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Portions of Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania make up the region of the Morgantown Destination. The namesake for the destination, Morgantown, is located in Maryland, near the state border with Pennsylvania. Another notable city in the destination is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, often referred to as “the steel city” and “city of bridges.” Pittsburgh is known for having over 300 steel companies in the city.[1] Within the city of Pittsburgh, there are three prominent rivers: The Allegheny River, the Monogahela River, and the Ohio River. The Ohio River is formed where the Monogahela River creates a confluence with the Allegheny River. Concerning the attractions that can be found in Pittsburgh, visitors may take interest in Duquesne Incline, Phipps Conservatory, Point State Park, and the Warhol Museum, to name a few.[3] Morgantown has a population of 30,712 people as of the 2020 census.[2] A considerable number of tourists visit the city annually as they are drawn to the West Virginia Botanic Garden, Coopers Rock State Forest, and Caperton Trail.[4] According to those who have previously toured sites throughout the destination, the best time to visit is between mid-June to late September. The temperature of the area varies depending on the time of year, on average ranging anywhere from 25 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.[5] The fauna of the area includes red-tail hawks, American robins, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, and downy woodpeckers. In terms of flora, bittersweet nightshade, chicory, amur honeysuckle, and the common milkweed are a few types of vegetation that inhabit the destination.[6]
The Morgantown Destination encompasses a segment of three different states, specifically Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Morgantown city is the namesake of the destination and resides in the state of West Virginia, near the Pennsylvania border. Though the namesake is located in West Virginia, the destination’s landmass is primarily located in Pennsylvania. Zackquill Morgan originally settled the city of Morgantown on October 17, 1785, when “Morgan [officially] received the charter for the establishment of the town to be called Morgan’s Town.” The name later evolved into what is presently known as Morgantown.[7]
The destination’s namesake is particularly known for its West Virginia University. This fairly significant university was originally established in 1867. Currently, the school offers “350 different bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs.” As of the fall 2021 semester, it was reported that 28,267 students were enrolled at the university.[2] Other historical buildings and structures located in the city include Morgantown History Museum, which features photographs of the area around the mid-20th century; the Art Museum of WVU; Monongalia Arts Center; Marion County Historical Society, which was established in 1912; The Wilson School Museum; and the Levi Shinn Log House, built in 1778.[9]
There are various attractions throughout the destination, most notably in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A few of the seemingly major attractions in the city include the Duquesne Incline, unique for its original use of transporting workers up a steep incline before cars became common in the area. Other attractions include the Phipps Conservatory; Point State Park; the Warhol Museum, which was established to honor the artist Andy Warhol; the Heinz History Center that offers six floors dedicated to the history of the area; and Randyland, which is said to be "Pittsburgh’s most colorful spot," due to the colorful walls painted by the local artist, Randy.[3]
In the city of Morgantown, it was reported that as of the 2020 census, the town had a total population of 30,712 people. One aspect of the namesake is that it is considered to be the “anchor of the Morgantown metropolitan area, which had a population of 138,176 in 2020.”[2] It is evident in the same 2020 census that Pittsburgh, the more prominent city in the destination, has 302,425 residents within its city limits. Pittsburgh is the second largest city in the state of Pennsylvania and ranks 70th largest in the country.[8]
The Morgantown Destination is comprised of parts of Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, the latter covering most of the region. West Virginia contains the region’s namesake, the city of Morgantown, which is located along the border of Pennsylvania. Aside from the namesake, a fairly notable city in the destination is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which is found directly north of Morgantown.
As previously mentioned, Pennsylvania serves as the primary constituent for the destination. This region is located in the western area of the Appalachian Mountains, namely in the Appalachian Plateaus Province. There are three main waterways that run through the city of Pittsburgh: the Allegheny River, the Monongahela River, and the Ohio River, which is formed where the two aforementioned rivers meet. The drainage of these three rivers is noted to have divided the “relatively flat surface of the plateau” in the area. These rivers also assisted with the westward expansion, mainly because the waterways provided an “efficient means of transportation.”[10]
Pittsburgh is home to various types of flora and fauna. One can often find white-tailed deer, American robins, eastern gray squirrels, red-tail hawks, eastern cottontails, Canada geese, and downy woodpeckers in the area. Concerning the plant species in the region, Christmas fern, bittersweet nightshade, chicory, amur honeysuckle, and common milkweed inhabit several parts of the destination.[6]
Weather in Morgantown ranges throughout the year, typically varying from 25 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees. The end of May to the beginning of September is considered the “warm season,” while December to March is regarded as the “cold season.” Specifically, the average high temperature during the warmer months is calculated to be 75 degrees. The colder months have been reported to produce an average high temperature of 49 degrees. The months of March to August are deemed the “wetter season” for the destination, with a 34% chance of precipitation on any given day. The two primary types of precipitation received in the Morgantown area are rain and snow, the latter being much more common between December and March. It is recommended that people visit the area anytime between mid-June to late September, based on the opinions of former tourists.[5]
