Keystone Town Markers

Keystone Town Markers --- A Unique Look at Pennsylvania Towns and Their Histories

Throughout the various farmlands, mountains, valleys and cities that constitutes the Commonwealth are time-worn markers that present a brief and often overlooked in this modern era snapshot of the villages, hamlets, and towns these markers introduce to the world. Many of these steel embossed signs were erected during the 1920s through possibly the 1950s. At first glance, these artifacts announce where you are or what you are crossing. However, these guideposts present more than just your physical location. They allow the inquisitive traveler a look at some of Pennsylvania's best kept secrets. It now appears that some communities are installing modern replicas of these classic markers; I personally applaud the Commonwealth and these communities for placing these 'new' signs showing pride within their communities.

This project will document these signs. But more importantly, it will focus more on the secrets and treasures these signs lead to. I've included a brief factual information on these signs, an example of how the towns and signs will be listed, guidelines for submissions and of course the photos and stories themselves.

Keystone Signs Background Information

There was actually some helpful information to early motorists on these timeless artifacts. These townposts not only gave information about what town you were in, why it is named such, and when it was founded, but it also gave the distance to the next town or the state line along that specific highway. Using a photo taken by Bruce Cridlebaugh in Boston, I'll explain what each line means.

Legend:
Elizabeth-7 (The next town, Elizabeth, is 7 miles.)
BOSTON (The specific town or municipality)
Named For:
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETS (Next who, what, where and why the town got its name.)
Founded 1886. (Self Explanatory)

The listings of photos on this site will be as follows:

BOSTON(taken by Bruce Cridlebaugh) Founded 1886. Named for Boston, Mass. See Treasures Along The Trail for more. Any additional historical information, anecdotes, etc. will also be added.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

AIRVILLE (taken by Rob Tobcanin) Founded 1829. Named for pure air in neighborhood.

ALLEGHENY RIVER(taken by David Brunot) Found at junction of PA 268 & 368 in Parker.

ALLEGHENY RIVER (taken by David Brunot) This is the second known keystone for the Allegheny. It is located on US 6 and PA 44 in Coudersport.

AMITY (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1798. Amity means 'Friendly Relationship'.

ANTES CREEK (taken by David Brunot) Is located in Lycoming County and flows into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

ARENDTSVILLE (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1808. Named for John Arendt. Arendtsville is located in the heart of the Adams County apple orchard country.

ARDMORE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1873. Once named "Athensville", the name change was initiated by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Ardmore is Gaelic for High Ground or Hills.

BAUMSTOWN (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1800. Named after Dr. John Christian Baum.

BEALLSVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Named 1819. Named after Zephiniah Beall. 'Castle Blood' is a well known Halloween Haunted Attraction.

BEAVER (taken by Doug Kerr) Founder 1778. Named after King Beaver of the Lenni-Lenape Indian tribe. Lenni-Lenape are known to us as the Delaware Indians and "Lenni-Lenape" means "true man" or "common people".

BEAVER SPRINGS(taken by David Slauenwhite) Originally called Reigertown, it was changed to Beaver Springs by the Post Office.

BENTLEYVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1818. Washington County town named after Sheshbazzar Bently.

BIG CONEWAGO CREEK/GANOGA BRIDGE (taken by Greg Halpin) This keystone is located on the Susquehanna Trail and the Ganoga Bridge carries PA 295 over the Big Conewago.

BIRD-IN-HAND (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1734. Named oddly after a picture on a hotel's sign. Bird-In-Hand is located in the heart of PA Dutch Country.

BLOOMING VALLEY(taken by David Brunot) Founded 1848. Blooming Valley was named after settlers came upon a valley blooming with flowers.

BLUE BALL (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1766. Named for "The Blue Ball" Hotel.

BOSTON(taken by Bruce Cridlebaugh) Founded 1886. Named for Boston, Mass. See Treasures Along The Trail for more.

BRACKENRIDGE (taken by Eric Lasher) Named after Judge Hugh H. Brackenridge, known for securing the establishment of Allegheny County and also worked on settling the Whiskey Rebellion in Southwest PA.

BRANCH CREEK (taken by Kurt Heidel) This keystone is found on PA 63 between PA 113 and 563 near Bergey.

BRICKERVILLE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1741. Named for Peter Bricker.

BRIDGEPORT (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1829. Named on account of port and building of bridge.

