Legion Ville Group to Buy Historic Site
BEAVER- A group bent on preserving historic Legion Ville in Harmony Township moved a little closer this week to transforming the tract along Ohio River Boulevard into a national tourist attraction. On Monday, the Beaver County Commissioners authorized application for a $58,000 grant that will pay for development of a master plan to buy the property. Another $2,000 from private donations will be used. So far, the Legion Ville Task Force has gathered $100,000 in grant money to purchase one of America's first military training grounds. The group consisting of community leaders, local residents, state and county officials is applying for additional grant money to cover property costs. Members hope to acquire the property and turn it over to a state or federal agency to own and operate as a national historic site. Legion Ville is bordered by Duss Avenue, Ohio River Boulevard, the old A.M. Byers steel plant and Logan Road.
At this point, the project is tentative. Everything depends on Ambridge developer Bogus Paul Mouradian, who owns the spot where Maj. Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne established a winter camp from November 1792 to April 1793. In 1792, Wayne was commissioned by President George Washington to command the nation's first standing army. Wayne met his troops in Pittsburgh and commenced training maneuvers. At the onset of bad weather, he moved down river and continued training the force in winter quarters at Legion Ville. Wayne moved west in the spring to quell Indian disturbances along the western frontier.
In 1975, Legion Ville was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mouradian, who previously announced he intended to develop a strip mall on the property, is now interested in selling, according to Robert Dyson, director of the Beaver County Community Development Program. He has listed the 16 acres with Prudential Preferred Reality, Beaver, and is asking $1.7 million, according to real estate agent Ida Workley. The price is steep, but Dyson is optimistic the task force can negotiate a deal. He said the $100,000 grant would be used as a down payment if an agreement is reached. "I think our chances are pretty good for us to purchase the property," he said. The Department of Community Development is having the land appraised, and Dyson said he should Know the outcome by week's end. "We can't do anything without having a basis to negotiate a price on the property," Dyson said. "We are assuming it will be appraised at a figure that is attainable. If it comes in at millions of dollars, it probably isn't attainable."