Williamsburg, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Williamsburg in Morrisons Cove, is a borough
in Blair County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 1,345 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
and Shawnee.
On July 6, 1754 a treaty was signed at Albany
, New York
between the Iroquois
and the William Penn
heirs, opening up portions of the west for settlement. However, British policy forbid western expansion and was in effect until after the American Revolution.
The massacre of Captain William Phillips' Rangers took place near Williamsburg in July 1780. Ten men were murdered after surrendering to a party of Indians.
September 17, 1789 George Reynolds took out a patent from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania for a large tract of unsettled land surrounding the Big Spring which flows into the Frankstown Branch Juniata River
.
The borough was founded in 1790 by Jacob Ake. Originally called Aketown, it is the oldest borough in the current borders of Blair County
. The name change was in honor of William Ake, Jacob's son. By 1810, there were 34 houses in the village; the census of 1820 notes an inn, a distillery, and the presence of one slave. The Main Line of the Pennsylvania Canal
was completed in 1832, and opened on November 28 when the packetboat "John Blair" left Huntingdon, for the west. The Blair County Children's Home was located in Williamsburg for many years until its destruction by fire. Today, the borough is approximately 30 blocks, centered on High and Second Streets. This comprises the Williamsburg Historic District
, listed by the National Register of Historic Places
in 1995. Nearby places also listed are: Etna Furnace
and the Daniel Royer House
.
Originally served by a canal along the Frankstown Branch Juniata River
, the canal was abandoned in 1872. In the following year, the Pennsylvania Railroad
completed a branch line from Hollidaysburg
to Williamsburg along the old canal towpath. It would eventually be extended to Petersburg
in 1900, completing a bypass of the main line known as the Hollidaysburg and Petersburg Branch. The railroad supplied passenger service on the branch until 1933. Freight service would continue until 1982, when Conrail abandoned the line through Williamsburg. It is now the Lower Trail (vide infra).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, Williamsburg has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all of it land.
According to the US Geological survey, Williamsburg and the surrounding area sits on a 550 feet thick bed of sandstone, divided into medina white, red, and gray, with beds of red shale. Below that is the Oneida band, a 500 feet thick bed of greenish gray, iron speckled and very hard sandstone.
Williamsburg is accessed by Pennsylvania Route 866
, approximately fifteen miles from Altoona
to the west and thirteen miles from Huntingdon
to the east. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern; going from the Frankstown Branch Juniata River
southward are First (or Front) Street, Second Street, Third Street, and Fourth Street (east side of the borough only). Union Street and Academy Alley/Sage Hill Drive follow the same direction of Fourth Street, if it continued. The main street is High Street, which runs through the center of the borough. Going east from High Street are Spring, Liberty, and Locust Streets; going west are Plum, Black, Taylor, and Dean Streets.
Union Street was named in honor of the federal union; Liberty Street for American liberty. Locust and Plum were named for trees. Black, Taylor and Dean were named for three Blair County judges born in Williamsburg. Academy Alley borders the school property. A small cross street along the eastern side of the high school, is named Blue Pirate Street, after the school mascot.
The Frankstown Branch Juniata River
borders the borough. Piney Creek flows into this river to the west of the borough, and Clover Creek
to the east. Across the river is Robeson Extension, usually considered part of Williamsburg, but actually lying in Catharine Township. Street names from the borough extend into the Extension, with the addition of Recreation Drive (borders the ballfields) and Home Street (borders Grace Pointe Community Church, former site of the Blair County Children's Home). The Williamsburg Farm show is held at the complex in Robeson Extension.
Approaching Williamsburg on Route 866 from the west, after crossing the Juniata River (Frankstown Branch) two natural landmarks can be seen on the left. One is locally named Indian Rocks and is a series of exposed ridges of tall chimney like stone formations (one larger than the others). The other is a flat rock outcropping locally named Table Rock. Native American legends are associated with these rock formations. A hiker standing on top of Table Rock has a view over the entire town.
