The Brady's Bend Historical Society, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1979 to provide community service regarding historical preservation and research. The area was once a major industrial center, much more densely populated than at present time. Literally thousands of people came to the area seeking work during a relatively short time in the last half of the nineteenth century. They left behind a wealth of family histories, memorabilia and customs from many parts of Europe. The Society has collected oral histories, compiled cemetery records, and acts as a clearinghouse for those seeking information about their ancestors’ past lives in our area.
Both St. Stephen's Old Stone Church and the Brady's Bend Iron Furnaces are listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
For more information, including newsletters, please visit the Official BBHS Website.
The Honor Roll at Brady's Bend
Brady's Bend PA - The Honor Roll at Brady’s Bend was updated and rededicated several years ago. At the time, the old markers with the names of veterans were replaced with a single dedication to all veterans. Interest in listing the names of individual veterans has been expressed many times since then.
After research, consultation with the Brady’s Bend Twp Supervisors (who actually own the Honor Roll site), and an inquiry to the American Legion Post 488 (who did not have the resources to dedicate to such a project), Brady's Bend Historical Society decided on a engraved paving brick project.
For a donation of $30, a 4"x8" paving brick with the veteran’s name and branch of service (up to 3 lines of 14 letters and spaces each) could be purchased and installed. However, unless at least 100 bricks are ordered, the price becomes too high for this project.
If we can get 100 orders, we will be able to place bricks at the Brady's Bend Honor Roll to honor and remember veterans. Who can you honor? Just about anyone - it may be a veteran who lived and died in the area, someone who lived here long after serving in the Armed Forces, or a long-ago resident. It might be your mom, your dad, your uncle, your neighbor, your son or daughter - or YOU! [Some families are getting together to make sure every veteran gets a brick - we'll group these.]
The qualifications for inclusion are simple. The veteran could have gone to service from the Brady’s Bend area or returned from service to become a resident of the area. A veteran who lived in Brady’s Bend as a child, or one who moved to Brady’s Bend long after discharge could also be included. Any period of service can be recognized, not just wartime service. All branches of service, including Allied service, will be recognized (for instance, RAF or Canadian infantry service in WWII).
We will use the records we have available from the American Legion, Armstrong County Veteran’s Affairs, and local cemeteries to list veterans who have no relatives or friends to provide information. For these, we are asking for general donations to purchase their memorials. The names chosen for the donated memorials will first come from the old memorials to the Spanish American War, WWI and WWII.
To honor a veteran, make your check payable to Brady’s Bend Historical Society. If you are honoring a specific veteran, enclose the following, PRINTED IN CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS:
Name, Branch of Service and Dates or Period of Service.
Mail your check and information to BBHS, P O BOX 451, East Brady PA 16028. You may call 724-526-5693 or contact us for information, but orders may only be submitted by mail.
The initial campaign began April 1 and will close August 31. If we do not get the response we need, donations will be returned. However, we hope that responses will be so overwhelming that we will be able to begin ordering bricks even sooner!
These Hills
If These Hills Could Talk is a series of articles about the history of the Brady's Bend area; includes oral histories, photographs and other items of interest. (241 pp, $15.00 plus $4.00 shipping)
At Rest in These Hills is a catalog of 22 small and remotely located cemeteries in Brady's Bend and Perry Townships. (56 pp, $7.00 plus $2.50 shipping)
Atop These Hills includes catalogs of the St. Eusebius, St. Mary's and Brady's Bend Cemeteries, plus information about the Wattersonville and Old St. Patrick's Church cemeteries. Also included is the journal of John Hay, gravedigger for the Brady's Bend Cemetery for 50 years. (337 pp, $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping)
Make Checks Payable to:
Brady's Bend Historical Society
PO Box 451
East Brady PA 16028
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