Bedford County In The 1870's

Foreward

This series on Bedford County came about through the good fortune of coming into possession of an old Atlas of the county for the year 1877. As we reviewed page after page and map after map we found hundreds of large farms that once existed, several villages whose names have been changed, the country stores, the blacksmith, the wagon, carriage and cabinet shops, the woolen factories, toll gates and even a poke factory now gone and forgotten. A few memories still exist about some of them, but soon they will be forgotten entirely. I

The hills, ridges and mountains still remain, yet most of those have been changed by man. Many new roads have been cut through or over them. The first roads in the county in most places have disappeared. Only a few traces are visible. We hope you will enjoy each description of our county as it once existed.

In looking over a very old map of Bedford County we discovered the location of a small mountain which, about thirty years ago, was described in the "Old Man on the Monument". Its location was described in an old documented map but later maps of the county failed to show that such a place really existed. It was "Ragged Mountain". According to this old map, Ragged Mountain separates or forms the southern boundary line between Southampton and Mann Townships. If we were to travel, by air, from Somerset County to Fulton County, we would pass over the four townships that border the state of Maryland. We would cross over the little Allegheny Mountain at the Somerset County Londonderry Township line. Next, Wills Mountain provides the borderline with Londonderry and Cumberland Valley. Nobly Mountain is in the center of the latter township. Evitts Mountain separates Cumberland and Southampton. This township's surface is broken up by many small mountain ranges and ridges within its boundaries. We find Evitts Mountain on the west, Martin Ridge and Martin Hill, also Tusseys Mountain. Then we find Warrior Ridge extending north to Monroe. Town Creek flows between Warrior Ridge and Polish Mountain. Coming out of Maryland into Pennsylvania and forming the southern boundary line between Southampton and Mann Townships is Ragged Mountain. (We might mention that the village of Elbinsville is located between Polish and Ragged Mountains). To the north of the boundary line and extending into Monroe is Snyder Ridge.

Mann Township, in its northern part, has three ridges, Raccoon, Hoop Pole and Addison. Rays Hill forms the eastern line between Mann Township and Fulton County.

The Allegheny Mountain on the west extends the full length of Bedford County while Rays Hill continues over half of the eastern boundary.

On another part of this old map was a line, starting at the Somerset-Bedford County line, near New Baltimore, running parallel with the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River in Juniata Township. It ends at or near the junction of Napier, Harrison and Juniata Townships. This heavy line is identified as "Proposed Peoples Freight R.R.". Nowhere else in the county does this line appear. Whether this was a forerunner for the South Penn Railroad or another proposed railroad we have no way of knowing at this time. This line had to be started about 1875. The South Penn was started in the 1880's and work ended in 1885. Therefore we are not certain what this proposed railroad was.

In the table of contents we found that Bedford County in 1860 had a population of 26,248. The population in 1870 was 29,635. This was broken down into four columns: native, foreign, white and colored. The list shows there were 1203 foreigners and 487 colored. Also listed were 39 towns and boroughs and 23 townships.

Perhaps the most amusing chart was headed "Air Line Distances". Why such a chart was made at this time (1870) when air travel was unknown (except by balloon) is a mystery. Did the individual who made this chart foresee the day when this would come true? We cannot understand why the forty-seven county points from Bedford would be so listed and why the most important town, Schellsburg, west of Bedford, was omitted from the chart. The farthest air line distance was Cooks Mills—21.2 miles. Fourteen and one-tenth miles to White Hall (Breezewood), and ten and four tenths miles to New Paris.

There are very few of these century old atlases remaining today. As one goes through each page of the Civil Subdivisions we find each map is multi-colored. The purpose was to identify each school district. Some were numbered as well as named, perhaps after a family who lived near or perhaps after the landowner who donated the strip of land for the building of the school house. According to the school records a hundred years ago, there were 214 buildings. Very few of these old buildings remain.

Union and King Townships

As we look at the first map, we actually find two townships. A red line extends through the center and marked "Proposed Division of Union Township". Also, on the map is a black line extending from the East St. Clair Township to Blair County marked "Proposed Railroad". These two districts must have been under one school district as they have 14 schools shown. They were Riddle, Moses, Shaefer, Lewistown, Fickes, Imler, Corle, Kniseley, Rock Island, Griffith, Pine Run, Mock, Mowry, Roudabush and Union. Why the Kniseley and the Mock School districts were each numbered eleven is not known. Also shown in every area were the various churches. The ravages of time have taken its toll on many of these landmarks. So have many old cemeteries been lost for many reasons. We found only two post offices listed. One was at Mowrys Mill and the other at Marietta, although the post office was Pavia. Lewistown is shown as a large village, but it was not identified as having mail service. We have to remember that these country areas had no rural mail service, therefore these remote farmers and other residents had to travel miles to obtain their mail.

