Then & Now: Chief Guyasuta statue at Sharpsburg intersection is in its 3rd iteration

Gemma Pollice
Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 12:01 a.m. | Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 12:01 a.m.

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The statue of Chief Guyasuta at the intersection of Main and North Canal streets in Sharpsburg is seen in this photo from 1930. It proudly stands in front of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the City Drug store.

The current statue of Chief Guyasuta is actually a third iteration of the original. This bronze replica of the 1930 statue was installed in 1986 after the second statue was struck by a truck in 1983. October 2024

The current statue of Chief Guyasuta is actually a third iteration of the original. This bronze replica of the 1930 statue was installed in 1986 after the second statue was struck by a truck in 1983. October 2024

The “Points of View” monument depicting the 1770 meeting of Chief Guyasuta and George Washington is located atop Mt. Washington overlooking Pittsburgh. The bronze sculpture by Jim West was dedicated on Oct. 25, 2006, by then-Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

Gemma Pollice | TribLive

One of the plaques on Chief Guyasuta’s statue pays homage to the Seneca leader. It notes he likely was “buried in the area now occupied by the north end of the Highland Park Bridge.”

Gemma Pollice | TribLive

A view of the statue in Guyasuta Square is seen Nov. 20.

Located in the heart of the Sharpsburg Business District, at the intersection of Main and North Canal streets, stands a statue of Chief Guyasuta.

Guyasuta was chief of the Seneca Tribe and was once an ally to George Washington during the French and Indian War. After leading many battles, Guyasuta lived his final days in a cabin owned by Gen. James O’Hara after O’Hara purchased much of the land in 1778.

The original statue, circa 1896, was manufactured by the J.L. Mott Co. and donated by H.J. Heinz.

The statue had three water fountains attached to it: a ground level one for dogs, a waist-level one for humans and a higher output for horses.

It was destroyed by a car in 1930.

A second statue (pictured) was erected using the same mold and remained until 1983 when it was struck by a truck.

Currently, a third iteration of Chief Guyasuta now overlooks the intersection in front of Jacoby Insurance and the Redhawk Coffee shop. This one, produced by Karkadoulias Bronze Art Co., is a bronze replica of the 1930 statue. It was installed in 1986.

Another statue of Guyasuta sits atop Mt. Washington in Pittsburgh and depicts a peaceful, yet powerful, meeting with George Washington. A third one in the area stands near Stage AE, at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Art Rooney Avenue.