William Chester Ruth Historical Marker in Gap

While passing through Gap in Pennsylvania and heading towards Lancaster we stumbled across the William Chester Ruth historical marker. If you're unfamiliar with the area, you'll find it on route 30 in Gap, Pennsylvania, right across from the McDonald's that sits on the corner. Matter of fact, you'll find the Great Minquas Pass historical marker sitting right out front of McDonald's with this marker being right across the street. If your documenting them, you can get both of them at the same time.

I had never heard of William Chester Ruth, so I was pretty interested in what the marker had to say:

African American inventor who opened a blacksmith and machine shop here in 1923. He did metal work and repairs, primarily for Pennsylvania German farmers. Ruth designed and patented many agricultural devices, most notably his 1928 baler feeder. He also applied his talents to designing and building military devices. An esteemed community member, he was spiritual leader at the Church of Christ in Ercildoun, where he lived.

By: 2006 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

If you would like to learn more about William Chester Ruth, I suggest you visit the BlackPast.org  website which seems to have the most in-depth and accurate information on this man and his historic accomplishments. According to their website, Mr. Ruth died in 1971 from injuries he suffered in a car accident in Lancaster County.