Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in South, Southwest Greensburg

Oct. 4—South Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg are communities with similar names. But, more than a century since they were born, the adjoining boroughs located a stone's throw from the City of Greensburg have forged their own identities.

Both were stops along the now-defunct West Penn Railways trolley line. Created and settled from old farmland, they have transitioned into residential and industrial communities.

South Greensburg originated in the 1870s when a local industrialist, George Franklin Huff, bought 189 acres of the Rugh farm and, a decade later, sold it to the Greensburg Coal and Coke Co. for a mine and brickyard along Broad Street. Fifty workers' houses were built in 1888 in the town that was then known as Huff, Hufftown or Huff's Station.

South Greensburg was incorporated as a borough in 1891.

Southwest Greensburg, which has a similar history, was settled by John Peter Miller in 1769. According to local legend, the community for decades carried the unofficial name of "What You Please," in response to a joking reference by its founder when asked the town's name.

Nearly a century later, it was registered as Southwest Greensburg and officially became a borough in 1890.

Here are 10 unique places in these communities:

South Greensburg Restaurant

South Greensburg Restaurant at 1309 Broad St. is home to the Giant Pancake. The 14-inch buttermilk treat has become a staple of the farm-themed restaurant that opened in 2016.

"The pancake just kept getting bigger and bigger," said South Greensburg Restaurant server Angie Boettner. "People come in just to see it. If they want the challenge, they'll order it."

Boettner's sister, Anita Copelli, worked at the restaurant when it opened and took ownership of the small eatery a year later. It has since been expanded to include a larger dining room and serves a variety of breakfast and lunch items seven days a week.

Art's Barber Shop

Located at 1534 Broad St. in South Greensburg's business district, Art's Barber Shop has a vintage feel. Purchased by Art Syphan 19 years ago, the shop operates under the proviso of "no gimmicks, just real haircuts."

Syphan worked as a barber in Vandergrift and purchased the shop as a means to work closer to home. He's since given the shop its own identity. Old-style barber chairs line the premises, and classic artwork dots the walls for customers who come in for the no-frills cuts.

"I'm trying to create that antique barber shop," Syphan said.

Parkwood Inn

The Parkwood at 1002 Cribbs St. in Southwest Greensburg, has been around since the 1950s.

With its vintage rotating sign out front and large outdoor deck, the family dining spot has been a landmark for hungry and thirsty customers. Owned by June Zimmerman since 1995, the Parkwood is known for its pizza and homemade spaghetti sauce, according to Zimmerman's son, Nick Waste.

"We're closed on Sundays and Tuesdays, but we're open on Monday," Waste said. Monday is when the restaurant offers its spaghetti special.

Warp Zone

The Warp Zone relocated in 2022 from downtown Greensburg to larger digs at 1302 Poplar St. in South Greensburg. It specializes in sales of used video games and gaming systems, according to owner Carey Williams.

As part of the Warp Zone's expansion, Williams brought in 35 old-school arcade games. Gamers can pay a $5 fee for unlimited play on the machines. Customers can play for free with purchase of other merchandise, Williams said.

"We don't earn a profit from it," Williams said of the games. "We have them because I wanted to have an arcade."

The business is open Fridays through Sundays.

Red Devil's Park

Southwest Greensburg's recreation center is Red Devil's Park, at 716 Foster St. It includes ball fields and play equipment and is the home for the borough's recreation programs.

The park features baseball diamonds, a half-mile walking track, concession stands and bleachers. It was created at an empty field used by the local fire department for its annual carnival, according to published accounts.

Amos K. Hutchinson one-room schoolhouse

Built in 2001 behind Amos K. Hutchinson Elementary School in Southwest Greensburg, the school building transports visitors back in time to a typical educational setting between 1870 and 1890. It provides a learning experience with a historical atmosphere for Greensburg Salem School District students.

Measuring 40 by 50 feet, the building at 810 Welty St. features handcrafted wooden benches and shelves, a working school bell on its roof and a pump organ stationed behind the teacher's desk.

Laurel Highlands Meadery

Laurel Highlands Meadery at 1400 Broad St. in South Greensburg started out as a hobby for owners Matt and Mandy Falenski but has evolved into a thriving business that specializes in honey-based wines. The shop and tasting room, which opened in 2019, offer a variety of traditional and seasonal selections.

The meadery is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays.

Brady's Train Outlet

John Brady, a McKeesport native, has sold model trains since the 1970s and opened his expanded store about a decade ago at 1046 S. Main St. in Southwest Greensburg. Brady sells model trains, including engines, passenger cars, box cars, cabooses and specialty cars from all eras; train tracks; and accessories such as water towers, railroad crossings, bridges, lighting systems and hundreds of model houses and storefronts.

The store is open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

Morelands at Waterworks

Once the primary water treatment plant for Greensburg and its surrounding communities, the industrial building at 1817 S. Broad Street Extension in South Greensburg was renovated as a bar in 2011 and has since transitioned into a restaurant that features American cuisine.

Owner Gwen Moreland, along with her husband, George, purchased the building in 2019 and reopened it in early 2020 after extensive renovations. She said a 32-tap draft system was installed to feature multiple drink options.

Morelands also operates a banquet facility that can accommodate up to 160 guests.

The restaurant is closed Mondays.

St. Bruno Catholic Church

Located at 1715 Poplar St. in South Greensburg, the church has provided a religious home for more than 2,000 parishioners. Dedicated in 1962, the stone and marble building is topped by a 70-foot bell tower featuring a 12-foot image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

St. Bruno sits on a former cow pasture that was purchased in 1919 from the South Greensburg Land Co. The church celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2019 and holds a popular fish fry each year during Lent.

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich by email at rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .