Bucks County is home to several local historical markers that shine a light on the region’s lesser-known figures and events, writes Sandy Smith for the Philadelphia Magazine. 

Langhorne Speedway, situated at 1939 East Lincoln Highway in Langhorne, is a one-mile dirt oval known as “The Big Left Turn.” This historic venue was host to one of NASCAR’s inaugural races back in 1949. 

The marker for the world’s first operational weather satellite can be found at South Sterling and State streets in Newtown. TIROS 1 was made here in 1960 by the Lavelle Aircraft Corporation. 

Meanwhile, the historical marker at Craven Hall, located at 573 Newtown Road in Warminster, is near the site where John Fitch tested the country’s first model steamboat in 1785. He proceeded to build four working steamboats before he died in 1798, but they were not a financial success. 

The internationally acclaimed architect George Nakashima is recognized with a historical marker at 1847 Aquetong Road in New Hope. Nakashima was also a furniture designer and woodworker who lived and worked in New Hope in an environment that best suited his philosophy of “organic naturalism.” His home and workshops now serve as a museum. 

Read more about the local historical markers in the Philadelphia Magazine. 

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