USA > Pennsylvania > A geography of Pennsylvania : containing an account of the history, geographical features, soil, climate, geology, botany, zoology, population, education, government, finances, productions, trade, railroads, canals &c. of the state : with a separate description of each county, and questions for the convenience of teachers : to which is appended, a travellers' guide, or table of distances on the principal rail road, canal and stage routes in the state > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
By what counties and states is Fayette bounded ? What two mountain ridges cross it ? Describe the rivers and creeks. What are the mineral productions ? Quality of the soil ? What is the county town and how situated ? Mention the public buildings, college, and manufactures. Where is Brownsville, and what manufactures are carried on there ? What village is connected with it? Give an account of Connellsville. Perryopolis. Cookstown. What other places are mentioned ? What is said of agriculture, and how is the surplus produce sent to a market ? What iron works are established ? What is said of the National turn- pike, and the Monongahela navigation ? Common schools ? Madison college ? Religious societies ? What interesting historical events have occurred in this county ? Where are the remains of Fort Necessity ? Describe Delany's cave. Ohiopile falls. Fayette springs.
247
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
25. FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Franklin county is bounded on the west by Bedford ; north-west by Huntingdon; north-east by Perry and Cumberland ; east by Adams; and south by the state of Maryland. Its greatest extent from north to south is 38 miles, and from east to west 34 miles, containing an area of 734 square miles or 469,760 acres. Popula- tion in 1840, 37,793.
The greater part of this county consists of an extensive valley of fertile land, well cultivated and highly improved. On the east is the range of hills called the South mountain, the elevation of which, above the middle of the valley, is from 600 to 900 feet. On the west and north-west is a more elevated and rugged range, of which the most conspicuous is the North or Blue mountain, which, having stretched in an almost unbroken line from the De- laware south-westward, abruptly terminates in this county in a high peak called Parnell's knob, about two miles east of Loudon. A little further westward is Jordan's knob, another bold, pictur- esque elevation, formed by a turning or folding of the same range, from which the ridge then runs north-eastward along the east side of Path valley. West of Path valley is Tuscarora mountain
Jordan's Knob, Franklin County.
which stretches south-westward from the Juniata, and forms the north-western boundary of Franklin county. South of the Cham- bersburg and Bedford turnpike, this ridge is called the Cove mountain, and under this name passes southward into Maryland. Some of the highest elevations in the north-west of the county have been estimated at 1,500 feet above the valley. In the south- west are two knobs, called Clay-lick and Two-top mountains
248
GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
which are the northern terminations of ridges crossing the State line from Maryland.
The irregular chain of hills called the South mountain consists, in this county, almost entirely of the hard white sandstone which lies next above the primary rocks (I). In the valley westward of this is the great limestone formation (II,) which has been described in our article on the general geo- logy of the State, as extending throughout the whole length of this valley, from Easton on the Delaware to the Maryland line. In Franklin county, as elsewhere, interposed beds of differently coloured slates are found in the limestone, and sometimes also sandstones are met with in a like position. Along the eastern side of the limestone range, and near its junction with the mountain sandstone, are valuable and extensive beds of iron ore, which supply the furnaces in operation in that region. Ore is also found at many places in the valley, most of which, particularly that variety called pipe ore, is of a superior quality.
The soil of the South mountain is sandy and sterile, and not favourable to the culture of grass or grain. It is a wild and desert region, covered with forests which yield fuel for the iron works on its borders, and offers but little attraction to any except the wood-cutter and the hunter. But on reaching the great limestone valley, on the west of these hills, a most striking contrast is presented. A soil of almost unsurpassed fertility, highly cultivated farms, neat and even elegant buildings, an industrious, intelli- gent, and happy population, gladden the eye of the traveller as he passes through this beautiful and favoured region. It is estimated that Franklin county contains 180,000 acres of limestone land.