The history of the Morgantown Destination differs based on the area. In Morgantown, the namesake of the destination, it is noted that its overall history is closely connected with the Anglo-French tension in the area. The early settlers of the area were primarily white settlers, namely Americans as well as British and French soldiers. Native Americans were the first indigenous people of the land; however, they had to fight for the territory after the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763.[2] A few years later, in 1785, Zackquill Morgan purchased the first lot charter for the area, making him the first person to settle the town officially. The town has continued to grow since it was first established. Notable historical structures still standing in current times include the Old Stone House, which was built in 1813, and the John rogers home, which was built in 1840 and is now currently used as the Dering Funeral Home.[7]
Pittsburgh’s history involves General John Forbes, who was the man to name the city after a British Statesman in 1758. The area was originally inhabited by the Shawnee people until it was settled by white settlers, the first being French explorers. Another notable aspect of Pittsburgh’s history is that it is considered the “starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.” Pittsburgh began to experience growth economically as it began producing a relatively large amount of iron, brass, tin, and glass. The city’s location near the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which both combine to form the Ohio River, also boosted the growth of the area; this is due to the transportation the river granted through steamboats. There are more than 300 steel-related companies, giving the city of Pittsburgh the nickname “the steel city.” Another name for the city is the “city of bridges” since there are 446 bridges in the city.[1]
Due to the steel production in the area, the city of Pittsburgh began to be described as the “grimy, polluted industrial city,” which led to the area undertaking “an extensive redevelopment program that emphasized smoke-pollution control, flood prevention, and sewage disposal.” The city eventually became the first, in 1957, to generate its electricity by nuclear power.[11]
Currently, the destination has seen growth in its economy and population. Morgantown has a population of 30,712 people as of the 2020 census.[2] On the other hand, Pittsburgh has a higher population of people, accounting for 302,425 people, according to the same census. However, Pittsburgh currently has a declining population rate of -0.09%.[8]
Hartzell House Bed and Breakfast
Hartzell House Bed and Breakfast is located in Addison, Pennsylvania, which is a city found on the southern edge of the state, next to Youghiogheny River Lake. The establishment is open year-round and offers five units to the public. One bedroom on the ground floor is ADA-compliant. Breakfast is free to anyone staying at the business, but guests can also purchase lunch or dinner if they would like. Melissa, one of the owners, explains that the interior is designed to be "casual elegance." She mentions that she would like her patrons to feel "comfortable" while they are at the bed and breakfast. Children under the age of 12 and pets are prohibited from staying on the property. The company also offers online packages such as flowers, charcuterie, and others that can be added to a reservation.
...Read MoreChapel Valley Estate is a bed and breakfast that is located in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania near the border between Pennsylvania and Ohio. While the business has been around since 2003, the main building was originally a farmhouse built in the late 1800s. The establishment offers a total of five units and is open year-round. Breakfast is served each morning to visitors that are staying at the inn. The company is capable of hosting events, as it has an event center with an indoor space that can seat 70 people. Additionally, an outdoor seating area facilitated by a tent rental, tables, and chairs can host up to 350 people for such celebrations. Tom, one of the owners, mentions that one unique aspect of the property is that it is centrally located to a variety of different attractions in the area, including state parks, local restaurants, and several golf courses.
...Read MoreLake Pointe Inn sits next to Deep Creek Lake, an artificial reservoir that is, in fact, younger than the inn. Home to a number of uniquely-named rooms and suites, the inn contains many features that are part of a guest's reservation price, such as breakfast, coffee, tea, kayaks, paddleboards, "wine tasting" events, and "sunset cruises" during the summer. The establishment is owned by Scott and Lenina, who were married in March of 2016 before purchasing the property in October of that same year. Lenina describes her desired atmosphere of Lake Pointe Inn to be "as much like home as possible...except for that you don't have to do the dishes." The inn's breakfast is menu-based, with daily selections that cater to individuals with dietary needs such as being gluten-free or vegan. Open year-round, the bed and breakfast sees its highest occupancy rates in July and October.
...Read MoreFelicity Farms Bed & Breakfast is found in Beaver, Pennsylvania, in a residential area at the city's edge. It is within driving distance from the Ohio River and the Beaver River, both prominent attractions for water recreation. The property covers a 12-acre area and features horse enclosures, gardens, and four guestrooms inside a house originally built in 1786. Its first owner was John Strawbridge, an officer in the Continental Army under George Washington. The business's website indicates the house retains an aspect of its 1700s country design through its decor while adapting a modern appearance. According to Anne Mayerich, the owner, her cooking is one of the most unique aspects of the bed and breakfast.
...Read MoreFrostburg Inn is currently under the ownership of John Wampler and his daughter, Stephanie Wampler. The property's 16 accommodations are open year-round for visitors to reserve, each of which contains basic kitchen amenities, such as a mini fridge and a microwave. The establishment features an adjoining bar called the Outback Lounge that has a selection of food and drinks available for purchase from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day. Outside the inn, the surrounding city of Frostburg has a few attractions that may appeal to patrons. Frostburg State University (FSU), Great Allegheny Passage Trail (GAP Trail), and Rocky Gap are a few specific sites that people can visit during their stay.
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