Is it going to snow today or rain? Will it be sunny? I can’t really answer that question, and I am not sure many can. Late winter weather in this area can be hectic, experiencing every season over the course of a week — sometimes in a single day. One thing we all know for sure is that spring is here and nice weather will follow, and we can all get outside and enjoy the world. Let’s go for a drive!
We’ll start out at the Greene/Fayette County line, at the Masontown Bridge on Route 21 just west of Masontown itself. Perhaps we can even get some of our Fayette County friends to join us on our trip. The Masontown Bridge is a landmark we are probably all familiar with, especially those that often travel to Fayette County. The bridge there now is newer. It replaced a large steel riveted structure that came down in 2013. Many of us likely watched the day it was demolished, either in person or through the many videos posted on social media.
Just beyond the Masontown Bridge, and right along the Monongahela River, are the remaining buildings of the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Station, commissioned in 1969 and closed in 2013. This March, many of us watched the great smokestacks tumble down as they were demolished. The power plant was one of the first things people would see if they were coming into the county from the east, and the smokestacks were visible for miles around. And while it operated, Hatfield was an enormous source of employment for the local community.
Continuing past Hatfield, we’ll stay on 21. You’ll see lots of great farmland and rolling meadows and fields along this major east/west route through the county. Some of our earliest settlers called this area home, having travelled this very route into the county in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. If you’re up for a little walking, the Muddy Creek Church, a large and exquisite brick structure just a few miles before Waynesburg, has a wonderful old cemetery on its grounds. Many members of some of the early families are buried on its grounds. It’s an interesting walk around to see the old stones and the names that are still common in this area today.
But back to our travels. Staying on 21, follow it into Waynesburg. There were once many interesting buildings in town that are no longer standing, too many to confine to one body of text. Route 21 will carry you along Waynesburg’s High Street to our first “thing that isn’t there anymore.” Many of us will remember it well. Just past the present County Office building at the intersection of High Street and Church Street sat the Peoples National Bank Building, also known as the old County Office building. Built in 1906, they often referred to it as Waynesburg’s Skyscraper until it met its end in 2014. Now the site of this once magnificent structure holds a parking lot for the present County Building.
Continue up High Street, turn left onto Washington Street, and left again onto Greene Street. Just off this intersection sits Pecjak’s Sunoco, a popular gas station and convenience store, and a very welcome business in downtown Waynesburg. Once, however, a grand mansion sat on this site.
Ivyhurst was built around the turn of the century by Robinson Downey and his wife Jennie. This splendid home not only played host to prominent members of the Waynesburg community and hosted many other important people as well. President Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson’s Vice President Thomas Marshall, William Jennings Bryan, and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge were guests at Ivyhurst.
Ivyhurst remained the home of Robinson and Jenny Downey until their deaths in 1923 and 1934, respectively. Upon the death of Mrs. Downey, the house was willed to Waynesburg College, now Waynesburg University, and was used as a home for the College’s Music Department until they demolished it in 1967. Luckily, many photos of this beautiful home were archived by the Greene Connections Photo Archive Project and can be found online.
Now, let’s turn right onto Morgan Street and right again, back onto High Street/Route 21 to leave Waynesburg and head to a more rural destination. Going through West Waynesburg, you’ll notice two interesting street names. At the eastern end is Ely Avenue and at the western end is Buchanan Avenue. Both the Elys and Buchanans once owned the land where West Waynesburg now stands, and the name Bucktown is a derivative of the name Buchanan.
Travel 21, through Eastview, and just past the Assembly of God Church. Where Oak Forest Road splits off, you may notice a lonely headstone right along the bank of the road on the right side. This is the grave of Elizabeth Hawkins, who died in 1824. It seems this lone grave may have been part of a larger cemetery that was partially destroyed when the road was constructed.
Continuing, heading on 21 towards Rogersville. The Crouse School House sits at the intersection of Rush Run Road. Take the right onto Rush Run and follow it all the way to the top of the hill. There, Rush Run meets with Hopewell Ridge Road. Go left, heading west on Hopewell Ridge Road. You’ll stay on Hopewell Ridge for several miles. It’s a beautiful country drive out this way, with amazing views and scenery. After a while, you’ll reach an intersection where West Run Road crosses Hopewell Ridge, and just beyond that, on a hill to the left, is the site of the Old Hopewell Church. All that remains now is the cemetery.
Hopewell Church was built sometime around 1883, a stunningly beautiful edifice with large Gothic windows with a pastel purple colored glass, high gables and many amazing architectural features. Unfortunately, this beautiful old church was abandoned for many years and demolished sometime around 2011. This site is still quite beautiful and is another wonderful spot to get out and take a stroll and admire the rolling hills for which Greene County is known.
From here, head west on Hopewell Ridge Road as it winds along the hilltops, and eventually back down to Route 21. And this is where we leave the rest of the journey up to you! You can turn back left onto 21 and head back towards Waynesburg or keep traveling west or explore many of the side roads that lead off 21 and see what amazing sites you can find on your own. Greene County is a truly amazing place and sometimes the best way to explore it is to pick a direction and drive and find out where you’ll end up when you get there!
