Hellertown's Historic Keystone Markers Restored

History buffs are currently celebrating the restoration of two very special gateway symbols of Hellertown, which are also representations of "Pennsylvania pride."

The borough's two cast-iron Keystone Markers, which were likely manufactured sometime between the early 1920s and the early 1940s, have been refurbished and reinstalled along Route 412 (Main Street) at the north and south ends of town.

The markers explain to visitors that the borough was named after "pioneer and first settler" Christopher Heller, and list the year of its founding as 1742.

In an announcement made March 8, Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said the markers were restored under the guidance of , "and with the help of Mr. Robert Moll of , and (Department of Public Works) employee Jeremy Frey."

"Hellertown Borough has recognized the value of protecting and enhancing these important bits of local and state history," she said.

According to the Keystone Marker Trust, which advocates for the preservation of the once-common roadside signs, the "markers were products of the height of the 'good roads' movement sweeping the nation" following World War I, when the Pennsylvania Department of Highways (the predecessor to PennDOT) began producing them.

Over the years many of the blue-and-gold markers have been damaged or destroyed, but Hellertown's both survived, in spite of threats by encroaching development and the increasing amount of traffic along Route 412.

A complete list of Keystone Marker locations throughout the commonwealth, both past and present, is available on the Keystone Marker Trust website.

Donations to the organization's "This Marker Matters" campaign, which seeks to preserve and restore the remaining markers statewide, can also be made.

The Keystone Marker at the north end of Hellertown is located just south of the I-78 overpass, while the marker at the south end of town is installed on the east side of Main Street near the .

For more information, visit www.keystonemarkertrust.org.