Wharton Township near Farmington in Fayette County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Old Braddock Road
This tablet marks a well preserved scar of the Old Braddock Trail, one of the most historic pioneer highways in all America. Here, Nemacolin and his associates blazed the trail that became a National Highway.
Here, passed the laden pack horse train that carried the Gist settlers to the first Anglo-Saxon settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Here, George Washington, the youthful ambassador, with his escort passed on his way to the French forts. Over this route marched Captain William Trent with his Virginia soldiers equipped to build the fort at the "Forks of the Ohio," now Pittsburgh.
After being driven off by the French, the same soldiers, under Ensign Ward, retreated by this road.
Over this ground, on that dark and rainy night, marched Colonel George Washington with his Virginia troops to attack Jumonville in his hidden camp four miles north of here.
That march ended in the first clash of arms which opened the French and Indian War that ended in driving France from America. Over this route came the French and Indians to attack Washington at Fort Necessity, one mile east of here.
Here, passed in proud array the ill fated Braddock Army and by this route returned its bleeding remnant after the disastrous defeat.
By this frontier road, under General Daniel Morgan, came the southern wing of the U.S. Army that quelled the Whiskey Insurrection.
Here, for more than seventy years through this converging point flowed the frontier travel that prepared a western haven for civilization. This wheel worn chasm is a venerable monument to a past age, the last span through a mountain fastness that linked the East with the West.
Erected 1931 by the Fort Necessity Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Military • Native Americans • Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Braddock’s Road and Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock, and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) series lists.
Location. 39° 49.921′ N, 79° 36.033′ W. Marker is near Farmington, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. It is in Wharton Township. Marker can be reached from National Pike (U.S. 40) 1.2 miles east of Fayette Springs Road. Marker is in Braddock Park, one mile west of Fort Necessity. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farmington PA 15437, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Roads to the West (a few steps from this marker); Braddock Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Road to Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); A Secret Grave (within shouting distance of this marker); Braddock’s Grave (within shouting distance of this marker); Braddock’s Original Grave Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); National Road (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Necessity (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmington.
Also see . . . Braddock's Road. (PDF) by Beverly Whitaker. An excellent historical synopsis, with detailed timeline. (Submitted on April 30, 2006.)
Additional keywords. Nemacolin's Path, Washington's Road, Braddock's Road, Cumberland Road, National Road
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6,992 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on July 22, 2010, by William Richard Harrison of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 29, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.