Eidenau, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Eidenau is a small community in Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Butler County, within Jackson Township. An "unincorporated community" means it is not a separate town with its own local government.

Where is Eidenau Located?

Eidenau is found where two creeks meet. These are Breakneck Creek and Connoquenessing Creek. The main road that goes through Eidenau is Pennsylvania Route 68.

Sometimes, people confuse Eidenau with Harmony Junction. Harmony Junction is actually the name of a large railroad crossing nearby. This junction connects two important railroad lines: the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad's P&W Subdivision and the Northern Subdivision.

What is the History of Eidenau?

The name Eidenau has a long history. It first appeared in the journals of Christopher Gist. Gist and George Washington traveled through this area in December 1753. They were on a journey from Fort LeBoeuf to Williamsburg, Virginia.

Early Native American Village

After passing through a place called Murdering Town, they found an area known as Sakonk. Here, they met a Native American guide. This guide tried to lead them the wrong way and even tried to harm them. Luckily, Gist and Washington escaped. Gist later renamed Sakonk to Eidenau after his journey through the Ohio Country.

The Harmony Society's Influence

Another story says that the Harmony Society gave Eidenau its name. They named it after a community in Württemberg, Germany. The Harmonites were a group of settlers who came to this region.

In 1792, a small Delaware tribe moved away from the area. The Harmonites then built a large mill in the Connoquenessing Valley. This mill worked for about 20 years. By 1814, most of the 20 log houses around the mill were empty. Some old items from the mill and village are now kept at Historic Harmony in Harmony, Pennsylvania.

Railroads and the Junction

Around the year 1900, the Pittsburgh and Western Railroad built a new track. This track connected Eidenau to a community called Ribold, near Butler. This new route replaced an older one.

The railroad lines in the junction have been owned by different companies over the years. Here is a list of the railroads that have used this important junction:

• Pittsburgh and Western Railroad
• Pittsburgh, Harmony, Butler and New Castle Railway (This line ran alongside the junction but is now gone.)
• Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (This was later managed by the Chessie System.)
• CSX Transportation
• Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad and Allegheny Valley Railroad (These are the current operators.)

The railroad junction in Eidenau is a popular spot. Many railfans (people who love trains) come to watch the trains here.