Saltsburg, Pennsylvania

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pagename
other_name =
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settlement_type = Borough
motto = A Pennsylvania Canal Town

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image_caption = Picture of Saltsburg taken from the overlook located on the East side of The Kiski School


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Pennsylvania
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Indiana
government_footnotes =
government_type = Borough Council
leader_title = Mayor
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established_title = Settled
established_date = 1817
established_title1 = Incorporated
established_date1 = 1836
area_magnitude =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi = 0.6
area_land_sq_mi = 0.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
area_water_percent =
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total = 955
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi = 4628.9
timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40
latm = 29
lats = 09
latNS = N
longd = 79
longm = 26
longs = 52
longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
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postal_code_type = Zip code
postal_code = 15681
area_code = 724
website = [http://www.saltsburg.org/index.htm Saltsburg]
footnotes =

Saltsburg is a borough in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 955 at the 2000 census. The town was based on the construction of salt wells and the canals and railroad tracks that passed through it.

Geography

Saltsburg is located at 40°29'9" North, 79°26'52" West (40.485731, -79.447726)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²). 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 16.67% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 955 people, 406 households, and 261 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,628.9 people per square mile (1,755.8/km²). There were 445 housing units at an average density of 2,156.9/sq mi (818.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.16% White, 0.21% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.21% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.

There were 406 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the borough the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $27,448, and the median income for a family was $37,614. Males had a median income of $32,778 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,580. About 11.4% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

History

On June 20 1769 William Gray commended the first survey in the Saltsburg vicinity. The wooded area was settled early on by mainly Scots-Irish immigrants. From 1768 up until 1795 people migrated west and found the town of Saltsburg and Indiana County. Those settlers did not take full advantage of the area near the Kiskiminetas River until 1795 because of the threat and attacks of Native Americans.

The name “Saltsburg” assumes a relation of the salt grain to this town. It is true that salt flourished in this “newly discovered” area. A Mrs. Deemer was the first who noted this discovery. Around the years 1795-1798 the woman responsible proved salt was on the site in the Conemaugh River, 1 mile above Saltsburg’s present site. Currently the name of that site is Moween, and the experiment used was simply evaporating the water and she produced a considerable sample of salt.

In January 1817 the first sale was made, and deeded to the Congregation of Saltsburg. In 1816-1817 Andrew Boggs purchased a large amount of land, which held the first town lots. The town was name within common consent of her first settlers, with respect to the newly thriving industry. The town’s religion was mainly Presbyterian, which was also the religious ethnicity of the first church built in Saltsburg. The first house was built in 1820, and now is occupied with the Presbyterian Church.

The town quickly filled with merchants in the late 1820s, and the town became a prosperous place to make a home. John Carson was the first tailor in 1827, Daniel Davis was the first blacksmith in 1828 and George Johnston was the first merchant in 1829. The wooded area quickly became more technologically advanced and people took notice to such a new and petite place. In 1838, the town’s size warranted the declaration of it to become a borough. In 1840 the estimated population was 335 inhabitants.

Transportation was done using foot, carriage, train, or boat. The canal and train were fairly new to the people who lived in this area, but they adapted well. Later on, the canal and railroad were used also for a main trade source to redeem the western Pennsylvania city from exclusion to the trade market via scarce transportation options they were forced to inhabit in the early 1800s. As the town grew it became a sight for the passage of the main line canal from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh. Coal and salt were transported along the canal and the building of boats became very important. It was in 1835-36 that Robert Young, Butler Meyers, and Jacob Newhouse magnetized a number of new craftsmen by opening the first canal-boat building business. Newhouse and his workers crafted some of the finest heavy freight boats the old canal ever saw. For several years boat building was said to be the chief industry of the town. In 1855 the railroad bridge was built with Major S.S. Jameson was the contractor with the Help of the Principal Mason, John Marth. By 1864 the railroad brought an end to the canal era. The growth of the town was minimal until coalmines became prevalent in the 1870’s.

Dr. John McFarland, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College was the town’s first physician; he came to Saltsburg in 1836. Dr. McFarland was not only a physician but also the director of the Indiana county Medical Society and Instructor at the Saltsburg Academy. Later he served in the PA State House of Representatives from 1845-46 and became a man of the Railroad Industry. He was one of the first directors of the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad. The first school was a log house located closer to the trestlework or railroad bridge. John Whittlesey was the first teacher and John Bucklin was the second. The Saltsburg Academy was established in 1852. It was approximately 52 feet long by 30 feet wide.

The town of Saltsburg is located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. It currently has an estimated population of 923. The borough maintains its own police department and currently has one police officer. Supplemental police protection is provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. Lifestat Ambulance Service (Station 90) provides the residents of Saltsburg with emergency medical services (EMS) and also provides EMS support and paramedic assistance to the residents of neighboring Avonmore Borough, Bell Township, Loyalhanna, and Conemaugh Township. The residents of Saltsburg, Avonmore Borough, and Bell Township are benefit greatly from Lifestat's 24 hour advanced life support providers who are certified at the "critical care" level. Saltsburg also has its own volunteer fire department (Station 131). There is an elementary school as well as a high school. They are located next to the Kiskiminetas River. Being so small, the main economy of Saltsburg is full of small restaurants, a few salons, a gas station, and a grocery store. The Rebecca B. Hadden Stone House Museum is located at 105 Point St. Saltsburg Pa, 15681. It has survived many floods, the railroad, and was standing since the days of the operation of the canal. The Saltsburg Area Historical Society is an organization that continues to retain information from the past of the town and the people and their ancestors of the area.

chools

*Saltsburg Elementary
*Saltsburg Junior/Senior High School
*The Kiski School

Events

Canal Days

Every year, Saltsburg holds a celebration in the Canal Park and on Point Street. The celebration lasts three days in early June and includes crafts, food, live music, games, and a fireworks display. Also a unique tradition is the annual duck race. Plastic Ducks are numbered and thrown into the river from the bridge. If the duck with your number finishes first you win the $500 prize.

Community Days

Saltsburg holds its own "Community Days" in early September. The celebration includes many booths along the historical canal in town. The booths contain many crafts, food, and games. It also has live music, fireworks, and an annual poker run bicycle ride. This ride is generally seven miles along the West Penn Trail. At the end of the ride, each person receives five cards to create a poker hand. The best hand wins.

Bibliography

1. Anderson, Jenella M. "Indiana County Heritage" in Early Historic Saltsburg, ed. Mary Carson, (Indiana, PA: 1970-1971).

2. Johnson, George B. "Saltsburg and The Pennsylvania Canal." (Saltsburg, PA: Historic Saltsburg Inc., 1984).

3. Sechrist, Ruth. "Rebecca B. Hadden Stone House Museum," in "Historic Saltsburg Pennsylvania".

4. Stephenson, Clarence D. "The Early Salt Industry of the Conemaugh - Kiskiminetas Valley." 1 ed. "Indiana County Heritage." 4, Marion Center, PA: Mahonin Mineograph and Pamphlet Service, 1968.

5. Stephenson, Clarence D. "The Pennsylvania Canal Indiana and Westmoreland Counties." (Indiana, PA: The A.G. Halldin Publishing Company).

6. Telander, Franklin. "Saltsburg: An Historic Pennsylvania Canal Town," in "Westmoreland History", (Summer/Fall 2000): 24-31.

References

External links

* [http://www.saltsburg.org/ Saltsburg official website]