Homewood in Beaver County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Homewood Falls

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 11, 2011

1. Homewood Falls Marker

Inscription. This striking waterfall is the result of geologic activity some 18,000 years ago. Immense glaciers covering this region began melting, sending floodwaters down Clarks Run. Eventually, the creek cut deeply through the overlying rock and soil until it encountered an especially resistant rock layer geologists named Homewood Sandstone. As the canyon deepened downstream, a ledge formed over which Clarks Run formed. Because the layers beneath the Homewood Sandstone are softer, the falling water undercut the ledge above, causing pieces of the harder rock to break away. This created the sharp lip and spectacular drop of the waterfall you see today.
Historically, the falls were an important source of water power for a sawmill located here as well as a nearby stone quarry; the falls also provided a scenic location for local recreation.

Did You Know?
For many years, this waterfall was known as Buttermilk Falls. The name was apparently given in 1870 by a group of Civil War veterans and their lady friends who came here on a picnic. As they prepared to leave, one of the party proposed a toast to the occasion and beautiful setting,

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using the primary beverage of the group; buttermilk. Thereafter, locals referred to this place as Buttermilk Falls.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 40° 48.793′ N, 80° 19.556′ W. Marker is in Homewood, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County. It can be reached from Big Beaver Boulevard (Pennsylvania Route 18) 0.6 miles south of Eastwood Drive. Located at Buttermilk Falls Park off of PA 18. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaver Falls PA 15010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Homewood Iron Furnace (approx. 0.2

Homewood Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 11, 2011

2. Homewood Falls

miles away); Homewood Junction (approx. 0.2 miles away); Homewood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Koppel (approx. 1.2 miles away); Beaver Falls (approx. 2.4 miles away); Geneva College (approx. 2.8 miles away); Ingram-Richardson Manufacturing Company (approx. 3 miles away); Second Baptist Church (approx. 3.4 miles away).

Buttermilk Falls Natural Area Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 11, 2011

3. Buttermilk Falls Natural Area Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,063 times since then and 95 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 28, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.