IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Exploring the life

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It’s a Wonderful Place

Jimmy Stewart’s legacy brings Christmas spirit and more to the actor's quaint hometown.

Iistroll along the main drag of Indiana, Pennsylvania, see its quaint, 19th century storefronts, and picture the town’s nostalgic charm during Christmas. I imagine the live Christmas tree, towering more than 30 feet above Seventh Street, ablaze with lights while carolers walk over a blanket of freshly fallen snow singing, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

It’s just like Jimmy Stewart — actor, World War II hero and the town’s most famous son — expressed: Indiana does indeed look like it could be the fictitious Bedford Falls. I almost expect to see George Bailey on the sidewalk.

Along with the It’s a Wonderful Life theme and trail of sites from Jimmy Stewart’s life — like his childhood home and church — Indiana County has the distinction of being the Christmas Tree Capital of the World (although Estacada, Oregon, fights Indiana for the title). That makes it the perfect three-hour, 180-mile road trip for Cleveland residents in December, even after the annual It’s a Wonderful Life Festival kicks off the season in November.

“There’s a big Christmas vibe here,” says Janie McKirgan, president and executive director of The Jimmy Stewart Museum, which opened in 1995.

The museum is the area's biggest attraction, drawing up to 7,000 Stewart fans each year from all 50 states and countries like England, Scotland and Mexico. Stewart, who died in 1997, has many fans, McKirgan says.

“I think what contributed to his longevity is his World War II service and the fact that he [acted in] It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s such a family tradition to watch it every holiday season,” says McKirgan.

Allow about three hours to see the museum. The history goes back to the founding of Indiana, Stewart’s childhood as the son of a hardware store owner, his movie career and service as a decorated World War II pilot.

The Jimmy Stewart

Statue, in front of the Indiana

County Courthouse at 825

Philadelphia Street. The 9-foot statue was dedicated on Jimmy’s 75th birthday. Stewart attended the ceremony with fanfare: President Reagan ordered a military flyover of jets in honor of his friend.

Jimmy Stewart’s childhood home stands on 104 N. Seventh Street atop Vinegar Hill. Visitors can drive by the Dutch

Colonial home, but please be discreet and don’t knock on the door; people live there.

The It’s a Wonderful Life mural covers a low wall at 100 S. 6th Street. The painting does not depict anything related to the movie, but it’s a cheerful landmark.

Jimmy grew up worshipping at Calvary Presbyterian

Church at 695 School Street.

The Stewart family sat near the front right side of the center aisle. calvarychurchpa.com

Jimmy’s personal 1961 Cessna 310 airplane was mounted on display at the Jimmy Stewart

Airport, 398 Airport Road, in 2020. The airplane is illuminated at night. jimmystewartairport.com