Forward Township near Elizabeth in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Monongahela River Navigation System

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 30, 2012

1. Monongahela River Navigation System Marker

Inscription. One of the nation's earliest and most successful river navigation systems, its series of locks and dams, begun in 1838, has provided year-round navigation between Pittsburgh and Fairmont, West Virginia. Millions of tons of coal shipped through the locks supplied Pennsylvania's important coke, iron and steel industries. Acquired by the federal government in 1897, the system has been expanded and modernized by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Erected 2012 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 40° 15.754′ N, 79° 54.009′ W. Marker is near Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Forward Township. It is at the intersection of Bunola River Road and Entrance to Lock & Dam #3, on the right when traveling west on Bunola River Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elizabeth PA 15037, 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 the Ohio River Valley,

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: Walker House (approx. half a mile away); Yohogania Courthouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); West Elizabeth Honor Roll

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); The Old Graveyard (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. one mile away); Honor Roll (approx. one mile away); These We Honor (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Lest We Forget (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabeth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. West Elizabeth Honor Roll (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Monongahela_River. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 23, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 30, 2012

2. Monongahela River Navigation System Marker

Monongahela River Lock & Dam #3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 30, 2012

3. Monongahela River Lock & Dam #3

Entrance to Lock & Dam #3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 30, 2012

4. Entrance to Lock & Dam #3

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,623 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.