Rockwood in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rockwood
A Railroad Town
Photographed By Bradley Owen, July 30, 2023
1. Rockwood Marker
This area has been called Prospect, Schaff's Bridge, Mineral Point, and now bears the name of the resources that surround it. The first town was laid out in 1857 by Phillip Wolfersberger and was incorporated as Mineral Point. By 1871 two railroads connected here, creating a rail hub for the Baltimore & Ohio and the Somerset to Mineral Point railroads.
In 1885 the town was renamed Rockwood Borough and had a population of around 600. It boasted a steam-driven electric plant, & planing mill, a charcoal manufacturer, a brewery, a tannery, five hotels, and lumbering enterprises. The Western Maryland Railway arrived in 1912 -- its corridor now abandoned and converted for trail use as the Great Allegheny Passage.
(Captions): The Rockwood United Evangelical Church is now the Rockwood Historical Society.
The Penrose Wolfe Lumber Company and Opera House is now the Rockwood Mill Shoppes and Opera House.
Erected by Allegheny Trail Alliance, Regional Trail Corporation and National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 39° 54.669′ N, 79° 9.646′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Maynard Ralph Sembower (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rockwood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rockwood Honor Roll (approx. half a mile away); Dedicated to the Glorious Youth of This Community (approx. 0.7 miles away); New Centreville (approx. 2.7 miles away); Site of Gideons German Reformed and Lutheran Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Capt. William M. Schrock's Civil War Regiment Monument (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named New Centreville (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockwood.
Regarding Rockwood. Marker includes a photo showing a view of Rockwood, Pennsylvania in 1905.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, July 30, 2023
2. Rockwood Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
