Historical Markers in
Beaver County, Pennsylvania

About River Transit ... Agnew Square Aliquippa Works Always A River 1991 American Bridge Company Anthony Wayne's Camp Baker Cemetery Bassenheim Furnace Beaver County Fair Grounds Benvenue Manor Boyhood Home of Henry Mancini Brigadier General William Irvine Brodheads Road Built Here In Old Sharon Buttonwood Cannelton Caughey's Mill Chartered In 1798 Childhood Home of Edward Dempster Merrick Chippewa United Methodist Church Christ Episcopal Church Commanding Officers Conway Railroad Yards Cooks Ferry Daniel Leasure Darlington Borough Daugherty Cemetery David Littell House Down The Ohio Elder's Mills First Colonial Residents First Court First Permanent Structure of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church Fombell House Fort McIntosh Fort McIntosh Fort McIntosh Fort McIntosh Fort McIntosh Site Foulks-Martin-Watts Mill and Bridge Frankfort Mineral Springs Free Presbyterian Church Freedom Boat Yards General Lachlan McIntosh Geneva College George Foulks Home Georgetown Georgetown Veterans Memorial Greersburg Academy Grove Cemetery H.C. Fry Glass Company Harmony Society Cemetery Harmony Society Church Hill Cemetery Homewood Junction Industry Along the Banks Ingram-Richardson Manufacturing Company Joseph H. Bausman D.D. Junction Park King Beaver's Town Legion of the United States Encampment Legionville Legionville Monument Levi Dungan Land Patent Lewis and Clark Logans Town Logstown Logstown Major General Joseph H. Pendleton Make Way for the Railroad Matthew S. Quay Matthew Stanley Quay Home McIntosh Square McKinley School No. 3 McMinn Mill Merrick Art Gallery Midland Education Mill Creek Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church Mount Plesant Presbyterian Church National Labor Relations Board versus Jones and Laughlin Supreme Court Ruling Native American Site 36BV9 New Philadelphia Society New Salem Presbyterian Church Oak Grove Presbyterian Church Oakland United Presbyterian Church Ohio United Presbyterian Church Old Economy Old Economy Memorial Patterson Heights Incline Pennsylvania Canal System Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Passenger Station Providence Baptist Church Richmond Little Red Schoolhouse Robert Townsend House Rochester Lodge Number 229 Saint John A.M.E. Church Saint Luke's Episcopal Church Saint Matthew's Church Saint Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church Second Baptist Church Second Baptist Church Site of Early Methodist Church Site of First Mass Site of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver County Pennsylvania Site of Thiel College Smiths Ferry South Beaver Township Veterans Memorial Spanning the Waters St. Peter's Lutheran Church Stephen Stone House Swearingen Cemetery The Carnegie Library The Michael Camp House The Penna - Virginia Boundary The Point of Beginning The Sandy and Beaver Canal The Tuscararas Trail The White Cemetery Thomas Sprott House Townsend Company Tried Stone Baptist Church Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Union Drawn Steel Vicary House Wallace City Water Cure Sanitorium Water Lot Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church Wayne Park White Cottage White's Mill
Pennsylvania was home to the first commercially drilled oil well in the world, which was drilled in 1859 near Titusville.
Pennsylvania random facts
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, holds a rich and diverse history that spans back centuries. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Delaware and Seneca, the area became a prominent hub for European settlers during the 18th century. The county was officially established in 1800, named after the Beaver River that flows through it. Throughout its history, Beaver County has played a significant role in various industries and contributed to the growth of Pennsylvania as a whole.

In the early years, the county was primarily centered around agriculture and trading, with farmers and fur traders thriving in the fertile lands and access to waterways. However, the discovery of vast coal deposits in the mid-19th century brought about a significant shift. Beaver County quickly became a major player in the coal industry, attracting skilled labor and immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe.

With the rise of the steel industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Beaver County experienced another wave of industrial growth. The county boasted multiple steel mills and factories, employing thousands of workers. This period of prosperity continued until the decline of the steel industry in the late 20th century, leading to economic challenges and the closure of many factories.

Throughout its history, Beaver County has also seen notable moments in American history. In the 1800s, the abolitionist movement gained traction in the region, and Beaver County served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Additionally, during the late 20th century, the county played a role in the development of the US space program, housing facilities that manufactured parts for NASA's space shuttles.

Today, Beaver County is transitioning and diversifying its economy beyond its industrial past. It is home to various industries, including healthcare, education, and emerging technologies. Historic sites, such as the Beaver County Courthouse and the Merrick Art Gallery, continue to draw visitors, offering glimpses into the county's captivating past while embracing its future.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

  • 1769 - The first European settlement is established in what is now Beaver County.
  • Beaver County is officially created in 1800, with parts of Washington and Allegheny counties.
  • 1812 - The county seat is established in the town of Beaver, named after the beaver trapping and fur trading industry in the area.
  • 1832 - The Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal is completed, connecting Beaver County to the Ohio River and facilitating trade.
  • 1846 - The Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad begins operations in Beaver County, boosting industrial development.
  • 1870s - The county experiences significant growth with the expansion of the steel industry.
  • 1901 - The Ohio River flood devastates Beaver County, causing extensive damage to infrastructure.
  • Mid-20th century - Beaver County becomes a center for steel production and is known as the "Steel City."
  • 1987 - The decline of the steel industry leads to the closure of major steel mills in Beaver County.
  • 21st century - Beaver County focuses on diversifying its economy, with an emphasis on education, healthcare, and energy industries.