Carl’s story:  In 1997 I was in my mid-40s and returned to Pennsylvania where I was born and raised after living away for 20+ years, mostly in northern California. 

 A year earlier in 1996, I was on a driving tour of western PA with a friend and found myself in Kittanning. I still consider K-town a ‘great place’ by the great water of the Allegheny River, translated from Native American Leni Lenape words Kit-tan-ne.

Seedling stage:  While driving up N. Water Street (upriver) and down N. McKean, I fell in love with the architecture, tree-lined streets, and a tranquility I sensed among the people I saw on the sidewalks. Less than a year later, I moved into a first floor apartment on Chestnut St

Some months after moving to Kittanning on a lazy summer day, I found a brochure at the Tourist Bureau’s office called ‘The Walking Tour of Kittanning’ and decided to follow along the path they recommended.  Wow!

Growing:  With historical perspectives from the brochure added to the architecture along the streets, I enjoyed the Kittanning walking tour so much I HAD to share it with others.  With that in mind I went home, grabbed my Epson PC10 digital camera, and started taking pictures. 

Harvest:  By the end of the same afternoon, the online version of the Kittanning Walking Tour was uploaded to my personal website, carlbro.com.  Later, when I found out that the domain Kittanning.com was available, I bought that domain too and added the Kittanning Walking Tour to it, also a Message Board which drew lots of traffic and comments.

Recollections fit for a comfy rocking chair:  From the feedback I’ve received, it seems many folks have enjoyed both and this website is dedicated to preserving their comments and publishing anything else that will connect the past, present, and future of Kittanning folk.

Relax and enjoy!

Carl Bromley
Kittanning, PA
1997 – 2017