The History of Girty's Run Watershed & Tributary
- Feb 10, 2025
- 14 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
About 27,000 people call the Girty's Run Watershed home with highly urban areas, suburban commercials, and residential developments surrounding the land.1 Girty's Run Watershed connects the townships and boroughs Shaler, West View, Ross, McCandless, Reserve, and Millvale and covers 13.4 square miles with approximately 28 stream miles. It's a watershed on its way to a greener future as communities rally in the lower watershed portion for environmental sovereignty. A blog cannot contain the history overflowing within the watershed's communities and tributaries. Members working and residing within the lower watershed provide wonderful and humbling insight into Girty's Run and its community's hopes, fears, and dreams
The Girty Name
Simon Girty Jr. was the second oldest son to Simon Girty Sr. of Scotch-Irish descent and Mary Girty of English descent. Simon had three brothers: Thomas Girty (oldest), James Girty, and Simon Girty. Simon Girty Sr. worked as a packhorse driver in addition to trading business. The trade negotiations could transform into brawls, and during a trade, Simon Sr. was stabbed and killed by "Fish," a Lenape Native. In turn, John Turner, Girty's half-brother, sought revenge and killed Fish. To make ends meet, Mary Girty married John Turner who moved the family to Fort Grantville to escape the encroaching French-Indian war. The Fort was overrun and burned to the ground by French and native forces on August 2, 1756. The Shawnees and Delewares took Mary and Simon's brothers captive, and the Senecas took Simon (15 years old) and his stepfather into their captivity. The Senecas tortured and murdered John Turner for killing Fish.
Seneca Chief Guyasuta adopted Simon, and for the next eight years, Simon traveled and learned the Seneca language and culture. The Seneca refer to themselves as O-non-dowa-gah (pronounced Oh-n'own-dough-wahgah) or "Great Hill People." The Seneca cultivate Deohako (pronounced: Jo-hay-ko), "the life supporters," known as the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash, as a primary food source in addition to hunting and fishing. The Seneca engage their lifestyle and culture in nature. They celebrate six major religious festivals in relation to their harvest: The Maple Festival, Planting Festival, Strawberry Festival, Green Corn Festival, Harvest Festival, and Midwinter or New Year's Festival. As a matriarchy, the women solely own the lands and homes, tend to the children, and run the eight clan divisions: "in the first Moiety are the Wolf, Turtle, Bear, and Beaver; the second Moiety are the Heron, Snipe, Hawk and Deer." While the clan mothers organize work by their clan, the male chiefs handle administrative work and diplomacy. The Senecas are renowned fierce adversaries highly skilled in warfare who engaged in diplomacy and rhetoric, and they joined five other indigenous nations to form the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) to combat the influx of European colonizers. During the Iroquois Wars, the Haudenosaunee and English colonizers remained allies until the Treaty of Paris 1763. As the war ended in 1763, Chief Guyasta negotiated a treaty (on behalf of the Iroquois Confederacy) to release all white captives. In 1764, Simon and his family reunited in Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) where Simon took an eleven-year translator position for the British and Native Americans.
By 1775, Girty became a lieutenant for the Fort Pitt command. Under General Edward Hands' command, Simon was heavily disliked by the commander. However, Simon was well liked among British and Natives alike and was publicly known to be against the Americans eliminating indigenous clans. General Hand saw the failed British-Native attack on Fort Henry as an opportunity to paint Simon as a traitor, and he called for Simon's capture and execution. Fortunately, Simon was able to escape to the Ohio Valley with his three brothers. Simon returned to his role as a bridge between British and Native forces. When the American Revolution ended, the British Crown granted Girty land in Ontario for his services. The last few records of Girty maintain that he settled down and eventually passed from rheumatism.
Other legends of Girty suggest he actually roamed with Native Americans as a band of looters and killers. The group roamed all over to steal and trade anything of value and peddled American scalps to the British for $10 apiece. Eventually, Girty betrayed his counterparts and ran off with their loot to bury it along the Allegheny River. The native clan planned an ambush on Girty, however, Simon was able to cross a creek bed in Ross Township and escape into Canada where he died. The creek was later named Girty's Run after Simon though some historians believe the creek was named after his older brother, Thomas Girty.
Thomas Girty was the oldest of the four Girty brothers, and he joined the American cause during the Revolutionary War. He opened a trading post along Girty's Run following the murder of his wife, Ann Emmons Girty. The Girty Hill's spot where Thomas settled his home is now known as Girty's Run because of his residence and not because of the original family residence. Brian Wolovich, a longtime public-school teacher, community leader, and Millvale Borough Development Corporation (MBDC) board member, spoke with two Thomas Girty family descendants (who still reside in Millvale) on the creek name. One member states, "I believe Thomas, but Simon used it, as many indigenous people, as a travel guide." The second agrees that Thomas is the reason for the name, as he "had a trading post along it, however, the lore says Simon used it to escape and it was named after him."