Bloomfield and Woodbury Townships

There were two post offices in Bloomfield. One was at Maria and the other was at Bakers Summit. There were actually five school districts here, although the fifth in which Maria is located, was number twelve. The map shows many limestone quarries and iron deposits. In the extreme northwest and northern section is shown large holdings of the Bloomfield Furnace Company. Near Bakers Summit was a mine of the Cambria Iron Company.

Woodbury Township had only one post office in this large area The Town ship was divided into seven districts. Each district was numbered rather than given names. Cambria Iron Company also had a plant near the Blair County line. On the J.B. Longenecker farm east of Woodbury Borough is shown a coal opening. A few iron ore deposits were shown scattered in the various school districts as well as the usual grist and saw mills. Hipples cave is shown in very small lettering.

Liberty Township

The upper third is cone shaped and marked Cypher district. The other four districts were Rhodes, Stonerstown, Ravens Run, and Dry Run. Only one iron ore deposit was shown. Each district had its limestone quarries. Most seemed to be located in the northern district, also grist and saw mills. A Lath mill was located in Dry Run district. The Huntingdon Broad Top Railroad line passed through two-thirds of the township. The tracks circled the town of Saxton in the form of a "D" shape with a large triangle in the center where a locomotive could change its direction and hook on to either end of the coaches or coal cars. An extension of the road was built into Huntingdon County near Saxton. Warrior Ridge, which began in Maryland extends through the county ends at the extreme tip of the township.

East and West St. Clair Townships

The school districts in both districts were named rather than numbered. The Union, Acker and Kauffman bordered King Township. St. Clairsville and part of Osterburg were in the Acker district. Spring Meadow was in the Southwest corner of Griffith school district. The present village of Reynoldsdale is not shown, but from the map and road location as well as the Dunnings Creek, we are certain that the Griffith School was located here. A gun shop was also shown at this place. Also marked is a spring and grist mill at Spring Meadow. Today the mill is gone, but a State Fish Hatchery has been built at this place. A few hundred yards south is the Square District, named after the famous Eight Square School House. To the east is the Pine Grove district. Black Oak Ridge on the east partially divided the district and Kauffman. Fishertown children apparently attended the Hoover school, which was located a short distance south of the town. Nearby, was a building marked "Pottery". The village of Spring Hope is in Risling district. This school building was about a mile east of the town. South of the school are three dots indicating houses. They are marked "W. Border, gunsmith". On the road from Spring Hope leading to the school are two grist mills and a woolen mill. The last school district was called 'Sloan Hollow'. The northeast tip of this district meets the lower tip of Pine Grove at Cessna. Beginning at Cessna and extending northward through Pine Grove and Acker districts is a black line. It is marked "Proposed line of Dunnings Creek Railroad". Also, a large curved rail line loops back into Bedford Township to the Oppenheimer iron ore pits. (This will be explained more in Bedford Township history).

West St. Clair was divided into eight school districts. Moore and Beckley on the south Proceeding north and bordering the Allegheny Mountain were Ream, Lower and Upper Barefoot districts. Horn was in the center while the Kniseley and Hoover were on the border of East St. Clair. Near the Moore school were a blacksmith, a saw mill and a distillery. An iron ore deposit is shown in the same vicinity. In the Ream district was a turning lathe, a saw mill and a deposit of iron ore. In the Beckley district was a village called "Six Roads" (Ryot). In addition to a number of private residences shown here were the usual business places such as a shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, a general store and post office. Several iron ore deposits are indicated on the map. On the road leading over Chestnut Ridge to Spring Meadow was an apiary. The Horn school was located several miles south of Alum Bank Post Office. Other than the usual farms and other residents there were no shops indicated in this district. Several iron ore deposits were marked in the Kniseley district.

The Village of Pleasantville was laid out with a number of Streets-- School, Church, Hench, Locust, Main, and a proposed street was shown. Allegheny Street was the one on which highway 56 is now located. Here were found several stores, a shoe shop, Odd Fellows Hall, a "J.P." office. A steam tannery was located on Hench Street and a blacksmith and foundry on Main Street. Prossers grist mill was on the south side of Main Street. To the west of Pleasantville was a large crescent shaped area called the Lower Barefoot district and in the upper northwest corner was the Upper Barefoot School. The Allegheny Mountain formed the western boundary between these townships and Somerset County.

Woodbury Borough

According to the map on page 28, the Borough must have been a very important center. At the southwest corner of the borough line was the mill pond and dam of the Brumbaugh & Brown grist mill, machine and foundry. On the south corner of Mill and Main street was D.F. Kegy's store and post office. Also on Main Street were located a doctor's off~ce, harness, tin, stores, two blacksmith shops, a tailor shop and wagon shop. The last house on the northeast corner was the residence of C.W. Allen. He had a shoe shop and operated a toll gate from the same lot.

Near the center of town was the Woodbury Normal school. T.S. Dickson was the principal.

South Woodbury Township

The school districts were in both number and names. In all eleven districts are shown many large farms from fifty to more than three hundred acres. In district number two J.I. Nobel & Bros., owned the woolen factory at Waterside. A hotel, a grist mill, planing mill, shoe shop and saw mill were located here.

In District Eleven were two grist mills. One was not named, but the other was the Jacob Furry mill. In district three was Pattonville. (It is now Loysburg). Here were several stores, a shoe shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, a grist mill, cabinet shop, tannery and post office as well as a number of residences. Just a short distance to the east was an area called "Rockford". Here were a saw mill and planing mill owned by Fluck & Linton. A number of farms and several springs are shown to be here.

District Five appeared to be the most sparsely settled of the township. Perhaps it was because it was surrounded on three sides by mountains. This district was also known as Pleasant Grove. Pleasant Unity was also district six. It was in the northwest section of the area. Salemville is not shown but a blacksmith shop and several lime kilns were marked in this area. A number of farms and private residences, whose names were given are still to be found here. Mountain House or District Seven was north of number six. The road from St. Clairsville over Dunnings Mountain entered this school district here. At the base of the mountain was a distillery and hotel Mountain House. The road branched here, one road led to Bakers Summit and the other to New Enterprise. The village of Lafayetteville was in District Eight.

Page 34 contained a half page map of New Enterprise. The town was laid out with four streets—Mill, Walnut, Church and Chestnut. Three Spring Run and also a number of springs flows through the town. The map shows a trout pond at both ends of the town. This must have been a very busy community. It had a wagon and blacksmith shop, a doctor's office, a hotel, several stores, a post office, a watch maker, carriage shop, saw mill, planing mill and plaster mill. The German Church (Baptist) had a notation that it was built in 1837. A spot appears on Church Street showing the location of a proposed town hall, and on Chestnut Street is marked a water trough. A tannery was located across the street from the Baptist Church.

Hopewell and Broad Top Townships

These two townships are separated by the Juniata River. Hopewell township was divided into nine districts however only four are identified by names. There were two districts that adjoined West Providence Township. The one on the west was bounded by Evitts mountain and on the east by Warrior Ridge. The Kemble Coal and Iron Company had its plant here at Tatesville. In addition to the Iron company here were a hotel, store, post office and drug store. On the east side of the ridge was the Brallier district. Along the base of Warrior Ridge was a roadway that extended to Eichelbergertown. The Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad bisected this district A tannery was also located near the Juniata River. The railroad continued northward into another large district, not named or numbered in which was later Cypher. Here was a post office, named after "Pipers Run". This area, today, is known as Cypher Beach. On the west side of Warrior Ridge was a district named Piper. In this district was Fort Piper, named after the Piper family who lived here prior to the Revolutionary War period. To the west of Piper was the Steel School area. Here was the town of Steeltown. The post office was Yellow Creek. Another school district existed north of this town, but it was also the unnamed school district that existed to the east of Steeltown and along Yellow Creek is shown to be very heavily populated. East of this district was the Dasher School, and to its north and east was the Brick School area. In it was Eichelbergertown. In the northern part of the district was the Cambria Iron Company ore banks and a blacksmith shop.

Broad Top Township

This township was set up into seven school districts, however only two were assigned numbers on the map. Number one was located in the extreme northern tip. The Riddlesburg Coal and Iron Company owned a large tract of land on the border separating this district from Liberty Township. On the eastern part, near the Huntingdon County was a small hamlet called "Centerville".

Immediately below was a district not numbered or named, but the school was located at a town named North Point. A number of small coal mines were here. One spot was indicated as a coal dump. A railroad depot was here. Also located here were Coaldale (Six Mile Run ), a coal dump and Reed Wilson & Company coal mine.

In the next district we located Riddlesburg and Defiance. This was the busiest district in the township. Here was the Riddlesburg Coal and Iron Company with its coke ovens, also the Kemble Coal and Iron Company had its furnaces. The Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad had three spurs going into the plants. A railroad depot and a hotel and company store made up the community. Lowery Eichelberger and Sons owned more than three hundred acres of coal lands around the town.

Defiance had a number of small mines, stores, shops, a depot, a saw mill and a school district. It was a thriving district. The railroad extended its line into three districts just mentioned to reach the coal mines that existed here.

To the south of Riddlesburg district was another that was unnamed. In it was Hopewell Borough. Cambria Iron Company was located a short distance east of the borough, but its offices were in town. The Eichelberger Company and Lowery Eichelberger & Sons appear to have owned all or parts of three business blocks in the towns. There were seventeen streets laid out and named. Tne Juniata River made almost a half circle around the town. On the corners of Horton and Mifflin was a Public Square. On Strong Street was a baseball ground. The railroad tracks split the town. In addition to the usual blacksmith shops, stores, a band building was on Moore Street. A slaughterhouse was located at the corner of Front and Laurel Street.

School District Seven was located east of the previous area. J. Lingenfelter owned 257 acres of coal land. Sandy Run had its origin here. A building marked K.C. & I Co. was located in the Northern half of this territory. Sherman's Valley extends through both districts. Several saw mills and a grist mill were in this district.

Napier Township

This Civil Subdivision had thirteen school districts. Just why this township appears half the size on other maps is unknown. In district number one were two post offices by the same name "Stuckeyville". The first was at the Forks Inn and the second at or near the Napier depot. Near the Kinton homestead was a toll gate. In Union district, south of Schellsburg was the J. J. Hughes distillery. Missing on the map is Chestnut Ridge that extends through the township. The small village of Point is not named, however, school number four and a shoe shop with a number of houses are shown. Millerton (Helixville) was in district ten. The town of New Paris was in the north central section. In addition to the usual private residences there were several blacksmith and wood working shops, a shoe shop and several stores including a post office, all on one street.

Schellsburg was the largest settlement in the township. The town was originally laid out as "Nine Mile Town". A century ago it had six streets and an extension known as Dr. A. Ealy's Addition.

Bedford Township

It was divided into fourteen school districts, some had names, some had numbers and some had no identification. In the extreme northern section, known as the "Dutch Corner area" was the Heltzel School. In the southwest was the Tomlinson. A spur of the railroad entered this district to the iron ore fields in the area. The map shows an iron ore outcrop extending along the western slope of Evitts Mountain in the Heltzel and District Eight. On the southeast, was the Dibert district. Here was Imlertown. This village had a store and post office, cabinet and blacksmith shop, German Reformed Church and a doctor. The Bush Run district adjoined Tomlinson at Cessna. To the east was Schnable and District Eight. At the western side of the township, through which the present Lincoln Highway and the present railroad passes, was the Wolfsburg District.

Near the Napier township line appears an interesting place marked "J. Todd settled here in 1762". In the town of Wolfsburg was a wagon and blacksmith shop, store and post office. Near the center of town and on the east side of the highway was a toll gate. The school house was located in a triangle of ground near the railroad depot and a roadway running parallel to the river. A saw mill was located on the south side of the river just above where the old double bridge once stood.

Between this district and number one, which extended to the Cumberland Valley township on the Poorhouse Road, was a wedge shaped section called Boydstown. The western part of the Borough adjoined this section. In it was the Fairgrounds. A "colored school" is marked in the area of what is now Bedford Heights. A few doors west of the Borough line was a school house. District Four was northeast of the Borough. Here were the Chalybeate House and Spring. The area around them is shown to be quite populated. District four and Greendale was divided by Dunnings Creek and Dunnings Creek branch of the railroad. This district is shown also to have an outcrop of iron ore along Evitts Mountain. To the east in what is known as the "Narrows" was another toll gate.

South of the Borough line was an unnamed and unnumbered district. The Bedford Springs was in the center The school building is shown to be on the edge of the Borough on Richard Street. Immediately south of this was another unmarked district. It extended to Cumberland Valley. Only one road is shown. It is now Route 220. No road appeared in the area of Sweetroot.

Snakespring Township

Only four districts made up this township. Number One was in the southeast corner. Here were located an iron ore deposit, railroad depots for Lutzville and Ashcom. Limestone quarries are shown. Marked also is a spring noted—"one temperature the year round". The lower part of the township is split by the railroad running between Bedford and Everett and the Juniata. District Two, seems to take in more than a third of the township. The Chambersburg-Bedford Turnpike entered along the river bank and near the railroad. This district is at the Narrows. The section along the pike around the Willows Hotel had a number of residences. In the lower part were a number of limestone quarries and several iron ore deposits. The Kemble Coal & Iron Company had an office in the area of what has been called the Hartley Dam. In the upper part of this district is shown a distillery. The upper valley road passes through this district. Immediately to the east was District Three. It appears that it was more populated with farms, lime kilns, several springs, grist and saw mills and a blacksmith shop. The lower valley road passes through the center.

District Four is in the extreme north of the township. The two roads come together at the foot of the mountain, just as it does today. Valley Run is fed by a number of springs as the stream flows toward the Juniata at Mt. Dallas depot.

West Providence Township

This township is bounded on the west by Colerain and Snakespring, on the north by Hopewell and a small section of BroadTop, in the east by East Provide..ce and on the south by Monroe. It was divided by ten school areas. Everett Borough was a separate district.

District One was located Between Tussey Mountain and Warrior Ridge. The Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad and highway leading to Huntingdon passes through the center. At the base of Warrior Ridge was a building marked "Powder Magazine". District two was in the extreme northwest section of the township. Here was the Kemble Coal & Iron Company iron mine. A second road extending out of Everett along Warrior Ridge was called "Plank Road". In Tatesville area along this road were a number of houses, apparently for employees of the Iron Company.

