John Patton
John Patton was a Revolutionary War veteran and prosperous Philadelphia merchant and civic leader, who moved to Centre County in 1789 to build the region’s first charcoal-fired iron furnace, Centre Furnace.
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Welcome to the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture, an online resource sponsored by the Centre County Historical Society.
Currently, we are featuring articles about two prominent Revolutionary War veterans from Centre County, John Patton and Philip Benner. Patton served in various capacities as an officer during the war and afterwards moved to Centre County to build the region’s first charcoal-fired iron furnace Centre Furnace. The operation’s success sparked the founding of additional furnaces and forges in what would become Centre County. After the war, Benner learned about the rich iron ore found in the Nittany Valley that had led to the founding of the Centre Furnace. He acquired land along Spring Creek and built Rock Iron Works as well as several of the early homes in Bellefonte. Patton and Benner townships are named for the two men.
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Philip Benner
Philip Benner was an early business leader in Centre County who established the Rock Iron Works, one of the first iron forges in the county. Benner was born in Chester County in 1762 and served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
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Coal Industry
For nearly a century the coal industry was an important element of Centre County’s economy. Bituminous coal from the Mountaintop and Moshannon Valley areas helped to power the nation’s industrial revolution and later fueled electric generating stations.
Learn More>>HRB Systems
HRB Systems was a State College-based research and development company that created intelligence, defense, and information systems technologies for the U.S. government. During five decades, it grew into a major Centre County business employing more than 1,500 people.
Learn More>>John W. Oswald
John Wieland Oswald served as Penn State’s thirteenth president from 1970 to 1983. During his tenure he dealt with the university’s financial problems, student protests, and faculty discontent, while his policies stabilized the university fiscally, diversified student enrollment, and expanded the physical plant.
Learn More>>Woodward Cave
Woodward Cave is a public cave in Penns Valley that is also one of the most important sites in Pennsylvania for winter-hibernating bats. The limestone cave was created by Pine Creek, which for centuries flowed through it, creating a series of tunnels and large rooms.
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