Bellefonte

by Marsha Ann Tate, Earl Houser

Nestled in the Nittany Valley, 2.5 miles from the geographic center of Pennsylvania, the quaint community of Bellefonte was founded in 1795 by Revolutionary War veteran James Dunlop and his son-in-law James Harris. During the 19th century, Bellefonte quickly grew in industrial and political prominence owing to its central location within Pennsylvania's iron-making region. Bellefonte's rarified status was evidenced by the fact that despite having a populace of less than 5,000 inhabitants prior to 1940, five Pennsylvania governors, together with future governors of California and Kansas, claimed Bellefonte as their birthplace and/or long-term residence. Likewise, Bellefonte's picturesque Victorian architecture reflected its economic prosperity and distinguished residents, with 11 Bellefonte properties currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Despite Bellefonte's rich history and Victorian splendor, the town gradually faded into the shadows following the founding of the nearby Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania (now Pennsylvania State University) in 1855.