History of Derry Township
(from the 1952 publication by the History Club of Derry Township High School)
Derry Township, the largest township in area in Westmoreland County, was organized by the Court of Quarter Sessions in April, 1773, (sic – 1775) and was the first township established within the county after it was originally chartered. The need for its formation had not, however, grown out of a recent immigration to the area, for there were citizens within its boundaries who had occupied their lands before 1769 when the land-office was opened. Earlier in 1773 when Westmoreland County was organized, that part of Derry Township bordering on Hempfield was more thickly settled in some parts than in any other interior sections of the same size in the county.
The boundaries were described by the court as follows: “Beginning at the Loyalhanna, thence along the line of Fairfield township till it strikes Blacklick; then along down Two Lick till it strikes Conemaugh; then down the Conemaugh till it strikes Kiskiminitas; then up the Loyalhanna to the place of the beginning.”.
However, the formation of Indiana County (1803) and of the township of Loyalhanna (1833) greatly cut down the area of Derry Township, so that today the boundaries have been changed until they are as follows: NORTH: The Conemaugh River, which separates Westmoreland from Indiana County. EAST: The townships of Fairfield to the north and Ligonier to the south, the dividing line being the Chestnut Ridge. SOUTHWEST: The townships of Unity and Salem, marked by the natural boundary of the Loyalhanna River. NORTHWEST: The township of Loyalhanna.
There are few districts in the county that can boast of as much interesting early history as Derry Township. Its location was one that was exposed to the raids and plunderings of the Indians from the earliest times down to but a very short period before the Revolution. The old military road which ran directly through it, the old trails along the streams where the savages passed, the heavy woods to the north in the county, and the river to the north which formed the borderline of civilization and settlement – these make its location one of extreme danger when there was danger at all. Besides this, the annoyance to the early settlers from wild animals and reptiles appears to have been of a more serious character than in most any other part of the country.
(To purchase the entire History click here.)
History of the Fulton House
On November 29, 1815, Joseph Guthrie, son of William Guthrie, received from the estate of his father, a parcel of land containing 113 acres plus allowances. Joseph had the land surveyed and, on July 6, 1815, a plan of lots was laid out to form the Town of Derry. Derry is now known as New Derry and what we now know as Derry, was originally called Derry Station. The town was laid out along two streets, Pittsburg Street running East to West, and Liberty Street running North to South. Lot #27 Pittsburg Street, on the west side of town, was purchased by Robert Fulton for the sum of $25.00 lawful currency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1817.
A house and other appurtenances were erected on the property. It is not known whether Robert Fulton operated it as a stagecoach inn, but it is believed that he did, because by April 3, 1821, when he and his wife, Lettice, sold it to James Fulton, Jr., who called himself an Innkeeper, the value of the property had increased to $600.00. A wagon shop was housed in the rear stone portion of the building. Reuben Allshouse purchased the property May 23, 1871, for $900.00. After his death, Edward H. Ferry purchased it from Naomi Berry and other heirs of Reuben for $1000.00 on May 12, 1905.
On November 17, 1941, Floyd N. Thomas and his wife, Clara, purchased the property. After Floyd's death, it became the property of Thomas Nicodem and his wife, Effie, on August 31, 1970. The house stood vacant for many years until May 1997, when The Derry Area Historical Society took possession and began the restoration and rehabilitation.
The beautiful building you see today is the result of over 5000 volunteer hours. Click on the "Photos" link above for before and after pictures of the Fulton House....the results are astounding!!!!
New Growth!!!
New Growth!!!
New Growth!!!
The Derry Area Historical Society was fortunate enough, through the foresight and generosity of Past President Bob Reintgen, to obtain a Conestoga Wagon. It was with this acquisition in mind, that the long range plan to construct a barn on the Fulton House grounds was acted upon. The membership decreed that it was time to grow and expand, so a new building program was implemented.
Curious? Click the link below and take a peek at the exciting things happening at the Derry Area Historical Society!!!
Derry Area Historical Society Barn Project
