Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-14
The Bald Eagle Valley-Bellefonte and
Vicinity.

Special Correspondence ~ Public Ledger,
BELLEroNTE, Pa, July 2.-Bellefonte,
the county town for Centre county, Is
reached by means of the Bald Eagle
Valley Railroad, which connects with
the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad at Tyrone,
and runs to Lock Haven, there con
Meeting with the Philadelphia and Erie
Railroad. The road, after passing
through one of the principal thorough
fares of Tyrone, runs nearly in the cen
tire of the Bald Eagle valley TO within
two miles of Bellefonte. For seyerel
miles up the valley only few cultivated
spots are seen, but the desolatlon and
waste that seems to follow in the loot.
steps of the well.known lumberman Is
very apparent. Here and there is an
opening among the hills, which gives TO
the traveller extended and beautiful
views of the Allegheny Mountains III
the distance, and also of the industry
of many OF the enterprising farmers,
who have, even amid the stumps OF
pine and hemlock, left upon the sides
of the steep hills, planted fine orchards
of choice fruits or sown them with
grain. The road follows the creek
which runs through the Bald Eagle Val.
ley, but crosses and recrosses it many
times before reaching this place. Some
six miles from Tyrone, finely cultivated
farms are seen, and which continue up
to the station of Port Matilda, at which
point the valley narrows and is covered
with young timber principally, but a
mile or two further on the valley wIdens
and presents handsome appearance,
with its highly cultivated farms covered
with luxuriant crops. Unionville, above
this point, Is a neat village, and several
industrial establishments and an abund.
ance Of fine fruit trees. Milesburg,
about 81 miles from Tyrone and two
from Belleionte, is one of the most i'm.
portant stations along the road. Iron
furnaces, iorges aud rolling mills give
it the appearance OF r thriving town.
Here the Snow Shoe Railroad, which
taps the coal deposits in the Snow Shoe
Mountains, has its connection. THIS
road has heavy grades, and all along
the road some of the finest scenery in
the State may be viewed. At Miles.
burg the road to Bellefonte crosses the
Bald Eagle Valley and strikes Spring
creek, which it follows to Bellefonte.
This stream affords good power to many
of the iron works and other establish
ments in this vicinity. among which is
an axe factory, said to be celebrated all
over the country for the quality OF the
goods made.
Bellefonte is on ground which in
some places Uses quite abruptly from
the creek, making walking up several
of the streets rather fatiguing one OF
the main business streets, however, IS
on level ground, but one end Of 1t
strikes a steep hill, which is not yet
built upon to any extent. The town
was laid out in 1895 and incorporated
as a borough in 1914. 1t takes its name
from large spring near the town, and
from which the supply of water to the
inhabitants is obtained. This spring is
one Of the finest in the State. The
town itself obtains a bountiful supply
from it, and there is enough wasted to
furnish much larger place with water.
This wonderful spring was for many
years the property Of VIM. F. Reynolds,
Esq, a well-known banker in the bor
ough, and on the occasion there was a
pleasant gathering and demonstration.
There are many fine residences in
the borough, and upon every hand
there is evidence OF wealth and pros.
perity. The hotels are we'll kept, and
the Brockerhoff House, on the main
street, is now being enlarged and en-
tirely reftted in handsome manner.
The iron interest OF Bellefonte is
quite important, and contributes large.
ly to its wealth while afiording employ
ment to many of its citizens. The first
blast furnace started in Centre county
was in 1892. by Colonel John Patton,
its location being on Spring creek, and
about eight miles from the town, and
few years afterwards others were erect
ed on the same stream. The iron ores,
which are obtained near here and in
other portions Of the county, are prin.
cipaIly hematites. These ores are work.
Ell with charcoal The larger proper.
ton of these ores are found in "pock.
ets' rather than in regular veins, and
are often so mixed with tho limestone
clays as to necessitate their separation
from them before they are ready for the
furnace. In former years the method
generally adopted was separating by
dry screening. but now artesian wells
are sunk in the Nittany Valley, and
from the water thus obtained the
amount of ore obtained has been quad.
Tupled, and when the new road is com.
pIeted through this valley will still be