Fairview Park Historical Marker

In 1945, a local group of African American Sunday School teachers formed the Monongahela Valley Sunday School Association and purchased land in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania to establish and build a park. Due to segregation during the mid-20^th century, Fairview Park was established and built specifically for African American children and families. This park was built because other public places were for ‘whites only’, so this was a place where they could all gather as a community. When the park was established, it was the first and only park in Pennsylvania that was owned by an African American. At its peak in popularity, the park had a roller coaster, a merry-go-round, a swimming pool, a skating rink, and softball fields. In the end, the establishment of Fairview Park was a big part of African American history. It would eventually go on to be named a historic landmark by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After slavery was abolished in 1865, there was still tension between the white and Black communities. Although Pennsylvania was known as a free state, African Americans still faced lots of racism because the society that they lived in did not change. Almost immediately after the abolishment of slavery, the Jim Crow Laws were established which basically allowed legal segregation. During the mid-20^th century, African Americans were still experiencing racism and were segregated from society due to these Jim Crow Laws. They were unable to have access to nearly any public place because they were specifically only made for whites. These are the types of rules that the U.S. put on African Americans for over a hundred years which is obviously unfair and blatantly racist.

This would eventually spark motivation in a group of African American Sunday School teachers in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania which would lead them into creating the Monongahela Valley Sunday School Association in 1945 and buying land that was located in Westmoreland County. From there, the Monongahela Association would establish and build a park on the property that they now owned. This park would be known as Fairview Park which is located just outside of Delmont, Pennsylvania. Fairview Park was an amusement park that was created for African Americans specifically in response to the segregation and racism that was inflicted on them by the whites. Ultimately, this park was a safe place for them, and it gave them an opportunity to escape reality for a brief moment. It also gave the Black community a chance to come together as a family and spend time with one another. Also, Fairview Park was the first and only Black-owned amusement park in Pennsylvania which is why it is a big part of African American history.

During sometime between 1945 and 1960, Fairview Park had a lot to offer to its guests. More specifically, when it was at its height, the park had a roller coaster, a merry-go-round, a swimming pool, a skating rink, and softball fields. This was a big change for the Black community because they had something that was rightfully theirs and no one could take that away from them. Eventually, a lot of the racism and thoughts of segregation died out which was a great step forward for African Americans. The park itself also started to ‘die out’ which led to its rides and attractions to be dismantled. In present day Fairview Park, there is only swing sets and slides, basketball courts, ball fields, and picnic tables/pavilions.

           During the 1970s, the Fairview Park would have its last large gathering which would be the end of an era. In its peak, the park “enabled a lot of people, including a lot of young people, to get out of the inner city and spend time in the country”^[1] . For comparison, todays Fairview Park is about 52 acres which is nearly two times smaller than it was in the past. Every summer, an Old-Fashioned Picnic along with a petting zoo is held at Fairview Park which is open to everyone. Recently, Fairview Park is low on funds due to Covid-19 and needs more money to have more events for the park. It would be such a shame to see a place like this go down the gutter. Historically, Fairview Park is a very important place and will remain in our hearts regardless of the outcome.

Jim Crow Laws, History. February 28th 2018. Accessed June 23rd 2022. https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/jim-crow-laws.

Robbins, Richard. Fairview Park Gets Historical Status, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. February 16th 2011. Accessed June 23rd 2022. https://phlf.org/2011/02/16/fairview-park-gets-historical-status/.^[1]

Wintermantel, Mike . Fairview Park, HMdb. August 19th 2017. Accessed June 23rd 2022. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=107239.