Parish organized 1847 at Sartwell in the "Irish Settlement," originally formed 1842-60. Log church built 1848; present one completed 1871. Resident pastor long served Roman Catholics throughout McKean and Potter counties, and this was the "mother . . . — — Map (db m59153) HM
One of the oldest refineries in continuous production in the United States was founded near here in 1881 by pioneer independent oilmen Robert Childs, Eli Loomis, and William Willis. The original refining capacity was 10 barrels a day. One-hundred . . . — — Map (db m59134) HM
The acclaimed performance carburetor maker began here in 1899. The innovative carburetor on George and Earl Holley’s Motorette car gained the attention of Henry Ford. Soon specializing in this technology, they supplied Ford, and later the aircraft . . . — — Map (db m59135) HM
One mile south of here the first permanent white settlement in present McKean County was made in 1798 by Francis King, agent and surveyor for the John Keating land company of Philadelphia. — — Map (db m65541) HM
Opposite here was station no.1 of the first pipe line to carry oil across the Alleghenies. Built by an early competitor of Standard Oil, it began May 28, 1879, to pump oil 109 miles to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. — — Map (db m59155) HM
Welcome to Kane, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, Kane is known as the Black Cherry Capital of the World for the exceptional veneer milled from local trees and crafted into fine furniture and cabinets. In . . . — — Map (db m179061) HM
OLIVER GROVER CLEVELAND CRAWFORD, known as "O.G." or "Ollie," was born Thomas and Anna Crawford on Christmas Day, December 25, 1884, in Williamsport, Pa. — nearly a year to the day after the death of Kane founder Thomas L. Kane. As a young . . . — — Map (db m138557) HM
During the early morning hours of Saturday February 20th 1999
Patrolman Steuen M. Jerman of the Kane Police Department was
fatally wounded at this location. During the exchange of gunfire
the assailant was severely wounded.
Patrolman Jerman . . . — — Map (db m163707) HM
The spring, 200 yards southwest of here, was a stopping place on the ancient Indian trail which crossed the Big Level on the way south. The trail was once the main route from Onondaga, the Iroquois capital, to the Ohio and the Carolinas. — — Map (db m59151) HM
Commander of the Civil war "Bucktail Regiment" and founder of the borough of Kane. Breveted Major General in 1863. A friend of Brigham Young and staunch supporter of the Mormon pioneers. He died, 1883, and was buried at this chapel, built at his . . . — — Map (db m59154) HM
A medical doctor by profession, McCleery established a wolf park nearby to breed and care for lobo wolves, a subspecies of gray wolf. Subject to a 1920s elimination program, this wolf was saved from extinction through his efforts. The park served as . . . — — Map (db m96051) HM
The Civilian Conservation Corps established Camp ANF-3 near this location in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression. Enrollees lived here and worked on various conservation projects within the Allegheny National Forest. The camp later housed . . . — — Map (db m175126) HM
As the tallest and longest bridge of its time, the Kinzua Viaduct embodied the spirit of the industrial revolution. Cargo and sightseers rumbled across the viaduct for 120 years until an F1 tornado toppled the viaduct in 2003. Today, a skywalk and . . . — — Map (db m104941) HM
A DCNR inspection in 2002 deemed the viaduct unsafe and it was closed to all traffic. Restoration work was well underway when, on July 21, 2003, severe weather sent the crew scrambling for shelter. Just after 3:15 p.m., an F1 tornado hit Kinzua . . . — — Map (db m104938) HM
An Engineering and Historical Marvel. The need to transport coal, oil and lumber across the Kinzua Valley inspired General Thomas Kane, president of the New York, Lake Erie and Western railroad and Coal Company, and Octave Chanute, chief . . . — — Map (db m104920) HM
Originally begun in 1881 for the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad to ship coal, lumber, and oil, it was once the world’s highest and longest rail viaduct. Rebuilt in 1900 to carry heavier loads, it was in service until 1959. Kinzua Bridge . . . — — Map (db m51329) HM
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Nebo Church was in 1886 as the first Lutheran Congregational in the Mount Jewett area. The octagonal shaped church was built in 1887 and was patterned after Ersta Kyrka at Danviken, near Stockholm, Sweden. The name . . . — — Map (db m83706) HM
Step ahead for an adventure back in time.
