Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Ligonier

Jul. 5—Ligonier Borough is known for its central Diamond Park, a public space that is imbued with classic Americana charm.

Like a diamond, the town's appeal is multifaceted.

History buffs can step back into the community's origin story at Fort Ligonier, a reconstructed British outpost originally built near a Native American village during a critical campaign of the 18th-century French and Indian War. After the British won that war, the fort was decommissioned, but the town grew up around it.

Ligonier officially was laid out by John Ramsey in 1817, spurred by development of the new Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike, and was incorporated as a borough in 1834. Once served by a local rail line, the town has continued to attract travelers from near and far along modern Route 30.

Shoppers are drawn to browse among about 50 specialty retailers offering everything from antiques, home decor and holiday-themed items to sweet treats, modern fashions and fishing gear. Entertainment options include movies, bowling and summer band concerts.

The town's population of about 1,500 swells several times during the year for special events and festivals.

Here are 10 unique things in the Ligonier area:

Diamond Park

Actually in the shape of a circle, this landscaped community hub at the crossroads of Main Street and Market Street (Route 711) offers plenty of seating to relax and soak in the town's picturesque charm.

Its centerpiece bandstand has been the setting for many weddings over the years, as well as live music. For special occasions, food stalls line the surrounding sidewalks.

The Diamond features a unique "Man and Beast Fountain," dating from 1921. Its three tiers respectively were designed to serve humans, dogs and horses.

The park underwent a $3.5 million renovation in 2018, gaining additional seating, LED lighting and a snow-melt system under its brick walkways. It was named a "Great Public Space" by the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association.

Antiques on the Diamond

Dubbed a "Vintage and Retro Faire," this summer event brings together dealers in antiques and collectibles and those who love them. Vendors congregate at Ligonier's Diamond and spill over onto adjacent sections of Main Street.

The event draws vendors offering an array of items, ranging from furniture and clocks to apparel and jewelry.

Sponsored by the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, it is scheduled to occur twice during 2023 — on June 3 and Aug. 26.

Sunday Evening Band Concerts

During the summer, area community bands grace the Diamond with a series of concerts.

During 2023, concerts will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 27.

Groups slated to strike up the music include Jeannette Community Band, Blairsville Community Band, Swing City, Scottdale Area Concert Band, Kiski Valley Community Band, East Winds Symphonic Band, Community Band South, Penn Trafford Community Band, Big Fat Jazz, Wally Gingers Orchestra and Candle in the Wind.

The concert series is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Ligonier Ice Fest

For 32 years, this display of ice sculptures at Diamond Park and fronting town stores and restaurants has provided a welcome respite from January's mid-winter doldrums.

Visitors eagerly await the unveiling of the sculptures for the weekend event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. This year, DiMartino Ice Co. of Jeannette carved a total of 90 blocks of ice to create more than 50 frozen figures for the town — including a fanciful throne and a winged Pegasus.

Musical performances, horse-drawn carriage rides and kettle corn have been among other attractions of the event.

Fort Ligonier

Originally constructed in 1758, this fort on the western side of Laurel Mountain was named for the commander-in-chief of the British Army, Field Marshal Lord John Ligonier. It was the final outpost in British Gen. John Forbes' successful campaign to drive French forces from Fort Duquesne, at the forks of the Ohio River.

The latter fortification was replaced with the British Fort Pitt, giving rise to modern Pittsburgh.

Archaeological digs and historic maps have informed reconstruction of Fort Ligonier on 8 acres of its original site, at routes 30 and 711.

Visitors will find a full-size reconstruction of the inner fort, including an underground powder magazine, surrounded by cannon placements, a blacksmith's forge, a saw mill, a smokehouse and hospital wards. A museum included in tours has a gallery focused on George Washington, whose experiences during the French and Indian War included leading a force of Virginians assigned to Fort Ligonier.

Fort Ligonier Days

This annual weekend fall festival celebrates the anniversary of a battle Oct. 12, 1758, when the British troops at Fort Ligonier drove off a raiding party of French and Native American forces.

The modern event has grown into a popular parade augmented by food and craft booths and live music that typically attract more than 100,000 people.

Period reenactors are a feature of the parade and of artillery demonstrations at reconstructed Fort Ligonier.

The 2023 event is set for Oct. 13-15.

Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center

Run by artists Mandy and Paul Sirofchuck, the gallery at 301 W. Main St. has been in operation since 1994, featuring locally handcrafted furniture and stained glass from their own Sirofchuck Studios.

Known for his contemporary hardwood furniture, Paul Sirofchuck has won multiple regional awards through the years, as well as recognition in a Harrisburg exhibition and a Philadelphia competition.

Other available items include functional and decorative pottery, metalwork, wall art, religious art, garden art, home accents, jewelry, handbags and greeting cards.

In their lower-level art center, the Sirofchucks also offer classes in several art forms including painting, pottery and stained glass.

Ligonier Creamery

Known for homemade, hand-dipped ice cream featuring ingredients from Galliker's Dairy of Johnstown, this local parlor features over 250 flavors that rotate through its menu over the course of the year.

A best-selling favorite among customers is 5 Chocolates — a combination of two varieties of chocolate ice cream chock full of chocolate chips, chocolate chunks and chocolate fudge swirls.

The creamery also offers soft-serve ice cream in flavors such as watermelon, as well as sundaes, milkshakes, novelty items and ice cream cakes and pizzas.

Scoop into these frozen treats at 105 E. Main St.

Ligonier Tavern & Table

The historic surroundings and specialty menu selections provide equal incentives to dine at this longtime eating establishment.

The location at 139 W. Main St. is a large, ornate Victorian home built in the late 1890s for the town's first mayor, William J. Potts. By the late 1920s, it had been transformed into the Lincoln Hotel and Restaurant.

Today, restaurant guests can order lunch or dinner as well as selections from extensive wine and craft beer lists. The full bar offers house-designed cocktails and draft beer.

Sandwiches include a hoagie featuring braised short ribs, according to its website. Entrees include Mediterranean shrimp & mussel pasta and pork belly ramen.

Joe's Bar

This neighborhood bar at 202 W. Main St. has a surprise waiting in the back room and additional space upstairs.

A polar bear is among more than 200 species of animals mounted in an extensive taxidermy display.

These unusual conversation pieces were installed by the bar's namesake, the late Joseph Berg Snyder, who died in 2008 at 81. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he was an avid hunter and a member of Safari Club International.

The bar now is owned by his grandson, Keith Blystone. Since smoking is permitted on the premises, you must be 21 to enter.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .