Beaver is the county seat of Beaver County. It sits where the Beaver and Ohio Rivers meet, about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. About 4,438 people live here. The borough is small, covering just over one square mile. It has also played a big part in American history, from a Revolutionary War fort to a famous traveler’s visit. Here are facts that even longtime visitors may not know.
Most of the borough sits inside a National Register historic district, and the stories behind it go back more than 240 years. Read More about Beaver and its place in Pennsylvania history. Details vary slightly by source.
The First Fort North of the Ohio
Fort McIntosh was built in 1778 on the bluff above the Ohio River. It was the first American fort north of the river at the time. General Lachlan McIntosh moved about 1,500 men there from Pittsburgh. The site is now on River Road, and archaeologists dug there in 1974.
Home of the Army’s Oldest Unit
After the war, the fort housed the First American Regiment, which is now the oldest active unit in the U.S. Army. The regiment arrived in 1784. The fort was ordered torn down in 1788.
A Treaty Signed Here
In January 1785, leaders signed the Treaty of Fort McIntosh. That same year, surveyors set a Point of Beginning on the north bank of the Ohio River to measure lands in the Northwest Territory. The original marker now lies under the river.
Logs With a Second Life
Logs from Fort McIntosh form the hidden walls of a house on River Road, which locals call Beaver’s oldest. The Beaver Area Heritage Foundation also runs an 1802 log house and museum.
A County Seat Since 1800
Beaver became the county seat in 1800, when Beaver County formed. Leaders incorporated it as a borough on March 29, 1802. The first county court met here in 1804.
Boats for Aaron Burr
In 1806, men tied to Aaron Burr built two boats on the Beaver River. About 40 people left on them for Blennerhassett Island.
A Canal Came Through
The Ohio-Beaver Canal opened in 1833. Later, the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad arrived in 1879 and sparked a major growth spurt. A big flood in February 1884 caused heavy damage.
The Senator From Beaver
Matthew S. Quay, born in Beaver, became a United States Senator. His home is a National Historic Landmark and sits within the historic district. Quay earned a Congressional Medal of Honor, and his 1904 funeral brought national leaders to town.
A Chief Justice and More
Daniel Agnew, a chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, also has Beaver ties. Other natives include baseball players Tom McCreery and Jeff Shaver, NFL linebacker John Skorupan, and Survivor winner Amber Mariano. Nate Martin, a founder of the first American escape room company, comes from Beaver too.
Kipling Stopped By
A regional magazine reports that Rudyard Kipling visited Beaver in the summer of 1889 and wrote about it in his travel letters.
A Mayor for 58 Years
Robert Linn served as mayor of Beaver from 1946 to 2004. That made him one of the longest-serving mayors in the United States.
A Historic District Almost Borough-Wide
The Beaver Historic District covers about 317 acres and was listed on the National Register in 1996. It takes in nearly the entire borough. It centers on Third Street, and its buildings date mainly to the 1800s. Five churches and the county courthouse stand out. A clock tower downtown is a replica of the ornate tower on the 1887 courthouse.
A Tree City
Beaver became a Tree City USA community in 1997. The title honors towns that care for their trees.
Small-Town Touches
Local guides mention a family-owned hardware store and an independent grocery store that is described as the oldest and last one of its kind in the county. Check current hours and names before you visit.
Tips for Curious Visitors
- Start at the Beaver Area Heritage Museum on East End Avenue.
- Walk Third Street to see the courthouse and clock tower.
- Read the state historical markers.
- Visit Fort McIntosh Park and the riverfront.
- Ask locals for stories. Many have family ties that go back generations.
Final Thoughts
Beaver may look like a quiet river town, but its story spans forts, treaties, canals, and senators. Take a slow walk, and look for the details.
