Armstrong County History
Armstrong County’s history reflects the industries, communities, and events that shaped western Pennsylvania. Below are selected highlights representing communities, landmarks, and events that define our shared heritage.
History Highlights
The Allegheny River & Early Settlement
The Allegheny River played a defining role in the settlement and growth of Armstrong County. Native American communities first relied on the river for transportation and trade. Later, it became a critical corridor for industry, lumber, coal, and river commerce that shaped the county’s economic development throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Creator: Robert Griffing
Copyright: ©2013 Robert Griffing
The Rise of the Glass Industry
Armstrong County became nationally recognized for its glass production in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Companies such as Pittsburgh Plate Glass and other manufacturers brought jobs, innovation, and community growth to towns along the river. The glass industry left a lasting industrial and cultural legacy across the region.
Railroads and Regional Expansion
The arrival of railroads transformed Armstrong County’s connectivity and commerce. Rail lines linked rural communities to larger markets, accelerated industrial expansion, and laid the foundation for long-term economic growth. The preservation of the Kittanning Train Station reflects the continuing importance of this transportation heritage.
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Coal Industry
Armstrong County emerged in the late 19th century as one of Pennsylvania’s leading bituminous coal-producing regions, ranking among the top three in the state during its peak years. Beginning in the 1880s and reaching its height between 1910 and World War I, coal mining employed thousands of workers in underground operations that fueled the steel mills, glass factories, and iron industries along the Allegheny River. Company towns such as Sagamore—home to what was once described as the world’s largest coal tipple—and Yellow Dog Village developed to house miners and their families, shaping the social and economic fabric of the region.
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Daugherty Typewriter
​The Daugherty was a groundbreaking innovation in the evolution of modern writing technology. Designed with four straight rows of keys, a single shift key, and front-striking typebars, it allowed users to see the words as they were typed — a revolutionary advancement at the time.
Invented around 1891 by James Denny Daugherty of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, the Daugherty Visible Typewriter became the first commercially produced four-row, front-stroke typewriter. Its visible writing mechanism helped establish the keyboard layout and design principles that would later define the modern typewriter.
Though produced in limited numbers, the Daugherty stands as an important example of Armstrong County’s contribution to industrial innovation and American manufacturing history.
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Armstrong County Courthouse
The Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning has long stood as a symbol of civic growth and stability in the region.
Originally constructed in the late 19th century as Armstrong County’s population and governmental needs expanded, the courthouse reflected the architectural prominence and institutional confidence of the era.
Over time, the building has undergone renovations and preservation efforts to modernize its functionality while maintaining its historic character.
Today, it remains both a working center of county government and a lasting architectural landmark that represents Armstrong County’s legal, political, and community evolution.
