Ford City in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Ford City Park
| | The Ford City Trail | |
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 3, 2025
1. The Ford City Park Marker
John B. Ford had a great vision for his town. As part of his master plan, he directed the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company to provide town lots to churches and organizations. The most notable of these was the gifting of one full size city block to be used exclusively as the town's park. Circa 1888, he deeded the block between Third and Fourth Avenues and Eighth and Ninth Street. Since that time, Ford City Park has been a place of relaxation, celebrations, and many social events. Ford City has always been thankful for this gift and treasure, which is the Ford City Park.
On Saturday, November 14, 1891, later to be known as Founder's Day in Ford City, the town unveiled a statue of John B. Ford. The statue, which is located in the center of the Park, was built through the generosity of his PPG workers. To show their respect and gratitude, each worker donated one day's salary to finance the creation and the erection of the statue.
(Captions):
The John B. Ford Statue
The original gazebo.
The new gazebo, built in 1987, by the Ford City Lions Club.
The cannon that stood at Ford City High School. When the high school closed in 2015, the cannon was moved to the Ford City Park.
Ford City Bicentennial Plaque, erected in 1987. The pole contains a time capsule
John
this page online
The original War Memorial Monument. Dedicated November 1, 1943. Made from PPG Carrera glass.
Because of aging deteriorating, the original War Memorial Monument was replaced with a granite stone. Dedicated May 15, 1971.
Photos are courtesy of Bill Oleksak and Larry Vorpe
Erected 2020 by The Ford City Lions Club.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 14, 1891.
Location. 40° 46.22′ N, 79° 32.001′ W. Marker is in Ford City, Pennsylvania, in Armstrong County. It is on 2nd Avenue north of River Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the Armstrong Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ford City PA 16226, 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: Pittsburgh Plate Glass Ford City Works (within shouting distance of this marker); German World War II Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); John B. Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Ford City Veterans Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 3, 2025
2. The Ford City Park Marker
View is looking north on the Armstrong Trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
