Established July 26, 2006
For decades the origins of Mutant Beach have been debated by Bradfordians. Many have laid claim to the original artwork that once graced its hallowed concrete slabs but none have offered proof. Most people in the area know of Mutant Beach but they don't know about Mutant Beach. That is why we have established the Mutant Beach History Project.
What is known:
- The words "Mutant Beach" were painted at a time unknown.
- The words have been repainted on a few occasions, dates unknown.
- Sometime in the 1990s all the graffiti art was painted over in white, presumably by the Bradford Flood Control Authority (who took over management of the device from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1961).
- Shortly after it was painted white, the words "Mutant Beach Lives!" appeared.
- As of May 2006, this is how the beach appeared:
Mutant Beach Information
WHAT IT IS: Mutant Beach is a concrete flood control device that was painted with the words "Mutant Beach" sometime in the 1970s or early 80s. It is a famous local landmark known throughout the community as a place where some children & adults come to swim. The words have faded but the legend remains.
LOCATION: (N 41° 57.230 W 078° 39.624 ) Along Campus Drive in Bradford, Pennsylvania (downstream from University of Pittsburgh at Bradford)
WATERSHED: West Branch of the Tunungwant Creek (known locally as Tuna Creek). It comes together with the East Branch of Tunungwant Creek to form the Tunungwant Creek, which subsequently drains into the Allegheny River in New York State.
OWNERSHIP: Bradford Flood Control Authority
ORIGINS: Believed to have been erected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to 1961
PAGES OF "THE MUTANT BEACH HISTORY PROJECT
Added 07-27-06: May 2006 Photo Galley
Added 07-28-06: Geocaching at Mutant Beach (from July 10, 2005)
Added 07-28-06: MLR & Mutant Beach
Added 07-28-06: Great Fishing?
Added 07-29-06:
Shopping Carts in the Tunungwant Creek
08-01-06
Added 07-30-06: 19th Century Mutant Beach
Added 08-01-06: Mutant Beach Gets Front Page Ink
Added 08-02-06: Kayaking at Mutant Beach
Added 08-02-06: Remembering The Beach
Added 08-05-06:
Memories from the Neighborhood
08-08-06
Added 08-08-06:
The Tracks
08-09-06
Added 08-09-06: Mutant Beach State Park
Added 08-14-06: Nostalgic Harri Emery Airport & Mutant Beach
Added 08-17-06:
No Love for MBPS
08-18-06
Added 08-26-06:
Stolen Corn from Ross' Farm
08-27-06
Added 08-26-06: More on the Origins
Added 09-03-06: STOP THE GRAFFITI!
Added 08-04-07: Blackie's Bedbug Inn
Added 11-06-07: Bigfoot at Mutant Beach?
Added 11-27-07: The Other Mutant Beach
Added 01-01-08: More on Ross' Farm
HELP US
If would like to share your Mutant Beach information, stories or tales, or if you have photographs, please send them to us at:
