Acme, Pennsylvania
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Acme is an unincorporated community, identified by ZIP code 15610, in Mount Pleasant and Donegal Townships, both in Westmoreland County, and Bullskin Township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population (according to ZIP code) was 2,545 at the 2000 census.[1]
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[edit] Geography
Acme is located at (40.12731, -79.434929).
According to the United States Census Bureau, it has a total area of 25.71 square miles, of which 25.64 square miles is land and 0.07 square miles is water.
The name Acme refers to the area's location along Chestnut Ridge in the Allegheny Mountains.
[edit] Surrounding communities
Donegal, Kecksburg, Laurelville, Mammoth, Saltlick and Stahlstown.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,545 people, 962 households, and 736 families residing in the area. The population density was 99.2 people per square mile. There were 1,087 housing units at an average density of 42.4/sq mi. The racial makeup of the area was 99.4% White, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.
There were 962 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.03.
The ages of the population were distributed as follows: 24.1% under 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38.9 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.
The median income for a household in the area was $35.290, and the median income for a family was $37,398. Males had a median income of $28,897 versus $21,765 for females. The per capita income for the area was $15,012. 7.8% of the population and 5.1% of families were below the poverty line.
[edit] History
Acme has always been an agricultural community; however, two attempts to develop resorts in the area have likely been inspired by its gateway position along the edge of the Laurel Highlands.
[edit] Treetops & Mountain Circles/Polymath Park
In 1962, architect Peter Berndtson developed a master plan for a 125-acre property named Treetops & Mountain Circles.[2] Berndtson, an original apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed a network of twenty-four private houses, each within a 300-foot diameter clearing in the woods. If completed, the clearings and their connecting roads would have depicted a bunch of grapes when viewed from the sky. Only two homes--those for developers Harry Blum and James Balter--were actually built.
Forty-two years later, local homebuilder Thomas D. Papinchak deconstructed the Donald C. Duncan House in Lisle, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) and relocated it to the Acme property.[3] The Duncan House was designed by Wright as an instance of his Usonian style. In honor of the two architects, the failed development has been renamed Polymath Park Resort. Since 2007, all three houses have been offered as overnight accommodations for visitors to Wright's Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob in nearby Stewart Township. The resort is now maintained by Papinchak's non-profit Usonian Preservation Corporation.[4]
[edit] Bear Rocks
On November 7, 1965, Pittsburgh real-estate developer Scott Hamilton advertised Bear Rocks, a new "Mountain Ski Area," in the (now-defunct) Pittsburgh Press newspaper.[5] The development along the western descent of Chestnut Ridge featured ski slopes and trails with a double-chair lift and snowmaking equipment. The advertisement also boasted a private fishing lake, "magnificent" swimming pool, rustic cocktail lounge, tennis, horseback riding, social activities, and "golf at a private country club nearby."
Bear Rocks reportedly ceased ski operations after the 1973 season. The lodge and restaurant burned to the ground a few years later and was not rebuilt. The community has survived and grown, however, and new homes have been constructed in the clearings of the former ski slopes.[6]
[edit] Government
An unincorporated place, Acme spans the municipal boundaries of Mount Pleasant, Donegal and Bullskin Townships.
[edit] Transportation
Pennsylvania Route 31, a two-lane artery, delivers traffic east and west through the area. The Pennsylvania Turnpike parallels the state road to the north, but the closest interchange is in nearby Donegal. Because Turnpike traffic is occasionally diverted to the state route, additional lanes were added to accommodate truck traffic down the latter's western descent of the Allegheny Mountains, on a two-mile stretch of highway known as Three Mile Hill.
[edit] Recreation and Amenities
Chestnut Ridge Park features a 25-acre recreational pool (lake) with a boat launch and short walking trail. The county park provides opportunity for fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities in a quiet, isolated rural setting.
Acme Speedway hosts kart racing every Saturday night from mid-April through late September.
Donegal Highlands, an 18-hole public golf course, offers a unique challenge to golfers of all abilities.
Stone Villa Wine Cellars provides seasonal outdoor entertainment as well as daily wine tastings.
In addition to getaway vacation rentals, Polymath Park[4] provides tours of Frank Lloyd Wright's Duncan House on a weekly basis.
[edit] References
- ^ 15610 - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder
- ^ Polymath Park | Architecture of Peter Berndtson
- ^ Frank Lloyd Wright's Duncan House ready for visitors
- ^ a b Reservations for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House at Polymath Park Resort
- ^ DCSki Lost Ski Area Profile: Bear Rocks
- ^ Live Search Maps
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