Girty's Run Industrialization
Millvale
When the Revolutionary War ended, John Sample received a land compensation award for his service in the Continental Army. His grandson built the stone house on the Sample Estate, and Allegheny County purchased 164 acres of the estate to establish a poor farm (an institution for poor and dependent persons) that sparked the industrialization boom. Most notably, Andrew Carnegie served as a bookkeeper at Henry Phipps' rolling mill. After the mill’s twenty-three-year run, Carnegie and Phipps founded Carnegie Still. By 1857, the Pennsylvania Railroad's canal system purchase signaled Western Pennsylvania's iron horse revolution, and a population boost helped establish the Bennett and Company Railroad Station. Later, Graff and Bennett acquired Phipp's mill and transformed it into the area's first post office. With assistance from schoolteacher M.B. Lyon, Millvale Borough (a name reflecting its industry and landscape) emerged from parts of Shaler Township and Duquesne Borough on February 13, 1868.
By the 1900s, "Millvale had annexed the Third Ward from Shaler Township and had three schools, three breweries, an opera house, a grocery store, a candy store, and a Masonic lodge." The Civil War and Millvale's connection to Lawrenceville via the Ewalt Covered Bridge expanded the town's population from its original number of 668. Graff and Bennet's Mill became a car barn for the trolley system. Pittsburgh saw its first water and electric company, and by the quarter century, Millvale was bustling with local and industrial businesses. Millvale fortified Girty's Run Creek to assist the World War II efforts through the town's prosperous manufacturing businesses and communities. Unfortunately, Millvale's war boom didn't survive the energy crisis and loss of the manufacturing and steel industries.
Girty's Run Flooding
Girty's Run Watershed's "highly developed urban nature" historically results in intense flooding within the lower watershed region. The Girty’s Run Watershed municipalities reconstruction efforts to "control Girty's Run intensified in the early-mid 1900's." On May 10, 1932, Millvale Borough, West View Borough, Shaler Township, and Ross Township collaborated in a thirty-inch joint trunk sewer line agreement. By 1956, the sewer line proved inefficient as Girty's Run suffered from flooding in 195014, causing sewer and basement flooding. The October 1978 Stormwater Management Act (Act 167) "required counties to prepare and adopt stormwater management plans for each watershed to alleviate flooding." Millvale Borough, Shaler Township, Ross Township, and Reserve Township formed the Girty's Run Joint Sewer Authority (GRJSA) in June 1984. The organization serves and maintains the watershed sewer system to eliminate and prevent hydraulic overload in addition to meeting current and future demands of the watershed. By 1986, they adopted a Stormwater Management Plan in 1986 which was then updated in 2008*. In 1996, the GRJSA proposed a project (approved in 2001) to build one 3-million-gallon tank in Bauerstown and one 5-million gallon tank in Ross Township.
Alongside the municipality's reconstruction efforts, the Army Corps of Engineers built a 50-foot retaining wall to prevent erosion and improve drainage in the 1930s. The organization attempted to stabilize Girty's Run in the 1980s, however, the gabion baskets meant to channel water failed during the Hurricane Ivan flooding in May 2004 and "devastated the watershed, particularly Millvale." Hurricane Katrina halted government reconstruction support in 2005, and in August 2007, two flash floods hit Millvale within the same week. In response, the Army Corps of Engineers "dredged a six-mile stretch of Girty’s Run."
Shaler Township and Millvale Borough residents receive the brunt of the property damage from the flooding. Janet Zipf, a proud resident of Millvale for 50 years and small business owner, reflects on the floodings and their impacts on the community. She owns three buildings with two located on Butler Street (including her Back to the Earth Healing Center). Janet's parents purchased property back in the 70s, and Millvale wouldn't experience another flood until Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and two flash floods in 2007. Janet lost over $20,000 worth of items as the water came up to her doorstep and flooded neighbors. A majority of the community didn't have flood insurance to cover the devastation. Janet recalls the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coming to help, and she mentions FEMA was the only flood insurance available for purchase at the time. Janet lost over $20,000 worth of items as the water came up to her doorstep and flooded neighbors.