On the north-west and west of the limestone is the dark slate formation (III) next above it in geological position; the line of junction passing from a little northward of Shippensburg, south-westward by Chambersburg and Greencastle, to the Maryland line. In the south-western part of the county, however, in the neighbourhood of Mercersburg, owing to the disturbance consequent upon the elevation of the mountain chains, we find the lime- stone again appearing in belts which stretch across east of the Cove moun- tain, between Parnell's and Jordan's knobs on the north, and Two-top and Clay-lick mountains on the south. Where an anticlinal axis occurs, as in Path valley, the limestone is in the middle, and the slate on either side next the mountain. The slate region is more hilly and less fertile than the limestone, but with good culture it also well repays the farmer for his la- bour.
The mountain ranges in the north and west of the county, are composed of the gray and reddish sandstones which belong to the formation (IV) next in order above the dark slate last mentioned, and which is found in most of the valleys at their base. In Horse valley, however, there is a synclinal axis, where the mountain sandstone dipping from both sides towards the centre of the valley, is overlaid by the red shale (V) next above in position. So in the "Little Cove" in the south-western corner of the county, we have the same red shale, together with the overlying limestone (VI) and the olive slate (VIII.) A furnace has been erected in this secluded lit- tle valley which is supplied with ore from its immediate vicinity.
Franklin county, though it contains no large streams, is well wa- tered for agricultural and manufacturing purposes. Its copious and unfailing mountain springs supply streams which descend and meander through the valley, affording abundant water power for the furnaces, forges, mills, and manufactories already in ope- ration, as well as a surplus for many others which may be here- after erected.
The Conedoguinet creek rises by several branches in the north-
249
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
east, and passes thence into Cumberland, which it crosses, and empties into the Susquehanna a short distance above Harrisburg.
The main branch of the Conecocheague flows from the South mountain, in the eastern part of the county, and pursues a north- westerly course to the neighbourhood of Chambersburg, where it turns to the south-west, and after receiving several smaller tribu- taries passes southward across the Maryland line and falls into the Potomac at Williamsport. The west branch of Conecocheague rises near the head of Path valley, down which it flows south- ward by Fannetsburg and Loudon, and turning south-eastward, meets the east branch about two miles north of the State line.
In the south-east, several of the head branches of Antietam creek issue from between the ridges of the South mountain ; strong, clear and rapid streams, which yield a great amount of water power for useful purposes. The two main branches unite near the State line, and pass southward through Maryland to the Potomac.
Chambersburg, the county town, situated at the junction of Falling Spring and Conecocheague creek, is one of the most plea- sant and flourishing inland towns in Pennsylvania. It is in the midst of a healthy, fertile and highly cultivated country, and the abundance of water power in its immediate vicinity renders it a favourable location for manufacturing establishments. It has flour mills, fulling mills, an oil mill, a very large paper mill, and an extensive establishment for the manufactory of edge tools. The dwelling houses are mostly of brick or stone, many of them well, and even elegantly constructed ; and a general air of neatness and comfort pervades the town.
The public buildings are a brick court house, a prison, a bank, an academy, and eight churches. The Presbyterian church is much admired on account of its beautiful situation in a retired quiet spot, enveloped with trees and surrounded by a delightful green, at the west end of which is the burying ground of the con- gregation, and adjoining it, an ancient burying ground of the In- dians. Here quietly repose, near each other, the remains of the white and the red man, who, when living, often met in deadly strife; and hands that raised the rifle or the knife in mortal com- bat have long since mouldered into kindred dust on the same little spot of ground.
Chambersburg has the advantage of good turnpike roads to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburg, and of rail roads to Phila- delphia and Hagerstown. The population is now about 4,500, one-fourth of which is beyond the borough limits.
Mercersburg is a flourishing town in the south-west, near the Cove mountain. It is mostly built of brick and stone, and has a population of 1,143. There are four churches in the town. The Theological Seminary of the German Reformed church is located here, the main building of which is a handsome brick edifice, four stories high, on an elevated situation, commanding a very fine view of the town, the mountains and the adjacent country, in which there is much of grandeur and beauty. Near the building are two neat brick dwellings for the accommodation of the princi-
250
GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
pal and professors. Connected with it, and under the care of the same society, is Marshall college, which was incorporated in 1836, and named in memory of John Marshall, the distinguished Ame- rican jurist. A brick building has been erected near the town, for the preparatory school of the college, and preparation has been made for the erection of the college edifice. The situation is dis- tinguished for health, as well as for the beauty and fertility of the surrounding country, and has the advantage of an intelligent, pious and moral community.
