Know What History Happened Around Here?

Have you ever taken the time to read the blue historical markers along roads in the Sewickley-Moon area?

If the answer is "no," then maybe it's time for a Sunday drive that can double as a history lesson.

Since 1946, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has placed historical markers to capture the memory of people, places and events that have affected Pennsylvanians.

Across the state, according to the commission's website, "more than 2,000 cast aluminum markers tell the stories of Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, factories and businesses, and a multitude of other topics." While some structures no longer exist and people have long left the earth, they live on in the markers that remember their significance to the western Pennsylvania area.

Some of the many local historical markers, their locations and significance are below (Click here to see even more details about the listings or find others of interest in western Allegheny County.):

CRESCENT TOWNSHIP

• Shousetown Boatyard—81 McGovern Blvd. (Route 51), near Spring Run Road, Honor Roll Park, near fire department. Founded by Peter Shouse, the boatyard has launched more than 80 steamboats by 1866. The last was the 1727-ton"Great Republic," famed on the Mississippi River for its size and elegance. 

MOON TOWNSHIP

• Joshua Meeks—Along Beaver Grade Road at the entrance to Forest Glen Condos. A militia captain during the American Revolution and civic leader in the early republic, Meeks was a petitioner to create Allegheny County in 1787. 

• Mooncrest—Mooncrest Drive at Old Thorn Run Road. Mooncrest was designed and built in 1943 by the federal government as defense worker housing. Mooncrest residents produced armor plate, munitions and ships at the nearby Dravo Corp. during World War II. 

• Dravo Corporation Shipyard— During World War II, Dravo's shipyard here was a leader in the manufacture of Landing Ship Tanks. This and four other inland yards, all using techniques pioneered by Dravo, contributed two-thirds of the Navy's fleet of over 1,000 LSTs. 

Nominations for historical markers may be submitted by any person or organization. The PHMC maintains its historical markers on a cyclical basis through a contract. To report a marker as missing, broken or in poor condition, email the Historical Marker Program at kgalle@pa.gov.