William Chester Ruth Historical Marker in Lancaster County

For the past few years we've been driving around the state of Pennsylvania and documenting some of the historical markers that we come across. The information contained on these historical markers document our forgotten past. Thousands of people pass by them on a daily basis and don't even give them a second look. Well, we're trying to change that, by documenting them here on our blog.

While on a road trip through Lancaster County we stumbled upon the William Chester Ruth historical marker located on US Route 30 in Gap, Pennsylvania. It sits on the right side of the road when you're traveling west. There is a retail store parking lot that you can pull into so that you can photograph it.

Here is the information imprinted on the marker:

African American inventor who opened a blacksmith and machine shop here in 1923. He did metal work and repairs, primarily for Pennsylvania German farmers. Ruth designed and patented many agricultural devices, most notably his 1928 baler feeder. He also applied his talents to designing and building military devices. An esteemed community member, he was spiritual leader at the Church of Christ in Ercildoun, where he lived.

By: 2006 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

William Chester Ruth was born in 1882 and died in 1971. He was an African-American inventor in Chester County, Pennsylvania. If you would like to learn more about him and the life that he led, I would invite you to visit the BlackPast.org website for more information about him.