Kittanning

Kittanning is located in Armstrong County along the Allegheny river. The town's population was 4,044 in 2010. The word Kittanning comes from an Indian word meaning "The place at the Great River" and Kittanning's history goes back to the days when the Native Americans lived here.

Jefferson Street

Back in the 1700's the Delaware Indians inhabited the area and created a village here known as Kittanning. The Kittanning path was located in this area and was an east west route for the Native Americans and the early settlers. This pathway was used as early as the 1720's.

Armstrong County Courthouse

N. McKean Street

The area in those days was full of unrest and disagreements between the Native Americans and the settlers. Indian raids were part of life and new wars would be initiated across the frontier of Pennsylvania. The French and Indian War was a turbulent time and in the 1750's the Battle of Kittanning would take place. The Delaware Indians and the Shawnee Tribes would partner up with the French to raid towns and they used the village of Kittanning as a home base for their attacks against the British. The British knew of this village and planned an attack of 300 people led by John Armstrong in 1756. John Armstrong and his troops destroyed the village. One story that was told was when Captain Jacobs house had gunpowder stored inside and when the gunpowder went off, it was heard 44 miles away in Pittsburgh.

Riverfront Park

After the war, Kittanning began again as a new settlement in 1803. This area was known for the abundance of steel production and was one of the main industries of Kittaning. Other industries included coal, lumber, clay and brick plants. The town eventually became the county seat and the population had another spike in the early 1900's because of a merge between Kittanning and Wicksboro.

Train Station

Old factory

Map of Kittanning
Google Earth

Today, Kittaning has the courthouse, jail and the river front park. If you drive around east end of town you can see the old train stations and some of the old factories.