OCHS Winter Lecture Series - New Discoveries Relating to Duffy's Cut
Schedule
Sun, 12 Apr, 2026 at 02:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Thorndale Fire Company | Thorndale, PA
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Join the Old Caln Historical Society for a special program by Dr. William Watson: "The Irish Railroaders and the Pennsylvania and Columbia Railroad: New Discoveries Relating to Duffy’s Cut."In the summer of 1832, two distinct groups of Irish immigrant railroaders perished in Chester County while building Pennsylvania’s pioneering railroad, the Philadelphia and Columbia (P&C). One more well-known group died at mile 59 at Duffy’s Cut in East Whiteland Township, while another lesser-known group died at mile 48 in Downingtown.
The archaeological evidence and documentary sources relating to Duffy’s Cut have been published in several books and documentaries. The work at Downingtown is just starting under the same group of researchers who unearthed the deadly secrets of Duffy’s Cut. Human remains have been unearthed in Downingtown after meticulous research into an 1832 railroader potter’s field north of the track line, in present-day Northwood Cemetery. Join us for a discussion of the research at Northwood with the research team undertaking the work! At the beginning of his program, Dr. Watson will be joined on bagpipes by our own OCHS member, Bob McAllister, playing music to honor the Irish railroaders.
This program is FREE and open to members and non-members alike.
Please park behind the Caln Elementary School so that Fire Company members may utilize the parking on site.
We will hold a members meeting following the program and all are welcome to stay to see what our society is all about!
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Where is it happening?
Thorndale Fire Company, 3615 Lincoln Hwy, Thorndale, PA 19372-1003, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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