On the south side of Williamsburg is a large natural spring locally named The Big Spring. This water source is the reason Charles Schwab, the steel tycoon wanted to build a steel mill in Williamsburg. Ultimately Schwab built a paper mill and a housing development on the east side of Williamsburg, referred to as Schwab Town in the early years.
The Big Spring is a favorite photography location for wedding parties.
Wilmer Stultz, famous native son aviator who piloted Amelia Earhart across the Atlantic, as a passenger and the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, is buried, with his wife, in the Presbyterian Cemetery near The Big Spring.
Wilmer Stultz was born on a farm on Piney Creek Road south of Williamsburg. After his father died when he was age 14, his mother moved with Wilmer into Williamsburg where they lived on Spring Street (named after The Big Spring).
In July 1928, Amelia Earhart accompanied Wilmer to Williamsburg where a gigantic welcome celebration was held, including Wilmer, Amelia and Lou Gordon riding through Williamsburg in aan open convertible and accompanied by state police escorts.
In July 1929, Amelia attended Wilmer's funeral in Williamsburg after he died in an airplane accident in New York City (Long Island).
of 2000, there were 1,345 people, 562 households, and 349 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,599.7 people per square mile (1,403.5/km²). There were 583 housing units at an average density of 1,560.3 per square mile (608.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.96% White, 0.07% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.30% of the population. 42% of the population is of German background; 14% of Irish.
There were 562 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the borough the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,375, and the median income for a family was $37,717. Males had a median income of $28,681 versus $20,526 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $14,019. About 10.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Recent Mayors:
Jean Kifer
Harold Mardis
Dennis Hammel
William Brantner 2004-2008
John Traxler 2008 (resigned)
Ted Hyle 2008-
Williamsburg Community School District is one of Pennsylvania's smallest. The acting interim superintendent is James Kaufman with Linda Smith as director of education and the school board is headed by Dr. Barry England. The current principal of the High School is Todd Dishong. There are two buildings in use in the district; one for grades K-6, and one for grades 7-12. The high school mascot is the Blue Pirate. Sports offered at the high school include football, baseball, basketball for both sexes, and volleyball and softball for girls. Both the boys and girls basketball teams have won state championships. On October 13, 2006, the Blue Pirate football team won their first game since 2004.
In addition to the public schools, students within the district also attend private schools in nearby Altoona and Huntingdon, as well as homeschooling.The girls junior basketball team has won the past two Juniata Valley league championships, only losing twice to the central/ Spring Cove Dragons both seasons. In 2005 the Junior High Boys won the Juniata Valley League championship to. The school districts website is http://www.Williamsburg.k12.pa./us.
The Williamsburg Public Library opened on January 28, 1950. The library was located in a back room of the Williamsburg Borough Building, and was open on Tuesdays and Saturday evenings from 7 to 9. Members of the Women's Civic Club served as volunteer librarians.
In 1968 the library moved to the former Patterson home on West Second Street, and in December, 2001 it moved again to the former Presbyterian Church building. In 1966 the library became a member of the Blair County Library System. It currently serves the residents of Williamsburg, Catharine and Woodbury Townships, and parts of Huston and Frankstown Townships. The library provides a variety of programs, including story hours, book discussions, and poetry readings and is open five days a week. A Weight Watchers
group meets weekly at the library. The library has a twelve station computer lab with high speed Internet and a community meeting room. The library's collection has thousands of books covering a wide variety of topics.
") passes through in Williamsburg. The Williamsburg trailhead allows the user to access to Alexandria
, 11 miles east, and to Flowing Springs, five miles west. The trail is crushed limestone (paved in frequent flood areas) with grass on both sides. The Lower Trail offers access to the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River
along much of its length. This river is a prime fishing location for trout and other game fish. Many historical points of interest, especially involving the Pennsylvania Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad, are located along the trail. This trail is popular for exercise, relaxation, and enjoyment of scenery. Other trailheads are located in Ganister and Mount Etna. The Pennsylvania Mid State Trail
overlaps the Lower Trail in Williamsburg.
