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Keystone Markers of Pennsylvania
Description:
Keystone-shaped cast-iron blue and yellow highway markers denoting towns, creeks, rivers, trails, etc, dating from WWI. Installed by the PA Dept of Highways, the keystone markers come in several varieties. Most PA towns had several of them, one at each principle entrance. See www.keystonemarkertrust.org for more information. Note, these markers are distinct from modern PHMC historical markers that commemorate historic sites, events, people.
Expanded Description:
Installed by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways at the height of the Good Roads Movement just after WWI, they were meant to spur interest in tourism as well as to help with wayfinding.

The markers denote towns (most towns had multiple markers, one at each principle entrance), creeks, rivers, trails, directions, distances, etc. Town markers included the name of the town, the date founded, a phrase as to why the town was named what it was, and a notation as to the next town and the distance to it (provided in the upper part of the keystone).

The keystone town markers consist of a distinctive keystone-shaped sign and a pole. Signs and poles are historically of cast iron construction and were painted a standardized Pennsylvania blue and gold or blue and yellow. Variations in color were due to fading.

SIGN TYPES: There are four types of signs--two standard shapes and two variants. See (visit link) for photos.

Front Mount, Single Face Standard Keystone: This is the type most commonly used for cities, towns, and villages. The sign is printed on one side only and mounts on the Front Mount Pole.

Top Mount Dual Face Standard Keystone: This type is most commonly used for rivers, creeks, etc. The sign is printed on both sides and is mounted on the Top Mount Pole. Note the webbing at the base of the sign where it meets the pole.

Keystone Variants: There are at least two variations of the keystone shape. It is likely all variants used the Front Mount Pole.

While the Keystone Marker Trust is aware of at least 600 markers across the Commonwealth that were in existance as of the 1970s (see our database at (visit link) we know there are additional markers we have missed. Also, some of the markers on our database have been lost to time.

We are looking to create a defintive database and hoping our Waymaker friends can help. We are looking for accurate longitude and latitude information (we have approximate geo-coordinates listed on our site), photos, and condition reports. Of course, if you find a new marker we didn't know about, we'd love to hear from you,too.

Our hope is to use www.keystonemarkertrust.org to publicize the historic preservation and community development activities of towns that adopt existing markers who who replace missing historical markers.
Instructions for Posting a Keystone Markers of Pennsylvania Waymark:
See also (visit link) page especially for waymarkers.

We are missing information for markers we have listed and those that may be out there we don't know about:

Latitude/Longitude (note most towns had multiple markers, though the "distance to the next town" information on the top part of most keystones make each marker unique. Lat/Long info in the database currently is only approximate).

Condition: Is it the marker missing? Is it damaged or leaning? Has the original pole been replaced or the marker moved?

Pole and Sign Types (see Keystone Marker Variety page)

Recent photos

What towns/creeks/rivers/boroughs, etc., have markers we don’t have listed?

Many towns had multiple markers—help us to identify each marker for each town by clearly denoting the distance to the next town information in the top of most of the keystones.

Any questions? Contact Nathaniel Guest at ncg1@cornell.edu.
Instructions for Visiting a Waymark in this Category:
See above. Any questions? Contact Nathaniel Guest at ncg1@cornell.edu.
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