Cat's Meow Village &
Window Ledge Collectibles Custom
12008   Apple Hill Playhouse

Located in Delmont,   PA length = 6,   height = 3-1/2 inches 3/4 inch thick Price   + S&H
Apple Hill Playhouse Website
Apple Hill Playhouse Westmoreland County Website
Apple Hill Playhouse display showing 207 Johnny Appleseed Statue & 224 Apple Tree

207   Johnny Appleseed Statue length = 1-5/8,   height = 3-5/8 inches 7/16 inch thick Retired 12/31/98,  Price
224   Apple Tree length = 3-3/4,   height = 4 inches 3/4 inch thick Retired 12/31/99,  Price	00-602   Apple Tree length = 3-3/4,   height = 3-1/2 inches 3/4 inch thick Retired 12/31/02,  Price
S21 Apple Orchard length = 7-5/16,   height = 2-5/16 inches 3/4 inch thick Retired 3/31/06,  Price

     Located 4/10 mile west of Route 66 in Delmont , PA, stands an old red barn. Once used to store hay, straw, and stable mules bred for underground coal mining, this barn now has transformed into a popular destination to view productions of adult plays and repertoire.
     Built about 1833, by the Martz family for their working farm, it was in use until 1956 when converted into the William Penn Playhouse, which lasted for five seasons and closed. In 1964, it was reopened by three investors as the Apple Hill Playhouse and in 1981 purchased by Pat Beyer. Under her direction, it has hosted sixteen successful seasons, to date, along with the Johnny Appleseed Children's Theater, which is an ongoing summer stock educational playhouse for children.
     Johnny Appleseed is said to have traveled along the route from Philadelphia, through Delmont, to Pittsburgh, on his way west. Stopping here, it is said, that he planted apple seeds in the "valley in the hills," as Delmont was called by the French. Some trees remain alive today in the area surrounding the Playhouse barn.
     The Delmont location is very significant to the history of Route 66 and the development of Pittsburgh as the "Gateway to the West." The name Delmont was adopted in 1871 due to confusion of the original name (Salem or New Salem) with several other communities in Pennsylvania. A really big break for growth and expansion came when the east - west Northern Turnpike (old Route 22) was completed in 1819 linking Phadelphia to Pittsburgh. Passing through Delmont (Salem Cross-Roads), bisecting the north-south road formerly called the Greensburg - Kittanning Pike, now known as Route 66.
     The term "turnpike" (pike) originated from the pike or pole, that was placed across the road at a tollhouse, which in Delmont (Salem Crossroads) was located on the north side of the "S" curve on what is presently West Pittsburgh Street (old Route 22 - just 2/10 mile west of Route 66). No vestages of it remains.
     Five stage coach lines passed through town and became lifeblood of commerce. Tavern keepers, inn keepers, blacksmiths, wagon makers, wheel wrights, harness makers, tanners, and merchants were all established businesses by the 1820's. There was a tremendous volume of freight hauled through town as the immigrants moved west.
     The Delmont Apple & Arts Festival Committee presently produces and holds a fall "Apple & Arts Festival" in October at the historic Shields farm, just east of town center, on East Pittsburgh Street (Old Route 22) and the pilgramage "Christmas in Salem Crossroads" takes place in December throughout town with a visit to the historic colonial homes.