District Three was to the east. District Four was surrounded on three sides by the Juniata. District Five was south of three and four. It was separated from Districts Six and Nine by the Juniata. The Chambersburg-Pittsburgh Turnpike ran parallel to the river. A toll gate also was located about four hundred rods from the East Providence Township line. Districts six and nine were south of the river. The village of Mench was located in part of the district. Brush Creek meanders through the eastern part. Several saw mills, blacksmith and wagon shops were here. Districts ten, seven and eight adjoin Monroe. Warriors Ridge extends out of Monroe into the center of District Ten. Clear Ridge, also coming out of Monroe, continues through district seven and ends in District Nine. Each of the districts appears to be the less populated areas of the township.

East Providence Township

It was separated into twelve districts. Six on the east are separated from Fulton County by Rays Hill. In the most northern districts, twelve, eight and ten were located in an area called Rays Cove. The most populated district appears to be number five. Here were White Hall (now Breezewood) and Rays Cove, the two most populated areas in the township. Passing through this district was the ChambersburgBedford Township. On Rays Hill Mountain was a toll gate operated by the Turnpike. In the western part of this same district was located the famous Juniata Crossings Hotel and bridge. The hotel was operated by G. McGraw. South of District Four and the Juniata River was a thickly populated area. Brush Creek meandered through it. In the south corner is marked "Tunnel Hill and Mt. Athos Hog Back". To the south was Woodbush. To the east was District Three. The village of Gapsville was located here. Rohm's store and grist mill, a post office and a number of residences were located here. South of districts two and three was district one. Monroe Township joined its southern boundary line. One small area was named Cherry Grove.

Harrison Township

It is bounded by Juniata Township on the west, Napier and the Juniata River on the north, Bedford and Cumberland Valley on the east and Londonderry on the south. Wills Mountain extends along the entire eastern boundary with Buffalo Mountain existing parallel to Wills, in the center section. There were eight school districts. All the schools had names shown. The Hoffman school was in number one, and located in the extreme southern tip of the township. Number two was the Arnold, located on the back road east of Buffalo Mills. This area had a number of Sulphur Springs, both black and white. In the northern part of the school district are shown "bath house, both types of sulphur springs and a summer boarding house". In the district there was the Wertz school. A short distance below this school was another white sulphur spring. (This in 1884 became the famous White Sulphur Springs Hotel). The area between Buffalo Mountain and Wills Mountain has been known as Milligans Cove.

The village of Bard is in District Eight. In this small school district were a tannery, grist mill and several lime kilns. Buffalo Mills was located in District Five. The village had its own school, but the Weisel school was located about a mile north of town. East of Buffalo Mills, according to the map was an iron mine "eighty feet deep". In the northwest corner of the township was District Seven. The school was named Powell. Dry Ridge extended through the entire district. District Six was also bisected by the same ridge. Its school was named Kerr, number six. This little school district was located just east of number seven. The next district was number four. This large district extended from the Kinton Bridge to a point near the Sulphur Spring Depot.

Manns Choice was located about the center. It was about the busiest village in the west central part of the county. The McNeal & Black Tannery, A. H. Egolf Brickyard and the J. M. Shoemaker & Company Lime Kiln were the important industries. The railroad station and lumber yard was a busy place. The German Reformed Church was located at the base of the mountain a block east of the main street. The school house was the fourth building beyond the intersection of the road going up on Dry Ridge and the road to Schellsburg, (now Route 31). Two hotels were located in the town along with harness, shoe carpenter, blacksmith and wagon shops. Two stores were also in the town. The Bedford Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Bridgeport ran through the center of the township. Four depots, Bard, Buffalo Mills, Sulphur Springs and Manns Choice were in the township. The map also shows that "ore lands leased by John Cessna" ran from east of Buffalo Mills to Manns Choice. Also, an outcrop of fossil ore veins extended the entire length of the mountain.

Juniata Township

This township is located in the western part of the county. It is bounded by Somerset County on the west, Napier on the north, Harrison on the east and Londonderry on the south. The eleven school districts were both named and numbered. District One was New Buena Vista. The school was located at the rear of the Reformed Church. In the village were a wagon shop, two blacksmiths, harness shop, a store, a cigar factory and post office. The Burns district was number two. It was located in the extreme northern part of the township. The school was located about a mile from the post office. Here, too, were a grist mill and blacksmith shop. A saw mill was located nearby. All five places of businesses were owned by J. Burns. At the foot of the mountain was a spot marked "J. Burns Iron Ore. "

Ealy School District Three, was directly south of two. This school was located near the base of the mountain in what has been known for many years as Negro Hollow. A small Lutheran church was located on the ridge. This spot was also known as 'Stoney Lonesome'. District Four was called Scott. Later it became known as the McGirr school. It was west of New Buena Vista. Northeast of number one was the Union School in District Eleven. The map showed only eight homes, thus there was no school building located within it. All the children attended this school which was located about a hundred yards within Napier township.

