Ebensburg Borough gains new recognition on National Register of Historic Places
The Tribune Democrat: Article by Jocelyn Brumbaugh
EBENSBURG – Ebensburg Borough is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
According to a press release from the borough, the historic district nomination was recently approved by the National Park Service for the list, which is the nation’s official index of properties that are recognized for their significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and/or culture.
National Register properties can include districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that are significant to a local community, state, Native American tribe or the nation as a whole.
Ebensburg’s period of significance dates back 162 years, to 1799.
The borough’s distinct eras include the period from 1799 to 1850, when Ebensburg’s early settlement and its importance was established as a Pennsylvania Turnpike route, securing its position as a center of commerce and service for travelers along an east-west route.
From 1850 to 1915, Ebensburg saw the completion of railroads, railroad-era tourism and the rise and impact of the automobile, while from 1915 to 1961, the borough saw rebuilding after several devastating fires and adjusted to automobile-oriented commerce, which changed travel and spending habits until the opening of the Route 22 downtown bypass in 1961.
The district is bounded roughly by Highland Avenue, West Street, Sugar Street and Triumph Street. It includes 422 contributing and 161 non-contributing buildings and sites.
