Elizabeth Township in Boston in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Elizabeth Township

Between Two Rivers

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 4, 2024

1. Elizabeth Township Marker

(Panel 1)

Inscription.

Elizabeth Township. Between Two Rivers. (Panel 1). ■ Settled first by the Monongahela people, what is now Elizabeth Township was at the frontier of America's westward expansion in the 1700s. Because of the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers and several important land routes nearby, including Glade Run Trail and Braddock's Road, the area became a conduit to Pittsburgh and the West for pioneers. Among the early visitors was George Washington, who in 1753 met with Queen Aliquippa of the Seneca tribe that resided at Dravo, six miles upstream from here. ■ American settlers readily established farmsteads on the land here, which had good timber, and had good soils for grain that supported a strong whiskey trade. Coal was uncovered in the 1850s, which helped to supplant timber for fuel and agriculture for prosperity. Aided by the rail lines that came by beginning in 1861, Elizabeth Township grew through the turn of the century. A bridge was finally constructed across the river, and a trolley line was added linking the township through Boston to McKeesport and beyond., Established: 1788, Elevation: 745', Population: 13,270, County: Allegheny, Celebrations: This particular circa-1915 Memorial Day parade had a two-fold purpose. Besides honoring the war dead (note the Civil War veteran in the foreground carrying flowers to adorn gravesites) this day was also the official opening of Renzie Road, which created access across the township and made Boston its main village. Photograph courtesy of John Barna, Boston Bridge: The first Boston Bridge, built in 1893 for $60,000, did much to connect villages on both sides of the Youghiogheny River, which otherwise had only row boats, sky ferries, and - during winter -ice to get to work, do business, and visit each other. This first bridge was replaced in 1931 by the more stylish one you see today. Photograph courtesy of John Barna, Railroad Connections: The trail here follows the tracks of the old Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad, and where you are standing was once the node for its connection to Boston. Sited right by what is now the entrance to the ballfield was the old station. Also a private residence, the closed porch at the front served as the telegraph office and waiting room. Part of the basement wall is all that remains. Photographs courtesy of Bill Metzger and the Elizabeth Township Historical Society, (Panel 2), Boston. Town Map and Directory, Youghiogheny Country Club: As coal mining dwindled approaching the early-20th century, the country setting of Elizabeth Township became more attractive as a bedroom community and a recreation area. Formed in 1911, the Youghiogheny Country Club, which looks over the town and trail from the top of Renzie Road, continues to stand as evidence of this transition. Photograph courtesy Dan Piesik, Trail Events: As the railroads once connected communities, now trails help to bind them. The Mon/Yough Trail Council, who maintains this section of trail, and others put on community events throughout the year, including such highlights as organized bike rides and a Half Marathon. Photograph courtesy Dan Piesik, Dead Man's Hollow: Dead Man's Hollow, protected by the Allegheny Land Trust, has a storied past as a bivouac for outlaws, with tales of hangings and murders. Today, it is a 440 acre wildlife preserve with three miles of gentle hiking paths, rock formations, and ruins to explore. Photograph by Steve Bozynak, courtesy of Allegheny Land Trust, Historical Society: The Elizabeth Township Historical Society is hard to miss, with flags out and a surrey carriage on display in the front porch. Established in 1976, the Society contains a trove of resources for research and a wealth of artifacts from life past, including muskets, a replica doctor's office from the turn of the century, and even a section from the tree that shaded George Washington during his travels here in 1753. Call ahead to visit. Photograph by Peter Grella, (Panel 3). Boston Trail Map and Points of Interest, Montour Trail, Approaching 46 miles long, the Montour Trail forms another long segment in the network of emerging trail systems in the region. From near Coraopolis to Clairton, this multi-use rail-trail joins up with even more paths for miles more of regional off-road interconnectivity., Photo by Mark Imgrund, courtesy of Montour Trail Council, West Newton 14 miles south West Newton spans both sides of the Youghiogheny River. On the trail side, one can visit the West Newton Station visitor center and historic cemetery. Cross the bridge for Simeral Square park and the 1814 Plummer House, while shops and dining can be found throughout downtown., Photo by Corrie Parrish, Pump House 11 miles north The Pump House, a remnant of the Homestead Steel Works, saw the strike and Pinkerton Riot of 1892, whose severity and repercussions made it a milepost in the history of labor relations. This historic preservation site is part of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area., Photographs by Peter Grella, Riverton Bridge 5.5 miles north This bridge was decommissioned from rail service in 2008 and promptly converted for trail use. Built in 1890, it was part of the railroad system that serviced U.S. Steel and its subsidiary companies., Photo by William Prince, Dravo Cemetery 6 miles south Dravo is the former site of the Newlin Methodist Church. There are 86 graves here including those of 10 veterans, one from the War of 18 12 and nine from the Civil War., Photo by Betsy Manderino, The Great Allegheny Passage is part of a trail system that connects Pittsburgh, PA to Washington, D.C. Completed in 2013, the 150-mile-long Passage connects to the C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland, MD. Together, they make up a a significant segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a component of the National Trail System.

