Trick gains wife’s companionship
If you were to read the front cover of the brochure the Ligonier Valley Historical Society provides to describe the special events at the Compass Inn Museum, you would note the proudly proclaimed phrase “History with a Smile!” If given the opportunity to enjoy some of those wonderful events, you may soon realize that may be quite an understatement.
With the holidays nearly upon us, I am reminded of my first trip to the Compass Inn and the little scheme I had designed to provide myself with a companion.
The year was 1999 and I distinctly recall the brief article I read in the Herald-Standard’s Weekend Scene describing the harvest and candlelight tours that were available on weekends.
The description of an authentically restored 1799 stagecoach stop hosting unique candlelight tours with all natural accents, the scent of cherry wood fires and hot mulled cider with cookies combined with a unique peek at history obviously aroused my senses and interest.
Not only was I intrigued, but for some unexplained reason felt compelled to drive to Laughlintown to view the inn.
Ordinarily when I mention the words “history” or “museum” to my wife her usual reaction would be “I hope you enjoy your journey.”
That being established, for her to accompany me I sensed the necessity to be somewhat not forthcoming with all of the details of the excursion.
To be quite honest, I had informed my wife I could not disclose the destination, as it was a “secret.”
Although I must admit, that normally would not have succeeded, so I also informed her the cute little convertible that was presented to her as my recent anniversary gift was in need of an hour-long drive. “Just to see how well it runs,” I told her.
Well, that seemed to work as we found ourselves enjoying a wonderful ride through the Laurel Highlands to our “secret” destination.
Upon arrival and viewing for the first time the handsome structure known as the Compass Inn and the beautiful accompanying outbuildings, one can most definitely sense the history and anticipation of the wonderful experience they are about to undertake.
The Compass Inn is located along Route 30 in Laughlintown, a little village just a few miles east of Ligonier.
Laughlintown was founded in 1797 by Robert Laughlin, who originally came to western Pennsylvania in 1758 with the Forbes campaign during the French and Indian War. Forbes was sent to remove the French from Fort Duquesne at present-day Pittsburgh.
Although the town was originally known as “East Liberty,” it was changed in 1813 to honor its founder.
The road that was established during the Forbes campaign was aptly known as the “Forbes Road.”
After the Revolutionary War and the absence of Indian conflicts in western Pennsylvania, it was becoming safer to travel in the region.
The Pennsylvania legislature enacted a bill to construct a state road that to a great extent followed the Forbes Road and is now known as Route 30.
The new road followed a much more direct route than that of the Forbes Road, which was solely built as a military road.
Robert Laughlin, who was a blacksmith in the Forbes campaign, remained in the Ligonier Valley and soon realized the importance of the property at the foot of Laurel Mountain in regards to the new road alignment.
He realized by his own experience, traversing mountains was very difficult and travelers would need a place to stop before the ascent and most certainly upon their descent.
This location made Laughlintown the busiest community in the Ligonier Valley, boasting in its heyday 13 general stores and various other businesses including a woolen mill, a hattery and a ginger beer shop.
Phillip Freeman purchased the property from Robert Laughlin in 1799 and constructed the log portion of the inn.
Originally the inn was used primarily by wagoneers and drovers. A drover was a term used to describe anyone who drove animals to market.
In 1814, Robert and Rachel Armor were en route from the eastern part of Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh, where they were to begin a glass business with relatives.
As fate would have it, they stopped at the inn and liked it so well they immediately changed their agenda and purchased it and named it the “Compass Inn.”
Their timing could not have been better as the business was secured in 1817, when the Philadelphia-to-Pittsburgh Turnpike was completed.
The Turnpike followed the previous route of the 1790s road and ran directly in front of where the Inn now stands.
Almost overnight, stagecoaches were passing by on a regular basis.
To accommodate the increase in his business, Mr. Armor added the cut-stone portion to the inn in 1820.
The stagecoaches carried newspapers and mail, which were a vital aspect of the communication network of our young country.
More importantly, the stagecoaches were a pivotal link of communication for those who could not read or write as stagecoaches carried people from town to town.
News was transmitted by mouth to mouth at stagecoach stops, so needless to say the local inns became the most important gathering places for travelers and townspeople alike.
The inn was used as a stagecoach stop until about 1860.
By then the railroads were well established in Pennsylvania, which ultimately led to the demise of travel by stagecoach.
People preferred higher quality travel at less cost and most importantly less time.
So, the armors closed the inn to guests and utilized it as their family residence. They, as well as an additional seven generations, called it home until 1966, when it was sold to the Ligonier Valley Historical Society.
The magnificent restoration was completed in 1972, when the Compass Inn was reopened as a museum.
The restoration efforts allow the visitor to view the inn as it would have looked in the 1820’s, complete with period correct artifacts.
The most compelling aspect of the Compass Inn Museum is not the history or the beautifully restored structure itself, but the people who literally bring it to life.
Some historical locations call them “tour guides” or “interpreters,” at the Compass Inn they refer to them as “docents.”
Their “docents” are most assuredly some of the most knowledgeable and undoubtedly the friendliest you will find.
Their sincerity and true passion for the inn as well as its fascinating history add to the pleasurable experience.
By the way, you may recall I felt as though I was compelled to visit the inn. As it turns out, I seemed to have difficulty when designing the fireplace in our own home. After visiting the inn, I was inspired by the fireplace in the 1820 edition.
The Ligonier Valley Historical Society refers to the restored structure as “The Compass Inn Museum.”
With the sun setting in the West and a delightful journey coming to an end, it had occurred to me that my wife had survived a trip that could be defined utilizing the two dreaded words “history” and “museum.”
Upon further review, I concluded she assuredly must have enjoyed herself as made evident by the grin upon her face I noticed from the corner of my eye.
Maybe that is what is meant by the phrase “History with a Smile!”
The Compass Inn Museum offers its harvest candlelight tours from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays beginning Nov. 1 and concluding Nov. 28.
The Christmas Candlelight Tours begin the following weekend from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and from 2 to 5 on Nov. 29 and 30.
The Christmas Candlelight tour hours are extended in December from 2 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7, 13, and 14.
The Ligonier Valley Historical Society also sponsors a must-see event at the Ligonier Valley Library in Ligonier known as the “Festival of Lights” from Dec. 6-14 from noon to 7 p.m. the festival is a display of decorated trees and wreaths designed by local families and businesses. The unique charm lies in the ingenious detail used to present a theme in each tree and wreath.
For more information about these wonderful events and the Ligonier Valley Historical Society, please call 724-238-4983 or 724-238-6818 or www.compassinn.com
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Special thanks are in order to Lisa Hays, executive director of the Ligonier Valley Historical Society, for her assistance in providing information for this article.
Robert Adamovich can be reached by writing to him at the Herald-Standard at 8-18 E. Church St., Uniontown.