The Williamsburg Community Farm Show is held annually, usually near the end of August. Rides and a midway are also provided; this event was previously known as Old Home Week
.
The Barnes and Carson Circus came to Williamsburg on 8/5/2006. This was the second time a big top in five years a big top has been raised.
Historically, the Adam Forepaugh Circus visited Williamsburg on May 5, 1871.
Musically, the high school band has won awards. The band traveled to Dublin, Ireland, in the early 1970s to play in the St. Patrick's Day parade. Today, musicians, individually and in small groups, play everything from bluegrass
to heavy metal
.
The local library has sponsored a poetry coffeehouse on several occasions, and Royer Mansion has hosted readings from local literacy and writer's societies.
Painting and the fine arts are also practiced.
was born in Williamsburg. At the age of 39 he became president of the United States Steel. Near the turn of the 20th century, he was approached by leading citizens and asked to assist with bringing manufacturing jobs to the borough. He helped fund a paper mill that was built just outside Williamsburg in 1903. The paper mill's final owner was Westvaco (West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company). It was closed in the 1970s and later demolished. Mr. Schwab also helped make the borough larger by building houses for some of the mill workers. This section of Williamsburg was called Schwabtown.
Wilmer Stultz
was an aircraft navigator. He flew across the Atlantic Ocean
with Amelia Earhart
. He died on July 3, 1929, in an aircraft crash while stunt flying. His two passengers were also killed.
Galen Hall
was raised in Williamsburg, and has played and coached football at the college and professional levels. He is currently on the staff at Penn State
.
Williamsburg was the home of D. Raymond Sollenberger, a delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention
that re-nominated Dwight Eisenhower.
landed and took off August 5, 1930 from Williamsburg during his transcontinental flight.
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
in Blair County
Blair County, Pennsylvania
-Significant Topographic Features:*Brush Mountain*Logan Valley*Morrison Cove*Tussey Mountain-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 129,144 people, 51,518 households, and 34,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 246 people per square mile . There were 55,061...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,345 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Before the first settlers arrived in the vicinity of what was later called the Big Spring, this area was part of the hunting grounds of the LenapeLenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
and Shawnee.
On July 6, 1754 a treaty was signed at Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
between the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
and the William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
heirs, opening up portions of the west for settlement. However, British policy forbid western expansion and was in effect until after the American Revolution.
The massacre of Captain William Phillips' Rangers took place near Williamsburg in July 1780. Ten men were murdered after surrendering to a party of Indians.
September 17, 1789 George Reynolds took out a patent from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania for a large tract of unsettled land surrounding the Big Spring which flows into the Frankstown Branch Juniata River
Frankstown Branch Juniata River
The Frankstown Branch Juniata River is a tributary of the Juniata River in Blair County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.The headwater tributaries of the Frankstown Branch rise on the slopes of the Allegheny Front south of Altoona...
.
The borough was founded in 1790 by Jacob Ake. Originally called Aketown, it is the oldest borough in the current borders of Blair County
Blair County, Pennsylvania
-Significant Topographic Features:*Brush Mountain*Logan Valley*Morrison Cove*Tussey Mountain-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 129,144 people, 51,518 households, and 34,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 246 people per square mile . There were 55,061...
. The name change was in honor of William Ake, Jacob's son. By 1810, there were 34 houses in the village; the census of 1820 notes an inn, a distillery, and the presence of one slave. The Main Line of the Pennsylvania Canal
Pennsylvania Canal
Pennsylvania Canal refers generally to a complex system of canals, dams, locks, tow paths, aqueducts, and other infrastructure including, in some cases, railroads in Pennsylvania...
was completed in 1832, and opened on November 28 when the packetboat "John Blair" left Huntingdon, for the west. The Blair County Children's Home was located in Williamsburg for many years until its destruction by fire. Today, the borough is approximately 30 blocks, centered on High and Second Streets. This comprises the Williamsburg Historic District
Williamsburg Historic District (Williamsburg, Pennsylvania)
Williamsburg Historic District is a national historic district located at Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The district includes 362 contributing buildings and 6 contributing structures in the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Williamsburg...
