In a unique tribute, the legacy of Forest City’s founder is celebrated with a sculpture crafted from Harley Davidson air cleaner covers, coal pieces, railroad spikes, horseshoes, and bike chains.
Named “Coal Pickin’ Willie P.” after William Pentecost, the sculpture will be introduced to the public this Saturday at the Erie Street Trailhead of the D&H Rail-Trail in Forest City.
This piece is a nod to Forest City’s rich history and aims to commemorate the coal miners, immigrants, and railroad workers foundational to its development.
Five sculptures are planned in total, with the intention of creatively linking the city, encouraging trail visitors to explore the town, and boosting local business, as highlighted by the Rail Trail Council of NEPA.
“They want to make it a place where people will come,” stated Lynn Conrad, executive director of the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA, emphasizing the goal of making the area an attractive destination.
Forest City’s humble beginnings
Forest City was established by Pentecost in 1864, initially known as Forest Mills due to its lush woodlands, although only a fraction of these original forests remain today, according to the Forest City Area Historical Society.
Early settlers were primarily lumbermen and their families, with lumber being the mainstay of the local economy, aside from Pentecost’s small mining venture.
The mining activities persisted until the Great Depression, which severely impacted both the lumber and coal industries.
Creating Willie and beyond
The sculpture of Willie marks the second in a series of five intended to link the D&H Rail-Trail with Forest City.
Artist Scott Nichols, known for his innovative creations, previously made a trail sign indicating free wi-fi, which was well-received by the community.
Reflecting on his involvement, Nichols shared, “I was obviously beyond honored and floored by that, even the thought of it was so cool.”
He selected various materials from his workshop to form the statue, aiming for a rugged aesthetic reminiscent of a coal miner.
Initially hesitant about crafting a life-sized sculpture due to his experience with smaller metal figures, Nichols found the process to be intuitive and effortless.
“Everything I put into it was meant to be there, I guess,” he remarked, describing the organic nature of the creation.
If you go
Coal Pickin’ Willie P will be unveiled on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Erie Street Trailhead in Forest City.
Individuals who played key roles in the project will be acknowledged during the event.
