Know What History Happened Around Here?

Have you ever taken the time to read the blue historical markers along roads in the East Suburbs?

If the answer is "no," then maybe it's time for a Sunday drive that can double as a history lesson.

Since 1946, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has placed historical markers to capture the memory of people, places and events that have affected Pennsylvanians.

Across the state, according to the commission's website, "more than 2,000 cast aluminum markers tell the stories of Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, factories and businesses, and a multitude of other topics." While some structures no longer exist and people have long left the earth, they live on in the markers that remember their significance to the western Pennsylvania area.

Some of the many local historical markers and plaques, their locations and significance are below (Click here to see even more details about the listings or find others of interest in the East Suburbs):

EDGEWOOD

• Jane Grey Swisshelm— Braddock & Greendale avenues, just north of I-376. Swisshelm, a renowned editor, abolitionist, Civil War nurse, advocate of women's rights and temperance, and author, died in an old homestead on this site.

EAST PITTSBURGH

• George Westinghouse—US Route 30 at end of George Westinghouse Bridge over Turtle Creek. Westinghouse, the inventor of the air brake and some 400 other devices, spent creative years in Pittsburgh and founded the industry that bears his name. 

• Pioneer Short-wave Station— Barclay Avenue, off Greensburg Pike. Led by Frank Conrad, Westinghouse opened a special radio facility here to experiment with long-distance transmissions. 

• Westinghouse Atom Smasher—Avenue F & West Street. The world’s first industrial Van de Graaff generator was created by Westinghouse Research Labs in 1937 as an early experiment with atomic energy. The five-story, pear-shaped structure is located here. 

• Forbes Road, 1758, Fort Bedford to Fort Duquesne-The Bouquet Encampment— Route 380 (Saltsburg & Frankstown roads). Three miles east of this place is the farthest northern point of the Forbes Road, which leads westward to Fort Duquesne.

MONROEVILLE/PLUM

• Forbes Road-Bouquet's Breastworks—Old Frankstown Road at Boyce Park Administration Building, Monroeville-Plum border. Here was the last base of General Forbes' army. After crossing nearly "200 miles of wild and unknown country," the army entered Fort Duquesne on Nov. 25, 1758. 

• William D. Boyce—595 Beatty Rd., Community College of Allegheny County–Boyce Campus. Inspired by the good turn of an English Scout, Boyce brought the Scouting movement to the United States. The campus was named in his honor. 

• Frank Conrad—Penn Avenue & Peebles Street. In his garage workshop, Conrad made broadcasts over his amateur station, 8XK, introducing the concept of commercial radio—and leading to the start of KDKA. 

Nominations for historical markers may be submitted by any person or organization. The PHMC maintains its historical markers on a cyclical basis through a contract. To report a marker as missing, broken or in poor condition, email the Historical Marker Program at kgalle@pa.gov.