South of Distrct One was the Corley School which was located east of the hamlet of Kegg. To the west was the Filson School. It was located at the intersection of the road leading to New Baltimore. Nearby was the Union Church and cemetery. At the county line were the A. E. Fyan Distillery and Gristmill. School District Six was at West End. Here was a store, post office, a stopover for travelers and drovers. This place was located at a crossroads formerly called Hughes' Camp. The road leading down the hill was called "Drove Hill or road", the road leading west to Somerset was first laid out about the year 1755, and the road to the east went to Bard. The steep hill to the northeast was a continuation of the Burd Road which leads to Manns Choice over Dry Ridge. District Seven School was called Dry Ridge. On this road was a toll gate. Near the German Reformed Church was another old tavern for cattle drovers. The road from Buffalo Mills to New Buena Vista crossed the Glade Pike at this point. District Nine was south of seven. It was called the Mowry school. At the point on the southeast corner were a number of houses. This area was Rockville. A saw mill and grist mill were located here. The last school district was number ten. In the center was the Lafferty School Building. Two saw mills were in this section. This district was at the extreme southern part of the township.

Colerain Township

This township is actually one of four which is older than Bedford County. It was actually formed by the Cumberland County Courts in 1767. It contains a beautiful valley known for years as Friends Cove, named after one of the earliest families who originally settled in this area. It is bounded on the west by Evitts Mountain, Snakespring on the north, Tusseys Mountain on the east and Southampton Township as well as Martin Hill on the south.

All the school districts were numbered. Number One was in the southwest along Martin Hill. Number two was above number one Three was quite some distance in the northcentral part of the township. In the lower part along the road from Rainsburg to Charlesville was an unnamed community. In addition to a number of private homes were a saw mill, grist mill and a blacksmith shop. District Four was to the east. Here were two churches, German Reformed and Lutheran Church. Nearby was the school. Charlesville was in the center of this district. School number five was in the town. A store, post office and a blacksmith shop and a shoe shop, plus several homes made this hamlet.

District Six was to the east of five. Its school was located in the center of the district. Here were also a blacksmith shop, a grist mill and saw mill. District Seven was in the northeast corner. In addition to the school, here was a small community known as Otttown. We find a grist mill, blacksmith shop and saw mill. A poke factory was also here. District Eight was on the opposite side of the township. Cove Creek ran through the entire length of the township. It is fed by a number of springs in the valley, however, they are not shown.

Monroe Township

This is one of the largest townships in the county. It is bounded on the west by Tussey Mountain, West and East Providence on the north, Rays Hill and Fulton County on the east and Southampton on the south. Its terrain is broken by many ridges. There were fourteen districts, all numbered and each school named. Robinsonville was number one. This district was located in the extreme southeast corner. District Two was directly above number one. The Sponsler School was here. The Mearkle School was in number three which adjoined East Providence in the north. Little Sidling Creek flowed south through all three districts. The west branch of Sidling Creek was the dividing line between districts Five and Two. Addisons Ridge also was in all three districts.

Districts Four, Seven, Twelve and Fourteen make up the other top areas adjoining West Providence Township. In District Four was the Rock Hill School, Shaw in seven. School number twelve was located a short distance above Clearville. The Milk and Water School was in number fourteen. Black Oak Ridge was in seven. Chapman's Run, flowing north formed the boundary line between district four and seven. Clearville was in District Twelve. Clear Ridge is west of Clearville. The Milk and Water School was named after a nearby ridge that passed through this district. To the east was Warrior Ridge. Clear Creek ran west of Warrior Ridge until it came to the break in the ridge at Indian Spring, then it continued to the Juniata.

District Six was west of number one. Hoop Pole Ridge and Raccoon Ridge bisect it. Shreaves School was in the center. Piney Creek flows south in the center of the district. School district Five was also penetrated by the same two ridges as six. The Nycum School was in the northern section. District Eleven was west of five. Here was the Weimer School. Two saw mills were located along the upper branch of Shearer Creek which originated in this district. South of eleven was number ten. It was the Fletcher School, also Chapmans Run Post Office. Two springs are shown on the map.

Wards Ridge enters the southern border, as does Snyders Ridge to the east. To the west was District Nine. Barkmans School was located along the road to the top of Clear Ridge Bushy Fork Creek flows south. In the western part, Elk Creek also flows into Southampton Immediately above was district eight, Snyder School. Both districts Eight and Nine were bisected by Clear Ridge. The last District, Thirteen, was long and narrow. Warrior Ridge ran through it. The main road through this district from West Providence to Southampton, was and still is called Black Valley. The Pennel School was located in the center of this district. A stream, flowing south, is also called Black Valley branch. Along the base of Tussey Mountain is shown a long strip of fossil ore veins.

It seems odd since this township, a century ago, contained so large a portion of wooded land that so few saw mills, blacksmith and wagon shops existed here.

