Sewickley Valley Historical Society unveils historical marker dedicated to Lewis & Clark Expedition

A historical marker was unveiled June 9 at Riverfront Park to remember the presence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in Sewickley.

The sign in Sewickley commemorates when retired sea captain Henry Ulery helped Meriwether Lewis on his trip through “Woolery’s Trap,” during the passage of the Lewis and Clark Expedition along the Ohio River in 1803, according to the Sewickley Valley Historical Society.

The federal government recognized Pittsburgh as a starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 2019. The trail officially extends from Pittsburgh to the mouth of the Columbia River.

Harton Semple, former Sewickley Valley Historical Society board president, said it is important to connect the town to the river.

“This reminds citizens of the history of our river,” he said.

Forty-two people attended the hour-long event between Chadwick and Walnut streets. Several guest speakers addressed the crowd, including Sewickley Mayor George Shannon, members of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, Eastern Legacy Committee, and the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.

Mike Loesch, planning commissioner for the Eastern Legacy Committee, said the signage helps unify communities.

“More communities are able to have something related,” he said.

According to Brenda Applegate, executive director at the Beaver County Historical Research & Landmarks Foundation, the marker will be the eighth sign installed in Western Pennsylvania. Other markers are located in Mt. Washington, Elizabeth, Rochester Riverfront Park, Logstown, Point of Beginning (PA state line), Fort McIntosh and Georgetown.

Applegate, who organized the event, hopes the latest addition of the sign helps residents continue to connect the dots of Lewis and Clark’s journey through the area.

“Hopefully it is going to get people to travel this summer and do local tours,” she said.

Tracy Myers, one of the attendees, witnessed the unveiling of the signage in Mt. Washington in 2019.

“It’s terrific that this important story in American history is being recognized now,” said Myers of the South Side.

The signage was made possible through a $4,100 grant from the Lewis & Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment. Part of the grant was used to fund the sign in Mt. Washington, Applegate said.

Applegate hopes to use the rest of the funds to put a sign near Point State Park, another part of Lewis and Clark’s journey.