INPERSON
Sandy Brown’s
Many Legacies
Brown’s dedication to recognizing and
preserving local history has made her an
invaluable asset to the community.
BY JONATHAN BARNES
She has single‑handedly
vanguarded much of
the history preservation
in not only Hiland
Presbyterian Church,
but the North Hills.
S
andy Brown is passionate about Ross history. A
transplant from North Carolina, Brown married a
Pittsburgher several decades ago and has adopted
Ross as her home. Her dedication to recognizing and
preserving local history has made her an invaluable asset to
the community.
She was instrumental in helping to research and produce
the Ross Township Bicentennial book, released in 2009. The
127-page book, published by the Ross Township Historical
Society, is filled with historic photos and interesting
anecdotes about the area.
Brown also led efforts to acquire the Schlag Cabin and have
it rebuilt by volunteers and Beattie Tech students. “The farm
has all the original buildings and farmhouse,” says Brown,
explaining why she took such an interest in the place. “It’s
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just gorgeous....the house sits there perfectly on the hillside.
This beautiful old farm looks like it’s going away, but people
should know about it if there’s any sprig of hope that it can be
preserved. If not, it at least deserves an appropriate eulogy.”
Other historic landmarks have inspired her to share their
story with the community, such as the erstwhile Evergreen
Hotel, which had a barroom resembling an Old West saloon,
and a mysterious hidden room in the wall behind the bar.
She has raised awareness of an African-American cemetery
located along Cemetery Road, which contains the graves of
many veterans. Brown also had a hand in the preservation
of the Hiland Presbyterian Church manse. The circa 1851
parsonage had deteriorated and needed renovations. The
building now serves as the church’s administrative building.