DUNCANSVILLE
Duncansville lies along the route of the old Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike. At one time the community was a beehive of activities associated with the iron industry and received the nickname “Irontown” when forges, mills, and foundries were bountiful. Not to be ignored were the woolen mills, wagon works, gristmills, and lime production facilities.
Ground was acquired and laid out by Samuel Duncan and Jacob Walters. Duncan named his plot west of the Blair’s Creek as Duncansville, while Walters’s land on the east side of the stream was named Walterstown. A bridge at the stream connected the two villages. There was considerable confusion and rivalry between Duncan’s section of town and Walterstown. To settle the issue, Duncan and Walters agreed to choose a common name. It was decided that they would meet on the bridge separating the plots and, by the toss of a coin, decide whether the area would be named for Duncan or Walters. A large crowd gathered on both sides of the bridge for the toss of the coin. Duncan won the gamble and thus Walterstown became part of Duncansville.
In the 1840s, a forge was built and later transformed into a rolling mill. By 1882, the iron industry was a booming business. In 1896, the rolling mill company began construction of a wire mill. When production flourished, the mill produced more than four hundred kegs of finished nails daily. Unfortunately, the mill closed in 1904. Another industry which thrived for many years in the community was the manufacturing of bricks.
Duncansville was incorporated as a borough on March 4, 1891. In 1930, a large airport was established and existed for a number of years. One of the nation’s first air mail pick-up systems was initiated here, whereby a plane could pick up and dispatch mail by special device without landing the aircraft.
In 1950, the Meadows family introduced their very own frozen custard. Lines of fifty or more customers formed at the stand’s service windows. The business remains popular today, giving rise to individually owned and operated franchises. Each location serves the same original recipe. The brand retains its 1950s style for new generations.
On weekends, many antique collectors head to Duncansville to scavenge for collectibles at several popular dealerships.
Ground was acquired and laid out by Samuel Duncan and Jacob Walters. Duncan named his plot west of the Blair’s Creek as Duncansville, while Walters’s land on the east side of the stream was named Walterstown. A bridge at the stream connected the two villages. There was considerable confusion and rivalry between Duncan’s section of town and Walterstown. To settle the issue, Duncan and Walters agreed to choose a common name. It was decided that they would meet on the bridge separating the plots and, by the toss of a coin, decide whether the area would be named for Duncan or Walters. A large crowd gathered on both sides of the bridge for the toss of the coin. Duncan won the gamble and thus Walterstown became part of Duncansville.
In the 1840s, a forge was built and later transformed into a rolling mill. By 1882, the iron industry was a booming business. In 1896, the rolling mill company began construction of a wire mill. When production flourished, the mill produced more than four hundred kegs of finished nails daily. Unfortunately, the mill closed in 1904. Another industry which thrived for many years in the community was the manufacturing of bricks.
Duncansville was incorporated as a borough on March 4, 1891. In 1930, a large airport was established and existed for a number of years. One of the nation’s first air mail pick-up systems was initiated here, whereby a plane could pick up and dispatch mail by special device without landing the aircraft.
In 1950, the Meadows family introduced their very own frozen custard. Lines of fifty or more customers formed at the stand’s service windows. The business remains popular today, giving rise to individually owned and operated franchises. Each location serves the same original recipe. The brand retains its 1950s style for new generations.
On weekends, many antique collectors head to Duncansville to scavenge for collectibles at several popular dealerships.
