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Ursina occupies the site of the Ream farm, and was the point of one of the earliest settlements in the Turkeyfoot region. Evidences of Indian occupation are abundant. Arrow and spear heads and other stone implements of the aboriginal race are frequently found, even at this day, in the soil along the river. There is … Read more

A small rural hamlet, Trent is located in the northeastern part of the township. In 1884, Jacob Miller decided to build a store that would also house a postoffice. A large two-story Victorian structure, it was also designed to be used as an inn. It was built next to the covered bridge that spanned Laurel … Read more

Stoystown is one of the oldest towns west of the Allegheny mountains. It was formerly a place of considerable importance. Being situated on the old Pittsburgh turnpike, before the railroads diverted the lines of travel and built up towns along their routes, the industries and trade at Stoystown made it the principal commercial center of … Read more

The borough of Somerset is situated in the central part of the county, of which it has been the seat of justice since September, 1795, and enjoys the proud distinction of being the highest county-seat in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Prior to the beginning of the revolutionary war, this vicinity was part of Quemahoning township, … Read more

On April 17, 1795, the General Assembly passed an act organizing the part of Bedford County west of the Allegheny Mountain into a new county named Somerset after the shire of Somerset in England. This same act authorized the Governor of the commonwealth to appoint five non-resident commissioners to meet in the town of Berlin … Read more

Somerfield borough was laid out by Philip D. Smyth, in 1818, as the town of Smythfield. It was situated where the National road crossed the Youghiogheny river and was laid out on land warranted to Jacob Spears, April 17, 1769, fourteen days after the land office at Philadelphia was opened for the sale of lands … Read more

Shanksville, founded in 1798, was named for its founder, Christian Shank, who erected the first house within the limits of the village. Previously he had erected two saw mills here and in 1803, he erected a grist mill and a woolen mill. In 1829, the village was laid off into lots by its founder. There … Read more

Sand Patch is a small railroad station on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the southwestern part of the township. It was built upon land formerly owned by Ananias Heffley. The first building in the town was erected by the Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad Company in 1872. The Sand Patch post office was established in … Read more

The town of Salisbury was laid out by Joseph Markley in 1794. Douglas Baker was the surveyor. The first house was built by Peter Shirer and Martin Weimer. About 1814, Peter Shirer and Peter Welfley bought fifty acres of land and laid off an addition to the Markley plat. All that part of the town … Read more

Rockwood, situated at the junction of the Baltimore & Ohio and the Somerset & Cambria railroads, was laid out by Philip Wolfersberger in 1857. The first house was built in 1856 by P. & D. Wolfersberger and was used as both a store and dwelling. The first hotel was erected by John Poister in 1860, … Read more