BROCKWAY (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1822. Named after the Brockway family. John Smith Brockway would purchase the land in 1821 at a treasurer's sale. Brockway was known as Brockwayville from 1883-1925.

BRUIN (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1834. Named after nearby Bear Creek. David was able to capture what is left of this marker before it sees its end.

BUFFALO (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1777. Village in Washington County.

BURGETTSTOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1786. Named for Sebastian Burgett, whose settlement in the area was considered a frontier fort.

BURLINGTON (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 17XX. This Bradford County Borough is named after Burlington, Vermont.

BURNT CABINS(taken by David Slauenwhite) Unknown. Named as a reminder of early settlers in the area whose homes were burned as part of an Indian protest.

BUTLER (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1797. Named after General Richard Butler who served in the 9th Pennsylvania Regement during the Revolutionary War . He died in the defeat of St. Clair in 1791.

CALIFORNIA (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1769. This Monongahela River Town is home of California University of Pennsylvania.

CAMPTOWN (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1793. Not home of the original 'Camptown Races,' but a modern rendition that includes a five-mile foot race.

CASTLE SHANNON(taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1870. Named for early Scotch-Irish settlers' home, the town is located on the storied Overbrook Line. Linden Grove, located in the borough, was one of the area's first trolley/train parks.

CENTERVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) In the early days of the National Road, Centerville was a key stopping point between Uniontown and Washingon, hence the name.

CHURCHILL (taken by Denny Pine) Incorporated in 1938. Named for the Historic Beulah Church that sits on top of a hill nearby.

CHURCHTOWN (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1740. Named for the prevalences of churches in early days. Now known for its numerous Bed & Breakfasts.

CLARKSBURG (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1829. Named for the Clark Family who were area pioneers.Home of Challenger Raceway.

CLAY (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1740. Named for Henry Clay.

COCHRANVILLE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1725. Originally named 'Cochran's Inn', the town is named after James Cochran, who settled the town.

COLLEGEVILLE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1896. Named because Ursinus College is located here.

COLUMBIA (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1726. The shores of Wright's Ferry, what is now Columbia, was once considered as the site for our nation's capital.

COLUMBUS (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1800. Like many other towns that share the name nationwide, Columbus was named after Christopher Columbus.

CONEWAGO CREEK (taken by Greg Halpin) Sign located on PA 234 in Arendtsville. Special note: This sign is double sided.

CONNELLSVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1778. Named after Zachariah Connell. In 1909, Connellsville became the first city in Fayette County.

CONNOQUENESSING(taken by David Brunot) Founded 1792. Taken from the Indian "A long way straight."

CONNOQUENESSING CREEK(taken by Denny Pine) Photo taken on US 19 in Zelienople. A popular creek for canoeing.

CORNWALL (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1742. Named for Corwall, England. Cornwall Iron Furnace State Historical Site is located here.

COVINGTON (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1801. Located in Tioga County, tiny village named after Covington, Kentucky.

CRAFTON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1890. Named after Charles C. Craft. Crafton is a 'Tree City USA' community.

CRALEY (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1841. Named for George Craley, settler.

CRAMER (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1794. Named after a local coal operator, Joseph Cramer.

CREEKSIDE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1XXX. Indiana County town formerlly called Newville.

CRESSON (taken by Eric Lasher) Founded 1855. Named for John Cresson an early financier.

DAGGETT (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1827. Named after settler, Seth Daggett. This keystone has been repainted red and is mounted on a retaining wall of the Big Elm Volunteer Fire Department.

DALLASTOWN (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1736. The town's name was changed in 1844 after President Polk's, Vice-President, George M. Dallas a Philadelphia native.

DANVILLE (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1792. Named after Daniel Montgomery, who along with his father, William, founded the town along the banks of the Susquehanna River.

DARLINGTON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1794. Formerly known as Greersburg, Darlington was renamed for Samuel P. Darlington.

DAVIDSVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1831. Named after town founder, David Stutzman.

DENVER (taken by Kurt Heidel) Incorporated 1900. Formerly Union Station, named after Denver, Colorado by Adam C. Brubaker.

DEWART (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1857. Named for former Pennsylvania Congressman, William Lewis Dewart.

DOWNINGTOWN (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1716. Formerly known as 'Milltown, name was change in honor of Thomas Downing, who developed a series of mills in the area during the late 1700's.

