Ford City
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Armstrong Trail

Ford City, also, Armstrong Trail. . , (Panel 1): , Gem on the Allegheny, Ford City came in to being from the plans of Capt. John B. Ford, an industrialist interested in establishing a plate-glass industry. In prior endeavors, Ford had owned and operated, among many things, a river shipping line from which he drew his capital. The site upon which Ford City is located consisted of roughly 460 acres broken primarily into 3 farms owned by the Ross, Spencer, and Graff families., In 1886, Ford City submitted and received its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. One of the men who delivered the original charter to Harrisburg was Robert Naismith, brother of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Previously part of Manor Township, Ford City Borough became one of the fastest-growing boroughs in the United States, gaining over 3000 in population in only 10 years, drawing workers and their families from over 35 identifiable European ethnic groups. Ford City became the quintessential example of America's melting pot. Uniquely, Ford City never experienced racial or ethnic strife - Ford's glass factory made all men equal., Today, Ford City is on the cusp of revitalization and growth, preserving its history while welcoming a new focus and traditions. Ford City is a true gem on the Allegheny., Established: 1887 , Population: 2,847 , Elevation: 794 ft , County: Armstrong, (Photo Captions):, Allegheny River Trail Section, Boulder Park, PPG Tunnel, 7th Avenue Playground, Ford City Library, (Panel 2): , The Armstrong Trail is located along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong and Clarion Counties. Currently, the trail has 36 miles of a relatively flat, compressed surface and runs from Rosston to East Brady., It links the towns of Ford City, Kittanning, and East Brady with the villages of Mosgrove, Templeton, Rimer, Redbank, and Phillipston. The Brady Tunnel, currently closed, will one day provide a link to the much longer Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. The Redbank Valley Trail connects to the Armstrong Trail at the mouth of the Redbank Creek along the Allegheny River and adds 42 more miles to the business district in Brookville, along with a 9-mile spur to Sligo. The trails are for non-motorized use only., The Armstrong Trail connects more populated areas to the natural beauty, sights, and sounds of the Allegheny River Valley. Trail users pass historic sites including a train turntable, railroad tunnel, coaling tower, coke ovens, and river locks and dams. Waterfalls, wildlife, birds, and wild flowers are part of the natural beauty along the trail. It is an ideal place to bicycle, walk, jog, birdwatch, geocache, and cross-country ski in a safe and relaxing environment., The Armstrong Trail is owned by the Allegheny Valley Land Trust. Volunteers from the Armstrong Rails to Trails Association and the communities along the trail assist with maintenance and upkeep of the trail. , www.ArmstrongRailsToTrails.org , www.AlleghenyValleyLandTrust.org, The Redbank Valley Trail, The Redbank Valley Trail is a 51-mile, nearly-level trail, which parallels Redbank Creek for approximately 42 miles from mile 0 at the Allegheny River to New Bethlehem at mile 20 to the Depot Street trailhead in Brookville. It includes a nine-mile spur, with a 3-4% grade from Lawsonham at mile six to Sligo. Pennsylvania's 2014 Trall of the Year features few road crossings, seventeen bridges, three tunnels, and historic sites. , www.RedbankValleyTrails.org, Erie To Pittsburgh Trail, The Erie to Pittsburgh Trail connects the Bayfront of Lake Erie to "The Point" in Pittsburgh. When finished, it will be approximately 270 miles long, through two states and seven counties. The Erie to Pittsburgh Trail will connect to the Great Allegheny Passage in Pittsburgh that extends to Washington, D.C. , www.EriePittsburghTrail.org, FORD CITY , Established: 1887 , Population: 2,847 , Elevation: 794' , County: Armstrong, FORD CITY PARK , Ford City Park features a gazebo and a war memorial dedicated to the men and women of Ford City who served in the United States military. Also featured is an 1891 bronze statue of Ford City founder John B. Ford that faces the Armstrong Trail., KITTANNING , Established: 1804 , Population: 3,846 , Elevation: 750' , County: Armstrong, MONTICELLO IRON FURNACE , The furnace was built in 1859 by Robert E. Brown of Kittanning to extract iron from iron ore. This