Matt Maris
-
Local Historia: Departing for World War I
—
by
Bellefonte and Boalsburg troops fought in the ‘War to End All Wars’
-
Strychnine Corner: A ‘Vile Nest’ of Saloons in 1865 Bellefonte
—
by
An aged frame containing two sepia photographs is located in the Centre County Library & Historical Museum. They are believed to be the oldest known photographs of Bellefonte’s streetscape. Upon closer analysis, the photos come into focus and reveal some of their mysteries. The infamous photo of Strychnine Corner was taken in 1865, along with…
-
A Tale of Two Tunnels
—
by
The two tunnels at Coburn and in Poe Paddy State Park are a great way to reflect upon and experience railroad history in central Pennsylvania. Both tunnels were constructed in the 1870s for the Lewisburg, Centre, and Spruce Creek Railroad (LC&SC), which became the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad (L&T) circa 1880. These monuments continue to…
-
Gangsters to Grandmothers: Prohibition in Central PA
—
by
The ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1919 was the culmination of temperance movements across the United States. Prayers and protests made in front of saloons during the Women’s Crusade would be answered with a nationwide prohibition of “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors.” While Prohibition was founded upon good…
-
Bellefonte’s Hastings and the Johnstown Flood
—
by
“It is difficult to express in a few lines the value of General Hastings’ services and the kindly regard the people of Conemaugh Valley entertain toward him.” —Rev. David J. Beale, First Presbyterian Church, Johnstown By the afternoon of Friday, May 31, 1889, record rains had already accumulated across Pennsylvania, with the worst being between…
-
Ironmasters on the Canal Wharf: Centre County and the Pennsylvania Canal
—
by
In 1848, the first canal boat—the “George Crane”—arrived at Bellefonte from Milesburg with a celebratory crew of locals and board members of the Bald Eagle and Spring Creek Navigation Company. The board members included owners and partners representing Eagle Iron Works, Valentine and Thomas Iron Works, Howard Furnace, Centre Furnace and Milesburg Iron Works (Linn…
-
Eagle Scout Builds on Father’s Work on Talleyrand Snowplow
—
by
If you visit Bellefonte’s Talleyrand Park during the winter months, take some time to appreciate the old railroad snowplow alongside the playground. Dating back to the late 19th century, the plow has brought joy to countless children and railroad history fans alike. The railroad plow and caboose have been displayed next to the Bellefonte Train…
-
Lemont Village: A Crossroads of History and Culture
—
by
The Village of Lemont has distinguished itself in historic and cultural character over the years. It has been shaped not only by its geographical location, but by creative and caring Lemonters. The village would certainly not be what it is today without, well, the village. Lemont (le mont, French for “the mountain”) is located in…
-
Local Historia: ‘Superior Ale and Lager’ Brewed Along Spring Creek
—
by
Hidden within a hillside in Benner Township are 19th-century beer vaults that once held and lagered barrels of Centre County’s finest. By the time the township was formed in 1853, the village of Roopsburg was thriving, in large part because of its brewery on Spring Creek. The brewery had a historic run from 1826 until…
-
Caretaker of County History: Vonnie Henninger Preserves Community Heritage
—
by
If you enjoy learning about local history in Centre County, if you’re one to like historical photographs on social media, you’ve probably come across Vonnie Henninger. Almost every day, she posts on Facebook in Penns Valley Past and Present, Centre County Blogs, and her own personal page. Vonnie’s reach and impact over the years has been immeasurable.…