Town & Township History

This is a thriving town on the right bank of the Monongahela river, in Fayette county, about 14 miles below Brownsville. The place was first settled in 1794, and was laid out by Col. Edward Cook, and active participant in the Whiskey Insurrection against the government.

The town when first laid out was called by Col. Cook, Freeport, but its name was afterwards changed to Cookstown. It is now incorporated under the title of Fayette City.

The town is pleasantly located among picturesque hilly scenery, and enjoys a fine atmosphere and healthy location.

The surrounding country is a fine agricultural character, and the town enjoys a thriving trade with it.

Although situated in the heart of the Monongahela coal region and with easy access to the iron ore deposits of the county, there has been as yet no great effort to establish manufactures here, of a leading character. The population of the town being, however, of an energetic character, and the natural facilities being great, the time cannot be far distant when the inhabitants of this thriving settlement will take the initiative steps in introducing among them various manufactures of the heavier grades. This settlement, as well as the most of the towns and villages along the Monongahela river, being eminently fitted by natural facilities, for manufacturing localities, cannot escape fulfilling it's destiny as a section of the great depot of manufactories which will eventually line either bank of the river, and the arrival of the day when such shall become it's character, depends wholly upon the accretion here of sufficient cash capital to justify it's population in embarking in such enterprizes.

At the present time the town is a prosperous country village, with a thriving business in the various branches of merchandise and some of the smaller mechanical occupations. There are now twelve stores in the town, all of which are well supported by the trade of the adjoining country. There are also in the immediate vicinity of the town four grist mills, also seven saw mills. In the town there are three glass works, which are however at present not in operation. There are also three quite extensive marble works. Among the more common mechanical branches carried on at this point, are two cabinet and chair shops, three saddle and harness manufactories, two blacksmith shops, one wagon manufactory and three manufactories of shoes, each employing several hands. There is also a "sand wash" adjoining the town, which furnishes a large amount of sand for the glass manufactories in western Pennsylvania.

The first church erected here was put up in 1820, being a Union Church, free to all denominations. there are now in the town two churches. There are also two fine hotels here, also a large public school house.

The general appearance of the town is that of an enterprizing place, populated by an industrious energetic population, and the visitor to this locality will not fail to be favorably impressed with it's general aspect.

There is located at this place a Lodge of A. Y. Masons, incorporated as Gummert Lodge, No 252; Ziba Whiting, W. M.; Joseph A. Ebbert, S. W.; Lewis Whiting J. W.; George Whiting, Secretary, and Wm. Troth, Treasurer. Also, a Lodge of the I. O. of O. F.