Discover an area abounding with historical
treasures, pioneer stories, natural beauty, and
small-town charm. Tour the Longhouse National
Scenic Byway, hike stunning four-season trails,
or experience . . . — — Map (db m163694) HM
When constructed in 1882, Kinzua Viaduct was the highest
railroad bridge in the world. An engineering marvel built to
access local coal, timber, and oil, the iron viaduct stood 301
feet high and spanned 2,053 feet. In 1900, workers rebuilt
the . . . — — Map (db m163693) HM
The 23-mile crossing from Susquehanna West Branch to the Allegheny River followed Portage Creek to a "canoe place" near this point. From here Indians and pioneers continued on their way by boat down the Allegheny River. — — Map (db m59133) HM
Travel point since pioneer days, when travelers coming overland from the Susquehanna continued by water from "Canoe Place". The town grew as a center of lumber and tanning industry. Its descriptive present name came into use about 1840. — — Map (db m39887) HM
Travel point since pioneer days, when travelers coming overland from the Susquehanna continued by water from "Canoe Place." The town grew as a center of lumber and tanning industry. Its descriptive present name came into use about 1840 — — Map (db m78699) HM
Side A
Birthplace of Allegheny Modernism
Lynn Hall, the premier example of Allegheny Modernism architecture, was built in 1934 by local self-taught architect Walter J. Hall. It is considered an early example of Organic Prairie . . . — — Map (db m199025) HM
Dedicated to the memory of all men and women
of the Port Allegany school district who honorably
served our country during peacetime, World War II, Korea
Viet Nam, Grenada, Panama, The Gulf War and those fallen
heroes who made the supreme . . . — — Map (db m163705) WM
Junction of Tioga and Shamokin War Trails. Indians coming over the great divide camped here and made new canoes. Again embarking westward down
The Allegewe
No white man was allowed on these trails till about 1750. An Important Rafting Center . . . — — Map (db m83705) HM
Rixford Service Roll
In honor of those who served in the World War 1914-1918
Lowell L. Andrus
Lee Frank Baker
Kenneth Burdic
George Burdic
Bertram P. Brown
Lawrence C. Cotton
Lawrence N. Goodell
Ray W. Hunt
Robert E. . . . — — Map (db m87408) WM
At the call of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, 100 Civil War volunteers assembled here on April 24, 1861, to go to Harrisburg. Tails of buck deer, worn as distinctive insignia, provided the name of the famed 42d Regiment, of which they were the core. — — Map (db m39884) HM
The day following the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumtner on April 12, 1861, Philadelphian Thomas Leiper Kane contacted Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin and offered to head to McKean and Elk Counties and raise a company of skilled fighting . . . — — Map (db m163704) HM
1881: Third Courthouse for McKean County.
Famed Buffalo architect Milton Earl Beebe was hired to design the magnificent 3rd McKean County Courthouse. It was completed in 1881 at a
cost of $80,000. Beebe had considerable experience and fame, . . . — — Map (db m163700) HM
One of the few remaining Pristine Examples of the Architect's Genius
Short-lived but Brilliant Architect Hired by Smethport's Henry Hamlin
William Halsey Wood had already become nationally famous when he was contacted by Henry Hamlin to . . . — — Map (db m185054) HM
Greek Revival 1831-1868
Smethport & the great East-West Road
Authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1809, the construction of the East-West Road opened up settlement across northern Pennsylvania. Mud-rutted roads and corduroy log . . . — — Map (db m185056) HM
Formed March 26, 1804 out of Lycoming County. Named for Governor Thomas McKean. Smethport, the county seat, was incorporated 1853; here the "Bucktails," famed Civil War regiment, assembled in 1861. Oil, gas and lumber spurred the county's early . . . — — Map (db m39885) HM
They gave their lives
that their country
might live.
To the defenders
of their country
of the county
of McKean,
this monument is
affectionately
dedicated. — — Map (db m163703) WM
County seat for McKean County since 1807, when land agent Francis King surveyed town lots. The first cabin was built in 1811 by Arnold Hunter; but permanent settlement was delayed until 1822. First courthouse built in 1827. — — Map (db m59132) HM
1 McKean County Courthouse and
Bucktail Civil War Monument
2 St. Luke's Episcopal Church
3 John Forrest Mansion
620 West Main Street
4 Byron Delano Hamlin Mansion
619 West Main Street
5 Charles Sartwell Mansion
708 West Main . . . — — Map (db m163699) HM
Governor Thomas McKean, for whom the county was named, purchased here, in 1805, a 299-acre tract. Its name derived from the fact that the purchase was made in part to give Pennsylvania equity of power in lands settled by Connecticut. — — Map (db m59142) HM