Punxsutawney in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Barclay Square
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2016
1. Barclay Square Marker
Punxsutawney as a
public park by
The Rev. David Barclay
and Dr. John Jenks
September 25, 1822.
Ordained as “Barclay
Square” by Borough
Ordinance in 1928
Erected September 1979
Erected 1979.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 25, 1822.
Location. 40° 56.634′ N, 78° 58.151′ W. Marker is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in Jefferson County. It is on East Mahoning Street (Pennsylvania Route 36) just east of South Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located near the sidewalk on the north side of Barclay Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 East Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney PA 15767, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Pennsylvania Wilds. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Indian Mill Stone (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fraternal Order of Eagles War Memorial
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Barclay Square Memorial Park. In 1819, Rev. David Barclay purchased 327 acres of land, which was the original site of Punxsutawney. When the town site was recorded in 1821 in Indiana County, Rev. Barclay and his son-in-law, John W. Jenks, set aside "a parcel of land for public use". In 1902, Shelly M. Noyes supervised the project of turning the parcel of "wasteland" into an "oasis". Barclay Square is used today for many public functions. (Submitted on September 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Punxsutawney History. In September, 1818, Dr. Jenks built a log house on the corner of Penn Street and Farmers Alley, which was the first house built in Punxsutawney, and here, on September 2, 1819, a son was born to Dr. and Mrs. Jenks, who was christened Phineas, and he was the first child of European descent born in Punxsutawney. (Submitted on September 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2016
2. Barclay Square
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
