WASHINGTON. SO MANY PEOPLE USE THE MONTOUR TRAIL FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, BUT NOW THEY’LL GET A HISTORY LESSON WITH A DISTINGUISHED MARKER THAT WILL SOON BE ERECTED. IT IS LISTED AS THE LONGEST TRAIL IN THE UNITED STATES, 60 MILES IN LENGTH. MEMBERS OF THE MONTOUR TRAIL COUNCIL SAY 400,000 PEOPLE USE THIS TRAIL EVERY YEAR. SOON THEY WILL LEARN THAT PART OF THE TRAIL RUNS THROUGH A BIG CHUNK OF LAND OWNED BY THE NATION’S FIRST PRESIDENT. BRIAN SIPE IS PRESIDENT OF THE MONTOUR RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT ON THIS PROJECT BELONG TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. IN THE LATE 1700S. HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING? 6800 ACRES IN THIS TRAIL RUNS THROUGH THOSE 6800. ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MILES OF THE TRAIL RUNS ACROSS GEORGE WASHINGTON’S FORMER LAND. AN APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION TO RECOGNIZE THAT PIECE OF LAND OWNED BY WASHINGTON. NOW RUNNING THROUGH PART OF THE TRAIL. HERE IT IS BEARING A SHORT HISTORICAL NOTE FOR USERS WHO USE THE TRAIL. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TELL US? IT’S GOING TO TELL YOU THAT GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS GRANTED THE LAND BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA AT THAT TIME. IN THE COLONIAL DAYS, THIS AREA WAS ACTUALLY PART OF COLONIAL VIRGINIA. SIPE SAYS WASHINGTON’S FORMER LAND ON THE TRAIL IS DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER PIECES OF LAND HE OWNED. IT’S KIND OF ESCAPED THE COMMERCIALISM THAT’S INHERENT WITH OTHER GEORGE WASHINGTON’S PROPERTIES. THERE WERE NO MILLS, THERE WERE NO HOTELS. THERE WERE NO TAVERNS BUILT. THERE WERE NO REAL TOWNS. IT WAS JUST STRICTLY FARMLAND. THAT’S THE BIT OF HISTORY. USERS OF THE MONTOUR TRAIL WILL SEE. ABOUT A HALF MILE NORTH OF WHERE THE TRAIL INTERSECTS WITH GALLOWAY ROAD. IT’S A SIGNIFICANT DEAL THAT IT HELPS. IT PROMOTES MONTOUR TRAIL, OBVIOUSLY, AND THAT DISTINGUISHED MARKER WILL SOON BE ERECTED HERE ON MONTOUR TRAIL NEXT THURSDAY. COVERI
Historical marker to be installed on Montour Trail in western Pennsylvania
Updated: 8:11 PM EDT May 8, 2026
Members of the Montour Railroad Historical Society say the Montour Trail will soon have a marker noting that it runs through a large chunk of land owned by former President George Washington.”The land we’re talking about on this project belonged to George Washington in the late 1700s,” said Bryan Seip, president of the nonprofit organization.Seip said the land spans 6,800 acres.”About two and a half miles of the trail runs across George Washington’s former land,” he said.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelSeip said the marker will be installed May 14, a half-mile north of where the trail intersects with Galati Road.”It’s a significant deal. It helps the promotion of the Montour Trail,” he said.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
CECIL TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
Members of the Montour Railroad Historical Society say the Montour Trail will soon have a marker noting that it runs through a large chunk of land owned by former President George Washington.
“The land we’re talking about on this project belonged to George Washington in the late 1700s,” said Bryan Seip, president of the nonprofit organization.
Seip said the land spans 6,800 acres.
“About two and a half miles of the trail runs across George Washington’s former land,” he said.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
Seip said the marker will be installed May 14, a half-mile north of where the trail intersects with Galati Road.
“It’s a significant deal. It helps the promotion of the Montour Trail,” he said.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.