Our History

Saltsburg, Pennsylvania is over 200 years old and participated in the opening of the western frontier. It all began with the salt industry.

About a mile above Saltsburg in 1795-98, a Mrs. Deemer was boiling water from a nearby well when she noted a formation of crystals in the bottom of the kettle. Those crystals were salt. Mrs. Deemer's discovery led to the birth of an industry that over the next few decades made the Conemaugh-Kiskiminetas Valley one of the leading salt producers in the nation.

Mr. William Johnson was the area's first leading producer. By 1813, his well yielded 30 bushels of salt per day. First Johnson used horse power to bore and pump his salt from the wells; later he used a spring pole; and ultimately, in 1825, a steam engine.

By 1819 "The Great Conemaugh Salt Works" was comprised of twelve manufacturers. The primitive kettle that Mrs. Deemer has used was replaced by large iron pans, 8 inches deep, 20 feet long and 10 or 11 feet wide. Coal was mined nearby and used as fuel for the steam engines to both bore and pump.

The salt industry of the Conemaugh-Kiskiminetas Valley peaked in the 1830's and in 1833 over four million pound of slat were shipped over the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal.

By 1837, nearly all of the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas salt wells had played out,, and most of the salt operations had moved downstream. The salt industry in Pennsylvania declined as cheaper sources of salt which did not require the expense of boring, pumping and evaporation were developed.

The early salt industry was the reason for Saltsburg's establishment as a town, and in conjunction with the canal, created the "boom" economy that made Saltsburg grow, and led to its incorporation as a borough on April 16, 1838.

In the fall of 1816, Andrew and Jane Boggs purchased the land situated in the beautiful valley at the confluence of the Conemaugh, Loyalhanna and Kiskiminetas Rivers from Jane's brother William Johnston. They immediately began selling lots in the tiny pioneer settlement, naming it "Saltsburg" in honor of the salt industry. The demand for property had greatly increased in the vicinity of the Great Conemaugh Salt Works. From necessity, businesses sprang up - coopers, blacksmiths, wagon makers, stone masons, and carpenters; all having employment because of the thriving salt industry. The location had an abundant supply of timber and stone for building purposes and plenty of good water.

In 1838, Saltsburg was incorporated as a borough. The first election was held August 11, 1838. Dr. Thomas Murray was the first Burgess; John Williams, the first merchant; Simon Drum, the first tanner and Daniel Davis, the first blacksmith. Some say the first house was erected in 1819-1820 at the rear of the present day Presbyterian Church lot on Salt Street, however, there were many cabins on the site as early as 1800.

This was, in fact, the early beginning of Saltsburg, a small settlement, soon to become a prosperous industrial center.

Mainline Canal

Industrial growth prompts better methods of transportation necessary to the economic progress of a community. In the early 1800's, people watched the transition from wagons and horse travel to the birth of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal which reached across the state from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. It was the canal that made it possible for salt and other raw and manufactured goods to be transported more quickly to market, thus furnishing the essential ingredient for the success of the area salt industry and of Saltsburg itself. The 104 mile Western Division of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal ran through Saltsburg as it connected with Johnstown and Pittsburgh. It was the life blood of Saltsburg for nearly 30 years.

The canal, an artery of water 40 feet wide, cut through Saltsburg in a graceful curve, following the near bank of the Conemaugh River and crossing the town's major streets - Basin, Washington, Point, Market, High, Salt, and Canal. Lock #8, a canal boat basin, and a warehouse fronting the basin were located on the north end of town.

The canal channels and tow paths (generally 62 feet wide) ran along the river. Mules were led along the canal path to pull the boats through the waterway. The channel was 4 feet deep and 28 feet wide at the bottom of the prism and 40 feet wide at the water line. Cut stone locks with chambers 90 feet long and 15 feet wide were used to raise and lower the canal boats by closing and opening lock gates to raise and lower the water level.

Contracts were let in the fall of 1827. Nathan Roberts was contracted for the surveying and engineering of the Western Division. The first passenger packet, the Pennsylvania, arrived in Saltsburg May 15, 1829.

Saltsburg remains basically unchanged representing the typical village which thrived as a result of the canal. With the death of the canal, Saltsburg suffered and economic and demographic decline. The canal could not compete with the dawning of the industrial age and steam power. Before mid-century, the canal was replaced by railroad.

Railroad construction began to advance toward Saltsburg between 1845 and 1854. Contracts were awarded for a railroad bridge spanning the Kiskiminetas River (the piers are still standing) and a passenger and freight station to be located in Saltsburg in 1855 - 1856 by the Northwestern Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Saltsburg resident and Pennsylvania Senator Samuel S. Jamison was the contractor for both the stone bridge carrying the railroad across the Kiskiminetas River, and for the brick railroad station located on Point Street and Plum Alley (now the Municipal Building). Both contracts were sublet to local, noted master stone mason, John Martin.

