WPC Ecologist Robert Coxe has put together a new six-part Wednesday series explaining how western Pennsylvania places received their names. Today, Robert focuses on Kittanning, the fifth entry in his series of six.

What's in a Name? -- Kittanning

The name Kittanning comes from the Native American word for “at the great stream.” In this case the “great stream” is the Allegheny River on which the town of Kittanning is located today. This site was once the location of one of the largest Native American villages in Western Pennsylvania from 1730 to 1756. The location was important because it was at the western terminus of the Kittanning Trail, which led to present day Huntingdon, Pa and served as an east-west transportation route. The trail basically followed US 422. In 1756, the Native American village was destroyed by Colonel John Armstrong (namesake of Armstrong County, in which Kittanning is located) because of raiding practices of the Native Americans. The area was abandoned until 1776 when Fort Appleby (later Fort Armstrong) was built. In November 1779 Fort Armstrong was abandoned. In 1803, Kittanning as we know it today was laid out by Judge George Ross and it became a borough in 1821. Today Kittanning is a borough of 4,787 people.

Above is an aerial photo of Kittanning, Pa taken on April 17, 2004. If you look closely you can see the Armstrong County Courthouse at the base of the hill.

In honor of Cinco De Mayo, we offer a Spanish version of the above text.

El nombre Kittanning viene de la palabra de Indio Americano para “en el gran corriente.” En este caso el “gran corriente” es el Río de Allegheny en que el pueblo de Kittanning es localizado hoy. Este sitio era una vez la ubicación de uno de las aldeas más grandes de Indio Americano en Pennsylvania Occidental de 1730 a 1756. La ubicación era importante porque estaba en el terminal occidental del Rastro de Kittanning, que llevó a día presente Huntingdon, Pa y sirvió como una ruta este-occidental de transporte. El rastro siguió básicamente US 422. En 1756, la aldea de Indio Americano fue destruida por Coronel John Armstrong (tocayo de Condado de Armstrong, en cuál Kittanning se localiza) a causa de invadir las prácticas de los Indios Americanos. El área se abandonó hasta que 1776 cuándo Fuerte Appleby (Fuerte posterior Armstrong) fuera construido. En noviembre 1779 Fuerte Armstrong se abandonó. En 1803, Kittanning como nosotros sabemos fue ordenado hoy por el Juez George Ross y llegó a ser un barrio en 1821. Hoy Kittanning es un barrio de 4,787 personas.

Encima de es una foto aérea de Kittanning, Pa toma el 17 de abril de 2004. Si usted mira de cerca usted puede ver el Palacio de justicia de Condado de Armstrong en la base de la colina.

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