Searching for the past in Vandergrift

After Pittsburgh, we drove east to the town of our ancestors. Ninety years ago, Grandpa McKee was born in Vandergrift, a small steel mill town about 40 miles from Pittsburgh. My aunt Cynthia has spent considerable time researching our family's history and provided information and photos that took us straight to some key places.

With the help of our GPS, we drove into town and parked on this historic Vandergrift street.
On the corner is the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church, where Grandpa was baptized as a child:
Next, we found the house where Grandpa was born in May 1920:
His father, John Milo George, then built this house behind the other. They lived here and took in boarders:
My dad knocked on the door and the man who lives here now invited us in to look around. Very cool! John Milo died in 1923, and my great grandmother married Mr. McKee, one of her boarders. Grandpa took his name and became John George McKee.

We drove up the hill and found the cemetery were John Milo George is buried.
His first wife is buried next to him with a flag placed by the VFW. We tried to visit the local chapter to find out more information about Salome but since it was a holiday, they weren't open. Bummer.
Beautiful hilly view from the old cemetery:
After exploring Vandergrift, it was time to hit the road again, this time Hershey bound! We found a spot for a quick potty and picnic lunch break:
A little park next to the DQ:
We arrived at the hotel at dinner time. While Mom checked in, we searched the GPS for nearby restaurants, choosing a Mexican place. Then Mom came out in a rush and told us the hotel's evening social was going on for another 15 minutes - and they were serving tacos! SCORE! I dumped the minivan in a parking spot and ran for the free food:
Taco salad for Brad:
:)