Volunteering and Bringing Back a Historic Building in Johnsonburg's Commercial Historic District

February 11, 2023

Volunteering and Bringing Back a Historic Building in Johnsonburg's Commercial Historic District

photo credit sld

While recently researching Johnsonburg's history and heritage I read a beautiful rendition about our landscape. Taken from the History of Elk County

A correspondent of the Erie Observer, visiting this place in September, 1887, tells the story of its modern progress. He writes: "Perhaps the finest mountain scenery in the State, and certainly the least known to tourists, is found in the Elk mountain region near Johnsonburg. To see the grandest part of the Elk mountains, one should take a carriage or horse from the Johnsonburg hotel and follow the excellent driveway to Rolfe, one mile, and continue to Wilcox, six miles distant. Striking peaks, sharp and glittering as the Matterhorn, surround one on all sides. Crystal streams flow through every valley, and the fair Clarion river supplies immense water-power for innumerable manufacturing plants. No lover of the grand or beautiful in nature should fail to take a drive through and around Johnsonburg. What is known as the Rocks is a wonderful piece of God's masonry. Solid ice may be broken off from these rocks in July and August. Besides being picturesque, Johnsonburg promises to become the emporium of a great business mart some day. L. C. Horton is the leading merchant and business man of this place. One of the largest tanneries in the United States, and owned by Wilson, Kistler & Co., is situated at Johnsonburg Junction. The monster planing-mill of Henry, Bayard & Co. employs a large number of men. There are several fine hotels. The Johnsonburg hotel, kept by L. C. Horton [now by John Foley], is a favorite place for summer tourists and business people. New buildings are going up daily, and the latest is the Park Opera House and billiard hall, built by Mr. A. Parks, one of our rising business men. Johnsonburg produces her own gas, and her churches and schools are all lighted and heated by gas. There is more freight handled here than in most towns of twice its size."

Postcard of Odd Fellow's Day, circa 1890

The allure of the mountains, rich history and architecture is unmistakable You can feel it coming from the residents and visitors, the momentum is growing. So much is happening downtown and beyond!

The photos below are of this morning's group continuing to expose the brick wall in the Heritage Education Center, as we continue to spare some of the build out expense that is about to begin with hiring contractors.

photo credit sld