Ligonier in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Ligonier

Century Chain

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 12, 2025

1. Fort Ligonier Marker

Inscription. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, seen by 30,000 in Ligonier on September 26, 1958, climaxed his visit with a public address on this site. He sealed into the Century Chain the open Bicentennial Link, using as ax from the fort’s artifacts. The President then signed a scroll commemorating the occasion.

The Century Chain’s lines are similar to, but slightly larger than those of the Great Chain spanning the Hudson River at West Point during the American Revolution. The Century Chain includes iron smelted at one of the old iron furnaces in Ligonier Valley.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1758.

Location. 40° 14.484′ N, 79° 14.334′ W. Marker is in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. It is on Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) near South Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ligonier PA 15658, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Laurel Highlands and 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 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: A different marker also named Fort Ligonier (here, next to this marker); The Hermitage (a few steps from this marker); Diamond Park Ligonier, Penna.

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(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort Ligonier (about 600 feet away); Ivy Manor (about 700 feet away); Desert Storm Memorial (about 700 feet away); Building the Highway (about 700 feet away); Ligonier War Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ligonier.

National Register Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 12, 2025

2. National Register Plaque

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 15, 2011

3. Fort Ligonier Marker

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 12, 2025

4. Fort Ligonier Marker

Marker is in the center.

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 15, 2011

5. Fort Ligonier Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 15, 2011

6. Fort Ligonier Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,085 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on November 14, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on November 14, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.