Genealogy of the Woodcock Valley

I've been taking my son to the summer library program at my school each Thursday.  Each week there is a different topic of interest for the kids.  This past week, a representative from Isett Acres Museum came and talked about school in the old days.  I knew I would enjoy the presentation, but I wasn't sure how much my three year old would glean from the discussion.  However, I am happy to report that he learned how to shoot marbles and can now scatter them all over our living room floor!

Each week, they put out books related to the topic of the speaker.  So, they had some local history books and books about Pennsylvania on display.  I checked out two books by Nancy Shedd, past director of the Huntingdon County Historical Society.  I had never had the privilege of reading Two Centuries in Huntingdon and 1887-1987 Second Century:  A Huntingdon County Becentennial Album.  

Both books provided fascinating reading.  I wanted to share some interesting bits and pieces I picked up that relate to the Woodcock Valley.

From 1887-1987 Second Century: A Huntingdon County Becentennial Album:

• There was an inn, on Coffee Run, in Lincoln Township, called the Java Inn.  The inn was in existence in the 1880s.
• Jacob's in Todd Township was served by two competing railroads for a short time:  The East Broad Top and the Juniata and Southern Railroad

The Juniata and Southern Railroad bridge can be seen in the background of this photo that Clair Grove shared with me.  Schell's Bridge, which crossed the Raystown River, is in the foreground.  You can read more about the history of the Juniata and Southern Railroad and Jacobs by clicking on the link.  

• The Brumbaugh Company Store in Marklesburg sold gasoline through the Atlantic Refining Company.  In the late 1930s, regular gas was 18 cents per gallon.
• There was a train wreck near the Hummel station in Hopewell Township that killed the conductor in 1942 on the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad.
• The Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad tracks were removed at the Marklesburg Station in Aitch in 1954.

You can purchase copies of both of these books by visiting the publications area of the Huntingdon County Historical Society.  Nancy Shedd has also created a new website entitled Huntingdon History Research Network.  You can check out her new website and endeavor by clicking on the link.