Williamsburg in Morrisons Cove, is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,241 at the 2020 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 Lenape 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 forbidding western expansion 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.
On 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 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, to the north, and the Daniel Royer House, to the southwest in Royer.
The Blair County Children's Home, established in 1902, was located in Williamsburg, PA for many years until it was destroyed by fire on Aug. 2, 1975.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Williamsburg has a total area of , all land. According to the U.S. 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 foot 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 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, and Taylor Streets, with Dean Street just over the municipal line in Woodbury Township.
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 of the 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 northwest, after crossing the 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 steel tycoon Charles Schwab 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 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). He was an aviator who piloted Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, as a passenger across the Atlantic. In July 1928, Earhart accompanied Stultz to Williamsburg, where a gigantic welcome celebration was held including Stultz, Earhart, and Lou Gordon riding through the town in an open convertible and accompanied by state police escorts. In July 1929, Earhart attended Stultz's funeral in Williamsburg after he died in an airplane accident on Long Island. He is buried, with his wife, in the Presbyterian Cemetery near the Big Spring.
Demographics
As of the census
There were 535 family households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 41.3% were married couples Husband and wife both present, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% 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 2.98.
The Mid State Trail overlaps the Lower Trail in Williamsburg and exits via borough streets to the ridgetop of Tussey Mountain. The trail is marked with red-orange blazes on utility poles through the borough and Woodbury Township. Once off-road, the blazes appear on trees along the trail. The trail runs from the New York line to the Maryland line, with planned extensions both north and south. There are also a few spur trails on the system.
The Upper Juniata River Water Trail passes through Williamsburg. Currently mapped from the Juniata's confluence with the Susquehanna up to Flowing Spring, the water trail offers boaters, especially canoe and kayak enthusiasts, over of river recreation. There is a carry-in/out boat access point in Williamsburg at the Lower Trail trailhead. Trail managers are looking to extend the trail upstream to the White Bridge behind Geeseytown.
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. The Barnes and Carson Circus came to Williamsburg on 8/5/2006. This was the second time 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 pottery, leathercraft, metal, and wood. Local cabinetmakers craft fine wood furniture. The local library has sponsored a poetry coffeehouse on several occasions, and Royer Mansion has hosted readings from local literacy and writer's societies.
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, and won first place. The band also went to Israel in the 70s. Today, musicians, individually and in small groups, play everything from bluegrass to heavy metal.
Economy
The largest employer is Cenveo, in the northwest end of the borough. In 2011, Cenveo purchased the Williamsburg location of MeadWestvaco. In 2006, MeadWestvaco reopened the former Sweetheart/Fonda building as a new West Plant.
Other than the Cenveo plant and numerous small businesses, the most common industries for employment for Williamsburg residents are construction, forestry, agriculture, quarrying, education, and health care. Dairy cattle and other agricultural farms surround Williamsburg.
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; and the Williamsburg Gap (1996). The Altoona Mirror, the Huntingdon Daily News, and the Morrisons Cove Herald all cover the Williamsburg area.
WJAC-TV (based in Johnstown) and WTAJ-TV (based in Altoona) cover Blair County extensively.
Notable people
- James M. Bell, U.S. Army brigadier general, born in Williamsburg.
- Galen Hall, professional football player, raised in Williamsburg.
- Vaughn O. Lang, U.S. Army lieutenant general, born in Williamsburg.
- Charles M. Schwab, president of U.S. Steel, born in Williamsburg.
- Wilmer Stultz aircraft navigator, flew across the Atlantic Ocean with Amelia Earhart, born in Williamsburg