Funding
- Lumber Heritage Region: $1047.45
- Total Project Cost: $5,358.89
Type of Project
Interpretive Signage – Trains, lumbering and local industries are the focus of our 4 interpretive signs, located on the Knox & Kane Rail Trail between Mt Jewett PA and the Kinzua Bridge State Park.
The mural depicts local towns-people and events that are also part of this area’s history, including the bi-plane that flew under the Kinzua Bridge, the local Big Foot (Yeti) legend, Elisha Kent Kane, the Jewett family and many other people & events.
Project Details
The MJ2KB Trail Club aimed to educate the public about the rich history of the region by showcasing the local impact of the lumber industry and the railroads that helped shape the area. With the addition of four interpretive exhibit frames already in place along the Knox & Kane Rail Trail, the club seized the opportunity to create colorful, informative signs. These signs not only detail the benefits of lumbering, including local artisans, crafters, and wood & paper products, but also offer insights into the railroads that once ran throughout the region. Historical photographs of Mt. Jewett, local churches, and factories further illustrated the town’s development.
In addition to the educational signs, the club decided to paint a mural on its equipment storage container along the rail trail. This mural, designed by a local artist and advocate for the community’s history, brings historical events and local figures to life. One notable figure depicted is Gladys Eshbaugh Pier, a schoolteacher who famously rode her horse to the schoolhouse on Lindholm Rd from the village of Kushequa.
The idea for the mural came as a way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the storage container, while also telling the story of Mt. Jewett’s Swedish heritage and the families and events that shaped the town’s legacy. The mural’s vibrant imagery makes it an engaging way for visitors to connect with the area’s history.
The research and community involvement were key to bringing this project to life. Local historians and even relatives of historical figures contributed facts and photographs, which are now shared on the interpretive signs and mural. This partnership with local libraries, businesses, and schools brought a new level of authenticity to the project. The result is a visual narrative that blends the history of railroads, natural resources, and modern artisanship, offering a hands-on way for the community—especially youth—to engage with the region’s past.
The interpretive signs connect the history of railroads to the modern-day artisans, crafters, and manufacturers, reflecting how the past still influences the present. Through these signs and the mural, the community can learn how the region became a hub of industry, thanks to the natural resources that were once abundant.
