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Huntingdon County, PA
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Created on September 20, 1787, from part of Bedford
County and named for its county seat, Huntingdon. Dr.
William Smith, provost of the University of
Pennsylvania, owned the land where the town was laid out
in 1767 and named it for the Countess of Huntingdon,
England. Huntingdon was incorporated as a borough on
March 29, 1796.
 Fort
Shirley, the reinforced trading post of the colorful
Indian trader George Croghan, was an important defense
post in 1755–1756. Iron ore and limestone are abundant,
so the manufacture of a superior charcoal-made iron was
the foundation of the economy until surpassed by
competitors after 1850. Charcoal production denuded the
forests, and later the state bought those areas as
preserves. Brick making and pottery were major
industries until recent decades. Paper, silk, and
hosiery industries once flourished. The damning of the
Raystown Branch of the Juniata River created a tourist
recreation industry. There is a significant dairy
industry; 24 percent of the county is farmed. Republican
Martin Brumbaugh was the president of Juniata College
both before and after his term as governor. |
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