Thanks to the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society's archives, many have discovered their roots in the Chestnut Ridge area through our unique collection of early 20th-century photos and official documents.
Cook Township
Cook is a scenic rural township in Westmoreland County, located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, approximately 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh and 5 miles south of Ligonier.
Initially settled in the early 1800s, the area was primarily farmland, with many of today's residents being descendants of the original settlers. Cook Township was officially incorporated in 1855. Over the years, it has maintained its small-town' like Stahlstown, Mansville, Pleasant Grove, Rector's Mill, and Weaver Mill, with the entire population of about 2000.
A significant portion of Cook Township is encompassed by Forbes State Forest and Linn Run State Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, providing opportunities for hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation.
One of the township's most cherished traditions is the Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival, an annual event celebrating historical flax processing techniques, local crafts, and community heritage.