, listed by the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1995. Nearby places also listed are: Etna Furnace
Etna Furnace (Williamsburg, Pennsylvania)
Etna Furnace, also known as Mount Etna Furnace, Aetna Furnace, and Aetna Iron Works, is a historic iron furnace complex and national historic district located at Catharine Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The district includes five contributing buildings, six contributing sites, and two...
and the Daniel Royer House
Daniel Royer House
Daniel Royer House is a historic home located at Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania. It was built in at least two sections. The oldest section is a three-bay, two story stone section built about 1815. Built about the same time was a 1 1/2 story clapboard section. A two bay by five...
.
Originally served by a canal along the Frankstown Branch Juniata River
Frankstown Branch Juniata River
The Frankstown Branch Juniata River is a tributary of the Juniata River in Blair County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.The headwater tributaries of the Frankstown Branch rise on the slopes of the Allegheny Front south of Altoona...
, the canal was abandoned in 1872. In the following year, the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
completed a branch line from Hollidaysburg
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Hollidaysburg is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, on the Juniata River, south of Altoona. It is the county seat of Blair County. It is part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area and is one of the communities that comprises the Altoona Urban Area...
to Williamsburg along the old canal towpath. It would eventually be extended to Petersburg
Petersburg, Pennsylvania
Petersburg is a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was a stop on the former Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line between Tyrone and Huntingdon and the junction point for the Petersburg Branch...
in 1900, completing a bypass of the main line known as the Hollidaysburg and Petersburg Branch. The railroad supplied passenger service on the branch until 1933. Freight service would continue until 1982, when Conrail abandoned the line through Williamsburg. It is now the Lower Trail (vide infra).
Geography
Williamsburg is located at 40°27′42"N 78°12′14"W (40.461587, -78.203954).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Williamsburg has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all of it land.
According to the US Geological survey, Williamsburg and the surrounding area sits on a 550 feet thick bed of sandstone, divided into medina white, red, and gray, with beds of red shale. Below that is the Oneida band, a 500 feet thick bed of greenish gray, iron speckled and very hard sandstone.
Williamsburg is accessed by Pennsylvania Route 866
Pennsylvania Route 866
Pennsylvania Route 866 is an long state highway located in Bedford and Blair counties. The southern terminus is at PA 36 in Woodbury. The northern terminus is at US 22 in Frankstown Township...
, approximately fifteen miles from Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
to the west and thirteen miles from Huntingdon
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Huntingdon is a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Huntingdon County. It is located along the Juniata River, west of Harrisburg, about halfway between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, in an agricultural and fruit-growing region, with valuable forests and deposits of...
to the east. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern; going from the Frankstown Branch Juniata River
Frankstown Branch Juniata River
The Frankstown Branch Juniata River is a tributary of the Juniata River in Blair County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.The headwater tributaries of the Frankstown Branch rise on the slopes of the Allegheny Front south of Altoona...
southward are First (or Front) Street, Second Street, Third Street, and Fourth Street (east side of the borough only). Union Street and Academy Alley/Sage Hill Drive follow the same direction of Fourth Street, if it continued. The main street is High Street, which runs through the center of the borough. Going east from High Street are Spring, Liberty, and Locust Streets; going west are Plum, Black, Taylor, and Dean Streets.
Union Street was named in honor of the federal union; Liberty Street for American liberty. Locust and Plum were named for trees. Black, Taylor and Dean were named for three Blair County judges born in Williamsburg. Academy Alley borders the school property. A small cross street along the eastern side of the high school, is named Blue Pirate Street, after the school mascot.
