Leechburg in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. H. W. Fraley Park
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 15, 2025
1. Dr. H. W. Fraley Park Marker
This park is dedicated to our beloved "Doc" by the people of Leechburg for his many years of volunteer service to the community.
Doc came to Leechburg in 1938 and saw the potential beauty in it. This park and most of the trees in town are a living testimony to his vision and foresight. With the help of many hard-working volunteers his vision became reality.
Erected 1998 by The Citizens of Leechburg, Pa.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is August 22, 1998.
Location. 40° 37.638′ N, 79° 36.479′ W. Marker is in Leechburg, Pennsylvania, in Armstrong County. It is at the intersection of 3rd Street and Market Street (Pennsylvania Route 66), on the right when traveling south on 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Market Street, Leechburg PA 15656, 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 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: Leechburg (within shouting distance of this marker); The Siberian Iron Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Leechburg Veterans Mural and Sitting Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); D. Leech & Company / Western Transportation Company
this page online
Regarding Dr. H. W. Fraley Park. Dr. H. W. Fraley was more than just the town physician. As the story goes, Doc Fraley loved shade trees because of his experience as a doctor in World War II. In the streets of some towns liberated by the Allied forces, many of the trees had been destroyed, leaving no shade against the hot summer sun for weary soldiers or the citizens of those towns. Dr. Fraley considered this a travesty, and after the war, he dedicated himself to providing soothing shade for others wherever he could by planting and caring for trees.
Around 1963, Dr. Fraley established a memorial and beautification fund in Leechburg which enabled the planting of dozens and dozens of trees along the borough's streets.
The Leechburg Borough Shade Tree Commission was established shortly after to carry out this ongoing beautification program in town and supervise planting of new trees
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 15, 2025
2. Dr. H. W. Fraley Park Marker
- courtesy Jim Lange
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
