{"id":2257,"date":"2012-06-26T10:32:01","date_gmt":"2012-06-26T14:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=2257"},"modified":"2012-07-06T09:12:36","modified_gmt":"2012-07-06T13:12:36","slug":"two-great-discoveries-along-the-butler-freeport-community-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/two-great-discoveries-along-the-butler-freeport-community-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Two great discoveries along the Butler Freeport Community Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"

This spring, I had been invited to Butler, Pennsylvania for a press tour, and with the weather so enjoyable, I arrived early to take in some biking on two of Pennsylvania\u2019s excellent bike paths. It ended up becoming a much better ride than I ever imagined with two great historical discoveries made along the way. One was dead center on the trail and one was but a short side trip off the trail.<\/p>\n

Starting out just outside Butler, Pennsylvania, I headed south on the Butler Freeport Community Trail<\/a>. This is a 21-mile trail following the tracks of Butler County\u2019s first\u00a0 railroad, the Western Pennsylvania Railroad which connected these two towns in 1871. Primarily crushed limestone, the trail rises about 260 feet over the first 7 miles while heading south. From there until Freeport; it\u2019s mostly downhill from an elevation of 1,279 feet to a low of 740 feet.\u00a0 14 miles of downhill makes for a nice ride.<\/p>\n

\"Dittmer<\/a>About six miles outside of Butler, almost to the highest point on the trail, I happened on the little town of Herman, the first of my two discoveries. \u00a0There, just a few yards from the trail, was the old train station that served the Western Pennsylvania Railroad in its heyday. Not only a train station, it was also a post office, a general store and their residence \u2013 all started in 1886 by Martin Dittmer. In 1907, his cousin Joseph John Dittmer purchased the building and continued operating the three enterprises with his wife and 11 children.\u00a0 Looking at the property, I couldn\u2019t help but wonder where they all slept \u2013 maybe they slept in shifts.<\/p>\n

Wherever they slept, they were probably all thrown from their beds when a passing freight train derailed right outside their building in January, 1941. Luckily no one was seriously injured, but the tracks were shut down for a good number of days while the cars were righted and the track was repaired.<\/p>\n

With the advent of the automobile, the train fell out of favor and the train station closed. Mrs Dittmer passed away in 1979 at the age of 100 and the post office was relocated in 1986. Now the building sits empty. Empty, but not without memories. Luckily, a historical board along the bike trail chronicles the historic past for this great little hilltop home.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Continuing south, the bike path cut through some hills that had obviously been excavated for the train line years ago. Now, the sides of the shale hills have begun to grow over with vegetation, making a cool, green canopy for the bike path. Further along, as the path exits this shaded area, the bikeway goes right through a large, working farm. Signs remind you to stay on the path, but you are treated to sights you\u2019d never get to see if you travelled by car.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/a>About half-way to Freeport, I left the trail and headed west to the picturesque town of Saxonburg. I had been told about the wonderful lunch to be had at the historic Hotel Saxonburg<\/a>, and it was getting to be about that time. Originally built in 1832, Judy Ferree purchased and renovated this stately hotel and restaurant in 2010, and continues to operate it today.\u00a0 Lunch was every bit as good as promised. I totally enjoyed the seafood chowder, followed by a refreshing chicken salad with fresh strawberries, almonds and poppy seed dressing. Upstairs, the rooms have been faithfully refurbished with antique furniture to reflect a late 1800\u2019s period. If you like antiques, be sure to check these out.<\/p>\n

After lunch, I had the good fortune to meet up with Clarence Anderson, keeper of Saxonburg\u2019s history and historian extraordinaire.\u00a0 Before heading south again, he was nice enough to give me a whirlwind tour of the Main Street.<\/p>\n

First we met Jim at Main Stay B&B<\/a>, just a stone\u2019s throw from the hotel. Jim and his partner have done an amazing job of remodelling and decorating this delightful, chic getaway. From the Safari Room, to the Florida Suite to the Mission Room to the Pine Suite, each room is unique in its decor, creating a selection of rooms that should appeal to just about anyone.\u00a0 With complimentary wireless Internet access and a library that can be used for meetings, this is a perfect place for business people as well as vacationers.<\/p>\n

At the end of the road we poked our heads in the original landmark Saxonburg Memorial Church before turning the corner and proceeding down to the 6,000 square foot Saxonburg Museum. I must admit that I had some trepidation about spending much time at the museum, having been lured into some rather poorly done town museums in the past. To my delight, this was anything but boring. The historical commission responsible for the museum has accumulated a truly fascinating collection of memorabilia that celebrates this area. Room after room of various collections demanded much more time to explore and enjoy than I has allotted.<\/p>\n