Beavertown Borough, a Brief Overview

Beavertown Borough was incorporated in 1914 and is situated on land which was patented to John Swift in 1760. The town claims its founding in 1770. Later on it was conveyed to Jacob Lechner who, in 1810, laid out the town plot which he named Swifttown in honor of the former owner. Later on, however, the present name was given to this village. Since it is a part of what was know as Beaver Dam Township, so named because of many beavers and their dams in the surrounding streams, the name of the settlement is most appropriate.

Not unlike the origin of many other towns, it had a few settlers living in log houses at the time the town was laid out. Along with and in proportion to the increased population, came all the known craftsmen of that period. Expansion and development followed the sawmills which spearheaded the march of progress. Of interest is the contrast of the early saws which moved up and down, and the modern circular saw. Powered by a water wheel, and operated by a crank and connecting rod, they resembled a crosscut saw mounted vertically.

Agriculture and lumbering were full time jobs for the early settlers, their product for local consumption only. Flax was grown in this area, the fiber of which was cleaned in a hemp mill preparatory to spinning or weaving into cloth. tan Morocco shoes which were very popular with the women.

Also in this formative period were several grist mills which used the revolving stones to grind four. All of these early mills were water powered and some of the mill races can still be seen to this day.

With the advent of the railroad and concurrently a demand for props for the coal regions, and building lumber for the larger cities, lumbering became the fist commercial enterprise. And this was further stimulated by the introduction of the steam powered circular saw mill. Iron ore which was mined for a local furnace only, now became a larger operation due to RR car load shipments to more distant points.

To be continued

Answer to Last Month

The brick plant was constructed in 1926. In a letter to the town C of C dated August 2, 1926, they wrote:

“Having recently purchased the John J. Tobias farm situated south of Beavertown, and which is rich in certain shales suitable for high grade brick, we are desirous of locating a plant (which will employ 16 hands) in your borough for the manufacture of said brick. The Beavertown Brick Co., Inc. is duly organized under the laws of the state of Pennsylvania, has authorized capitalization of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and is now being sold by our Mr. T. R. Graybill. After investigating the various sites in and about your town we have decided upon that certain field on the south side of the P.R.R. and now owned by Mr. W. H. Moyer, and the field adjacent thereto now owned by Mr. W. H. Bingman.”