The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-09-25
An old Village with New Life.
SoxERFTELD. SoxERsEr Co. Pa.
Septepber l6. iSsa.

SoxERFIELD. SoNERsET Co. PA.
September Is. 1859.
EDITOR HERALD Having spent few
days in SomerfeId, formerly called Smith
field, and immediate neigbborhood. l hand
yon few notes in respect to its past and
present condition. It is located or the east
side of the Youghiogheny river, in the
southwest corner ofSomerset county. and on
the welLkHown National turnpike. II as
sumed village proportions away back in ISIS.
at the time OF the construction of the pike.
and attained quite a reputation for It's first
class hostleries-its inns being known TO the
travelling public. east and west as among
the best eating houses from Baltimore to
Wheeling.
Up TO 1851 the National turnpike was one
Of the best and most extensively Travelled
thoroughfres between the east and west
but in this year the travelling public was
transferred to the plank road running
through Somerset, from Cumberland. Nd.
to West Newton. Ia. This transfer of travel
and that which shortly followed on the
completion Of The Pennsylvania, and BaIti-
more & Ohio Railroads, gave the old town a
backset, which resulted in reducing It. pop
ulation, and even its buildings, fully to one
half Of what they formerly we're. Although
so favorably located In respect 10 magnificent
scenery, good water and pure mountain air,
ichabod seemed destined to be written all
over Tits former glory having apparently
departed forever, thus leaving it to the fate
OF Goldsmith's deserted village. But fortu-
nately fate had in reservation better and
brighter future for it than that.
Almost year ago a wide-awake eastern
gentleman spent few weeks at a avorite
summer resort in the old town, and wisely
c0nceiving that there would be money in
opening an avenue for the transportation OF
the fine lumber lining the banks Of the
Ioughiogheny river, and the rieh mineral
products hidden among the hills. agitated
the question Of 4 railroad from Confluence
to point some twelve miles shove Somer-
field, in the northwestern part of Garrett
county. Maryland. The idea being faEorsbiy
resolved by few eastern capitalists, a speedy
survey was made and charter secured and
in an incredibly short space Of time the road
was commenced. ami the work pushed 50
vigorously that the rOad-be IS already ia
iShesl and rails laid to a point only few
miles from its terminus Construction cars
are making two and three trips daily from
Confluence to some miles above Somerfeid.
It IS expected that the whole of the road
will be in running order by the middle Of
October. when the event Will be celebrated
by grand opening. Tie road and rolling
stock viii not be what some of the envions
residents of neighboring little villages say it
will be-a One-horss. narrow gauge One-but
a broad gauge, first-class railroad in all its
ppointmehts-inelading road bed. water
tanks, stations, ties and first class steel rails
There are no flies on its enterprisiug Presi-
dent Mr. Henry aud its Board Of directors
II will ultimately be extended further South
up one Of the Yough's tributaries. forming 4
connection with the b. & o. railroad at OF
near Oakland, Md,
Somerfieid viii be its principal ati1n-the
old pike making it easy Of access for both
eastern and western passenger and freight
traffic. The town already IS reaping the
benefit Of the enterprise, its business being
booned to a point seldom known in the
palmy days of stage coaches and wagons
Real estate has advanced from 100 to 30 per
cent Few other villages OF the county show
as much life and activity as Is now does
Property holders are improving their build
ings and new ones are going up. A line
store room, modern in all It's details Is near
its completion, and one Of the finest Touring
mills in Western Pennsylvania, with the
newest and NEST approved roller process.
has been put up, at a cost OF some > 600 60.
The mill IS in successful operation, turning
out -four equal in quality to the best Vienna
in market.
4 former resident Of Somerfieid visiting,
the old town IS as much surprised at the
change that has taken place in it, as Irvings
Rip Van Wrinkle was after his twenty years
little nap over the transformation Of his
native village.