The Apollo Area Historical Society, located in Apollo PA maintains Drake's Log Cabin, and the local historical museum, located in the old W.C.T.U. building.

The W.C.T.U. Building

The Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1864 under the direction of Miss Frances Willard. The goal of the organization was "total abstinence for the individual and sobriety for the nation." The W.C.T.U. also held steadfastly to another purpose - a campaign of education.

In 1909, the W.C.T.U. building was erected as the W.C.T.U. headquarters and to provide a suitable space for a public library. The building was home to Armstrong County's first library, the Apollo Free Library, from 1911 until 1965 when the new Apollo Memorial Library was built on Pennsylvania Ave.

In 1997, Apollo Borough purchased the building from the State W.C.T.U. Organization, and the following year, turned the building over to the Apollo Area Historical Society to be used as a meeting place and local historical museum.

Drake's Log Cabin

Drake's Log Cabin was believed to have been built in 1816, and is the only remnant of the original permanent settlement which eventually grew into the Borough of Apollo. The earliest deed to the property, dated 1862, shows that the cabin was owned by Mrs. Sarah Drake. Drake's Log Cabin is the oldest building in Apollo Borough, and one of the oldest in Armstrong County. In March of 1983, the cabin was added to the National Registry of Historical Places.

In 1970, the cabin was purchased from Mrs. Samuel Wilson for $1000, and the Apollo Area Historical Society was born.

Some of the later additions to the cabin were removed, and deteriorating logs were replaced under the direction of Howard Fulton. Roof repairs were made, and finally, the cabin was restored to its original condition. Drake's Log Cabin was officially dedicated and opened to the public on September 19, 1971.

Nellie Bly

Nellie Bly, whose real name was Elizabeth Cochran, was born in Cochran's Mills, but grew up in Apollo, PA. Nellie Bly lived in her father's home in Apollo from the age of 5 until the age of 15 when she left to attend Indiana Normal School (now Indiana University of PA). That house still stands on Terrace Ave. in Apollo.

The world watched as Nellie Bly traveled round the world in 72 days, breaking the current world record. As a reporter for the New York World, she became one of the world's first investigative reporters, posing as a mental patient and reporting on the state of Mental Hospitals. Great reforms in the treatment of the mentally ill came about as a result of her courageous efforts.

In July of 1995, a historical marker was placed and dedicated in front of the house on Terrace Avenue. There is also a modest display inside the Apollo Historical Museum at the W.C.T.U. building on 2nd Street in Apollo.