DURELL (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded unknown. Named for Stephen Durell, a Hugenot Pioneer.

EAST BERLIN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1784. Before the Cold War, this East Berlin was formed and was named after the German Capital.

EAST McKEESPORT (taken by Kevin Snyder) Founded Unknown. The East End of McKeesport. McKeesport was named after the McKee Family. What is interesting is where this keystone was found. This keystone was found in Elk County.

ELDERTON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1822. Formerly known as New Middletown, Elderton was renamed in 1859 in honor of Sara Elder, the original land owner.

ELIZABETHVILLE (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1817. Originally named "Benderstettle". The town was renamed to Elizabethville in honor of the Bender's daughter, Elizabeth.

ELLSWORTH (taken by Denny Pine) Founderd 1890. Named for Jas. A Ellsworth.

ELLWOOD CITY (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1889. Named after Isaac Ellwood, a barbed wire producer and longtime friend of Henry W. Hartman. Hartman, a developer, was the founder of the town.

EXCHANGE (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1840. The location was known for a horse exchange that took place on a mail route through this area. This would earn the town its name.

FAIRFIELD (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1801. Named after Fairfield, England.

FARMINGTON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1841. Named after the miles of farmland around the area, Farmington is now well known as the home of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.

FINLEYVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1787. Named for John Finley.

FLORENCE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1814. This Washington County town was originally named Briceland's Cross Roads.

FLOURTOWN (taken by Drew S.) Settled 1763. Named because of nearby mills that early settlers traveled to for flour. Flourtown is one of the four villages that exist within Springfield Township, Montgomery County.

FOREST CITY (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1864. William Pentecost, who settled the area, named it after the surroundings of a dense forest.

FOREST HILLS (taken by Denny Pine) Incorporated 1919. Named after its similarity to Forest Hills, NY, this borough came about over controversy on maintaining the Lincoln Highway.

FRANKFORD SPRINGS (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 177X. Located in Beaver County, this town was named after Frankford the locale near Philadelphia.

FREDERICKTOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1817. Named after settler, Frederick Wise. Located in Washington County.

GENESEE (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1853. Originally named Genesee Forks, Genesee is named after the Genesee River.

GETTYSBURG (taken by Dan Garnell) Founded 1780. Named after James Gettys, an early settler. Site of a famous Civil War battle and National Cemetery. The official town website provides excellent tourism and historical information.

GILLETT (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1783. Named for Deacon Asa Gillette. Over time, the 'e' at the end of Gillette's name would be dropped as it is on the keystone.

GLEN CAMPBELL (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1XXX. Not named after the country-western singer, but after Charles Campbell.

GOLDSBORO (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1850. Named after Major Goldsboro, an accomplished civil engineer. Goldsboro was the center of the 1979 Three Mile Island Accident.

GOODVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1815. Named for Peter Good, town settler.

GRATERFORD (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1756. Named for Jacob Kreater, an early settler.

GREEN LANE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1749. Named for the green foilage on the trees. Green Lane Park is a popular destination.

GREENSBURG (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1785. The Westmoreland County Seat was named after Patriot Nathaniel [Nathanael] Greene [Green].

GREENWOOD NURSERY (taken by Adam Prince) Established 1906. The former Greenwood Tree Nursery would be the predecessor to Greenwood Furnance State Park. The nursery would operate from 1906 until 1993. Greenwood Furnace State Park was established in 1925.

HANOVER (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1745. Named after Hanover, Germany. The town which saw a calvary battle during the Civil War has numerous unique shops and restaurants.

HARTLETON (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1793. Named for Col. Thomas Hartley, who owned the land that the town was laid out on.

HASTINGS (taken by Jeffrey Klugh) Founded 1893. Named for D.H. Hastings former Governor of Pennsylvania. Hastings server as Governor from 1895-1899.

HELLERTOWN (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1742. Named after the family of Christopher Heller who settled here along the Saucon Creek.

HERSHEY (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1903. Famous for chocolate, Hershey was laid out by Milton S. Hershey as his model town.

HICKORY (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1797. The original name for this Washington County Village was 'Hickory Tavern'.

HINKLETOWN (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1767. Named after George Hinkle.

HOLLIDAY (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1799. Named for Daniel Holiday.