The Frankstown Branch Juniata River
Frankstown Branch Juniata River
The Frankstown Branch Juniata River is a tributary of the Juniata River in Blair County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.The headwater tributaries of the Frankstown Branch rise on the slopes of the Allegheny Front south of Altoona...
borders the borough. Piney Creek flows into this river to the west of the borough, and Clover Creek
Clover Creek (Pennsylvania)
Clover Creek is a tributary of the Frankstown Branch Juniata River in Bedford and Blair counties, Pennsylvania, in the United States.It originates in Woodbury Township in Bedford County on Tussey Mountain, between Pulpit Hill and the north end of Warrior Ridge...
to the east. Across the river is Robeson Extension, usually considered part of Williamsburg, but actually lying in Catharine Township. Street names from the borough extend into the Extension, with the addition of Recreation Drive (borders the ballfields) and Home Street (borders Grace Pointe Community Church, former site of the Blair County Children's Home). The Williamsburg Farm show is held at the complex in Robeson Extension.
Approaching Williamsburg on Route 866 from the west, after crossing the Juniata River (Frankstown Branch) two natural landmarks can be seen on the left. One is locally named Indian Rocks and is a series of exposed ridges of tall chimney like stone formations (one larger than the others). The other is a flat rock outcropping locally named Table Rock. Native American legends are associated with these rock formations. A hiker standing on top of Table Rock has a view over the entire town.
On the south side of Williamsburg is a large natural spring locally named The Big Spring. This water source is the reason Charles Schwab, the steel tycoon wanted to build a steel mill in Williamsburg. Ultimately Schwab built a paper mill and a housing development on the east side of Williamsburg, referred to as Schwab Town in the early years.
The Big Spring is a favorite photography location for wedding parties.
Wilmer Stultz, famous native son aviator who piloted Amelia Earhart across the Atlantic, as a passenger and the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, is buried, with his wife, in the Presbyterian Cemetery near The Big Spring.
Wilmer Stultz was born on a farm on Piney Creek Road south of Williamsburg. After his father died when he was age 14, his mother moved with Wilmer into Williamsburg where they lived on Spring Street (named after The Big Spring).
In July 1928, Amelia Earhart accompanied Wilmer to Williamsburg where a gigantic welcome celebration was held, including Wilmer, Amelia and Lou Gordon riding through Williamsburg in aan open convertible and accompanied by state police escorts.
In July 1929, Amelia attended Wilmer's funeral in Williamsburg after he died in an airplane accident in New York City (Long Island).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,345 people, 562 households, and 349 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,599.7 people per square mile (1,403.5/km²). There were 583 housing units at an average density of 1,560.3 per square mile (608.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.96% White, 0.07% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.30% of the population. 42% of the population is of German background; 14% of Irish.
There were 562 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the borough the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,375, and the median income for a family was $37,717. Males had a median income of $28,681 versus $20,526 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $14,019. About 10.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Williamsburg has a mayor-council form of government.Recent Mayors:
Jean Kifer
Harold Mardis
Dennis Hammel
William Brantner 2004-2008
John Traxler 2008 (resigned)
Ted Hyle 2008-
Education
The first school in Williamsburg was founded and taught by Jacob Ake, the borough's founder.Williamsburg Community School District is one of Pennsylvania's smallest. The acting interim superintendent is James Kaufman with Linda Smith as director of education and the school board is headed by Dr. Barry England. The current principal of the High School is Todd Dishong. There are two buildings in use in the district; one for grades K-6, and one for grades 7-12. The high school mascot is the Blue Pirate. Sports offered at the high school include football, baseball, basketball for both sexes, and volleyball and softball for girls. Both the boys and girls basketball teams have won state championships. On October 13, 2006, the Blue Pirate football team won their first game since 2004.
