Kittanning

Kittanning is a borough in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, positioned along the eastern side of the Allegheny River about 36 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. This community serves as the county seat and administrative center for the area.

European settlers established this borough in 1803 at the location of a former Lenape village that was destroyed during the French and Indian War in 1756. This founding on a historically significant Native American site marked the transition to European control of the area.

The name comes from the Lenape word 'kithanink', which refers to how Native Americans viewed the Allegheny and Ohio rivers as one continuous waterway. This linguistic connection reveals the deep roots of the Lenape people in this region long before European settlement.

The town is easily reached from Pittsburgh and offers basic services including schools, a public library, and local shops. Visitors should know the river is a central feature and the community is small enough to explore on foot comfortably.

A bridge in town was featured in filming for the horror movie "The Mothman Prophecies", bringing unexpected Hollywood attention to this small community. This film connection reveals how locations like this sometimes become part of wider cinema history.

Location: Armstrong County

Inception: 1803

GPS coordinates: 40.82000,-79.52140

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:21