Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Bellefonte | |
| Motto: Central Pennsylvania's Victorian Secret | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Centre |
| Settled | 1795 |
| Incorporated (borough) | 1806 |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 919 ft (280 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
• Total | 6,395 |
| • Density | 3,510.1/sq mi (1,356.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| Zip | 16823 |
| Area code | 814 |
| Website | Bellefonte |
Bellefonte is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population in 2007 is approximately 7,000 [1] . It is the county seat of Centre CountyTemplate:GR with the courthouse located downtown on the square. The town features many examples of Victorian architecture, as well as a natural spring, from which the town gets its name (bestowed by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord during a land-speculation visit to central Pennsylvania in the 1790s). However the spring, which serves as the town's water supply, has been covered to comply with DEP water purity laws (not, as is commonly believed, for fear of its being poisoned). One of the town's historic sections experienced a renaissance in 2004. The Match Factory (officially the Pennsylvania Match Company), after standing vacant since 1996, was being renovated by the American Philatelic Society as their new home, one building at a time. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and the town was anxious to find an appropriate owner for the historic property.[1]
Geography
Bellefonte is located in the Nittany Valley of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians at 40°54′53″N 77°46′29″W / 40.91472°N 77.77472°W (40.914684, -77.774756).Template:GR
It lies 10 miles northeast of State College, Pennsylvania.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
Bellefonte is in the northwestern corner of and is surrounded by Spring Township.
Demographics
As of the 2000 censusTemplate:GR, there were 6,395 people, 2,796 households, and 1,602 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,510.1 people per square mile (1,356.7/km²). There were 2,953 housing units at an average density of 1,620.8/sq mi (626.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.25% White, 0.91% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 2,796 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $33,216, and the median income for a family was $42,378. Males had a median income of $31,221 versus $23,442 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,659. About 8.6% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
The Bush House
The Bush House was built in 1868, by Daniel G. Bush. It was one of the first hotels in the country to have electric lights. A man would stand at the train station and call out to the passengers, "Walk ya' to the Bush House." The Bush House, the Brockerhoff House, the Haag House, and some other hotels were competitors. Thomas Edison stayed at the Bush House.
In the recent years, the Bush House had several businesses in it including Schnitzels Restaurant and it held receptions of various kinds. The Bush House burned down on February 8, 2006.[2]
History
William Lamb sold his mill to James Dunlop. And the next year James and his son-in-law James Harris laid out block by block and the town became known as Bellefonte. As the years went by, Bellefonte boomed. Soon it was the most influential town between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.[3]
Victorian era
The first-time visitors who walk along the victorian streets of Bellefonte see primarily victorian houses.
In the 1800s the first jail was built. It had an 8-foot underground dungeon, which was located on the rear of the lot of the present YMCA. A second jail was on East High Street.
Another example is the Hastings Mansion, which was owned by Mrs. John Lane and was bought by Daniel H. Hastings and was remodeled.
The development of Bellefonte has been a "natural town." It started with one house and a crossroad, then iron was found and the town grew.[4]
Notable natives and residents
- George Grey Barnard, famous sculptor
- Clifford Carlson former University of Pittsburgh men's college basketball coach
- Andrew Gregg Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania (1861-1867)
- Jonathan Frakes, actor
- John Irvin Gregg, Union army general
- Eric Milton, Major League Baseball player
- Jacob Hiram Myers (1841-1920), inventor of the first voting machine used in an election [5]
- Thomas M. Reynolds, U.S. Congressman
- Jeremy Rose, horse jockey
- John Montgomery Ward, Hall of Fame baseball player[6]
- Stewart Sampsel, football quarterback, Buffalo Bulls
See also
References
- ^ Pittsburg Post-Gazette: Aug 10, 2003-Philatelic society puts stamp on historic Bellefonte factory
- ^ http://www.bellefontearts.org/Virtual_walk/Bush_House.htm
- ^ http://www.basd.net/middle/bellhist.htm
- ^ http://bellefonte.com/history.html
- ^ "Invented First Ballot Machine Actually Used: Jacob H. Myers is Dead at his Home in This City," Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, April 5, 1920.
- ^ Reichler, Joseph L., ed. (1979) [1969]. The Baseball Encyclopedia (4th edition ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.
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External links
- Bellefonte.com Community Website
- Images of Bellefonte
- Bellefonte Chamber of Commerce
- Borough of Bellefonte (municipal offices)
- MAC Champions, Bellefonte Soccer homepage (high school athletics)
- [2]