Flood insurance is a requirement for mortgage renters while it's optional for building owners, and if residents didn't have it, they wouldn't receive help. Over the past two decades, insurance company options increased, and it seems insurance prices increased right alongside it. Janet remembers only paying $400 to start off, and within two years, saw her rate increase to $500. As of two years ago, Janet used to pay up to $2,400 in coverage, and she only applied for the minimum to cover homeowner contents, cleanup, electric panel, water tank, and wall and floor damage including kitchen cabinets. Now, Janet pays another broker $1,800, and with her renewal coming up in spring, she's nervous about the cost increase though remaining hopeful that insurance company competition will keep the cost rise to a minimum. Janet, like many of her counterparts, rallied at town meetings to create legislation for Girty's Run. She's met with senators, core engineers, and Brian Wolovich to discuss the future of the tributary. Janet will continue her support in flood management for Millvale.
The Watershed Today
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Environmental organizations collaborate in green infrastructure to improve Girty's Run. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy prepared (WPA) The Lower Girty's Run Watershed Conservancy and Management Plan to provide specific recommendations for implementing projects to help restore and protect the watershed. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) is a member-based nonprofit organization in connection with cities, towns, and thousands of volunteers, partners, and volunteers across western PA. Since 1932, the conservancy has dedicated its resources to protecting and restoring the region's natural places and its water, land, and life. This work benefits wildlife, people, and future generations that call Western Pennsylvania home.
Jeff Bergman (a member of the project advisory committee for the project plan) notes the focus on the lower portion of the watershed and within its municipalities. Non-profit and municipal partners already established relationships and watershed protection projects with the communities of Shaler Township, Reserve Township, and the Borough of Millvale. The townships experienced revitalizing tree plantings in their parks and neighborhoods, and the Millvale business district houses engineered green infrastructure facilities and substantial land conservation projects.
For the watershed, a green infrastructure project recommendation could mimic natural water infiltration through plants, rocks, pools, and weirs rather than another storm sewer transfer that could lead to flooding. The community could access trailheads, planting and maintenance opportunities, and natural observation. Hydrologic, forestry, ecological, and land use analyses will determine the potential projects as well as community-identified priorities. Jeff hopes the work in the lower watershed portion could inspire other municipalities to work on green management planning.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper
Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK) is a Pittsburgh local nonprofit organization protecting the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers — in addition to their respective watersheds — for safe drinking, fishing, and swimming. Founded in 2009, 3RWK is a scientific and legal advocate for the community as the "waterways are critical to the health, vitality, and economic prosperity of the Pittsburgh region and communities." 3RWK monitors and tests waterways to ensure companies are in compliance with water laws and regulations. Water sampling provides integral information to determine water quality throughout the watershed. 3RWK continues to monitor E.Coli community samples within the Girty's Run Watershed.
In 2024, 3RWK collaborated with Lauren Powell (Environmental Science Researcher) in collecting water samples to test for E. coli levels in Girty Run as part of our Swim Guide monitoring series. In 2024, the tributary sampling concluded with a pass rate of 7.14%. The "regularly high levels of E. coli in Girty's Run — even in dry weather conditions — initiated further testing in the Run. To help determine the cause, we hosted a sampling event with volunteers from Xylem Analytics and the Millvale Community Development Corporation to take 10 different samples along the Run in October 2024."
The testing did not conclude a single source for the contamination. The green location tabs mark the number of E.coli colonies found at each site. The Unnamed Tributary running into Girty's Run dilutes the thirteen E.coli colonies flowing from Ross Township. The colonies remain almost non-existent in the Thompson Run tributary as it enters into Girty's Run. At the Millvale point, the number spikes up to 12, and suggests the issues come from Girty's Run directly or another tributary upstream.17
What's Next For Girty's Run
As the communities and environmental partners continue to collaborate on watershed improvements, Girty's Run's future is full of bright possibilities. Jeff Birghman admires the community engagement with the Watershed Project. So many community members want to address and resolve environmental problems. When asked about Millvale's residents like Janet Zipf, Jeff admonishes that "communities don't have to have the money but the will, and Millvale has that." The townships in the lower Girty's Run Watershed recognize that it takes concerted work overtime in laying the groundwork for plans and good engagement. Groups like the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, the Allegheny Land Trust, and communities will continue to work to improve Girty's Run Watershed and its neighborhoods.
Updates
As 3RWK updates and transitions its website from the previous host, one commenter's points were lost in the migration. There comment is listed below with no changes made to the comment.
