The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-08-30
bTia County.
CHAPTER XIV.
Chest Springs Borough.

This rapidly increasing village was
erected into borough some three years
since, by act of Assembly; being formed
from about equal proportions of Allegheny
and Clearfeld townships. 1t is situate on
the dividing ridge between the waters of
Clearfeld and Chest; from the latter of
which it derives its name.
1t is well located as to public highways
The Dry Gap and Philipsburg roads, occu-
pying the same ground for two or three
furlongs, constitutes the main street Of the
borough. The former road having attained
the Allegheny Mountain from the Eastern
side, continues in North-westerIy direc-
ton by Ashland Furnace, and enters the
village at its Northern extremity, where it
is intersected by the Philipsburg road. Its
course is then nearly South to the South
ern extremity of the town, where it leaves
the Philipsburg road, and passes on to-
wards the Cherrytree, or Canoe Place, its
destination. The Philipsburg road, pass
ing little East of North from Loretto
passes, as we have already stated, in the
same direction, directly through the vii
lage, on its way by st. Augustine, Rose
land, and Mount Pleasant, to Philipsburg
in Centre county. \ turnpike or plank
road has also been projected from Chest
Springs to Gallitzin. 1t is hoped that
sufficient experience of plank roads has
already been had in Cambria county, and
that the enterprising firm who have this
improvement so much at heart Will en-
deavor TO have turnpike constructed.
The population Of Chest Springs is in
the neighborhood of 400, and it has al
ready become the formidable rival to Lo-
retto, Carrolltown, and other neighboring
villages.
The original owner of the ground upon
which the borough stands was Mr.. An
drew M'Guire, who owned the farm, and
kept tavern here for many years. He
laid out village here some years ago,
which was indifferently known as Stew
ertsville and Thornburg. Daniel Litz-
niger, Esq, and others, improved in the
northern pat Of the village, at the june
turc of the two roads but a subsequent
sale of the whole tract of land to the
Messsrs. Nutter has given the town a fresh
impetus, and its growth has been very
rapid.
1t now contains about - dwelling hous-
cs, two taverns, as many stores, an eXten-
! sive shook shop, Il coach manufactory,
and large steam, grist and saw-mill.-
The erection Of foundry is also contem-
plated.
y majority Of the inhabitants are ma
tivcs Of New England, but there are quite
number of inhabitants from the imme-
diate neighborhood. The latter are Cath
olics, and have chapel, though St Au-
gustine is their regular place of worship,
while the former are Methodists, princi-
pally, and have place of worship in the
village.
The question of the erection of a new
county, with Chest Springs for its seat OF
Justice; or the removal of the present
county seat from Ebensburg to Chest
| Springs, has been mooted, not only in the
village of Chest Springs, but in the sur
rounding neighborhood. Should this
event take place, which it is admitted is
not very probable at this time, it would
ri,-n tho +o,Ur, an ,dJ;t;cpol ;,,,,,..,,- -
the public buildings, lawyers offices, &c,
would add to its size and appearance; bur
it is somewhat questionable whether the
increased taxation would not more than
counterbalance these advantages. But
this is for the politician and net the his
torian or geographer to decide
JONATHAN OLDBUCK.
MoSKBARxs, August 30, 1850.