This excerpt from "A look at the legacies of Applewold and West Kittanning boroughs" was written by Maj. Anthony Shea (USAF, retired) and published in the Leader Times on March 6, 2023:

This very peaceful small town (Applewold) once had a front row seat to a pivotal battle during the French and Indian War. On September 7, 1756, Colonel John Armstrong led his forces at the Battle of Kittanning across the Allegheny River in current day Kittanning.

The area of Applewold at the time was a Delaware Native American village.

Also prior to the borough's incorporation, the area of Applewold saw the Pennsylvania Canal Kittanning Extension terminus come into it. The railroad later passed through the area as well. The Borough of Applewold itself was later incorporated in 1899. Later, in the 1920s, a gasoline passenger train called the "hoodlebug" brought folks up from Cadogan to the borough.

In an interview with long-time resident Chuck Niceley, he was able to add additional background to the town's history. Mr. Niceley related the town had a schoolhouse established around 1909 where the triangle park now sits. The schoolhouse was a two-story brick building with grades 1-3 in one classroom and grades 4-6 in another classroom.  [. . .]  Mr. Niceley also spoke of the fairgrounds on the edge of Applewold when he was growing up; he said he remembered seeing the elephants walking in the Allegheny River.