A Spring Bike Ride to a Historical Site on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail

Join Harvard alums for an early Saturday afternoon bike ride on April 15 to historic Dravo Cemetery on the Great American Passage trail southwest of Pittsburgh on the banks of the Youghiogheny River. The ride will start at the trailhead in Boston (PA!) which is about 15 miles southwest from Pittsburgh and the ride itself is six miles (one way). The Cemetery is not directly accessible by car.  Dravo Cemetery was started in early nineteenth century and sat behind the Dravo Methodist Church. The church, a two-story frame building that accommodated 200 people, served small farming and mining villages on both sides of the river. The church burned down twice because of sparks from passing trains. When it burned the second time in 1920, it was not rebuilt. There are 708 grave sites on this half-acre cemetery, but only 81 of them are identified. There are gravestones that date back as far as 1812. Nine Civil War veterans are buried there along with one veteran from the War of 1812.  

The bike ride will commence at noon starting at the Boston trailhead and we expect to arrive at Dravo by 1:00pm. Waters, fruit and snacks will be on hand but please feel free to bring a picnic lunch (picnic tables and restrooms are available).  If you want to come but not bike, Dravo can be accessed walking from the Buena Vista trailhead which is two miles away.  If you want to walk or bike even more, well, this is the trail that goes all the way to Washington, D.C!

At Dravo, we'll hear stories (including ghost stories!) about the cemetery's history. Sharing these stories will be a volunteer from the Elizabeth Township Historical Society, which has watched over the historical Dravo Cemetery for years.  Also we will hear about attractions at the Boston Trailhead including Rich's and the Betsy Shoppe.

There is no cost, but registration is requested. Directions, maps and logistics will be provided to registered attendees.