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. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (Pennsylvania Route 136) and West Newton Great Allegheny Passage, on the right when traveling east on West Main

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Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Newton PA 15089, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 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); Lowber Honor Roll (approx. 2.4 miles away); Mustard Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 2.9 miles away); George Adam Weddell (approx. 3.1 miles away); Darr Mine Disaster (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Newton.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 30, 2022

2. Pioneer Point Sculpture Marker

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 133 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.