Some towns are known for historic battles. Others are famous for architecture, industry, or the people who were born there. Latrobe, Pennsylvania? It gave us the banana split. And frankly, we think that deserves a little more recognition.

Long before banana splits became a staple of ice cream shops across America, a young man working behind the counter of a Latrobe pharmacy decided to experiment with a banana, a few scoops of ice cream, and some toppings. More than 120 years later, that sweet creation is still one of America’s most recognizable desserts.

So, SNOWBALLERS, grab a spoon. This is one piece of Laurel Highlands history worth digging into.

It All Started Behind a Pharmacy Counter

The story begins in 1904, when 23-year-old David Strickler was working as a pharmacist’s apprentice at Tassel Pharmacy in downtown Latrobe. Like many pharmacies of the era, Tassel had a soda fountain, and Strickler enjoyed experimenting with different ice cream creations.

One day, he split a banana lengthwise, placed it in a dish, added three scoops of ice cream, and finished the creation with toppings.

The banana split was born.

The dessert quickly caught on, particularly with students from nearby Saint Vincent College, and eventually made its way far beyond western Pennsylvania. What began as a little experimentation behind a pharmacy counter became an American classic.

Of course, Latrobe isn’t the only town that has made a claim to banana split history over the years. But in 2004, the National Ice Cream Retailers Association certified Latrobe as the birthplace of the banana split, giving the hometown story some official bragging rights. (Honestly, if our town invented a dessert involving three scoops of ice cream, we’d brag about it too.)

A Very Sweet Piece of Latrobe History

Today, Latrobe hasn’t forgotten its claim to dessert fame.

Visitors can stop at the original banana split birthplace site on Ligonier Street, where a Pennsylvania historical marker tells the story and a larger-than-life banana split sculpture makes for a pretty irresistible photo opportunity.

And while you’re there, don’t rush out of town after snapping the picture. Latrobe has produced quite the collection of American icons. It’s also the hometown of Fred Rogers and golf legend Arnold Palmer, and the city was home to the original Rolling Rock brewery. Nearby Saint Vincent College hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers’ summer training camp, giving this little corner of the Laurel Highlands an impressive résumé.

In other words, come for the banana split. Stay because Latrobe has a whole lot more going on than you expected.

The Cherry on Top: This Year’s Celebration

Naturally, when your hometown invents the banana split, you don’t just put up a plaque and call it a day. You throw a party. (Not that we need much convincing.)

And the timing couldn’t be sweeter. (See what we did there?) This year’s Great American Banana Split Celebration is happening THIS WEEKEND, August 22–23, 2026, in downtown Latrobe. The two-day celebration is packed with live entertainment, children’s activities, vendors, a car show, baking contest, banana-eating challenge, the 5K Banana Run, and, of course, plenty of banana splits.

The festival has been a Latrobe tradition since 2013, and honestly, it’s exactly the kind of hometown event we love. You get a little history, a lot of local personality, and a perfectly reasonable excuse to eat ice cream before dinner. Now that sounds like our kind of vacation.

Come Hungry, Leave With a Story

One of our favorite things about exploring the Laurel Highlands is discovering stories like this. You can spend the morning hiking a mountain trail, wander through a historic downtown that afternoon, and somewhere along the way discover that one of America’s favorite desserts was invented right here.

Pressed for Time? Here’s the Breakdown:

• The banana split was born in Latrobe in 1904, thanks to pharmacist’s apprentice David Strickler.
• Visit the historic birthplace on Ligonier Street, snap a photo with the oversized banana split, and explore more of Latrobe’s hometown history.
• Celebrate where it all began at the Great American Banana Split Celebration, happening August 22–23 in downtown Latrobe.

The Laurel Highlands is full of places with stories worth discovering, and we think vacations are a whole lot more fun when you know a little about the place you’re exploring. When you’re ready to experience it for yourself, SNOWBALL PROPERTIES gives SNOWBALLERS a comfortable home base for exploring Latrobe, Seven Springs, and all the adventures in between.

Now the only question is…one cherry or two?

Come Have A Ball In The Laurel Highlands!

– Ginger & Hunter Harrelson