Greencastle is near the middle of the valley, about five miles north of the State line, and contains a population of 930. The rail road from Chambersburg to Hagerstown passes through it, and it is surrounded by a country of great fertility, well watered and highly improved.
Waynesboro is a neat town in the south-east of the county, hav- ing a number of good brick houses and a population of about 800. It is in the midst of a country not surpassed in Pennsylvania for well cultivated and productive farms.
This county also contains the villages of Loudon, Fannet, Con- cord, Strasburg, Roxbury, St. Thomas, Fayetteville and some others.
In a region so highly favoured by nature as Franklin county, the productions of agriculture of course rank first in importance. They are those common to this part of the State, wheat, corn, rye, oats, pork, cattle, &c. Most of the wheat is manufactured into flour within the county, of which there is a large export to the Philadelphia and Baltimore markets. From the southern part, flour and wheat are taken to Georgetown and Baltimore. The county contains 80 flour mills, 100 saw mills and 13 fulling mills.
The most common forest trees are oak and hickory ; but walnut, locust, chestnut, pine, maple, ash, poplar and other useful trees also abound. On the western border the cucumber tree (magnolia acuminata) is occasionally seen ; and in the eastern, among the swamps of the South mountain, the sweet-scented magnolia (M. glauca) is sometimes found. A variety of calycanthus or sweet- scented shrub, probably C. lævigatus, seems to be indigenous on the mountain side near the village of Strasburg. The forests yield an abundant supply of timber for building, fuel and domestic pur- poses, beside the large amount annually made into charcoal for the supply of the iron works.
The iron manufactures of Franklin county are important. It has six furnaces, eight forges, one rolling mill, and a number of foundries. The ore for the supply of the furnaces is obtained in various parts of the county, but is most abundant along the western base of the South mountain, near which most of the furnaces are erected.
The assessment of real and personal property made taxable for county purposes in 1842, was $11,564,751 ; county tax, $30,289; State tax, $14,018.
The Cumberland Valley rail road extends from Harrisburg to Chambersburg, at which place it connects with the Franklin rail
251
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
road, extending from Chambersburg to Hagerstown in Maryland, and which will probably, at no very distant period, be connected with the Baltimore and Ohio rail road.
The main turnpike road from Philadelphia to Pittsburg passes through this county by Shippensburg, Chambersburg, St. Thomas and Loudon, and then crosses the Cove mountain into Bedford. At Chambersburg it is intersected by the turnpike from Baltimore by way of Gettysburg in Adams county. The southern part of Franklin is crossed by another turnpike which branches from the Pittsburg turnpike at M'Connellstown, in Bedford county, and passes south-eastward by Mercersburg, Greencastle and Waynes- boro, to Emmettsburg in Maryland, and thence to Baltimore.
The common roads, except in some of the rough and moun- tainous parts of the county, are kept in tolerably good condition.
The state of education among the people of this county may be said to be improving. It contains 15 school districts, all of which have accepted the common school system, and 148 schools are kept open on an average nearly six months in the year. At Mer- cersburg is the Theological seminary of the German Reformed church, and Marshall college, both under the care of the same so· ciety. There are about 100 students now receiving instruction in the college and preparatory school. Three professors are con- nected with the college, and the advantages of education are libe- rally and extensively afforded. A female seminary has been es- tablished at Chambersburg.
Franklin county contains about 40 places of public worship, belonging to various religious denominations, and regularly sup- plied with ministers. Bible societies, Tract societies, and Sunday school associations have been organized ; the cause of temperance has been laudably promoted, and its good effects are visible among all classes of the population. The people are generally moral, sober and industrious.
This county was first settled in 1730, by Colonel Benjamin Chambers, who established himself where Chambersburg is now situated. Settlements in this part of the country were encouraged by the proprietary government before the purchase of the land from the Indians in 1736. This, it is believed, was done to main- tain the claims of the Penn family to the country, and to resist encroachments and settlements under grants from the proprietors of Maryland.
