Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Mike Wintermantel
Taken: December 14, 2014
Caption: History of Observatory Hill Marker
Additional Description: Panel 7
Perrysville Avenue
Top photo: Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry
At the time of its settlement, Perrysville Avenue was a part of the Venango Trail, an Indian path leading north from 'Allegheny Town.' Commodore Perry used the trail to carry supplies from Pittsburgh to Erie for his lake battle against the British during the War of 1812. Known as Franklin Road during the early part of the 19th century, the roadway was used, after 1828, for the transport of cargo north from the Pennsylvania Canal. A private corporation rebuilt the road at this time, covering it with planks to lessen dust and mud. Tolls were then imposed on users of the Perrysville Plank Road.

We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.
Yours, with great respect and esteem,
O.H. Perry
Submitted: December 17, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Database Locator Identification Number: p295435
File Size: 1.988 Megabytes

To see the metadata that may be embedded in this photo, sign in and then return to this page.