Marshall’s mark on Fayette County
Although Uniontown native General George C. Marshall moved away from Fayette County long before the historical figure became a soldier and statesman, the Uniontown area is filled with memorials to the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Born in Uniontown in 1880, Marshall grew up in a house that sat on the current site of the VFW Post 47 before moving away to pursue a career with the U.S. Army in 1903. Among his many accomplishments, the five-star general went on to serve as secretary of state under President Harry S. Truman. He was credited with coming up with the Marshall Plan, which many say saved Europe from communism after World War II.
On Sunday, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, will visit Uniontown to dedicate a portion of Marshall Plaza at Five Corners in Uniontown in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Scholarships. The newest portion of the plaza features a statue of Marshall seated on a bench.
Named after the general, the main portion of Marshall Plaza includes the 16 flags of European countries that were assisted by the Marshall Plan, which many credited with saving the world from communism after World War II.
While Marshall Plaza may be the obvious dedication for historical legend, there are many more. Walter J. “Buzz” Storey, a local historian and former editor of the Herald-Standard, noted there are many memorials to Marshall in the area.
In downtown Uniontown is a green space known as Marshall Park, which Storey said was dedicated in 1966. The park sits beside Marshall Manor, an elderly housing site constructed after the park.
In 1981, an area beside the city’s parking garage was dedicated and named Marshall Square. A bust of Marshall is located at the site, near the fountain. Storey said the Lion’s Club provided the bust and wall plaque.
The Uniontown bypass, the section of Route 119 that surpasses Uniontown, was renamed the General George C. Marshall Memorial Parkway decades ago. Storey said the bypass begins near Penn State Fayette Campus and continues to Hopwood.
In the Laurel Highlands School District, there is a Marshall Elementary School. The General George C. Marshall Post 103 of the Amvets is located in Hopwood. Storey said the post was organized right after World War II.
Another veteran’s organization, VFW Post 47 in Uniontown, is home to Marshall Hall, the main auditorium in the post home. Storey said the auditorium is a remnant from the West End Theater, which was built on the site after Marshall’s boyhood home was torn down.
At the Hampton Inn in Uniontown, there is The George C. Marshall Meeting Room. It is filled with Marshall memorabilia, including newspapers, framed photographs and a Marshall Plan speech.
In addition to the sites named after Marshall, his likeness is found in numerous spots throughout Uniontown. There is a portrait done in 1947 of Marshall that is located in the Pennsylvania Room in Uniontown Library as well as a portrait in council chambers of city hall.
In addition to the statue at Marshall Plaza, a statue of Marshall on his horse followed by his dog adorns a spot in downtown Uniontown near the Heritage Apartments on Main Street. The statue is not far from the site of Marshall Plaza, where Prince Andrew will speak Sunday.
Storey said the “doughboy” statue that adorns Marshall Plaza has been located at the site since 1936. The decorated sidewalks, flags and other adornments are much more recent additions, coming in 1999.
“I think what they’ve done is very good. The plaza, flags, I think it’s great,” Storey said.