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

Memorial Park

Photographed by Judy King, October 17, 2014

1. MEMORIAL PARK Marker

Inscription. This site, one of the oldest and most historic in Indiana County, was initially surveyed in 1774 as part of the larger tract known as “Colforgie”. Conrad Rice, an early owner and inhabitant of the tract, deeded the park’s two acres to Indiana County in 1818. Rice was Indiana’s first blacksmith and was active in the selection of Indiana as the County seat. He and his wife, along with other notable Indiana residents, are reportedly buried at the site of the present day Memorial Park.

Originally a Lutheran Church Cemetery, the park also served as a hiding place for travelers of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. At the time the park was an overgrown cemetery which offered a suitable hiding place for slaves traveling north to freedom.

The World War I doughboy statue was erected in 1923 by a group of Indiana residents headed by Alex Stewart father of actor James Stewart. The Farmers Bank donated the granite shaft and Vernon Taylor donated the life—sized doughboy statue.

Memorial Park continues to serve as a permanent memorial to Indiana County veterans from the Revolutionary War to present day.

Erected by Indiana County Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR

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• African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1774.

Location. 40° 37.173′ N, 79° 9.099′ W. Marker is in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in Indiana County. It is at the intersection of Wayne Avenue and Washington Street, on the right when traveling south on Wayne Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 Washington Street, Indiana PA 15701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Spirit of The American Soldier" (within shouting distance of this marker); SPC Beverly Sue Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); 5-inch Model 1897 Rifled Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Silas M. Clark House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Grand Army of the Republic Post 28 (about 300 feet away); "Rest on Arms" (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indiana.

Photographed by Judy King, October 17, 2014

2. MEMORIAL PARK Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2014, by Judy King of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 947 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2014, by Judy King of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.