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

Greersburg Academy

American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, October 9, 2011

1. Greersburg Academy Marker

Large format marker

Inscription. Reverend Thomas E Hughes recognizing the need for a school for the frontier obtained approval and full support from the Erie Presbytery April 13, 1802 to construct a building and form a seminary. He proceeded to build the so called stone pile and the school was chartered by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1806 as the first academy west of the Allegheny Mountains. Reverend Hughes was the school master for the first four years. The academy served the area well over the next 100 years turning out many graduates of note such as William Holmes McGuffey, Walter Forward, John Geary and John Brown all of whom became famous for their deeds. The building is now preserved by the Little Beaver Historical Society.

Erected by Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation. (Marker Number 47.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the Pennsylvania - Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1930.

Location. 40° 48.602′ N, 80° 25.413′ W. Marker is in Darlington, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County. Marker can be reached from Market Street (

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Pennsylvania Route 551) 0 miles north of Old Darlington Road. This marker is attached to the front of the building, the other marker is on a post in front of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: PO Box 304, Darlington, PA, Darlington PA 16115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boulder (here, next to this marker); Sandstone Walk (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Greersburg Academy (a few steps from this marker); North Country Trail Town - Darlington (within shouting distance of this marker); Darlington Borough (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Leasure (within shouting distance of this marker); Darlington Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Darlington.

Regarding Greersburg Academy. Greersburg Academy was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This building is also one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).

The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, October 9, 2011

2. Greersburg Academy Marker

Society website:

At its meeting on April 13, 1802 the Presbytery of Erie resolved to give aid to erect an academy at Greersburg. The original building, probably completed in 1804, is the oldest building in Beaver County. Greersburg was the first academy west of Pittsburgh and served as an educational institution for a hundred years. Rev. William H. McGuffey, author of the McGuffey Readers; John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame; Walter Forward, Treasurer of the United States; and John W. Geary, Governor of Pennsylvania, were a few of those who received education at Greersburg Academy.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. William Holmes McGuffey at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on October 10, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Walter Forward at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on October 10, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. John White Geary at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on October 10, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Greersburg Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, July 24, 2022

3. Greersburg Academy

Petroglyph Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, October 9, 2011

4. Petroglyph Rock

Rock with Indian Petroglyphs and Conestoga Wagon date. Located near entrance to Greersburg Academy (Little Beaver Historical Society). Rock was discovered at Lock 7, Georgetown, Ohio River

Petroglyph Rock sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, October 9, 2011

5. Petroglyph Rock sign

Boulder from Lock 7, Georgetown, Ohio River with Indian Petroglyphs and Conestoga Wagon date. Donated by Bub Crane

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on August 23, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on August 7, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on October 10, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.