Memorial plaque
photo by A. J. Ewing

The log house was constructed along an Indian path that was the course of Colonel Henry Bouquet's 1764 expedition to the Ohio country, and in Revolutionary times, the patriot forces of General Lachlan MacIntosh. General Anthony Wayne retraced this road on his successful campaign against the Ohio Indians in 1793-94. This path ultimately became Brighton Road, also known as Beaver Road. Generally the Brighton name is used from Pittsburgh's north side to Ben Avon and Beaver from Emsworth through Sewickley and on into Beaver County. The road was improved and relocated until it was largely supplanted by the construction of the Ohio River Boulevard.

The area that became the Dickson property was recognized early on as one of the few spots suitable for settlement on the north bank of the Ohio River. Bouquet's surveyor noted that the string of hills on this side of the river is broken at this point by a stream (now known as Lowries Run). In 1770, George Washington on his way down the Ohio River remarked on this natural break in the forested hills along the north side of the river. The next time you are boating on the Ohio River try to imagine the high hills sloping directly to the river bank without the "shelf" cut for the railroad. Until you reach the Emsworth dam only small streams cut very narrow openings in the hills. Here at Lowries run is the first wide, flat opening to provide easy access to the inland areas.

After 1800, Beaver Road was built in front of the house. That lasted until 1848 when the road was relocated to higher ground to make room for the Ohio and Pennsylvania single track railroad. The railroad added a third option for travel to the river and road passages that had originally drawn people to this area. The Emsworth railroad station stood nearby until commuter service was discontinued in the mid 20th century.

The house over its time has stood as witness to the westward movement of people and goods in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Merriwether Lewis passed by in 1803 with boats built in Pittsburgh on his way to meet William Clark at St. Louis to start their famous exploration for a northwest passage to the Pacific. Also in 1803, Ohio township was formed as the settlements grew rapidly. The original boundaries of Ohio Township included over 15 present municipalities from Avalon to Beaver County.