Saxonburg celebrates proud heritage
SAXONBURG — Almost two centuries after his great-great-great-grandfather perfected the manufacturing of wire rope for suspension bridges, Kriss Roebling stood in Saxonburg.
The borough celebrated the 185th anniversary of its founding, as well as the 175th anniversary of John Roebling's wire rope process patent, which occurred on July 16, 1842.
“I think John would be very excited by what this town turned into,” Kriss Roebling said. The descendant was proud to be in Saxonburg, which John Roebling and his brother, Carl, founded as a German settlement in 1832.
“I love it,” said Roebling, who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. “It's fascinating and wonderful history that I'm proud of, so it adds extra excitement, and it's just a beautiful town.”
He lives just four blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge, which John Roebling designed.
But for Saturday, Roebling didn't want to leave Pennsylvania.
“I'm immensely honored and happy to be here, and I wish I could be here longer,” he said.
He wasn't the only one who felt that way; residents of Saxonburg and elsewhere flocked to Main Street for a parade, food vendors, German music and dancing, and antique car displays.
“We're so pleased that so many came to be Saxonburgers today,” said Fred Caesar, a Saxonburg resident who organized the event.
The day kicked off with the singing of the U.S. and German national anthems. Teutonia Mannerchor singers, of Pittsburgh, sang the German anthem.
“It's a cool town,” said Fred Ruf, a member of the Teutonia Mannerchor and a native of Germany. “I've never been here, and if these are all the local people, you've got to only tip your hat, because they've got their act together.”
Erin Wojnar of Tarentum came with her family, and said she liked that the event had Main Street all to itself.
“We like the little trucks and food vendors, and I like that they shut down the road so you could actually enjoy it,” she said.
Kathy Fox of Slippery Rock enjoyed the businesses' accessibility to Main Street. “I like how all the stores are open, so you can still go to quaint little stores,” she said. “And the food variety is excellent.”
Max McAuley of Saxonburg liked the German flair of the event.
“It was really cool, especially all the people that came in costume,” he said. “It was really cool to see the traditional clothing.”
Caesar was pleased with the turnout, as well as the day itself.
“Saxonburg has a proud heritage, and while we might be a small borough we have a lot to contribute,” he said. “Not only to the commonwealth, but also the nation, for people who came here, and inventions.”
