Updates From the Centre County Historical Society

"A Railroad Worth Knowing: The Bellefonte Central"

Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Centre Furnace Mansion

Please join us at the Centre Furnace Mansion on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. for a special presentation by author and historian, Michael Bezilla.

Even many longtime residents of the area may have a hard time recalling the era when a railroad connected Bellefonte and State College. Michael Bezilla, local railroad historian and co-author of Rails to Penn State, will trace the history of the Bellefonte Central Railroad, using slides to illustrate the railroad's origin in the late 1800s as an iron ore carrier, and how in later years it played a major role in developing Centre County's lime and limestone industry. Mike will also highlight the Bellefonte Central's importance as Penn State's economic lifeline, and point out a few of the reminders of the rail line that are still part of today's landscape.