Solon Buck was director of the Historical Survey of Western Pennsylvania. He later served as director of publications and research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
A definitive account of nearly every aspect of Western Pennsylvanian life and development up until the War of 1812. The book opens with a narrative of the formative years of the region. Succeeding chapters deal with the development of agriculture, industry, education, religion, social customs, and law and order –all based upon the results of the work of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Survey.
Among the more than one hundred illustrations are contemporary pictures, maps, plans of forts, portraits, architectural photographs and more.