Gateway to the Laurel Highlands
?You see in the distance Chestnut Ridge, the western edge of the Allegheny Mountains; behind you, you will not encounter mountains again until you reach the Rockies, more than 1,000 miles away. A ford of the Youghiogheny River known as Stewart's Crossing made the Connellsville area an important crossroads for Native Americans and early pioneers. ?After the formation of Chestnut Ridge, and Laurel Ridge beyond it, 200 million years ago, the Youghiogheny River began to carve a steep-sided, sinuous path through these mountains. Today the Yough River Gorge between Ohiopyle and Confluence is Pennsylvania's deepest. Ruggest topography, churning rapids, and striking waterfalls show those natural forces still at work. This once formidable barrier to 18th century pioneers in now yours to explore.
Established: 1806
Elevation: 905'
Population: 9,250
County: Fayette
From trains to glass: This former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad station had an elevated line that allowed passengers to enter and exit from the raised platform. Now restored, the station serves as the gallery and shop for Youghiogheny Opalescent Glass. Photograph by Micheal Edwards.
Brimstone Building: This buff brick building in the style of the Italian Renaissance was first occupied in 1901. Standing five stories high, it was originally the Title and Trust Company of Western Pennsylvania. From the collection of Thomas E. Rusniak.
Stewart's Crossing: Named for two brothers from Virginia who ferried pioneers across the Youghiogheny, it was the homestead of Colonel William Crawford, close friend of George Washington. General Braddock crossed here in 1755 on his ill-fated march to Fort Duquesne. There is an annual reenactment of Braddock's historic crossing every June. Photograph by Dexston Reed.
| HM Number | HM1GBL |
|---|---|
| Tags | |
| Marker Condition | No reports yet |
| Date Added | Thursday, October 16th, 2014 at 6:29pm PDT -07:00 |
| UTM (WGS84 Datum) | 17T E 619176 N 4431147 |
|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | 40.02213333, -79.60340000 |
| Degrees and Decimal Minutes | N 40° 1.328', W 79° 36.204' |
| Degrees, Minutes and Seconds | 40° 1' 19.68" N, 79° 36' 12.24" W |
| Driving Directions | Google Maps |
| Area Code(s) | 724 |
| Closest Postal Address | At or near 67 Great Allegheny Passage (North), Connellsville PA 15425, US |
| Alternative Maps | Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap |
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