The Ball family, for whom Balls Bend on Route 228 in Middlesex Township is named, show off one of their prize-winning polled Hereford cows in the 1950s. From left in the wagon are siblings Sandy, Ann and George Ball III with their bovine friend. Their sister, Helaine, sits in the back seat of the Jeep; their mother, Helen, in the front seat; and their father, George Ball Jr., stands at the fender. Helaine Ball Eckstein said when not being used to move cattle, the family took the sides off the wagon and used it for hayrides.The bend named for the family is currently being removed and straightened in a $26.5-million transportation project. Submitted photo

Southwestern Butler County residents of a certain age know that Balls Bend on Route 228 was named not for the courage it takes to navigate the dangerous curve, but for gentleman farmers and prominent businessmen Hiram, George and Henry Ball.

The Ball family owned three farms in the area of the bend, which is at the intersection of Route 228 and Davis Road in Middlesex Township.

In fact, the farms were bisected by the bend when the state Department of Transportation awarded a bid in 1960 to construct a new road from Route 8 to Mars that would allow motorists to access Mars and Route 19 in Cranberry Township without navigating a series of rural roads, a stop sign and a one-lane bridge.

Before the new road, which became Route 228, was built, those heading for Mars and points west turned from Route 8 at the site of the current Valencia Post Office or to the north of the current Route 228 on what is now Old Route 8.

Motorists used the former Route 10010, part of which is now Davis Road, and came to a stop sign, where they turned left, crossed a one-lane bridge, then turned right to get to Mars.

The installation of the new highway in 1960 allowed an uninterrupted drive west through Middlesex, and the large bend was unofficially named for the Ball family.

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