Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Bellefonte is a borough and the county seat of Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is about twelve miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The borough population was 6,187 at the 2010 Census.[4] It houses the Centre County Courthouse located downtown on the square. Bellefonte has also been home to five of Pennsylvania's governors as well as two other governors.[5] All seven are commemorated in a monument located at Talleyrand Park.

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Borough
Downtown Bellefonte
Location of Bellefonte in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
Map showing Centre County in Pennsylvania
Bellefonte
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Bellefonte
Bellefonte (the United States)
Coordinates: 40°54′53″N 77°46′29″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyCentre
Settled1795
Incorporated (borough)1806
Government
 • MayorThomas J. Wilson
Area
 • Total1.85 sq mi (4.79 km2)
 • Land1.85 sq mi (4.79 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
919 ft (280 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total6,187
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
6,241
 • Density3,373.51/sq mi (1,302.64/km2)
Demonym(s)Bellefutian
Time zoneEastern (EST)
 • Summer (DST)EDT
Zip
16823
Area code(s)814
FIPS code42-05256
Websitebellefonte.net
DesignatedMay 08, 1947[3]

The town features many examples of Victorian architecture. It is also home to the natural spring from which the town gets its name ("la belle fonte", 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. The early development of Bellefonte had been as a "natural town." It started with one house and a crossroad, then iron was found and the town grew.[6]

History
Aerial photo of Bellefonte looking south

William Lamb sold his mill to John Dunlop in 1794. The following year, John’s father James Dunlop and John’s son-in-law James Harris laid out the town that would become known as Bellefonte.

As the years went by, Bellefonte boomed and soon became the most influential town between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.[7]

Bellefonte Historic District

The Bellefonte Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Other buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are: Bellefonte Armory, Bellefonte Forge House, Brockerhoff Hotel, Centre County Courthouse, Gamble Mill, McAllister-Beaver House, Miles-Humes House, Pennsylvania Match Company, South Ward School, and the William Thomas House. The Bellefonte Academy was listed until 2008, after having been destroyed by fire in 2004.[8]

Bush House Hotel

The Bush House Hotel was built in 1868-69 by Bellefonte attorney and developer 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 Brockerhoff House, the Haag House, and other area hotels were competitors. Many notable guests stayed at the Bush House including Thomas Edison.[9] The Bush House burned down on February 8, 2006.[10]

Cadillac Building

Another fire heavily damaged one of the borough's other landmark buildings less than four years later. The Cadillac Building, so named because it was originally built as a Cadillac dealership in 1916, was a mix use commercial and residential property hit by a devastating fire on December 22, 2009. Christmas tree lights in one of the apartment units were determined to be the cause.

Cadillac Building was rebuilt in 2016 and is now home to 11 two and three bedroom apartment units. It remains a part of the Bellefonte Historic District.[11]

Garman Opera House

The Garman Opera House was originally built in 1890 and hosted many notable stars of the day including George Burns and Gracie Allen, Western performer Tom Mix, and illusionist/escape artist Harry Houdini. The popular song "After the Ball" was said to have been first sung in public here. It was eventually also used as a movie theater, first showing silent films and then "talkies." By the early 1960s, the property was converted to primarily commercial/warehouse use. In the 1990s, the building was restored and returned to its roots as a live performance venue and cinema.

The opera house was severely damaged by a fire on September 9, 2012 that also destroyed the Garman House Hotel. The cause of the fire has been ruled as arson. Preservationist groups' attempts to save the Garman were unsuccessful and the building was razed in January 2014.

Garman House was rebuilt in 2016 and is now home to 21 one and two bedroom apartment units.

Victorian era

First-time visitors who walk along the Victorian streets of Bellefonte see primarily Victorian houses. One of many examples is the Hastings Mansion, which was owned by Mrs. John Lane and was bought and remodeled by Governor Daniel H. Hastings.

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.

Renaissance

One of the town's historic sections experienced a renaissance in 2004. The Match Factory (officially the Pennsylvania Match Company), after standing vacant since 1947, 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.

Geography

Bellefonte is located in the Nittany Valley of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians. It lies 12 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
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1810303—
182043342.9%
183069861.2%
18401,03247.9%
18501,17914.2%
18601,47725.3%
18702,65579.8%
18803,02614.0%
18903,94630.4%
19004,2166.8%
19104,145−1.7%
19203,996−3.6%
19304,80420.2%
19405,30410.4%
19505,6516.5%
19606,0887.7%
19706,82812.2%
19806,300−7.7%
19906,3580.9%
20006,3950.6%
20106,187−3.3%
2019 (est.)6,241[2]0.9%
Sources:[12][13][14]

As of the 2010 census, the borough had 6,187 people, 2,837 households, and 1,496 families. The borough was 96.3% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% other, and 1.3% were two or more races. 1.4% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. The population density was 3,510.1 people per square mile (1,356.7/km²). There were 3,038 housing units at an average density of 1,669.2 per square mile (644.5/km²).[15]

Of the 2,837 households, 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.2% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $48,211, and the median income for a family was $62,292. The per capita income for the borough was $26,938. About 4.4% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Bellefonte area, as part of Centre County, typically enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. The primary industries are education, health care, construction, retail, and government.

