Visit / PA Historical Marker Trail
An important path for Native Americans, including the Catawba and Cherokee, traveling south from Ichsua (Olean, NY) passed near here. At Kittanning the path forked, one branch going to the Mississippi and the other to the Carolinas.
A tract of 6288 acres lying north and east of here was the first purchase of State Game Lands by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The purchase was made in 1920 with funds obtained from hunting license fees.
Founded, 1842, as Marienstadt, by the German-American Catholic Brotherhood, St. Marys was a haven from persecution. It was aided by the Roman Catholic Church, Baltimore merchants, and Ludwig I, King of Bavaria.
Formed April 18, 1843 from parts of McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. Named for the large elk herd that roamed the area. First State Game Lands established in Pennsylvania, in 1920, are here. The county seat, Ridgway, was settled in 1824.
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