In addition to the public schools, students within the district also attend private schools in nearby Altoona and Huntingdon, as well as homeschooling.The girls junior basketball team has won the past two Juniata Valley league championships, only losing twice to the central/ Spring Cove Dragons both seasons. In 2005 the Junior High Boys won the Juniata Valley League championship to. The school districts website is http://www.Williamsburg.k12.pa./us.
The Williamsburg Public Library opened on January 28, 1950. The library was located in a back room of the Williamsburg Borough Building, and was open on Tuesdays and Saturday evenings from 7 to 9. Members of the Women's Civic Club served as volunteer librarians.
In 1968 the library moved to the former Patterson home on West Second Street, and in December, 2001 it moved again to the former Presbyterian Church building. In 1966 the library became a member of the Blair County Library System. It currently serves the residents of Williamsburg, Catharine and Woodbury Townships, and parts of Huston and Frankstown Townships. The library provides a variety of programs, including story hours, book discussions, and poetry readings and is open five days a week. A Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is an international company that offers various dieting products and services to assist weight loss and maintenance. Founded in 1963 by Brooklyn homemaker Jean Nidetch, it operates in about 30 countries around the world, generally under names that are local translations of “Weight...
group meets weekly at the library. The library has a twelve station computer lab with high speed Internet and a community meeting room. The library's collection has thousands of books covering a wide variety of topics.
Recreation
The Lower Trail ' onMouseout='HidePop("20125")' href="/topics/Powerball">powerPowerball
Powerball is an American lottery game sold in 44 jurisdictions as a shared jackpot game. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association , a non-profit organization formed by an agreement with lotteries. Powerball is a game whose advertised jackpot starts at $20 million and can roll into...
") passes through in Williamsburg. The Williamsburg trailhead allows the user to access to Alexandria
Alexandria, Pennsylvania
Alexandria is a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 401 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, 11 miles east, and to Flowing Springs, five miles west. The trail is crushed limestone (paved in frequent flood areas) with grass on both sides. The Lower Trail offers access to the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River
Juniata River
The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, approximately long, in central Pennsylvania in the United States. The river is considered scenic along much of its route, having a broad and shallow course passing through several mountain ridges and steeply-lined water gaps...
along much of its length. This river is a prime fishing location for trout and other game fish. Many historical points of interest, especially involving the Pennsylvania Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad, are located along the trail. This trail is popular for exercise, relaxation, and enjoyment of scenery. Other trailheads are located in Ganister and Mount Etna. The Pennsylvania Mid State Trail
Pennsylvania Mid State Trail
The Mid State Trail is a long main trail network with many side trails located in the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians and Allegheny Plateau of Central Pennsylvania. It is known as "The Wildest Trail in Pennsylvania"...
overlaps the Lower Trail in Williamsburg.
Sports
- The Junior High Lady Pirates won the Juniata Valley League basketball championship in 2006. (17-2)
- The Williamsburg Blue Pirates Varsity Football Team (2006) ended a 16 game losing streak with a win against Tussey Mountain. The team record for the year was 2-8. Jr. High 4-4
- The Williamsburg Blue Pirate Basketball Team (2008) won the Juniata Valley League Championship. They ended their season at 20-6.
Events
The Blair County Allied Firefighters convention, with parade and fireworks, was held in Williamsburg at Riverside park in 2006.The Williamsburg Community Farm Show is held annually, usually near the end of August. Rides and a midway are also provided; this event was previously known as Old Home Week
Old Home Week
Old Home Week is a practice that originated in the New England region of the United States similar to a holiday or festival. In its beginning in the 19th-20th century it involved a municipal effort to invite former residents of a village, town, or city - usually individuals who grew up in the...
.
The Barnes and Carson Circus came to Williamsburg on 8/5/2006. This was the second time a big top in five years a big top has been raised.
Historically, the Adam Forepaugh Circus visited Williamsburg on May 5, 1871.
