Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
ANDREW GREGG CURTIN “Among the loyal governors of the Northern States during the rebellion, none were placed in circumstances requiring greater watchfulness, or more prompt and decisive action, than the patriotic Governor of Pennsylvania, and none fulfilled their high trust with greater fidelity and loyalty.” Early Life Born in Bellefonte, PA April 2, 1817 Father Rowland Curtin Iron Manufacturer; left ample fortune for family including Andrew Education Educated in Milton, Northumberland, PA Law School – Carlisle, PA Before becoming Governor…… Became a lawyer in Bellefonte Secretary of the Commonwealth Supporter of Abraham Lincoln Advocate of Education Andrew G. Curtin Pennsylvania Governor Republican Inaugurated Jan. 15th, 1861 CIVIL WAR What event was the start of the Civil War? First person Lincoln called to Washington, D.C.? Congressmen James G. Blaine “On the eleventh day of April, one day before the South precipitated the conflict, the Legislature of PA passed an act for the better organization of the militia, and appropriated five hundred thousand dollars to carry out the details of the measure. It was the first official step in the loyal States to defend the Union……” Civil War Governor 1st Regiment to enter nation’s capital in defense of the Union 25th Pennsylvania Volunteers Civil War Governor PA was threatened and border invaded Capital threatened One of Bloodiest battles of the war Civil War Governor Required Governor Curtin calmness and execution to re-assure his people and organize them for resistance to the invaders What he had to face 3 times PA was invaded 90,000 troops led by Lee within States borders His response Utmost Promptness to every call of the national government Troops, moral, or political support After leaving office Re-Elected 1863 Continued to help Republican Party as a speaker Appointed U.S. Minister to Russia Returned to politics; served in Congress for 3 terms (Democrat) CURTIN VILLAGE A local Ghost Town?? What is a Ghost Town? term for any once flourishing American community that has been abandoned, generally for economic reasons. While most of the towns have little or no population, they often contain old buildings, which may serve as tourist attractions Where is Curtin Village? http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab =wl CURTIN VILLAGE Founded around 1810 Roland Curtin Iron Plantation Community Last old-style iron furnace Roland Curtin Irish Immigrant Arrived 1793; escape French Revolution First coroner Sheriff Married Margery Gregg Roland Curtin Partner Moses Boggs purchased 11,000 acres (7,000 timber) erected Eagle Iron Works First iron was shipped to Pittsburgh by horses Located along Bald Eagle Creek Sold to Curtin 1815 CURTIN VILLAGE 30,000 acres provided for the whole community Furnace operation 1922 Iron producing center from 1810 until 1922 As Curtin's great-grandson later recounted, "Everything required had to be transported on flatboats . . . or on pack horses over mountain trails, roads cut thru forests, dams built, ore mined, wood chopped . . . and . . . converted into charcoal, waterwheels and blowing machinery for furnaces and forges constructed . . . before a pound of iron was made." Why the location? Huge amount of iron deposits Dense forests Limestone supply for flux Water supply for power Curtin Village Products: charcoal, bloom, bar, and rod iron Canal built and opened 1848 Bald Eagle/Spring Creek Navigation Company Route to Lock Haven Pennsylvania Canals Curtin Village Railroad replaced canals Curtin family got involved in the railroad industry Train stop at Curtin and post office called Roland CURTIN VILLAGE Iron "plantation" 60 structures - Ironmaster's Mansion - charcoal-fired iron furnace (only stack remains) - rolling mill - forge - worker's village IRON PLANTATION Two areas: Industry & Community Self-Sufficient Ironmaster and family at top Other positions determined by occupation 15 rooms (10 still open to public) 10 fireplaces Curtin’s Walls 2 ft. thick Curtin family home until 1950s Mansion PLEASANT FURNACE Erected 1848 Destroyed by fire 1921 Last coal blast furnace in U.S. Restored charging house, blast house with overshot waterwheel, flume, casting rooms, and tapping shed During its heyday, about 600 tons a year of pig iron and cast-sheet and bar iron were produced. Worker’s Village Log Cabins (restored today 1825) “Village Green” Two types: Ironmaster/Family and Worker’s houses 1-2 Story houses (some still remain) Ironmaster’s Family Mansion built by Roland Curtin (1830) Abandoned 1951 2 and ½ floors made of stone Huge central hallway 4 Main rooms Fireplaces Curtin Family Sons: Austin, James, Roland Jr., and Andrew Gregg Andrew Gregg Curtin - Trustee Advisor, supporter & friend of President Lincoln Roland Sr. retired 1848 Passed onto sons Central PA During Civil War Aikey House – during Civil War CURTIN VILLAGE What Remains? 60 acres of land, Old Mill, 1830 Plantation house, couple of houses. Gristmill (only 4 unstable walls remain) Store, church, rail station, school Today………. In the one-hundred-eleven years of iron production in this village contributed to today's industrial and social status of Pennsylvania. That Eagle Furnace was in active production for such a long period and that so much of the community remains combine to make the restoration of Curtin a valuable and desirable project. End of Curtin Village Because of new high-quality iron ore deposit discoveries, changes in technology, and rising costs of production, the Eagle Iron Works, which was one of the last active charcoal iron manufacturers "blew out" for the last time in 1921.