MARTINSBURG
Martinsburg is surrounded by a rich agricultural community in the heart of Morrison’s Cove, one of the most beautiful and fertile valleys in central Pennsylvania. Most of the early settlers were Dunkards of German origin who hailed from the Conococheague Valley. Some names given to their homestead sites included the Richlands, Blooming Grove, and Hatter’s Delight.
The “Great Cove” in which they settled had been renamed Morrison’s Cove in 1770. The Cove’s namesake was James Morrison, a surveyor who played a role in the area’s development. By 1785, over 1,500 acres were surveyed for farmer John Brumbaugh. His sizable plot of land would eventually evolve into the community of Martinsburg. Many families founded some of the most celebrated businesses synonymous with the Cove: dairy farms.
John Brumbaugh submitted a petition for 1,500 acres in 1785. According to family tradition, Brumbaugh and his son-in-law, Daniel Camerer, had been driven out on their first visit to this area due to the threat of Native American attacks. Later, Brumbaugh's two sons-in-law divided the land between themselves and the Camerer family. They plotted the properties on the east side of South Market Street while Abraham Stoner laid out his plot on the west side of the street.
Martinsburg was incorporated in 1832. Although there is some confusion concerning the naming of the town, the markers at the edge of the community state that it was named for Conrad Martin. On May 6, 1872, a crowd gathered to see the first train steam in on the Morrison’s Cove Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This artery was a great advantage for residents desirous of swifter transportation to neighboring towns. However, by August of 1934, their means of travel by train were shattered with the announcement that transportation would be restricted to freight. Service was totally discontinued in 1941.
The Franklin High School and Institute was opened in 1860 as a college preparatory and ladies finishing school. This school had varied functions and has been known as Juniata Collegiate Institute and as an Indian school. Students at the Martinsburg Indian School were members of the Osage and Oneida Nations. Some had been transferred to the Martinsburg school from the Carlisle Indian School, while others were forcibly relocated from reservations in the West. The school operated under a federal contract from 1885 to 1888, at which time some students were returned home and others were transferred back to the Carlisle Indian School. At least two students who died at the school are buried in a local cemetery.
Governor George Earle of Pennsylvania appeared in Martinsburg on October 22, 1938, at the opening of the Altoona-Blair County Airport. Originally called the Cove Valley Airport, this facility has undergone many changes and improvements over the years.
One of the finest features of Martinsburg is its Memorial Park. In addition to the much beloved Ritchey's Dairy, the community is home of the highly successful Cove Shoe Company, producer of the famous Corcoran jump boot.
The “Great Cove” in which they settled had been renamed Morrison’s Cove in 1770. The Cove’s namesake was James Morrison, a surveyor who played a role in the area’s development. By 1785, over 1,500 acres were surveyed for farmer John Brumbaugh. His sizable plot of land would eventually evolve into the community of Martinsburg. Many families founded some of the most celebrated businesses synonymous with the Cove: dairy farms.
John Brumbaugh submitted a petition for 1,500 acres in 1785. According to family tradition, Brumbaugh and his son-in-law, Daniel Camerer, had been driven out on their first visit to this area due to the threat of Native American attacks. Later, Brumbaugh's two sons-in-law divided the land between themselves and the Camerer family. They plotted the properties on the east side of South Market Street while Abraham Stoner laid out his plot on the west side of the street.
Martinsburg was incorporated in 1832. Although there is some confusion concerning the naming of the town, the markers at the edge of the community state that it was named for Conrad Martin. On May 6, 1872, a crowd gathered to see the first train steam in on the Morrison’s Cove Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This artery was a great advantage for residents desirous of swifter transportation to neighboring towns. However, by August of 1934, their means of travel by train were shattered with the announcement that transportation would be restricted to freight. Service was totally discontinued in 1941.
The Franklin High School and Institute was opened in 1860 as a college preparatory and ladies finishing school. This school had varied functions and has been known as Juniata Collegiate Institute and as an Indian school. Students at the Martinsburg Indian School were members of the Osage and Oneida Nations. Some had been transferred to the Martinsburg school from the Carlisle Indian School, while others were forcibly relocated from reservations in the West. The school operated under a federal contract from 1885 to 1888, at which time some students were returned home and others were transferred back to the Carlisle Indian School. At least two students who died at the school are buried in a local cemetery.
Governor George Earle of Pennsylvania appeared in Martinsburg on October 22, 1938, at the opening of the Altoona-Blair County Airport. Originally called the Cove Valley Airport, this facility has undergone many changes and improvements over the years.
One of the finest features of Martinsburg is its Memorial Park. In addition to the much beloved Ritchey's Dairy, the community is home of the highly successful Cove Shoe Company, producer of the famous Corcoran jump boot.