HOLSOPPLE or HOLLSOPPLE(taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1880. Named after Charles Hollsopple; however, the story of how the town was named and the tale of the "dropped 'l'" appears to be slightly controversial. Both spellings are used for and throughout the town.

HOOKSTOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 17X7. Named after the Hook Family, early pioneers of the area.

HOOVERHURST (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1876. Named after Nathan L. Hoover, early settler.

ICKESBURG (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1818. Named for Nicholas Ickes.

INDEPENDENCE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1787. The Washington County village was originally named Williamsburg. It is located near the West Virginia Line.

INGRAM (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1902. Ingram was incorporated as a borough on August 2, 1902.

INTERCOURSE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1754. Maybe the most famous or infamously named town in PA, Intercourse, possibly starting as Entercourse, was originally named Cross Keys.

JACOBUS (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1837. Named after Jacob Geiselman. This sign is now placed over the entrance to the Goodwill Fire Company. The sign would have originally been found on the North route of the Susquehanna Trail.

JEFFERSON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1776. Named after Thomas Jefferson. This Jefferson is located in Greene County.

JEFFERSON/CODORUS (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1812. Also, named after Thomas Jefferson. The village uses the Codurus post office. One of the many 'Jefferson's in the Commonwealth this is located in York County.

JENNERSTOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1822. A modern version of the Keystone sign for the town named after Dr. Edward Jenner, who created the smallpox vaccine.

KANE (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1863. Named after Civil War General Thomas L. Kane, who was the state's first volunteer of the war and organized the famed 'Bucktail Regiment'.

KARTHAUS (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1841. Named after pioneer land owner, Peter A. Karthaus.

KING OF PRUSSIA(taken by Kurt Heidel) Named for Frederick the Great of Prussia. However, some believe that the town's name comes from the historic King of Prussia Inn.

KOPPEL (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1912. Named for Arthur Koppel, a known manufacturer.

KULPMONT (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1915. Named after Hon. Monroe Kulp. Council meetings began early in 1916.

LANSDALE (taken by Ken Hartman) Founded 1856. Named for Phillip Landsdale Fox who was the chief surveyor of the North Penn Railroad.

LARRY'S CREEK (taken by David Slauenwhite) Photo taken on PA 287 in Lycoming County. Larry's Creek runs through the town of Larryville on its way to the Susquehanna River.

LAWRENCEVILLE(taken by David Brunot) Founded 1787. Named after Commodore James Lawrence who served during the Revolution. He is not the same man whose famous words 'Don't Give up the Ship' made that Lawrence a hero of the War of 1812.

LAUGHLINTOWN (taken by Jeff Kitsko) Founded 1780. Named after pioneer, Robert Laughlin. The Compass Inn Museum is a restored 1799 Stagecoach Inn that sits along the Lincoln Highway.

LE RAYSVILLE (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1798. Named after Le Ray de Chaumont. Which is the castle of Jacques-Donatien Le Ray, who was a French supporter of the American Revolution.

LEECHBURG (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1832. Named after David Leech - early settler and hunter.

LEWISBERRY (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1734. Named after Eli Lewis. Lewisberry is home of the Purple Door Festival, a Christian Rock Festival held every August.

LEWISBURG (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1770. Originally named Derrstown, the Union County town was renamed when Snyder County was formed out of Union County in 1855. Lewisburg is the home of Bucknell University.

LEXINGTON (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1805. Originally named Dundee, the town was renamed to Lexington in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle.

LICKDALE (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1782. Originally called Union Forge, the village changed its name to Lickdale in 1884 in honor of James Lick, the famed piano maker who was born in nearby Fredericksburg.

LIGONIER (taken by Jeff Kitsko) Founded 1817. Named by General John Forbes after Lord John Ligonier.

LINFIELD (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1741. Originally named Limerick Station, the town's named changed to Linfield in 1884. The town was once home to a liquor distillery.

LITTLE PINE CREEK(taken by Jim Carn) Photo taken on SR 4001 in Waterville. The creek is the focal point of Little Pine State Park, a few miles to the north.

LIVERPOOL (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1818. Named for Liverpool, England. Liverpool was once an important town along the Pennsylvania Canal.

LOGANVILLE (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1820. Named after Colonel Henry Logan.

LOOKER MOUNTAIN TRAIL(taken by Cheri Campbell) This keystone notes that PA 246 is named the Looker Mountain Trail. The road is named after John C. Looker (1855- 1938) who was a pioneer of Pennsylvania's early oil industry.

