Olean's Lost Kittanning Ave. Traced Back to Revolution

Portion of South Union Street was once known as Kittanning Avenue, a link to Revolutionary War history.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A decade ago, local historian Dave Deckman uncovered that the portion of South Union Street in Olean, New York, south of the bridge over the Allegheny River was once known as Kittanning Avenue. This name change appears to have occurred at some point, erasing a piece of the city's Revolutionary War history when Continental soldiers built a road from their outpost in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, to what is now Olean.

Why it matters

The loss of the Kittanning Avenue name represents the erasure of an important historical connection between Olean and the Revolutionary War era. The road was built by Continental soldiers and served as a link to Gen. John Sullivan's expedition against Iroquois tribes aligned with the British, making it a significant part of the city's history that has been forgotten over time.

The details

According to a 1931 article in the former Olean Evening Herald, the portion of the road south of the bridge was named Kittanning Avenue, serving as one of Olean's few links to wartime activities during the Revolutionary War. Some residents were unhappy with the apparent erasure of this historical street name, potentially for the sake of clerical order, as a linear thoroughfare with a name change could be considered confusing. However, the reason for the official change from Kittanning Avenue to South Union Street remains a mystery.

  • In June 1931, the Olean Evening Herald published an article about the lost Kittanning Avenue name.
  • A decade ago, in 2016, local historian Dave Deckman uncovered the historical information about Kittanning Avenue.

The players

Dave Deckman

A local historian who uncovered the history of Kittanning Avenue in Olean.

Katherine E. Bradley

A local resident who submitted a letter to the Olean Evening Herald in 1931 about the loss of the Kittanning Avenue name.

E. Morse

The former park commissioner of Olean who discussed the "old Kittanning Road" with Katherine E. Bradley.

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What they’re saying

“Kittanning Avenue has evidently ceased to be. That portion of the highway in South Olean leading from the river bridge to the city line was formerly so designated even on recent maps. Lately, however, it has become customary to refer to the street as South Union Street. It is so marked and the name 'Kittanning Avenue' has disappeared from the Olean directory. It could not be learned today if the name was officially changed by the Common Council.”

— Olean Evening Herald (Olean Evening Herald)

“The Olean-Rock City highway always has been known as the Kittanning Road — when it was not called the Wildcat Road — but few have been aware of the reason.”

— Olean Evening Herald (Olean Evening Herald)

What’s next

The city of Olean could investigate the historical records to determine if the Kittanning Avenue name was officially changed and the reasons behind it. This could help shed light on why an important piece of the city's Revolutionary War history was lost over time.

The takeaway

The loss of the Kittanning Avenue name in Olean represents the erasure of a significant historical connection to the Revolutionary War era, when Continental soldiers built a road linking the city to their outpost in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. This forgotten piece of Olean's history highlights the importance of preserving local historical connections, even in the face of efforts to create clerical order.