(Panel 1)
■ Settled first by the Monongahela people, what is now Elizabeth Township was at the frontier of America's westward expansion in the 1700s. Because of the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers and several important land routes nearby, including Glade Run Trail and Braddock's Road, the area became a conduit to Pittsburgh and the West for pioneers. Among the early visitors was George Washington, who in 1753 met with Queen Aliquippa of the Seneca tribe that resided at Dravo, six miles upstream from here.
■ American settlers readily established farmsteads on the land here, which had good timber, and had good soils for grain that supported a strong whiskey trade. Coal was uncovered in the 1850s, which helped to supplant timber for fuel and agriculture for prosperity. Aided by the rail lines that came by beginning in 1861, Elizabeth Township grew through the turn of the century. A bridge was finally constructed across the river, and a trolley line was added linking the township through Boston to McKeesport and beyond.

Established: 1788

Elevation: 745'

Population: 13,270

County: Allegheny

Celebrations: This particular circa-1915 Memorial Day parade had a two-fold purpose. Besides honoring

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the war dead (note the Civil War veteran in the foreground carrying flowers to adorn gravesites) this day was also the official opening of Renzie Road, which created access across the township and made Boston its main village.
Photograph courtesy of John Barna

Boston Bridge: The first Boston Bridge, built in 1893 for $60,000, did much to connect villages on both sides of the Youghiogheny River, which otherwise had only row boats, sky ferries, and - during winter -ice to get to work, do business, and visit each other. This first bridge was replaced in 1931 by the more stylish one you see today.
Photograph courtesy of John Barna

Railroad Connections: The trail here follows the tracks of the old Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad, and where you are standing was once the node for its connection to Boston. Sited right by what is now the entrance to the ballfield was the old station. Also a private residence, the closed porch at the front served as the telegraph office and waiting room. Part of the basement wall is all that remains.
Photographs courtesy of Bill Metzger and the Elizabeth Township Historical Society

(Panel 2)

Boston
Town Map and Directory

Youghiogheny Country Club: As coal mining dwindled approaching the

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 4, 2024

2. Elizabeth Township Marker

(Panel 2)

early-20th century, the country setting of Elizabeth Township became more attractive as a bedroom community and a recreation area. Formed in 1911, the Youghiogheny Country Club, which looks over the town and trail from the top of Renzie Road, continues to stand as evidence of this transition.
Photograph courtesy Dan Piesik

Trail Events: As the railroads once connected communities, now trails help to bind them. The Mon/Yough Trail Council, who maintains this section of trail, and others put on community events throughout the year, including such highlights as organized bike rides and a Half Marathon.
Photograph courtesy Dan Piesik

Dead Man's Hollow: Dead Man's Hollow, protected by the Allegheny Land Trust, has a storied past as a bivouac for outlaws, with tales of hangings and murders. Today, it is a 440 acre wildlife preserve with three miles of gentle hiking paths, rock formations, and ruins to explore.
Photograph by Steve Bozynak, courtesy of Allegheny Land Trust

Historical Society: The Elizabeth Township Historical Society is hard to miss, with flags out and a surrey carriage on display in the front porch. Established in 1976, the Society contains a trove of resources for research and a wealth of artifacts from life past, including muskets, a replica doctor's office from the turn

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 4, 2024

3. Elizabeth Township Marker

(Panel 3)

of the century, and even a section from the tree that shaded George Washington during his travels here in 1753. Call ahead to visit.
Photograph by Peter Grella

(Panel 3)
Boston
Trail Map and Points of Interest

Montour Trail

Approaching 46 miles long, the Montour Trail forms another long segment in the network of emerging trail systems in the region. From near Coraopolis to Clairton, this multi-use rail-trail joins up with even more paths for miles more of regional off-road interconnectivity.

Photo by Mark Imgrund, courtesy of Montour Trail Council

West Newton
14 miles south
West Newton spans both sides of the Youghiogheny River. On the trail side, one can visit the West Newton Station visitor center and historic cemetery. Cross the bridge for Simeral Square park and the 1814 Plummer House, while shops and dining can be found throughout downtown.

Photo by Corrie Parrish

Pump House
11 miles north
The Pump House, a remnant of the Homestead Steel Works, saw the strike and Pinkerton Riot of 1892, whose severity and repercussions made it a milepost in the history of labor relations. This historic preservation site is part of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.

Photographs
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 4, 2024

4. Elizabeth Township Marker
View is looking west.
by Peter Grella

Riverton Bridge
5.5 miles north
This bridge was decommissioned from rail service in 2008 and promptly converted for trail use. Built in 1890, it was part of the railroad system that serviced U.S. Steel and its subsidiary companies.

Photo by William Prince

Dravo Cemetery
6 miles south
Dravo is the former site of the Newlin Methodist Church. There are 86 graves here including those of 10 veterans, one from the War of 1812 and nine from the Civil War.

Photo by Betsy Manderino

The Great Allegheny Passage is part of a trail system that connects Pittsburgh, PA to Washington, D.C.
Completed in 2013, the 150-mile-long Passage connects to the C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland, MD.
Together, they make up a a significant segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a component of the National Trail System.

Erected by Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1753.

Location.

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40° 18.637′ N, 79° 49.703′ W. Marker is in Boston, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Elizabeth Township. It is on Donner Street north of West Smithfield Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located near the parking area for the Great Allegheny Passage Boston Trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1950 Donner Street, McKeesport PA 15135, 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: The P&LE Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Commander Ronald Lee Wise "Rhino" Memorial Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Boston (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boston's Honor Roll (about 600 feet away); Boston Pa. District 5 Honor Roll (about 600 feet away); Old Greenock School Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Versailles Borough Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away); Versailles Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 498 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.