MALVERN (taken by Kurt Heidel) Although the marker reads that it was named after the Malvern Hills in Wales, it is incorrect the Malvern Hills are in Worcestershire, England. Malvern is extremely small, the borough is only 1.3 square miles.

MARKLEYSBURG (taken by David Brunot) Established 1893. The sign is not in the greatest shape; but it does show that besides the nearest town the State Line was also noted in the distance headed. The town was named after Squire Markley.

MANCHESTER (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1740. Named after Manchester, England.

MASONTOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1798. Formerly Germantown, this Fayette County town was later renamed in honor of John Mason.

McSHERRYSTOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1769. Named after town founder, Patrick McSherry. McSherrystown is home to America's Oldest Cigar Maker.

MIDDLEBURY/MIDDLEBURY CENTER(taken by David Slauenwhite) Named for being the middle point between Tioga and Wellsboro, it is seen on state maps as 'Middlebury Center'.

MILFORD (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1767. Named for Old Town in Wales. Formerly called Wells Ferry.

MILL CREEK (taken by Jeff Kitsko) This specific keystone is found along West Main Street in Ligoner.

MILLERSBURG (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1807. Named after its founder, Daniel Miller, who first settled along the banks of the Susquehanna River in 1790.

MONROETON (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1796. Named after President James Monroe.

MONTANDON (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1825. Named for the Huguenot leader Peter Montandon.

MONTGOMERY (taken by David Slauenwhite) Unknown. Named after R. B. Montgomery, a real estate owner.

MONTOURSVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1768. Named after Andrew Montour, an indian guide and interpreter. In 2006, either a new keystone was placed or the existing one was cleaned up. (taken by Jeff Klugh)

MORRIS (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1799. Named for Benjamin W. Morris, the Tioga County town holds an annual Snake Round-up.

MOUNT JACKSON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1815. One of many towns country-wide named after Andrew Jackson.

MOUNT MORRIS (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1788. Named after Levi Morris, an early settler of the area.

MUNCY (taken by Mark Poblete) Surveyed 1769. The town was originally incorporated as Pennsborough in 1826. One year later the name was changed to Muncy.

MUNCY VALLEY (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1861. Named for the valley that surrounds Muncy Creek, which flows through the town of Muncy.

NEW ALEXANDRIA (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1832. New Alexandria was named after the older town of Alexandria along the Juniata River.

NEW BLOOMFIELD (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1823. Named after one of the early Penn Manors.

NEW CENTREVILLE (taken by Adam Prince) Founded 1834. Named due to location between Gephartsburg and New Lexington. Modern day spelling is New Centerville.

NEW EAGLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 18XX. Named after the American Eagle. The sign was relocated to a local Monongahela Riverfront Park which flows in the background.

NEW FLORENCE (taken by Jeff Kitsko) Founded 1XXX. Named for Firenze or Florence, Italy.

NEW FREEPORT (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1XXX. A free port of trading founded by unknown. The sign, located in Greene County, has seen better days.

NEW HOLLAND (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1728. Formerly Earltown and New Design. The New Holland Band celebrated their 150th birthday in 2006.

NEW OXFORD (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1782. The name of the town comes from three parts, near a creek ford there was an old inn with an ox head on its sign. The term 'New' came about in order to distinguish itself from Oxford in Chester County. Today, it's known as the antique capital of Central Pennsylvania.

NEW WILMINGTON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1767. Named after Wilmington, England. New Wilmington is the home of Amish Farms, numerous Bed & Breakfasts, and Westminter College.

NORTHUMBERLAND (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1XXX. Located in the county that shares the name, Northumberland is named after the British town. In the early 1800's, the town was considered as the location for the state Capitol.

O
OXFORD (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1801. Named after Oxford, England. In 2004, Oxford celebrated 250 years of existance after it was formed out of Londonderry Township in November 1754.

PALMYRA (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1749. Originally named Palmtown, almyra is named after Dr. John Palm, who is conisdered as the town's first citizen.

PANCAKE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1822. Named after George Pancake, town founder.

PARKER (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1786. Named after John Parker. Parker is the smallest city in the United States.

PAXINOS (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1769. Named after the Swanee Indian Chief.

PENNS CREEK (taken by Adam Prince) Photo taken along PA 104 in Penns Creek. Penns Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River and is the focal point of Penns Valley. The creek is well known for its trout fishing and other recreation activities.