The first settlers were chiefly Irish and Germans, and the county is now mostly occupied by their descendants. The German lan- guage is still spoken in many families, but is gradually giving way to the English. The first white inhabitants experienced the difficulties and privations common to all new settlements. After Braddock's defeat in 1755, they were for eight or ten years ex- posed to the incursions of Indian war parties, who came down from the west and surprised the settlers, some of whom were mas- sacred, and a few carried into captivity. After committing these outrages, the Indians would make a hasty retreat to their towns west of the mountains. These incursions from so artful and secret
252
GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
an enemy induced the settlers to erect, in different parts of the county, (then a portion of Cumberland,) stockade forts into which the inhabitants fled for protection on the alarm of Indian invasion, until the men could assemble and organize for the pursuit of their savage foes. This was done at quick notice and at their own ex- pense, without a government command or the assistance of the king's officers and troops. The hardy settler of those days, fa- miliar with the woods and the use of his gun, accustomed to toil and exposure, was fully equal to any conflict with an Indian enemy.
How is Franklin county bounded and what is its extent ? Describe the principal mountains. In what part of the county is the great limestone formation ? Where is iron ore found ? What is said of the soil of the South mountain ? Of the limestone valley ? Where is the slate formation and what kind of soil has it ? What are the rock formations in the north and west of the county ? What are the principal streams and their direc- tion ? How is Chambersburg situated, and what manufactures are carried on there ? What is said of the public buildings, and the general appear- ance of the town ? What are its advantages of communication? Where is Mercersburg ? Give an account of its literary institutions. Greencas- tle ? Waynesboro? What other places are mentioned ? What are the products of the soil, and where sent for sale ? What is said of the trees and forests ?-.- of the iron works and how supplied with ore ? What rail roads in the county ? Turnpike roads ? What is the state of education, schools, colleges, &c .? Places of worship, societies, and character of the people for temperance and morals ? When was the first settlement made at Chambersburg, and by whom ? Of what nations were most of the set- tlers ? Give an account of some of their difficulties with the Indians. What measures were taken for their defence ?
26. GREENE COUNTY.
Greene is the extreme south-western county of Pennsylvania, having the state of Virginia on the south and west, Washington county on the north, and Fayette on the east. Its population in 1840 was 19,147.
The face of the country is hilly and uneven, though no where mountainous, and the soil, though rocky, rough and broken in some places, is generally productive. The valleys and river bot- toms are fertile, yielding luxuriant crops when well cultivated.
The Monongahela river flows along the eastern side of the county, separating it from Fayette; the other principal streams are Dunkard's, Whitely and Ten-mile creeks, all flowing eastward into the Monongahela. In the west are some branches of Wheel- ing creek, which runs north-westward to the Ohio river.
Waynesburg is the seat of justice, situated nearly in the centre of the county, in a fertile valley on the bank of Ten-mile creek, eleven miles from the Monongahela river. The public buildings consist of a neat court-house and county offices built of brick, a stone prison, an academy, and four houses of public worship, of which two belong to Methodists, one Presbyterian, and one Ro- man Catholic.
The other towns and villages worthy of note are Clarksville, at
253
GREENE COUNTY.
the forks of Ten-mile creek, two miles from the river and eleven north-east from Waynesburg ; Jefferson, on the same creek, three miles from the river ; Carmichaelstown, in a rich and beautiful valley on Muddy creek, 12 miles eastward from the county seat ; Greensburg, on the Monongahela, 20 miles south-east from Waynes- burg; Newtown, on Whitely creek, in the southern part of the county ; and Mount Morris, on Dunkard's creek, near the Virginia line. Beside these there are a number of smaller villages.
This county, lying within the great bituminous coal formation of the State, has the same geological features as are common to that region. The hill sides and high banks of the streams present to view alternating and nearly horizontal strata of sandstone, shale and limestone, with beds. of bi- tuminous coal from one to six feet or inore in thickness, yielding a bound- less and inexhaustible supply of that valuable material.
