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Latrobe History
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In 1852, Oliver
Barnes (a civil engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad laid
out the plans for the community that was incorporated in 1854
as the Borough of Latrobe. Barnes named the town for his best
friend and college classmate, Benjamin Latrobe, who was a civil
engineer for the B&O Railroad. (His father, Benjamin Henry
Latrobe, was the architect who rebuilt the U.S. Capitol in Washington,
D.C. after the War of 1812.)
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Its location along
the route of the Pennsylvania Railroad helped Latrobe develop
into a significant industrial hub. Latrobe was also served by
the Ligonier Valley Railroad from 1877 to 1952.
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Two interurban (long-distance
trolley) lines served Latrobe: The Westmoreland County Railway
Company connected Latrobe to Derry, operating 1904 to 1932.
Also, Latrobe Street Railway Company began operations in 1900,
connecting Latrobe to Kingston. That line was purchased by West
Penn Railways, which eventually linked it with its network
running through Youngstown, Pleasant Unity, and eventually to
Greensburg and Uniontown. Service ceased in 1952.
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Latrobe has three
sites on the National Register of Historic Places within its
city boundaries:
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Pennsylvania Railroad Station at Latrobe (325 McKinley Avenue):
This station was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1903.
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Citizens National Bank (816 Ligonier Street): At six stories,
this is the city’s tallest building, previously known
as the Mellon Bank Building. This 1926 structure was designed
by the Greensburg firm of Batholomew & Smith.
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Latrobe Armory (1017 Ridge Avenue) This two-story brick
structure was built in 1927 in an art deco style. Joseph F.
Kuntz was the architect.
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Among its claims
to fame, Latrobe is the home of the Latrobe Brewery (the original
brewer of Rolling Rock beer), Saint Vincent College, and golfer
Arnold Palmer. It was the childhood home of Fred Rogers, children's
television personality. He was also buried there in Unity Cemetery
after his death in 2003. While it was believed for years that
the first professional football game was played in Latrobe,
the city refused induction into the Hall of Fame records. Latrobe
is also home of the first banana split, invented in Latrobe
by David Strickler in 1904. Latrobe is home to the training
camp of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football team. Also,
comedian Jackie Mason spent three years as a rabbi in Latrobe
after his ordination.
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