Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 5. Cultural Resources
Significant People
Charles Cole, a Coudersport native, was a talented salesman. Though he held many salesmen
positions, his most notable was with the Rochester Times Recording Company, which became
International Business Machines or IBM. Before his death in 1961, Mr. Cole sought the establishment of
a hospital within the community of Coudersport. In 1967, with the generosity of his widow Edith Pinney,
the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital opened.
Walter Hall, an eccentric stone worker from Port Allegany, Pa. built several structures in the region,
including the stone gateway to Port Allegany Community Park (Port Allegany High School), Lynn Hall,
and the entrance to McKean County Memorial Park. However, he is most well-known for his role in
constructing Fallingwater, the famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house constructed over a waterfall in
Mill Run, Pa. for the Kaufmann family.
James Herzog developed the Wooly Willy—a magnetic art toy—in Smethport in 1955. Herzog,
while working for Smethport Specialty Company, gathered magnetic shavings—a waste product from
magnets that were rounded off using a grinding wheel—placed them on a piece of paper, and began
moving them around in patterns using a magnet. His curiosity led him to envision the simple Wooly
Willy toy.
Joshua Kinney, from Coudersport, was a relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Called up to the
major leagues in 2006, his first major league pitch was hit for a home run by Ryan Langerhans of the
Atlanta Braves. He pitched in two games of the 2006 World Series, and obtained a championship ring
when the Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers.
Lynn Hall was built by Walter Hall
along Route 6 near Port Allegany, PA
Historical Sites, Structures, and Districts
In 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act
established the National Register of Historic Places. Listed
properties include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and
other objects significant to American history, architecture,
archeology, engineering, and culture. Although maintenance to
preserve the historic integrity of sites and structures is
encouraged, private property owners can maintain or manage
their property as they see fit.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
manages the register for Pennsylvania. The State Historic
Preservation Officer submits nominated properties to the State
Review Board. If the property owners, or the majority of the
owners (if the property is owned by more than one person),
object to the nomination, it is sent to the National Parks Service for a determination of eligibility without
the property being listed in the National Register (National Parks Service, 2001).
Within the project area, six sites and three districts have been listed on the National Historic
Registry. There are several other historic sites within the project area that could be eligible for submission
to the registry, such as the McKean County Home in Smethport.
The Bradford Armory was built for Company C, 16 th infantry, of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
The Pennsylvania National Guard organized in Bradford in September of 1880. The Guard used the
Producer’s Petroleum Exchange building to store weapons, ammunition, and uniforms. In 1905, when the
State Armory Board was created, it initiated the construction of an Armory in Bradford. The Armory was
completed with an official dedication ceremony held on November 26, 1912. The Bradford Armory was
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