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Railroad Company went bankrupt in 1859, but a new company was formed. In 1860, the Western Pennsylvania Railroad Company continued the construction. on September 10, 1864, the first train crossed the high bridge into Saltsburg.

Lock #8 was filled in, the gates on the north end of the lock carefully lowered onto the floor of the lock, hoping no doubt that they would be discovered someday. (They were in 1989 by archeologists doing exploratory digs on the canal.) The large, fine cut stones from the lock were removed and used to build the Soldiers Monument in Edgewood Cemetery.

From 1882 until 195-54, Saltsburg had both freight and passenger service. In 1954, the railroad was relocated, this time out of town. The canal and the railroad were the great transportation systems of the nineteenth century. Both were Saltsburg's link to the rest of the economic world and were responsible for the little town's growth and decline.

Text for Our History and Mainline Canal was written by Ann Palmer and Gloria Berringer Downes and is taken from "A Walking Tour Of Historic Saltsburg" and used with permission of Historic Saltsburg, Incorporated. Copyright © 1994.

EVENT CALENDAR

FALL CLEAN UP DAYS

To be announced
The folowing items are not permitted: construction materials, chemicals, oil or gas, hazardous materials, tires paint, freon, TV's or computers.
Please bag or bundle all items.

RECYCLING DAYS

Recycling bins will be set up on Water Street in the parking lot across from ParMar/BP. #1 and #2 plastics (no bags), glass, aluminum/tin/steel cans, newspapers and catalogs are accepted.

FARMER'S MARKET

Farmer's Market will be set up on the Canal on the following Thursdays (weather permitting):
June 20^th
July 11^th and 18^th
August 1^st and 15^th
September 5^th and 26^th

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST

Every Tuesday, 9:00am-10:am, Saltsburg Social Center. $2.50 for home cooked French Toast or pancakes, bacon or sausage, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee, juice.

COMMUNITY DINNER

Every Wednesday,5:00pm-6:00pm. $3.50. You must call at least 24 hours in advance for dinner reservations.

Saltsburg's ANNUAL CANAL DAYS

Things To Do

Dining

Relax and enjoy time with your friends and family at any of the several restaurants in Saltsburg.

• Fox's Pizza - Pizza, Hoagies, Subs and more.
• John's Pizzeria - Featuring Pizza, Stromboli, Wings, Burgers, Subs & More.
• Point Street Tavern - Local craft beer on tap. A gathering place right off the river & trail in the heart of our charming, historic town.
• Saltsburg Inn - Bar serving a variety of convenience foods. Known locally for their exceptional wings.

Hiking & Biking

So many trails, so little time...

Saltsburg is surrounded with miles of scenic trails for hiking and biking. Beginning in Saltsburg, you can travel on the West Penn Trail on any of the 3 trails intersecting Saltsburg:

• Saltsburg Section - This portion of West Penn Trail spans from the Dick Mayer Section into Historic Saltsburg.
• Saltsburg to Kiski Section - From the Saltsburg Trailhead, the trail extends through Historic Saltsburg, along the path of the canal.
• Saltsburg to Black Legs Creek - After passing under the Route 286 bridge, the trail proceeds downriver, along the Kiskiminetas.

Additional trail sections include

• Conemaugh River Lake Section - This section extends from Newport Road (approximately 2 miles outside of downtown Blairsville), across the Q-Span Pedestrian Bridge and, ultimately, to the Bow Ridge Tunnel and Switchback Sections of West Penn Trail.
• Bow Ridge Switchback Section - Located at the entrance of an old railroad tunnel on the west end of the Conemaugh River Lake Section.
• Dick Mayer Section - This section links the Conemaugh River Lake and Saltsburg Sections

And if you are feeling adventurous, try the annual Stony - Kiski - Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn or the annual West Penn Trail Triathlon , both sponsored by the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy.

Source: The Conemaugh Valley Conservancy

Boating

Spend a day on the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas Rivers with your friends. Experience the miles of Pennsylvania's beautiful river scenery. Bring your own boat/canoe/kayak or rent one locally.

• Saltsburg Kayak & Canoe Outfitters
• Two Dam Kayak Rentals

Explore

Discover the rich history of Saltsburg PA. Start at the Rebecca B. Hadden Stone House Museum (pictured) where you can examine centuries of artifacts. Take a walk through the Historic Saltsburg Canal and downtown area and find century’s of architecture. See how the 1889 Johnstown Flood affected the community where water levels reached 10 feet. Study how Saltsburg went from a small industrial center with its salt mines and glass works, along with surrounding coal mines, to a quiet suburban community located 35 east of Pittsburgh. Finally, see how the canals transformed into railroads and now into the West Penn Trail. There is a lot to explore in Saltsburg.

Local Information