Keystone Markers: The Legacy of Pennsylvania's Good Roads Movement
During the height of the Good Roads Movement—a concerted effort to improve road quality to open highway travel to the general public—Pennsylvania introduced a signature project that would define its landscape: the Keystone Markers. These iconic blue-and-yellow cast iron signs were produced by the state's highway department, which was the second oldest of its kind in the United States and the predecessor to the modern Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Beyond their utility as navigational aids, these markers played a cultural role in cementing Pennsylvania's identity as the "Keystone State."
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Key Facts
- Origin: Created during the Good Roads Movement by the predecessor to PennDOT.
- Design: Distinctive blue-and-yellow cast iron construction.
- Current Status: Approximately 600 markers remain out of thousands originally installed.
- Conservation: Listed as one of the most endangered resources by Preservation Pennsylvania in 2011.
- Purpose: Used for town identification, water bodies, and regional boundaries.
The Distribution and Design of Town Markers
Of the surviving markers, those associated with towns are the most common. The installation process followed a strict logic: every municipality received at least two markers, placed at opposite ends of town along the primary roadway. In instances where a town sat at the intersection of two principal roads, four markers were installed—two for each road.
These town markers were highly detailed and unique to each location. They typically featured the name of the town, the origin or reason for the town's name, and its founding date. Additionally, many included the distance to the next town in the upper section of the sign.
Varieties of Keystone Markers
There are three distinct varieties of markers, each designed for a specific purpose and mounting style.
Town Markers
These are front-mount, single-sided signs. The sign is attached to the front of a specially designed post.
Waterway Markers
Used to identify streams, creeks, and rivers, these are top-mount, dual-sided signs. They are mounted on top of a post that differs in design from the town marker post.
Variant Markers
Keystone Variant Markers were used for a wide array of purposes, including borough lines, trails, points of interest, directions, and county or local roads. While they use the same post as the town markers, the shape of the sign is slightly different.
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Summary of Keystone Marker Types
| Marker Type | Mounting Style | Sign Configuration | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town Marker | Front-mount | Single-sided | Town names, founding dates, and distances |
| Waterway Marker | Top-mount | Dual-sided | Streams, creeks, and rivers |
| Variant Marker | Front-mount | Modified shape | Borough lines, trails, and points of interest |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Good Roads Movement?
The Good Roads Movement was a historical effort to improve the quality of roads to make highway travel accessible to the masses.
How many Keystone Markers are left today?
While thousands were originally installed, approximately 600 markers remain today.
Why are these markers considered endangered?
Due to the significant loss of markers over time, Preservation Pennsylvania included them in their list of the Commonwealth's most endangered resources in 2011.
What information was typically found on a town marker?
Town markers generally displayed the town's name, the reason for the name, the date the town was founded, and often the distance to the next town.
Which organization originally created the markers?
They were created by the state highway department that preceded today's PennDOT, which was the second oldest department of its kind in the nation.