The arts
Residents of Williamsburg engage in many arts and crafts. Craft shows occur when artisans sell their work. Some of the media worked in include leathercraft, metal, and wood. Local cabinetmakers craft fine wood furniture.Musically, the high school band has won awards. The band traveled to Dublin, Ireland, in the early 1970s to play in the St. Patrick's Day parade. Today, musicians, individually and in small groups, play everything from bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
to heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
.
The local library has sponsored a poetry coffeehouse on several occasions, and Royer Mansion has hosted readings from local literacy and writer's societies.
Painting and the fine arts are also practiced.
Businesses
The largest employer is Cenveo, located just outside of the borough limits and established in 1964. In 2006, MeadWestvaco reopened the former Sweetheart/Fonda building as a new West Plant. Other business include a Martin General Store, a Williamsburg Hometown Market (groceries), branches of the Clearfield Bank and Trust and First National Bank, Evan's Garage and Nic's Grab n Go. Past to Present offered bicycle rentals and ice cream at the trail head, and laundromat. In addition to sandwiches and groceries, two pizza shops (the Sizzler and OIP) are located in the borough. Several mechanics offer car repairs, and gasoline is available at two service stations. Dairy cattle and other agricultural farms surround Williamsburg. Grannas Brothers operate a large stone quarry just outside of Williamsburg, in nearby Ganister. White Deer Run has a D&A treatment center in nearby Cove Forge. Many residents are employed in the surrounding communities.Media
Williamsburg has no television or radio stations, nor a current newspaper. Past newspapers were the Williamsburg Tribune (in the 1800s); the Williamsburg Journal, owned by H.A. “Barney” and Charlotte Barnhart in the 1940s-1950s; the Williamsburg Focus (1960s-1990s) edited by Dr. Marion Morelli; the Williamsburg Gap (1996) and the Williamsburg Focus (1990s). The Altoona Mirror and Morrisons Cove Herald both cover the Williamsburg area.Notable people
Charles SchwabCharles Schwab
Charles Schwab may refer to:*Charles M. Schwab , American steel magnate*Charles R. Schwab , founder of the eponymous brokerage*Charles Schwab Corp., an American based brokerage firm...
was born in Williamsburg. At the age of 39 he became president of the United States Steel. Near the turn of the 20th century, he was approached by leading citizens and asked to assist with bringing manufacturing jobs to the borough. He helped fund a paper mill that was built just outside Williamsburg in 1903. The paper mill's final owner was Westvaco (West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company). It was closed in the 1970s and later demolished. Mr. Schwab also helped make the borough larger by building houses for some of the mill workers. This section of Williamsburg was called Schwabtown.
Wilmer Stultz
Wilmer Stultz
Wilmer Stultz was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a pioneering pilot. On March 5, 1928, Stultz, Oliver Colin LeBoutillier and Mabel Boll on a improvised seat, made the first non-stop flight in the Columbia between New York City and Havana, Cuba. Stultz was the pilot on June 18, 1928...
was an aircraft navigator. He flew across the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
with Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
. He died on July 3, 1929, in an aircraft crash while stunt flying. His two passengers were also killed.
Galen Hall
Galen Hall
Galen Samuel Hall is an American college and professional football coach and former player. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and an alumnus of Penn State University, where he played college football...
was raised in Williamsburg, and has played and coached football at the college and professional levels. He is currently on the staff at Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
.
Williamsburg was the home of D. Raymond Sollenberger, a delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
that re-nominated Dwight Eisenhower.
Facts
Eddie August SchneiderEddie August Schneider
Eddie August Henry Schneider set three transcontinental airspeed records for pilots under the age of twenty-one in 1930. His plane was a Cessna Model AW with a Warner-Scarab engine, one of only 48 built, that he called "The Kangaroo". He set the east-to-west, then the west-to-east, and the...
landed and took off August 5, 1930 from Williamsburg during his transcontinental flight.