connellsville, PA

With a modern population of just under 8,000, Connellsville, is the second most populous city in the county, located just 50 miles from Pittsburgh. This quaint small town has a long history, founded along the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River, during American Revolutionary War times. The town became the “Coke Capital of the World” when coal production ramped up in the early 20th century, and now it’s known as a lovely scenic bedroom community within the greater Pittsburgh Metro Area.