Ridgway (pop. 4,078) is the seat of Elk County (pop. 31,946) and has an urban cluster population of 4,705. The town is nestled in a valley along the Clarion River and US Route 219, just west of the Allegheny National Forest. Platted in 1833, Ridgway became the seat when Elk County was established in 1843 and was incorporated as a borough in 1881. The town grew during the late 1800s North-Central Pennsylvania lumber boom, and became known for its high-quality architectural millwork and large tanneries. The lumber wealth can be appreciated when walking the streets of Ridgway, whose core neighborhoods are endowed with an impressive collection of Victorian structures.
The Elk County Courthouse was built in the Second Empire style in 1880.
corner building experienced a fire recently
The Bogert House is a former hotel. Now vacant and deteriorating, efforts are underway for rehabilitation.
This romanesque mansion was built in 1883.
Built in 1859, this is one of the oldest surviving houses in Ridgway.
Ridgway Public Library
old Ridgway High School is now an office building
Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh station.
former school
The O.B. Grant House in Ridgway's West End was built in 1870.
Bonifels was built in 1898 and overlooks Ridgway from the country club.
the entire length of Osterhout St. is to be demolished for a truck bypass
St. Leo's School
Ridgway YMCA (1905)
Ridgway Armory
Threaded Mode