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 Lemont and Mount Nittany. Lemont is a historic village in College Township nestled at the base of Nittany Mountain. Lemont was heavily influenced by the county's flourishing iron industry – particularly at nearby Centre Furnace – and by farming. Mount Nittany is probably the county's most famous geographical feature. The best-known section of the ridge is its southwestern terminus, separating Nittany Valley from the Penns and Brush valleys.
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Lemont is a historic village in College Township nestled at the base of Nittany Mountain. Traditionally known as “The End of the Mountain,” it slowly grew as a settlement in the early 1800s as an important crossroads connecting the Nittany and Penns valleys.
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Mount Nittany is probably Centre County’s most famous geographical feature. Thanks to the Penn State football team, fans across the country are familiar with the name of the iconic ridge. As a result, Mount Nittany has become an integral part of the lore of the school and region.
Learn More>>At least twenty-eight Black men from Centre County served in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. Their experiences provide insight into the recruitment of the North’s Free Blacks into the army during the war.
Learn More>>In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Penn State built on-campus cottages to house faculty members. In the years since, the cottages have served many purposes and three still fulfill important roles on the campus.
Learn More>>Julia Gregg Brill was the first female professor in Penn State’s English Department where she taught composition from 1924 to 1954. She was a tireless advocate for women and recognized by the university for her work.
Learn More>>Shortly before the dawn of the automobile age, two Centre County railroads established summer recreational parks that attracted thousands of visitors annually. Hecla Park and Hunters Park were built to create modest but dependable sources of income that helped railroads weather the ups and downs of the freight business.
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