The following sites can be viewed from the Armstrong Trail. Please stay on the designated trail and respect the adjacent landowners.
Old Village of Gray's Eddy
Gray's Eddy was a small village in Madison County. In 1840, Oliver Gray built the first house and Robert Thompson built and owned a store, a hotel, and a warehouse. Freight was delivered here consistently until the completion of the Allegheny Valley Railroad. At this site, there are the remains of a stone arched culvert, cut stonewalls and beautiful waterfall features This beautiful section is located along the Mahoning North section of the Armstrong Trail between Templeton and Hooks Station.
Ore Hill Iron Furnace
The Cochran, Dobbs & Co. built the Ore Hill Iron Furnace in 1845. This furnace was a hot blast charcoal furnace that produced up to 40 tons of pig iron in one week. The furnace used the charcoal the got from burning wood to help in the process of making iron and steel. In 1857 when there was a shortage of wood, the furnace had to shut down operations.
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Montecello Iron Furnace
Robert Brown built Monticello Furnace in year 1859. In 1863, Brown sold the furnace operations to McKnight, Martin, & Co., and then later became McKnight, Porter, & Co. The Allegheny Valley Railroad was extended to Monticello Furnace in 1865 to service it with ore. 1866 to 1874 ore from Lake Superior was mixed with the native ore to make a neutral iron that was used to make nails, steel tools, and other products of great quality. During it's time, Monticello Furnace produced mass amounts of pig iron that supplied markets in Pittsburgh and Kittanning. Monticello Furnace shut down in 1875. At the site, there are remains of a retaining wall that nicely borders a few feet of the trail, and also the remains of an iron slag pile that lies opposite the wall. The furnace is located along the Cowanshannock North section of the Armstrong Trail above the Bernie Snyder Picnic Area.
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Kittanning
Kit-Han-Ne was an Indian village that became a French and Indian War battleground in the fall of 1756 . The capture of French Fort Duquesne (renamed Fort Pitt) led to the mission to destroy the Indian village (present day Kittanning). John Armstrong commanded 300 men and set out for the village on September 3, 1756. Armstrong's army completely destroyed the Indian village on September 8, 1756. Fort Armstrong was built near the old Indian village in 1779. After this fort was built, settlement of the area began (present day Armstrong County). The first permanent settler was Robert Brown in 1798. The town of Kittanning was established around 1800 and laid out with 248 in lots and 27 out lots in 1803. Armstrong County was later established in 1805.
Armstrong County has had 3 official court and jailhouses. The third and present courthouse was built around the 1860s using stone from Catfish Quarry and places along the Cowanshannock Creek. The third and present jailhouse was built and attached to the present courthouse in the 1870s. This Jailhouse became one of the best prison buildings in the U.S. in its time.
Some early industries of Kittanning :
- 1804 – Henry Worts was the first tanner.
- 1805 – Paul Morrow was the first brick maker.
- 1814 – John Black was the first pottery manufacturer.
- 1822 – Hugh Fullerton was the first to manufacture yarn and cloth.
- 1834 – Andrew Arnold was the first to build and operate a steam gristmill.
- 1860 – Charles Cumpsley was the first to manufacture wagons, wheelbarrows, and mowing equipment.
Kittanning suffered from many natural disasters in the past. Floods took its toll on the area through out many years recorded as early as 1832. An earthquake made its presence known in the early spring of 1828 as well as a tornado in 1811. Another profound disaster was ice gorges in 1837 and 1875. In 1837, the ice was so bad that it was in thick layers covering all streets and sidewalks. It took 3 months for it to melt. In 1875, ice became jammed above and below Kittanning on the Allegheny River. This is what they referred to as the Ten-mile Gorge. Kittanning is located on the Kittanning section of the Armstrong Trail between Ford City and Cowanshannock Creek.
Armstrong County Courthouse and Jail
In the early 1800's, the people, of the soon to be Armstrong County, held their court sessions in a log house (the old Reynolds House). The construction of the first actual courthouse began in 1809, but was not completed until 1820. The first courthouse was built using brick from the first brick maker, Paul Morrow. The second courthouse was built in 1852 due to an act that was passed in 1850. This courthouse was also built using brick. In 1858, a fire destroyed the courthouse, which prompted the construction of the third and present courthouse. The third courthouse was built into the cliff side of the present Kittanning in the time frame of 1858-1860. The courthouse was built using stone from the Catfish Quarry and areas near Cowanshannock Creek.
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The first jailhouse was built in 1805 using stone. The second jailhouse was also built in 1805 near where the second courthouse would soon be built. This jailhouse was built using brick, and became well known for the many escapes that occurred. The third jailhouse was built and attached to the third courthouse in 1870-1873. This jailhouse was also built using stone from the same locations as the courthouse. The courthouse and jail are located on the Kittanning section of the Armstrong Trail on Street.
Ford City
The discovery of Natural Gas was the start of one of the most successful boroughs in Armstrong County. In 1888, Captain John B. Ford came to this area because of the quality of the natural gas. He needed the gas to fuel his future factory. After purchasing the tract of land that is now Ford City, John Ford and 3 other men quickly established the Ford Plate Company (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company - PPG). This glass company began operations in 1889 and quickly became the largest and greatest glass company in the U.S., covering 20 acres. In it\'s time, PPG was the heart and soul of Ford City. In the fall of 1891, a statue of Captain John B. Ford was built in his honor. The statue and the PPG buildings are located on the Ford City section of the Armstrong Trail at the Ford City Memorial Park.
Lock and Dam 5-9
Out of the 9 lock and dams built, all but 1 remain. Due to the water levels of the river, Lock and Dam 1 was no longer needed and taken out. The dams get gradually higher and steeper in order. This pattern makes Lock and Dam 9 the highest and steepest out of the 8 remaining dams. Lock and Dam 5-9 are all located along the Armstrong Trail from Schenley to Rimer. These dams are operated through the Army Corp of Engineers .
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