Historic Map - Belle Vernon, PA - 1902

View of Belle Vernon, Fayette County, P.A., 1902 / drawn & published by T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer.

The reproduction panoramic view of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania was drawn by Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler and published by T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer in 1902. The borough of Belle Vernon was established in the early 1800's as a farming and ferry community. The local ferry connected Belle Vernon with the township of Allen, over the Monogahela River. The raising of wheat and corn was of major importance during Belle Vernon’s early years. Wheat grown here was processed into flour and shipped to Philadelphia and other communities along the National Road.

The village prospered greatly when in 1836 William Eberhard took over the local unfinished glass works and founded the American Glass Co.. Eberhard quickly completed an eight-pot furnace and began producing glass. During his management the factory was raised to a sixteen-pot capacity. The factory was shut down in 1853, but later revived by George A. Berry, who remodeled the works and added a ten-pot furnace. The glass manufacturer employed hundreds and produced nearly 1,200 tons of glass annually.

The map from 1902 contains labeled streets, buildings, original bridge and railroad lines. The low level bridge shown here was replaced in 1951.

Features numbered & lettered references to the following locations:

1. Public Schools.
2. Opera House.
3. Hotel Kyle. L. M. Kyle, Proprietor.
4. Hotel Birmingham. McMahan & Simpson, Proprietors.
5. Hotel Province. C. W. Theakston, Proprietor.
6. East End Hotel. J. A. Province, Proprietor.
7. Hotel Springer. E. F. Springer, Proprietor.
8. American Window Glass Co. Factory No. 4.
9. Moore & Sinnott. Distillery.
10. Belle Vernon Planing Mill.
11. Clipper Sand Co.
12. Electric Light & Power House.
13. P. & L. E. R. R. Station.
14. P. R. R. Station.

1. First Presbyterian Church.
2. First Christian Church.
3. Methodist Episcopal Church.
4. Free Baptist Church.
5. A. M. E. Church.