BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution unveiled an America 250 Revolutionary War Patriots marker at Potter Run Park on Sunday, Oct 12.
More than 40 community members joined in witnessing the marker unveiling and dedication, including representatives from the State Society DAR, Centre County Chapter SAR, County Commissioners Office, America 250 PA-Centre County, Potter Township, Centre Hall and Centre County Historical Society.
Installation of similar markers nationwide is part of an eight-year, multi-event National Society DAR effort to raise awareness of, and honor, the courage and sacrifice of the Patriots who dedicated their lives to win and secure America’s independence.
The unique double-sided marker and selected site at Potter Run Park was the result of dedicated collaboration between Bellefonte Chapter as sponsor, the Ohio-based manufacturer and leadership of Potter Township.
The only location in what is now Centre County where fortified stockades were built and military engagements occurred during the Revolutionary War was Penns Valley in Potter Township. The stockades were Potter’s Fort, Watson’s Fort (also known as Middle Fort) and Lower Fort. The mortal engagements involving indigenous warriors acting on orders of British commanders, and colonial militiamen protecting local civilians and their farmland, occurred at Standford House and at what is now named Indian Lane. These factors significantly guided the choice of location. Patriot Brigadier General James Potter, high-level military and political leader during the Revolutionary War, one of the first colonials to set eyes on Penns Valley, builder of Potter’s Fort and the mills of Potters Mills, owner of thousands of surrounding acres—including Potter Run Park, was the largest land owner in Pennsylvania at the time of his death. Through the kind services of two re-enactors, Brigadier General Potter and his second wife, Mary Chambers Potter, also dignified the marker unveiling and dedication ceremony with their presence, representing the many Revolutionary Patriots buried in Penns Valley
