Our History
Records indicate that West Middletown began to develop as a commercial community in the mid-1790s. Its location — along a high ridge, surrounded by rich farmlands, a day’s journey by horse and buggy from Washington, Pennsylvania and a similar distance from Wellsburg, West Virginia on the Ohio River — made it a logical location for tradesmen and professional people. Today, even though the West Middletown Historic District is residential, its physical size and the number and style of the buildings has remained little changed.
West Middletown became a borough in 1823 and developed into a thriving nineteenth century rural commercial center. There were five inns, blacksmith shops, harness makers and other business’s that supported the trades passing through the town. The Ralston grain thresher was invented and manufactured there until a devasting frost caused a large number of threshers to go unused leading to the company’s bankruptcy in 1859. Henry Ford visited the borough in 1932 and bought the last Ralston Thresher (abandoned in a field) for his museums in Deerfield, Michigan.
William McKeever, and his sons, Matthew and Thomas, were major forces behind the abolitionist movement in Western Pennsylvania and were instrumental in helping to establish West Middletown as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The earliest known documented evidence of this involvement is from minutes of a two day “Anti-Slavery Meeting” which concluded on October 20, 1834. After a heated debate by the “Colonizationists” and the “Abolitionists” it was, “Resolved: That the Chairman appoint a committee of five persons to draught a Constitution and appoint a meeting for the purpose of forming an Anti-Slavery Society in this place (West Middletown).” Thomas McKeever was selected as one of the original five members chosen for this Committee. Several sources — letters, reminiscences, and news articles link John Brown, the noted abolitionist who later led a failed raid on the federal armory in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Matthew McKeever. John Brown, described in one account as “a tall, thoughtful gentleman, of pleasing address and considerable personal magnetism,” is reported to have visited West Middletown several times “in his capacity as wool buyer.” How much direct influence John Brown had on the Underground Railroad here is unknown. Thomas McKeevers house, a known station on the Underground Railroad, still stands in the borough at 56 East Main St.
Today, West Middletown is a mostly residential community with a population of 108, well off its high of 325 in the mid 1800’s. The town retains much of the historic character it has been known for. There are two businesses in town – Kitchen on Main, serving home cooked meals and a historic bed and breakfast. Cross Creek County Park, with pavilions, boat launch and playground is located 1/4 mile from the center of town. Historic Meadowcroft Village is located less than 5 miles from town.