The first recorded property sale in McCandless involved 400 plots of land for a mare and a saddle.
That was the purchase price made by the widow of the town’s first settler, James Duff, who initially purchased it in 1795.
McCandless officially formed from Pine Township in 1851, according to the town’s 175th anniversary webpage at townofmccandless.org/441/McCandless-175.
The town is sharing historical moments like this along with holding special events throughout 2026 to celebrate its 175th anniversary, including a giveaway of 175 trees on March 22, the town’s official birthday.
“This is just a really exciting time for us. This is a chance to learn more about those who lived in the past 175 years, long before we lived in McCandless. It’s a really interesting time,” said Katie Stringent, assistant town manager.
The town is partnering with Tree Pittsburgh to distribute 175 trees at the event. The giveaway is for McCandless residents only, one tree per household. Registration is required on the town’s website.
The young trees are native to the area. Each tree will come in a bucket and will fit in a car for easy transport, said Abby Lucostic, recreation director for McCandless.
Tree supplies, including fencing and instructions on how to plant and care for the tree, will be provided, said Jeff Petro, chair of the town’s Environmental Advisory Committee.
Increasing the tree canopy in the community is one of the committee’s goals, according to Petro.
The trees will be distributed from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Public Works garage along 9955 Grubbs Road where there also will be a 175th birthday celebration.
The day will feature a series of “175 giveaways,” such as 175 scoops of ice cream and 175 cupcakes, to name a few. Party games also are planned, Lucostic said.
“We give the gifts and have fun at the same time,” Lucostic said.
The giveaway celebration is just one of many events happening throughout the year to mark McCandless’ anniversary.
The McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center, on 830 Aufman Lane, is hosting a free presentation on March 19 by historians from the Deprecation Lands Museum in Hampton.
Depreciation Lands refers to land in Western Pennsylvania given to Revolutionary War soldiers in compensation for their service since the “dollar had depreciated drastically,” according to the museum’s website.
Space is limited. Register through the center’s tab on the town’s website.
More details about this year’s anniversary events will be included in the upcoming spring Town Crier magazine, McMail monthly e-newsletter and website, according to Lucostic.
Residents also can learn more about McCandless’ history and view photos on the town’s anniversary webpage and by visiting the cultural center.
