Ruffs Dale, also spelled Ruffsdale, is an unincorporated community in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania United States. It is located approximately forty miles from Pittsburgh. Ruffs Dale has its own post office, with zip code 15679, located at 875 State Route 31. [1] [2]
Buffalo Run, a tributary of Sewickley Creek, runs through Ruffs Dale. [3]
In 1906, historian John Newton Boucher described Ruffs Dale as being located along "the South-West Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad" between Hunker and "Tarr" [4] (perhaps Tarrs). In 2021, railroad tracks were still in place in Ruffs Dale. [5]
During the French and Indian War, the Braddock Expedition, led by General Edward Braddock and accompanied by George Washington, is said to have crossed the Big Sewickley Creek between Ruffs Dale and Paintertown, with the goal of seizing Fort Duquesne from the French. [6]
In 1896, one of the first two rural mail routes in Pennsylvania was established at the Ruffs Dale post office; the other was based in New Stanton. A historical marker was erected to commemorate the event. [7]
Mines once operated in the area around Ruffs Dale, according to a United States Geological Survey map dated 1987. [8]
The S. Dillinger & Sons distillery, which produced "Dillinger Pure Rye" whisky, was located in Ruffs Dale. [9] Constructed in 1882, it was still in operation in 1947, but was abandoned sometime prior to 1993. It was said to have been the second-largest distillery in Pennsylvania at one time. [10] [11] [12]
The majority of Ruffs Dale lies within Yough School District. One school is part of Southmoreland School District.
40°10′30″N79°36′29″W / 40.17500°N 79.60806°W
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Westmoreland County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, located in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 354,663. The county seat is Greensburg and the most populous community is Hempfield Township. It is named after Westmorland, a historic county of England. The county is part of the Southwest Pennsylvania region of the state.
Bell Acres is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 1,505 at the 2020 census.
Saltlick Township is a township that is located in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,042 according to the 2020 census, a decline of twelve percent from the 2010 census, and eighteen percent from the 2000 census. It is served by the Connellsville Area School District.
Bell Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,080 at the 2020 decennial census.
Donegal Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,192 at the 2020 census, a decrease of 9% compared to 2010.
East Huntingdon Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,712 at the 2020 census. From 1978 to 1988, the township had been home to the Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant, which later became a Sony plant. As of 2020 companies there include DNP, Cenveo, and Siemens.
Greensburg is a city in and the county seat of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,976 at the 2020 census. Located 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Pittsburgh, Greensburg is a part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The city lies within the Laurel Highlands and the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War.
Hempfield Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 41,585 at the 2020 census, making it the largest suburb in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area by population. Its name is derived from Hempfield in Lancaster County, which was formed in 1729 and is named after the hemp fields in the area.
New Stanton is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,339 at the 2020 census. New Stanton is often used as a control city in western parts of Pennsylvania, as I-70 joins the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) eastbound towards Breezewood in New Stanton, and is a free highway westbound.
Rostraver Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,374 at the 2020 census.
Sewickley Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,590 at the 2020 census.
Unity Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 21,724 at the 2020 census, a decline of approximately 4% compared to the 2010 census.
Hempfield Area School District is a large school district in western Pennsylvania. It is the largest in Westmoreland County with a resident population of over 50,000 and covers approximately 95 square miles (250 km2) and lies 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Pittsburgh. The school district was formed in a merger of The School District of Hempfield Township, Adamsburg School District, Hunker School District, Manor School District and Youngwood School District on July 3, 1961. The school district population comes from Hempfield Township and the boroughs of Adamsburg, Hunker, Manor, New Stanton, and Youngwood. It completely surrounds the city of Greensburg. The community is a mix of Pittsburgh suburbia and rural areas.
The school system includes five elementary buildings, three middle schools, a high school, an alternative education school and an after-school alternative education program. The Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center serves Hempfield students in the high school. Hempfield Area School District is made up of approximately 6,600 students in grades K-12, is served by a professional staff of 445, and an administrative staff of 20.
Pennsylvania State Senate District 39 includes part of Westmoreland County. It is currently represented by Republican Kim Ward.
The 58th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in southwest Pennsylvania and has been represented by Eric Davanzo since 2020.
John Latta was an American lawyer and politician from Pennsylvania who served as the first lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 1875 to 1879. He also served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1872 to 1873 and the Pennsylvania Senate from 1863 to 1866.
Bells Mills Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge in Sewickley Township and South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It is a 95-foot-long (29 m), Burr truss bridge, constructed in 1850. It features pedimented gables and plain pilasters in the Greek Revival style. It crosses Sewickley Creek.
Tarrs is an unincorporated community and coal town that is located in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Southmoreland High School is located in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 40 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. It serves grades 9–12. The school is part of the Southmoreland School District, which covers East Huntington Township, Ruffs Dale, Alverton, Tarrs, Scottdale, Everson, and parts of Buckeye. The school is headed by Principal Mr. Daniel Krofcheck and Assistant Principal Mrs. Tracey Kuchar.
Alverton is an unincorporated community in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The community is located along Pennsylvania Route 981, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of Mount Pleasant. Alverton has a post office, with ZIP code 15612.
