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.
Learn More>>Explore Centre County’s History & Culture
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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Featured Articles
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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Eagle Iron Works & Curtin Village
Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village is a historic site near Milesburg that preserves the story of iron making in Centre County. It is owned and operated by the Roland Curtin Foundation which gives tours and host various annual events.
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 M. Thomas
John Martin Thomas was Penn State’s ninth president and served from April 1921 to June 1925. During his term Penn State was thwarted by a frugal state government and animosity from the governor. This negated many of his ambitious plans, although he initiated programs brought to completion by his successor.
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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