McCourtie Park — Attraction in Somerset Township

I visited McCourtie park today for the first time. It was a gorgeous day. Cool weather, blue sky and lots of sunshine. McCortie is a lovely little park known for its concrete bridges.

McCourtie Park was built on the estate of wealthy businessman Herb McCourtie. McCourtie made his fortune in Texas in the oil industry and then turned his attention to the cement industry. He bought a cement company, and as the owner of a large estate, he funded and ordered the construction of rustic concrete structures on his estate to show the artistry and versatility of his concrete.

In the early 1930's McCourtie hired artisans, George Cordoso and Ralph Corona. They were expert in the Mexican style of "false wood" called trabajo rustico. They sculpted 17 bridges over a stream on McCourtie's property. They sculpted the concrete to look like logs, branches and even rope. Their work is considered a masterpiece of style.

Besides the rustic bridges, barbecue grills, picnic tables and play area, there is also a building called the Rathskeller on the property. McCourtie built the Rathskeller as a speakeasy during prohibition. It is built into the side of a hill so that it cannot be seen from the road. It is open for visits on Fridays. The park is open daily...

This was a super nice park, a great place if you want to go for a walk before visiting Meckleys Cider Mill, which is super close to here (brought dog here to run off some steam first). Has just about everything you'd want from a nice park except your "facilities" is a port-a-pottie. Has about a dozen, cool bridges (the highlight) along a creek, disc golf, some basic kid's playground equipment, beautiful grounds, picnic tables, barbecues, and a large pavilion. Very...

Certainly the best park near me. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. Beautiful, well cared for, with entertainment opportunities such as concerts, pickle ball, disc gulf, basketball, baseball field, childs playground, walking trail..etc. It is also a historic ground. Vandals attacked the park with paint, etc. Members of the community came together to...