Major employers

Prisons

The Centre County Correctional Facility is in Benner Township, just outside Bellefonte. It is county-run and houses between 250 - 300 inmates.[16]

The State Correctional Institution – Rockview is a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections prison located in Benner Township, Pennsylvania, 5 miles (8.0 km) from Bellefonte.[17][18] The prison houses Pennsylvania's execution chamber.[18]

The State Correctional Institution – Benner, a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections facility, is a 2,000 bed prison located adjacent to SCI Rockview.[19]

Government
Courthouse at night
Looking down Allegheny Street from Reservoir Hill

Federal

Bellefonte forms part of Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district. The current representative is Glenn "G.T." Thompson.

County

Bellefonte is the county seat of Centre County and home to the Centre County Courthouse.

Local

The Borough of Bellefonte government is currently run by the following elected officials:

  • Mayor: Thomas Wilson
  • President of Council: Joanne Tosti-Vasey
  • Vice President of Council: Randall Brachbill
  • Council Members:[20]
    • Evan Duffey
    • R. Michael Prendergast
    • Melissa Hombosky
    • Anne Walker
    • Renee Brown
    • Randall Brachbill
    • Jon Eaton
    • Doug Johnson
    • Joanne Tosti-Vasey

Education

Bellefonte Area School District operates public schools in the borough and wider area. Centre County Christian Academy is a private school located in Bellefonte. Since 1890, Catholic Education has been present in the Bellefonte community and vicinity through Saint John Parochial School. Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic School provides 3 and 4 year-old Pre-Kindergarten classes, as well as full-day instruction in Kindergarten through grade 5.

Bellefonte is 10 miles from Pennsylvania State University. Joel Rose of National Public Radio said, "These days, it seems everyone in Bellefonte has ties to Penn State, or knows someone who does."[21]

Infrastructure

Law enforcement

The law enforcement agency in Bellefonte is the Bellefonte Police Department, headed by Chief Shawn P. Weaver.

Railroads

Up to 1946 the Bellefonte Central Railroad served the town on a Bellefonte-Lemont (State College) route. Until 1933 the BCR continued the route south to Tyrone over the Pennsylvania Railroad's former Fairbrook Branch.[22] Additionally, the Pennsylvania Railroad ran passenger trains from Altoona to Williamsport, after Milesburg heading into Bellefonte, then backing out to return to the Bald Eagle Valley Branch's route to continue the trip northeast.[23] The last Altoona - Lock Haven train was between August 1950 and 1951.[24][25] The PRR also operated trains until the late 1940s from Bellefonte south to Lemont (nearest train station to State College), then east to Northumberland and Sunbury, Pennsylvania.[26]

Turnpikes and roads

A turnpike was created in 1822 after twenty years of construction. This turnpike, named The Northumberland and Anderson's Creek Turnpike, connected Bellefonte to Clearfield on the west and Sunbury on the east.[27] Today, Pennsylvania Route 550 runs through the town. Interstate 99/US Route 220 pass by the eastern outskirts of the town.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "PHMC Historical Markers Search" (Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. Victorian Bellefonte: Old-world charm in a modern world Archived September 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Bellefonte.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  6. Victorian Bellefonte: Old-world charm in a modern world Archived September 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Bellefonte.com (2006-02-08). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  7. Archived February 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  9. bushhousefacts Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Bellefonte.com (2006-02-08). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  10. A Virtual Walking Tour of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania: The Bush House. Bellefontearts.org (2006-02-08). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  11. "Cadillac and Garman Houses | Leonard S. Fiore, Inc. General Contractor". www.lsfiore.com. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  14. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  15. https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-07-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Benner Township Zoning Map." Zoning Ordinance Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine. Benner Township, March 2009. Retrieved on July 26, 2010
  18. "Pennsylvania Department of Corrections: SCI Rockview". Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  19. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contract-awarded-for-new-state-prison-in-benner-township-centre-county-96157519.html
  20. "Council Members". Borough of Bellefonte. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  21. Rose, Joel. "Sandusky Trial Opens Near Penn State." National Public Radio. June 11, 2012.
  22. Bellefonte Central Railroad timeline https://web.archive.org/web/20061105015647/http://bellefonte.com/heritage/BCR/BFCtime.html
  23. Official Guide to the Railways, June 1921, Pennsylvania Railroad section, Table 114
  24. Pennsylvania Railroad timetable, August 6, 1950, Table 30
  25. Official Guide to the Railways, December 1951, Pennsylvania RR section, Table 109 freight only
  26. Official Guide to the Railways, May 1946, Pennsylvania RR section, Table 109
  27. "The Tallyrand Park Citizens Committee" 'Background to the Virtual Walking Tour of Bellefonte, PA'. Bellefonteearts.org. Retrieved on August 31, 2020. "
  28. Reichler, Joseph L., ed. (1979) [1969]. The Baseball Encyclopedia (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.
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