West Newton in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pioneer Point Sculpture

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, July 30, 2022

1. Pioneer Point Sculpture Marker

Inscription. This sculpture by artist Bill Secunda was created in 2008 as part of the Trail Town Public Art Program, which installed 14 public art pieces along the Great Allegheny Passage. Made entirely of railroad spikes welded together, this life-size sculpture represents the early pioneer history of West Newton. In 1788, a party of 48 Revolutionary War veterans left Ipswich, Massachusetts on a journey to establish the American government beyond the 13 original colonies in the Northwest Territory as part of the Ordinance of 1787. Traveling on the Glades Trail, the group wintered here to build keel boats, and ultimately settled Marietta, Ohio.
Many commonly know this pioneer as "Rusty” or "Spike."

Erected 2008 by West Newton Public Art Committee, Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections and the Sprout Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 2008.

Location. 40° 12.682′ N, 79° 46.216′ W. Marker is in West Newton, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. It is at the intersection

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of West Main Street (Pennsylvania Route 136) and West Newton Great Allegheny Passage, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Newton PA 15089, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Laurel Highlands

and in Greater Pittsburgh.

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: West Newton (here, next to this marker); West Newton Town Map And Directory / Trail Map And Points Of Interest (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named West Newton (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Newton Honor Roll (approx. 0.2 miles away); United States Radiator Corporation Honor Roll

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, July 30, 2022

2. Pioneer Point Sculpture Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles J. Barno (approx. 0.4 miles away); West Newton Avenue of Flags (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Newton.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 458 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.