Windber in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Alan Freed

(1921-1965)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 26, 2009

1. Alan Freed Marker

Inscription. Disc jockey who coined the term “Rock & Roll” in the early 1950s. Freed used the term to describe up-tempo black rhythm and blues records he played as DJ “Moondog” on his radio show. Freed further popularized this music through TV programs, movies, and concerts, including what is considered to be the nation’s first Rock & Roll concert (1952). Raised in Windber, Freed was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1986.

Location. 40° 14.189′ N, 78° 49.935′ W. Marker is in Windber, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is at the intersection of Graham Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 160) and 13th Street, on the right when traveling west on Graham Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Windber PA 15963, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

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: Windber Area Victims of July 20th 1977 Flood (within shouting distance of this marker); The Coal Miner (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Windber War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Windber Strike of 1922-23 (about 400 feet away); Windber (about 500 feet away); Windber Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Windber Veteran's Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); POW ☆ MIA (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Windber.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 26, 2009

2. Alan Freed Marker

Looking SE along Graham Avenue (far right) toward former railroad passenger station and Miners Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,849 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.