Oakmont Central Business District in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
River Recreation
Oakmont is situated on the riverbank of the scenic Allegheny River. The waterway has provided recreation to Oakmont's residents for over 100 years.
In the 1880s and 90s, sculling races were held on the river. Racers from all over the world traveled to Oakmont to compete on the Hulton Course, which extended from 12 Mile Island to Plum Creek. During the biggest races, a train of flatcars with bleachers for the spectators followed the rowers along the riverbank as they races on the course.
Founded in 1903, the Oakmont Yacht Club is the oldest inland yacht club in the country. The Willows Pool opened in 1926 and quickly became a destination for people from all over the area. Likewise, the Willows Night Club was a popular venue for big band and jazz music during the Roaring Twenties.
Chateau Beach, located at the northern end of town, was a popular spot to camp and rent canoes, and the Hulton Grove was a favorite with picnickers during the summer.
In 1903, the world-famous Oakmont Country Club opened its links on the hilltop above Oakmont, and from that time on Oakmont has been associated with the golfing world.
Founded in 1903, the Oakmont Yacht Club is the oldest inland Yacht Club in the United States.
Canoeing on the Allegheny River became a relaxing past time for the residents of Oakmont.
Sailboat races on the Allegheny River were an Oakmont tradition. Canoes and pleasure boats kept the river in Oakmont a busy place.
Chateau Beach was a popular place to camp and rent canoes.
Opening in 1926, the Willows Pool quickly became a destination for people from all over the area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 40° 31.056′ N, 79° 50.589′ W. Marker is in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in the Oakmont Central Business District. It is on Allegheny Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Delaware Avenue, Oakmont PA 15139, 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, in the Ohio River Valley, 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: Borough of Oakmont (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Churches of Oakmont (about 500 feet away); Industrial Oakmont (approx. Ό mile away); Oakmont Carnegie Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); Oakmont Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Crossing the River (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fifth Street School Bell (approx. 0.6 miles away); Camp Wright at Hulton (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakmont.
Additional keywords. Rowing, sculling, sailing, racing
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2023, by Kelly Phillips of Verona, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on June 10, 2024, by Kelly Phillips of Verona, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on January 3, 2023, by Kelly Phillips of Verona, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