furnace, at one time, employed as many as 200 people., LOCK and DAM 8 , This lock was opened in 1931 as part of the Allegheny River Navigation System. Lock chambers are used to transition boats from one river pool to the other and, at one time, carried extensive downriver trade., COALING TOWER , Fuel for steam locomotives, which were powered by coal, was loaded at this double track site. The coaling tower was placed into service on February 8, 1930., EAST BRADY , Established: 1854 , Population: 907 , Elevation: 960' , County: Clarion, NEW BETHLEHEM , Established: 1853 , Population: 931 , Elevation: 1077' , County: Clarion, BRADY TUNNEL , This 2,468 that tunnel was built to bypass Brady's Bend. It shortened the train trip by over five miles. It opened May 28, 1910 and closed pending repair., (Panel 3): , The Armstrong Trail is located along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong and Clarion Counties. Currently, the trail has 36 miles of a relatively flat, compressed surface and runs from Rosston to East Brady., It links the towns of Ford City, Kittanning, and East Brady with the villages of Mosgrove, Templeton, Rimer, Redbank, and Phillipston. The Brady Tunnel, currently closed, will one day provide a link to the much longer Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. The Redbank Valley Trail connects to the Armstrong Trail at the mouth of the Redbank Creek along the Allegheny River and adds 42 more miles to the business district in Brookville, along with a 9-mile spur to Sligo. The trails are for non-motorized use only., The Armstrong Trail connects more populated areas to the natural beauty, sights, and sounds of the Allegheny River Valley. Trail users pass historic sites including a train turntable, railroad tunnel, coaling tower, coke ovens, and river locks and dams. Waterfalls, wildlife, birds, and wild flowers are part of the natural beauty along the trail. It is an ideal place to bicycle, walk, jog, birdwatch, geocache, and cross-country ski in a safe and relaxing environment., The Armstrong Trail is owned by the Allegheny Valley Land Trust. Volunteers from the Armstrong Rails to Trails Association and the communities along the trail assist with maintenance and upkeep of the trail. , www.ArmstrongRailsToTrails.org , www.AlleghenyValleyLandTrust.org, The Redbank Valley Trail, The Redbank Valley Trail is a 51-mile, nearly-level trail, which parallels Redbank Creek for approximately 42 miles from mile 0 at the Allegheny River to New Bethlehem at mile 20 to the Depot Street trailhead in Brookville. It includes a nine-mile spur, with a 3-4% grade from Lawsonham at mile six to Sligo. Pennsylvania's 2014 Trall of the Year features few road crossings, seventeen bridges, three tunnels, and historic sites. , www.RedbankValleyTrails.org, Erie To Pittsburgh Trail, The Erie to Pittsburgh Trail connects the Bayfront of Lake Erie to "The Point" in Pittsburgh. When finished, it will be approximately 270 miles long, through two states and seven counties. The Erie to Pittsburgh Trail will connect to the Great Allegheny Passage in Pittsburgh that extends to Washington, D.C. , www.EriePittsburghTrail.org, EAST BRADY , Established: 1854 , Population: 907 , Elevation: 960' , County: Clarion, BRADY TUNNEL , This 2,468 that tunnel was built to bypass Brady's Bend. It shortened the train trip by over five miles. It opened May 28, 1910 and is closed pending repair., NEW BETHLEHEM , Established: 1853 , Population: 931 , Elevation: 1077' , County: Clarion, COALING TOWER , Fuel for steam locomotives, which were powered by coal, was loaded at this double track site. The coaling tower was placed into service on February 8, 1930., LOCK and DAM 8 , This lock was opened in 1931 as part of the Allegheny River Navigation System. Lock chambers are used to transition boats from one river pool to the other and, at one time, carried extensive downriver trade., MONTICELLO IRON FURNACE , The furnace was built in 1859 by Robert E. Brown of Kittanning to extract iron from iron ore. This furnace, at one time, employed as many as 200 people., KITTANNING , Established: 1804 , Population: 3,846 , Elevation: 750' , County: Armstrong, FORD CITY PARK , Ford City Park features a gazebo and a war memorial dedicated to the men and women of Ford City who served in the United States military. Also featured is an 1891 bronze statue of Ford City founder John B. Ford that faces the Armstrong Trail., FORD CITY , Established: 1887 , Population: 2,847 , Elevation: 794' , County: Armstrong