Cumberland Valley Township

This is also one of the townships which is older than the county. It is the longest and narrowest in the county. It is bounded on the west by Wills Mountain, Bedford Township on the north and Evitts Mountain on the east and Maryland on the south. A mountain range extends from Maryland through the center of the township. It was called Nobly Mountain. (We found this name on an old deed dating back to 1764). Each of the twelve schools and districts were numbered rather than named. Number One adjoins Bedford Township in the north, while Districts Eleven and Twelve border the state of Maryland. Districts one through four have an unusual item of nature. On the East side of Nobly Mountain Shobers Run originates and flows north. On the west slope, Evitts Creek starts and flows south into the Potomac River in Maryland. The village of Centerville (post office Cumberland Valley) is located in District Five. In this village were a store, post office, cabinet shop, a doctor's office, shoe shop, wagon shop and blacksmith shop, I.O.O.F. Hall, a hotel, school and saw mill. The latter was located on the edge of the village.

We noticed that the map maker failed to show Pine Ridge, which ran parallel to Wills Mountain. We also noted that the southern third of the township was more populated. Along the Evitts Creek were numerous sawmills, several grist mills, lime kilns, a cider press in District Ten. Also, in the township were various indications of iron deposits.

Londonderry Township

This township is another long and narrow district located in the extreme southwest corner of the county. The Bedford Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad ran through the entire length of the township. The "Pittsburgh" Division of the Baltimore & Ohio enters the county west of New Bridgeport ( now Hyndman), and runs parallel to the Pennsylvania and Wills Creek to Cumberland, Maryland. The township is bounded on the west by the Little Allegheny Mountain. Savage Mountain on the north and northwest. School districts seven and eight are bounded on the north by Juniata and Harrison Townships. Little Wills Creek starts in Juniata and runs through the upper part of the township. It enters into the Wills Creek which has its origin in Somerset County. Both streams join a short distance above New Bridgeport.

Fossilville, in District Six, was a busy little village on the Bedford branch railroad. Here were located a cooper shop, grist mill, store. The Cumberland Coal & Iron Company had an office and an iron mine. Nearby was a white sulphur spring. In District Five, the Iron Company owned a large tract of land along little Wills Creek and Wills Mountain.

In District Four were several lime kilns, a number of springs, a grist mill and a fossil and hematite iron ore deposit. District Three had a number of farm homes. To the south was number two. Two villagers were here. Palo Alto, in the center, was on Gladdens Run. Cooks Mill was on Evitts Creek. Here were a store, post office, grist mill and saw mills. Several iron ore deposits were found in this district. In the lowest district was number one, next to the Maryland line was a grist mill. Also, on the railroads were a water tank for the steam locomotives to fill their tanks before proceeding up the mountain grade and an engine house.

New Bridgeport was the largest town between Bedford and Cumberland. It had two depots, fifteen streets and six avenues, several fine hotels and a number of stores. The main industry was the Fire Brick Works, located in the triangle of the two railroads. A public spring existed between Elm and First Avenue. The Bridgeport Land Association owned all the lots between the railroad and Wills Creek as well as along First and Second Avenues on the west side of the tracks.

Southampton Township

This large township contained more hills, ridges and mountains than any other Civil Subdivision in the county. Most of the school districts were numbered. It was bounded on the west by Cumberland Valley and Evitts Mountain, Colerain on the northwest and Monroe on the north, Mann Township on the east and Maryland on the south. The largest school district yet perhaps the least populated was district two. It was known as Walnut Grove. The road leading from the top of Martin Hill and Tussey Mountain branched at the base of the mountain. The one road on the western slop of Martin Hill was Beans Cove Post Office. Near here is Lost Run. This stream disappears into the bowels of the earth. No one has found where it comes to the surface again. The eastern road runs parallel to Flintstone Creek. At the branch of the roads where a number of houses, a school, blacksmiths shop, and a grist mill. To the south of Walnut Grove were districts fifteen and district one In District Fifteen, Gap Run had its origin. These two districts were divided by Martin Hill Ridge. Flintstone Creek flows through the center of number one. One grist mill was in this district.

Districts Twelve and Four were also bordered by the Maryland line. Tussey Mountain separated Districts One and Twelve, and the latter and four were bisected by Town Creek. The Browning School was in the center of the district. Polish Mountain formed the boundary line between four and seven. The Collins School was in District Seven. According to the map, part of this district was in Mann Township. Also in this district was Elbinsville. It is at the base of Ragged Mountain. This mountain extends into District Six in the north. To the west was thirteen. Town Creek also bisected it as did Polish Mountain and Warrior Ridge. There were fossil ore veins in District Fourteen.

District Five was in the northeast. Wards Ridge was in the north central part. This district was divided by Wilson Run, which flowed westward into Town Creek near Chaneysville.

District Three is mostly mountainous, Clear Ridge on the east, Warrior Ridge in the center and Tussey on the west. Black Valley stream, Elk Creek and Wilson all merged near Clearville to form Town Creek. The village of Chaneysville was surrounded by mountains and ridges. A doctor's office, two stores, a grist mill, shoe shop, a hotel, saw mill, wagonshop and woolen mill or factory were located here.

