Beaver sculpture and historical plaque stolen in Delaware County
A $5,000 reward was being offered for recovery of The Great Trail marker, which was located in Rose Valley Borough.
The Pennsylvania State Police on Tuesday asked for the public’s help in locating a stolen historical plaque and beaver sculpture in Delaware County that marked a fur-trading route used by native people and colonists during the 17th century.
“The Great Trail” marker was placed in 1926 near the intersection of Rose Valley Road and Traymore Lane in Rose Valley Borough to remember the route used for trading fur with the Susquehannock people, also known as the Minquas. The trail, alternatively called the Great Minquas Path, stretched from the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County to the Schuylkill in Philadelphia.
The sculpture was made by Albert Laessle, who taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and also made the “Billy” goat sculpture located in Rittenhouse Square and the “Penguins” sculpture at the Philadelphia Zoo.
The state police said the bronze beaver and plaque were stolen between 5 p.m. Sunday and 5 p.m. Monday.
A $5,000 reward is being offered by Rose Valley Borough for recovery of the sculpture and plaque.
Anyone with information can contact Trooper Jennifer Paulin at 484-840-1000 or jpaulin@pa.gov.