PERKIOMENVILLE(taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1704. Indian name meaning "Somewhat Clouded". The village is home to the oldest flea market and antique auction in the state.

PHILADELPHIA (taken by Kurt Heidel) Named by William Penn. Philadelphia is Greek for "Brotherly Love". The state's largest city and site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

PHOENIXVILLE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1849. Named after the fabulous bird that rose out of the ashes to new life. The town has a wealth of history dating back to the 18th Century.

PLEASANTVILLE (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1871. One of three "Pleasantville's" in the state, this one is located in Bedford County and was formerly called Dubbstown.

PLUMVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1816. Wild plum trees grew in the area, giving the town its name.

PINE FLATS (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1890. Named after the great forests of pines in the area.

PORT ROYAL (taken by Tim Reichard) Founded 1912. Originally named Perryville after Commodore Perry, be sure to check out the local speedway when you are in town.

PUNXSUTAWNEY (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1818. Known famous for Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day, there are many other attributes to this small town.

RAHNS (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1865. Named for George Rahn, an early settler. Rahns is located at the intersection PA 29 and 113.

RAMSEY RUN (taken by David Slauenwhite) This keystone is located on PA 44 near the Bonnel Flat access for the Pine Creek Trail. The words "Ramsey Run" are handpainted.

RED LION (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1736. Named after a local tavern, the town's crest of a red lion is comprable to a family coat of arms.

ROARING BRANCH (taken by Jim Carn) Founded 1862. Named after a local stream.

ROARING SPRING (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1865. Named after the roar that came from a natural spring out of the Great Cove.

ROBESONIA (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1855. Named for early settler, Henry P. Robeson. Robeson owned one of the area furnaces and was a key figure in planning the town.

ROGERSVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1807. Named for John Rodgers. There are a few covered bridges near the small village.

ROME (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1795. Named for Rome, Italy - "The Eternal City."

ROTHSVILLE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1790. Named for Philip Roth, early settler and tavern keeper. Formerly Rabbit Hill.

SANATOGA (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1770. From the Indian word meaning "A Crooked Hill".

SCENERY HILL (taken by Mike Austing) Founded 1785. Originally named 'Hillsborough' this Washington County village sits along the National Road.

SHOHOLA (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1772. Named for Shohola Creek Indian Tribe. Shohola means "Place of Peace".

SHORTSVILLE (taken by Doug Kerr) Named for the Short Family who were pioneers.

SIGEL (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1865. This the first known modern replica of a PA Keystone. Sigel was named for General Franz Sigel, a German immigrant who served during the Civil War.

SLATE LICK (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1855. Deer would gather here to lick the salt off the slate rocks.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT(taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1886. Simply named because it was located on the shores of the Susquehanna south of Williamsport. Exists as a separate community from Williamsport.

SPRING CITY (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1850. Named for the numerous springs within the area, the town was originally called 'Springville', but changed in 1872 when it was learned another town was called Springville.

SPRING GROVE (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1747. Named for the springs in the area located near large groves. Currently, Spring Grove is home of the huge P.H.Glatfelter paper mill.

STOUCHSBURG (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1832. Named for one of the first settlers, Andrew Stouch. Zion & St. John's (Reeds) Lutheran Church has served the community for over 280 years.

SUMMERVILLE (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1812. Named after town founder, Summers Baldwin.

SUNBURY (taken by Tim Reichard) Founed 1775. A natural rival to Northumberland, Sunbury was originally named Shamokin.

SWEDEN VALLEY (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1807. Named by early Sweedish settlers.

THOMASVILLE (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1870. Named after the town's first postmaster, George B. Thomas.

TIOGA (taken by David Brunot) Fonded 1792. Named after the Tioga River, which comes from the Indian word meaning "Our Gateway".

TOWANDA (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1784. Towanda comes from the Indian "From here our great dead are resting."

TUNKHANNOCK CREEK (taken by Doug Kerr) This blue on white keystone is located on Business US 6 in Tunkhannock.

TURBOTVILLE (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1859. Originally named Snydertown, Turbortville and Turbot Township were both named after John Turbot.

WALLINGFORD (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1776. Named for Wallingford, England.

WASHINGTON (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1768. Named after George Washington. Home of numerous historic buildings and museums, including the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.