Bedford Borough

The map of Bedford Borough in many ways has not changed too much in the past cenury. The streets are unchanged, many of the old houses still stand today. Only the inhabitants are different. True, many new houses have been erected on the lots that were then vacant. Many of the old houses, too, have been torn down and new ones stand there. The entire section north of the railroad was the J. Mann's Estate. The iron bridge on Richard Street over the Juniata has been replaced by a modern concrete one. The foot bridge at the end of Juliana Street to the railroad depot is gone. The two sections of East and Wood Streets had no houses. They belonged to Dr. G. W. Anderson. On East Street there was an old Roman Catholic Church and cemetery. This lot extended from John to Penn Street.

The Elmwood was the residence of Dr. Anderson. On East Pitt Street, between East and Wood Street, was located the Shires and Jordan Foundry. All properties on Pitt Street 3elow Anderson and West Street extended back to the Juniata River. At the northern end of Davidson Street was the large planing mill owned by the Nycum brothers. To the south of Davidson and Pitt Street were also a saw and planing mill and lumber yard owned by S. Rinard.

At the extreme western end of Watson Street, back of the public school (Union Street was an African Church. Also on the extreme end of Penn Street was a second African Church. The county jail was located at the back of the present Court House. One interesting point of this old map of Bedford we failed to find the location of the post office. The Bedford House was located where the Penn Bedford building now stands. The Washington Hotel was where the Altoona Federal is now and the Union Hotel three doors west. We have been unable to learn why the changes in lot numbers were made when the town was surveyed. The Washington Hotel was on lot number 81 while the Union Hotel was lot 187. The Hartley & Bowers Bank was on lot 186. To the rear on the same lot was a bath house and bowling alley. In the southern part of the Borough, the entire section of Lafayette, King Walnut and South Streets were laid out in lots and each one numbered, but there were no buildings there. At the south end of Bedford Street was G. Smith's Poplar Grove.

The present Bedford High School is built over East Street section which was then exended to the Mill Race which came off of Shobers Run. The present football field was once lots 51 to 54 inclusive and the building is on lots 55 to 58 with part of the lots of Dr. Anderson being also included. At the extreme tip of the map were several buildings, one was the residence of J. T. Alsip, the other Alsip and Smith as operators of the Arandale House (now the Elks Club).

On page 44 is a map "Proprietaries Grant" for Bedford Borough. This draft shows the survey of Bedford in the county of Cumberland containing 2810 1/2 acres with an allowance of 6 percent for roads. It was surveyed for the Honorable the Proprietaries on October 29, 1761 in pursuance of a warrant bearing the date of November 25, 1748 by John Armstrong, D.S. This copy was recorded in Borough records number 2, pages 31 and 32. The map shows the location of the fort, the Forbes Trail as it enters and leaves the town, the Commandants house and a row of houses built by settlers who followed the Army. George Crogan owned all the lands east of the survey.

Everett Borough

Everett Borough has also seen many changes in the past century. The Borough lines have been changed in the north, east and west. The Juniata River is still the boundary line in the south. Most of the streets still retain their names. What was once 'Tate' Street is now South Street, however, it only extended between Juniata and what is now South Spring Street. South Spring Street did not exist. In fact, a J. Tobias had his tin shop along Main Street and in the South Spring Street entrance. The post office was on the south side of Main Street, about two lots east of Bloody Run. Adjoining it was the Union Hotel. J. B. Williams operated the Mansion House on the third lot east of the Tobias Tin Shop. Also on East Main Street was a coach shop. On West Main Street was the Sipes Marble Shop. At the corner of West Main and Juniata was the Foundry and a blacksmith shop. At the western line of Main Street were a wagon shop, a carriage shop, another blacksmith shop, a store and the United States Hotel. Nearby was a shoe shop.

At the corner of North Spring and Main was a hardware store. North and across the alley stood the Juniata Hotel. At the Borough line on Spring Street was the school building. Directly across the road was the Bloody Run Spring. Bloody Run ran through the Borough, parallel to Water Street and over Main into the Juniata River. The depot for the Railroad was on the extension of West Third Street.

Summary

We hope these series of reports about our County as it existed a hundred years ago will have provided some interest. We are sorry we were unable to list the names of hundreds of families who resided on the various farms in the districts. We are certain there will be some readers who can still remember or recall that either they, or their parents, attended the various one room school house in those districts. We are also certain that all the school houses had names rather than just numbers, however, we listed them just as they appeared on the old maps.

As we looked through page after page we saw hundreds of names of farm homes, and where they were located. The farms are still here. They have changed ownership many times over the century. Many have been vacated and the buildings have disappeared. Perhaps one might find the foundation of an old house or barn. Oh, yes, a few of these old houses are still occupied. What a story they could tell.

We recognized many of the names, as they appeared in the map, as being descendants of the early families who settled here in the past two centuries. Quite a few of these names can still be found.

1816