BELLWOOD
Bellwood, or Bell’s Mills as it was once known, was founded by Edward “Neddy” Bell around 1800. A grist mill was built and quickly became the focal point of the settlement. In Altoona’s Baker Mansion, the museum’s most impressive portrait showcases Edward Bell in all his power. Next to the Baker family, he was once one of the largest property owners in Blair County. The vicinity of modern-day Antis Township was previously settled by Irish, Scottish, and German immigrants who saw geographic similarities between their homelands and central Pennsylvania.
They were followed by the Edward Bell family, who established their own iron forge in the early 1830s. Bell’s family background reveals the dramatic journey many endured to establish themselves in the region. The original log house of the Bells—the oldest structure in the town—still stands on Main Street today. Next door, the Bells later constructed a grander brick mansion in 1822.
As Edward Bell’s property grew, so did his family. His children contributed to the enterprise and in 1832, the family constructed Elizabeth Furnace, so named for Edward Bell’s daughter. The ruins of this furnace are still visible today. John Bell owned Mary Ann Forge and the Isetts owned Cold Spring Forge. Edward’s son, Martin, was a devout Christian and wanted his workers to honor the Sabbath. Bell did not care for the fact that his workers had to toil all seven days of the week. Thus, he wanted to devise a method for them to have Sundays off. He therefore used his skills to figure out how they could bank the furnaces on Saturday night and then not come back to work until Sunday night. This is how the vicinity became known as Sabbath Rest. Bell’s system devised a method of using escaping gasses from the iron furnace to add power. He secured a patent for this innovative process.
Opportunities for local families further expanded in the 1850s with the creation of the narrow-gauge spur line called the Bells Gap Railroad. The route was designed to more easily transport coal and lumber through the rugged woodlands and to the Main Line. The railroad extended from Lloydsville to Bellwood, a descent of 1,100 feet over the nine miles of track. In the 1880s, the route was widened to standard gauge and, by 1891, had been extended to Fordham. In 1892, the corridor merged with other lines and became known as the Pennsylvania and Northwestern Railroad. Although abandoned many years ago, the bed of the railroad makes an excellent hiking trail with its deep gorges and mountainous slopes. Prior to the advent of railroads such as Bells Gap, much of Pennsylvania’s geographical, political, and financial terrain was defined by cutting edge transportation provided by the state’s elaborate canal system.
Incorporation of the Borough of Bellwood occurred on February 9, 1888. Trolley service was initiated into the borough on July 1, 1894. It was later replaced by bus service. In recent decades, many improvements have been made in the borough. A fine library has been built and provides excellent services to the community. Additionally, extensive rail trails through the area make for stellar recreational and nature-watching opportunities.
They were followed by the Edward Bell family, who established their own iron forge in the early 1830s. Bell’s family background reveals the dramatic journey many endured to establish themselves in the region. The original log house of the Bells—the oldest structure in the town—still stands on Main Street today. Next door, the Bells later constructed a grander brick mansion in 1822.
As Edward Bell’s property grew, so did his family. His children contributed to the enterprise and in 1832, the family constructed Elizabeth Furnace, so named for Edward Bell’s daughter. The ruins of this furnace are still visible today. John Bell owned Mary Ann Forge and the Isetts owned Cold Spring Forge. Edward’s son, Martin, was a devout Christian and wanted his workers to honor the Sabbath. Bell did not care for the fact that his workers had to toil all seven days of the week. Thus, he wanted to devise a method for them to have Sundays off. He therefore used his skills to figure out how they could bank the furnaces on Saturday night and then not come back to work until Sunday night. This is how the vicinity became known as Sabbath Rest. Bell’s system devised a method of using escaping gasses from the iron furnace to add power. He secured a patent for this innovative process.
Opportunities for local families further expanded in the 1850s with the creation of the narrow-gauge spur line called the Bells Gap Railroad. The route was designed to more easily transport coal and lumber through the rugged woodlands and to the Main Line. The railroad extended from Lloydsville to Bellwood, a descent of 1,100 feet over the nine miles of track. In the 1880s, the route was widened to standard gauge and, by 1891, had been extended to Fordham. In 1892, the corridor merged with other lines and became known as the Pennsylvania and Northwestern Railroad. Although abandoned many years ago, the bed of the railroad makes an excellent hiking trail with its deep gorges and mountainous slopes. Prior to the advent of railroads such as Bells Gap, much of Pennsylvania’s geographical, political, and financial terrain was defined by cutting edge transportation provided by the state’s elaborate canal system.
Incorporation of the Borough of Bellwood occurred on February 9, 1888. Trolley service was initiated into the borough on July 1, 1894. It was later replaced by bus service. In recent decades, many improvements have been made in the borough. A fine library has been built and provides excellent services to the community. Additionally, extensive rail trails through the area make for stellar recreational and nature-watching opportunities.