Wheat is the principal agricultural production, most of which is ground into flour before sending it to market ; other kinds of grain are cultivated for feeding stock, of which a large amount, particu- larly of hogs and cattle, is raised and driven to the eastward for sale. More than 100,000 pounds of maple sugar are annually made in the county. Some woollen factories and glass works are the principal manufacturing establishments, besides a great num- ber of grist and saw mills, and several oil mills.
Timber is so abundant here as to be of little value, and large unbroken forests of oak, poplar, walnut, hickory, ash, locust and sugar maple extend over a considerable portion of the county.
The assessed valuation of taxable property, for 1842, was $2,222,304 ; county tax $9,566; State tax, $2,564.
No turnpike roads have yet been constructed, but several State roads lead in different directions from the county seat. The com- mon roads are kept in tolerable condition, and bridges are built over the principal streams where crossed by the main roads.
Education is too much neglected in this county, though some hope of improvement in this respect may be reasonably entertained. There are 16 school districts in all, of which 11 have accepted the common school law, but only 7 of them made reports to the su- perintendent in 1842. According to these reports there were 68 schools in operation ; but the average time of their being kept open was only about three months in the year.
Of the religious societies the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics are most numerous.
The early settlers were mostly from eastern Pennsylvania and Virginia, with some from Maryland and New Jersey, and a few Irish and German emigrants.
In what part of the State is Greene county and how bounded ? Describe the face of the country and character of the soil. Name the principal streams. How is the county town situated and what are the public build- ings ? What other towns are mentioned, and how are they situated ? What is said of the rock strata and mineral productions ? Mention the different kinds of farm produce. Of manufactures. What is said of the timber ?- of roads and bridges ? State the condition of education and of common schools. What are the prevailing religious denominations ? Whence came the early settlers of the county ?
22
254
GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
27. HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
Huntingdon is bounded north by Centre, east by Mifflin and Juniata, south-east by Franklin, south-west by Bedford, and west by Cambria. Population 35,484.
This is one of the most mountainous regions in the State, being composed of long and nearly parallel ranges of high and rugged mountain ridges, separated by deep and mostly narrow valleys. Furthest east is the Tuscarora mountain, dividing Huntingdon from Franklin ; then the Shade and Black-log, extending south- ward from Juniata ; and next Jack's mountain, a branch of which called Stone mountain folds round on the west of Kishicoquillas valley. In the south are Sideling Hill and Terrace mountain, enclosing Trough creek valley, from which rises the huge, irre- gular, unshapely form of Broad Top, like a great giant watching over the two counties, standing with one foot in Huntingdon and the other in Bedford, his monstrous head blackened by the smut of countless coal beds-and there he has stood for ever, with all this treasure in his own keeping. West of the town of Hunting- don is Warrior ridge, and next Tussey's mountain, beyond which is an irregular range, folding and turning sharply in several direc- tions, being known in different parts by the names of Lock, Canoe and Brush mountains. Passing westward from this, we come to the towering front of Allegheny, supported along its base by a range of low irregular hills, which stand out like buttresses from the main mountain, as if to prop and sustain the mighty mass. Besides these principal mountains, there are many lesser hills and ridges which have their local names.
The geological features of Huntingdon county are of the most varied and interesting character. It contains all the older secondary rock formations, from the lower limestone up to the carboniferous series, in regular succes- sion ; but so intricately involved by multiplied lines of elevation and de- pression, and such numerous foldings and windings, that a minute and de- tailed description would far exceed the limits to which we are restricted. We shall therefore merely indicate the local position of the principal for- mations, with such notice of their ores and other valuable contents as may serve in some measure to illustrate the mineral resources of the county.
The blue limestone (II,) lowest in the series, occurs in Kishicoquillas valley, Morrison's cove, and Sinking valley, having associated with it the cellular and stalactitic brown iron ore usually found in limestone districts. It commonly occurs in irregular nests and layers in the ferruginous earth overlying the limestone, and appears to be subject to no regular or fixed law of deposition. It is extensively mined for the supply of furnaces in its neighbourhood.
Around the borders of the valleys where this limestone occurs, and near the base of the mountain ridges inclosing them, is a belt of dark slate (III,) which is next in order above the limestone.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.