Boswell in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Industrial Heritage Along the Lincoln Highway

Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 26, 2026

1. Industrial Heritage Along the Lincoln Highway Marker

Inscription.
Southwestern Pennsylvania is landscaped with ridges and valleys that have provided natural resources to generations of settlers. One natural resource was coal. Coal mining became the provider for many families in the Boswell community and neighboring areas. Today, Boswell remains a "well-preserved" coal-mining community.

In 1920, the largest coal tipple and viaduct in the world were once located at this site. The viaduct measured 1,080 feet long and 60 feet high. The Merchants Coal Company operated Orenda No. 2 Mine and Merchants No. 2 Mine, which produced 475,000 tons of high quality bituminous coal and employed 507 workers. The company provided houses and stores so workers could conveniently spend their wages. The coal was first hauled using a 1,000 horsepower steam locomotive and heavy steel ropes. The company called this steam coal "Orenda" to distinguish it from their competitors. Orenda means "magic power" in Iroquois. The coal-fired power house was completed in 1901. The power house provided electricity for equipment, for hauling machinery, and for lights in the mine and the town. The pump house, made of cut

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sandstone, provided water to the mines. Today Orenda Park, created by the Boswell Historical Society, is dedicated to the heritage and history of Boswell.

(Captions):

In 1920 the world's largest coal tipple and viaduct complex operated in Boswell.

The pump house, lower left, drew water from the Quemahoning Creek for use in the mining operations.
Photographs courtesy of Phyllis Ickes, Boswell, PA.

Erected by Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 40° 9.95′ N, 79° 1.833′ W. Marker is in Boswell, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is on Penn Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 601) north of Blacks Hill Road (Local Route 735), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Orenda Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3421 Penn Avenue, Boswell PA 15531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

It is also in

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 26, 2026

2. Industrial Heritage Along the Lincoln Highway Marker

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jenner Brewing Company Bricks (here, next to this marker); Boswell Brick Plant (here, next to this marker); Thomas Boswell (here, next to this marker); Boswell Panorama (within shouting distance of this marker); Town of Boswell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boswell Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Highway Attractions (approx. 1.6 miles away); Log Grist Mill (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boswell.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.