How Flat Rock (PA) Got Its Name

Author’s Note: While driving, I often entertain myself by creating stories about towns I pass through or about people I meet. In this case, I left West Virginia, heading north on US 40 and came upon a town called Flat Rock. Being bored from the already one-half day drive west, I started to daydream a story about Flat Rock. Here’s what came out of my mouth and into this BLOG traveling up US 40 in southern Pennsylvania:

Back in 1904, Youghiotown, Pennsylvania’s town folk decided to have a rock tossing contest on Youghiogheny River Lake to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the British General Braddock’s demise at nearby Fort Wilderness. Men came from far and wide to participate in the celebration and contest….Pittsburgh was represented by Mike O’Brien and Joe Fortunato. Uniontown loaned the contest three men…Burt Francis, Chev Bertrum and Lonnie Gibbons. Not to be outdone, the locals were six men, lead by Joe Jordon, and Fritz Zannios, Jimmy Peters, John Jordon (Joe’s Son), Lett Price, and Johnny Feagan. There were others…too many to mention….all hopeful contestants. Well, the first ever rock toss a smashing success. The town newspaper covered the whole festivities and articles appeared as far away as Pittsburgh. Hundreds of tosses were made by willing contestants, but it was hardly a competition….Joe Jordon tossed his rock 414 feet, skipping 14 times before sinking in the lake. The crowd cheered for Joe since he beat Jimmy Peter’s second place toss by 21 feet and 3 skips. Joe became a local hero and was the toast of Youghiotown for years to come.

In 1929, the 25 anniversary of the great rock toss, the town elders renamed their little town Flat Rock in honor of Joe’s great toss. And, to be sure, the rock skipping contest and celebration has happened on July 4th ever since.

Interestingly, there’s a pedestal on the front lawn of the Town Hall commemorating Joe’s mammoth toss….a flat rock embedded in cement atop the brick pedestal with a simple “Joe Jordon ’04” inscribed in the rock’s center.

Post Script: It turns out that Joe had a side bet with muscular Mike O’Brien of Pittsburgh….Joe rode the Paint Horse prize in the 10th Anniversary Parade to remind OB of his 102 foot (8 skip) loss!!!!

Author’s Post-note: Serendipity…it turns out that on the same week this story was conceived, a real rock skipping contest was held in Franklin, Pennsylvania and toss exceeding the current Guinness World Record was made by Grant Mitchell from Wichita, Kansas. See the details at http://www.pastoneskipping.com