ROARING SPRING
Roaring Spring received its name from the great spring which was once said to roar and could be heard a mile away. The spring still flows, but in order to change the flow of water from the spring, several large stones were moved, thus eliminating the source of the loud volume. One of the earliest settlers was Edward Sanders, who bought the property in 1776. Over subsequent years he sold parcels to new settler families. Daniel Ullery purchased much of the land in 1780.
Jacob Neff built and operated a gristmill there during the War of Independence. George Span operated a grist mill in 1821, and, for a time, the village was called Spang's Mills. In 1864, Daniel Bare and his son moved to the village and established a mill and mercantile business. By 1865, they had constructed the area’s first paper mill. The facility was destroyed by fire the following year but then rebuilt as a larger enterprise. Citizens crafted a reputation of their own through industry. When Bare's plant opened, a team of twenty produced a half ton of paper per day. By 1905, the enlarged facility manufactured twenty-five tons daily, much of it purchased by newspaper empires in the Midwest.
Like other areas of Blair County, the town embraced an economic boom from the Civil War. A few miles from Roaring Spring, rich iron ore deposits were tested by the U.S. War Department and determined ideal for casting artillery pieces.
Since Bare was a prominent citizen of the community, some individuals wished to change the name of the town to Baretown. However, when the name was changed in 1868, it was altered to Roaring Spring and, on October 3, 1887, it was chartered as a borough. In 1886, the Blank Book Factory was built by Bare. His longstanding influence was a highlight of the town’s dynamics for many years.
Roaring Spring’s proximity to an abundance of natural resources allowed it to sustain industry for generations. Access to coal, timber, and water were key elements. The natural spring produces approximately eight million gallons of water per day. In its final years of operation, the mill used four to five million gallons per day. In 1971, the mill was bought out by Appleton Papers of Wisconsin and Appvion later took control. When that company closed the plant in 2021, the facility had been producing 660,000 pounds of paper per day. Over 300 workers lost their jobs. The facility was demolished in 2024.
As earlier episodes of Blair County’s past readily indicate, few industries are guaranteed to last forever. When considering this reality, many citizens of Roaring Spring wonder what will be written in the next chapter of their community’s history.
Jacob Neff built and operated a gristmill there during the War of Independence. George Span operated a grist mill in 1821, and, for a time, the village was called Spang's Mills. In 1864, Daniel Bare and his son moved to the village and established a mill and mercantile business. By 1865, they had constructed the area’s first paper mill. The facility was destroyed by fire the following year but then rebuilt as a larger enterprise. Citizens crafted a reputation of their own through industry. When Bare's plant opened, a team of twenty produced a half ton of paper per day. By 1905, the enlarged facility manufactured twenty-five tons daily, much of it purchased by newspaper empires in the Midwest.
Like other areas of Blair County, the town embraced an economic boom from the Civil War. A few miles from Roaring Spring, rich iron ore deposits were tested by the U.S. War Department and determined ideal for casting artillery pieces.
Since Bare was a prominent citizen of the community, some individuals wished to change the name of the town to Baretown. However, when the name was changed in 1868, it was altered to Roaring Spring and, on October 3, 1887, it was chartered as a borough. In 1886, the Blank Book Factory was built by Bare. His longstanding influence was a highlight of the town’s dynamics for many years.
Roaring Spring’s proximity to an abundance of natural resources allowed it to sustain industry for generations. Access to coal, timber, and water were key elements. The natural spring produces approximately eight million gallons of water per day. In its final years of operation, the mill used four to five million gallons per day. In 1971, the mill was bought out by Appleton Papers of Wisconsin and Appvion later took control. When that company closed the plant in 2021, the facility had been producing 660,000 pounds of paper per day. Over 300 workers lost their jobs. The facility was demolished in 2024.
As earlier episodes of Blair County’s past readily indicate, few industries are guaranteed to last forever. When considering this reality, many citizens of Roaring Spring wonder what will be written in the next chapter of their community’s history.