Comment
Susan Howard (6/30/2025)
You have a few facts wrong about Simon Girty and his family. First, Simon Sr (his father) was not killed by an Indian named Fish, this is a folk tale. There are court documents naming Samuel Saunders (Sanders), another settler, as his murderer (likely in a drunken brawl, which was common in the day). Second, John Turner was NOT Simon SR's half-brother, but John Turner JR WAS Simon JR's half brother. I think you have the two confused. Simon's youngest brother was George, not Simon (I'm guessing that was a typo). John Turner was tortured and killed NOT for killing "Fish" but because in 1756, it was customary in Indian warfare to do so to the leader of a conquered adversary. (Turner became the officer in command when his superior was killed during the attack on Fort Granville. Turner surrendered the fort to the French and Indians). HIs torture and murder occurred at Kittanning, and the entire family were present and made to witness it. The Haudenosaunee confederacy (originally 5 nations) was not formed to counter the Europeans. It was formed in the 1400's or 1500's after a long period of war amongst themselves (long before any European stepped foot in the new world). Some speculate that it was formed even earlier, sometime in the 12th century. The Tuscarora joined in 1722, making it six nations. The Iroquois wars ended in 1701. The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian war (not the Iroquois wars). Both the French and British had Indian allies during the French and Indian war. Simon wasn't at the battle of Fort Henry, which occurred in 1777 (not 1775). His brother James was there, however, serving as interpreter. Hand's motives for accusing Simon of treason is still up for debate. Some claim that Hand's daughter fell in love with Simon, so Hand concocted the treason charge as a way to get rid of him. Either way, Simon was ultimately found innocent and released. Records indicate witness testimonies all vouched for his character. (FYI - Honest interpreters were rare in the 1700s, and a reputation for trustworthiness was essential. Simon was one of a handful of trusted interpreters at the time, which kept him in high demand. Historical records indicate he was present for many high profile councils and treaty signings of the period, in which only the most reliable interpreters would have participated). Simon remained at Fort Pitt well into 1778, when in February, he was recruited to serve on Hand's infamous "Squaw Campaign." Disgusted by the slaughter of Indian women and children during that expedition, Simon defected to the British the following month. The fact that many of the rebels' Indian allies (who all trusted Simon) switched with him, made matters even worse. For a while, that mass exodus of allies even turned the tide of the war in favor of the British, if only for a short while. Needless to say, the rebels were looking for any excuse to demonize him after that. In 1783, they got their wish. I should mention here that all the dark and disturbing tales about him sprang from this one particular story printed in Francis Bailey's Freeman's Journal. Knight's "eyewitness" account of William Crawford's torture and murder in 1782, edited (actually rewritten) by self-proclaimed Indian-hater Hugh Henry Brackenridge, was the first published "captivity" story of its kind. Although it depicted Simon as a monster, other accounts of the same events by other witnesses all dispute Brackenridge's version. Even Knight himself would contradict the printed story later in life. Instead they all corroborate a portrait of Simon as a friend of Crawford's who did all he could to save him. BUT... stories of Simon's compassion couldn't penetrate once Brackenridge's damage was done. The public wanted someone to revile, and the thirst for it was so feverish that from then on, every opportunity was taken to tar Simon's reputation further. Crazy "captivity stories" like Brackenridge's became all the rage at the end of that century (much like western movies were in the 50's and superhero movies are today), with each author trying to outdo the others in salaciousness. It became something of a cottage industry. Of course, so too were stories glorifying the victors of the Revolution (the winners write history, after all). Brackenridge had sparked a trend with Simon's story and the public subsequently couldn't get enough of these kinds of tales. And since fact checking wasn't yet a thing, truth or not (most of it not), readers believed it all. The general consensus was that if it was in print, then it had to be true. For example, often, of the many events describing Simon's supposedly cruel depravity, in historically documented reality he was somewhere else entirely. However, one or more of his brothers may have been at the events in question. At some point, if it suited the author, Simon's name was simply superimposed on anyone with the name "Girty." The fact that these stories would often place him in multiple locations simultaneously, sometimes hundreds of miles apart, didn't seem to phase anyone. After Brackenridge, Simon's name sold papers, and many other writers jumped on the bandwagon. Which is how he became as famous as Daniel Boone (maybe even more so at the time). So now, when something is named "Girty," any attributions to the other brothers sometimes end up eclipsed in the glare of Simon's dark star. In the case of Girty's Run, I think it was most likely named for Thomas, not Simon. As for where Simon went after the Revolution, the British granted him a few acres in Malden County, Ontario, Canada, where he retired and later died in 1818. He did NOT go on a rampage, as described here. By the end of the Revolution and the Northwest Indian War, he was getting old, and his body was starting to fail. He was also married, with a farm to run and kids to raise. I share all this because Simon is my 5x great-grandfather, and his story has been passed down as family lore for generations. I've been researching his life and the characters and events surrounding him for more than a decade. I consider it my family obligation to correct the record whenever I can. I hope my little contribution here helps.
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