WATERMAN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1912. Named after Lucuis Waterman Robinson, a famous railroad official.

WATERVILLE (taken by Jim Carn) Founded 1840. Named for the confluence of Tiadaghton and Little Pine Creek. Tiadaghton is the Indian name for Pine Creek.

WATSONTOWN (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1789. Named after founder, John Watson.

WAYNE (taken by Sandor Gulyas) Founded 1890. Wayne was originally named 'Louella' and was actually settled in the late 1600's by Quakers. Louella would later earn its current name in honor of General Anthony Wayne.

WAYNESBORO (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1749. Named by John Wallace, Sr. in honor of his Revolutionary War commander, General Anthony Wayne.

WELLSBORO (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1800. Named after land owner, Benjamin Morris' wife, Mary Wells. Wellsboro is home to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.

WELLSVILLE (taken by Jeff Kitsko) Founded 17XX. Named for Abraham Wells.

WEST MIDDLETOWN (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1795. This Washington County town was once named West Middle Borough.

WESTFIELD (taken by David Slauenwhite) Founded 1815. Named as it is the western most limit of the Cowanesque Valley. Home of an historical NY Central Rail Station.

WHITE HALL (taken by David Brunot) Founded 1800. One of many different "White Hall"s or "Whitehall"s in the state, this version in Montour County was origianlly named Fruitstown.

WILSON (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1742. Wilson, named after President Woodrow Wilson, was incorporated as a borough on July 20, 1920. It had been a township prior.

WRIGHT'S VIEW (taken by Adam Prince) This is located at a scenic view along Old US 220 near Sonestown. Wright's View is named after former Secretary of Highways, P.D. Wright.

WRIGHTSVILLE (taken by Denny Pine) Founded 1732. Named after first settler, John Wright.

WYNNEWOOD (taken by Kurt Heidel) Settled 1691. Named for Thomas Wynne, physician to William Penn and first speaker of the first Pennsylvania Assembly.

WYSOX (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1773. From the Indian Wisachgimi meaning "Place of Grapes." Wysox is where French exiles loyal to Louis XVI built a safe haven for themselves and Marie Antionette. Antionette never made it as she was captured and executed before making it to Pennsylvania.

YARDLEY (taken by Doug Kerr) Founded 1682. Settled by the Yardley Family and site of Yardley's Ferry and Mill. Ferry service connected Yardley, PA to Ewing, NJ until May 1, 1876.

YEADON (taken by Kurt Heidel) A different notation as the sign reads 'Entering YEADON Borough'. Yeadon is named after William Bullock's, an early settler, estate Yeadon Manor. Yeadon, England was Bullock's home. Yeadon incorporated from Darby Township in 1893. Yeadon is also the home of Betsy Ross and Flag Day.

YORK (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1741. Named after York, England. York served as the First Capital of the United States for nearly a year in 1777-78 when the Continental Congress fled here from Philadelphia.

YORK HAVEN (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1814. An important transportation point along the Susquehanna River.

YORK NEW SALEM (taken by Greg Halpin) Founded 1876. Originally named New Salem, 'York' was added to prevent confusion with a second New Salem in Pennsylvaina located in Fayette County.

YORK SPRINGS (taken by Doug Kerr ) Founded 1808. Named after local mineral springs.

YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER (taken by Bruce Cridlebaugh) Photo taken on PA 48 in Boston. River known for whitewater rafting, fishing, and adjacent bike trail.

YOUNGSTOWN (taken by Jeff Kitsko) Founded 1830. Named after the Young Family which settled here.

ZIEGLERSVILLE (taken by Kurt Heidel) Founded 1804. Named for Andrew Ziegler.

Submission Guidelines:
The Keystone Town Markers Project purpose is to take a unique look at Pennsylvania towns through the gateway of antique Pennsylvania Highway Keystones. Your help is enthusiastically encouraged. Photos, links, corrections, and anecdotes are all accepted. Photos should focus on the sign and if possible the surroundings. Extreme close-ups are not necessary; however, the context should be readable. Photos are subjected to be resized to fit the needs of this project. If you are interested in helping out, I can be reached via e-mail at aprince4@nc.rr.com. Thank you for your enjoyment and support!

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Interesting Signage and Toponymy in Lancaster County ---Dale Sanderson

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Page Created: August 1, 2002
Last Updated: January 17, 2010