Explore Centre County History Through the Years
Travel through more than two centuries of Centre County history, from the first settlements and the founding of the county to the communities, institutions, people, and events that shaped the region. Explore the timeline below and follow the links to the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture to discover more about each chapter in the county’s story.
James Potter views Penns Valley
First road into county laid out
Aaronsburg becomes first settlement
Centre County founded
Bellefonte incorporated as borough
Union Cemetery established
Farmers’ High School chartered
Evan Pugh named first Penn State president
Unionville incorporated as borough
Andrew Gregg Curtin elected governor
Penn State named land-grant institution
Howard incorporated as borough
Philipsburg incorporated as borough
Grange Encampment and Fair first held
Milheim incorporated as borough
Centre Hall incorporated as borough
James Beaver elected governor
Bellefonte Central Railroad founded
State College incorporated as borough
Pennsylvania Match Company founded
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial dedicated
Snow Shoe incorporated as borough
Rockview Correctional Institute opened
Bellefonte Airfield became airmail stop
Port Matilda incorporated as borough
The Aaronsburg Story held
Joe Paterno named head coach
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts founded
Pennsylvania Military Museum founded
Interstate 80 opened
Bald Eagle State Park established
Palmer Museum of Art opened
Penn State Dance Marathon first held
Mount Nittany Conservancy established
Penn State football team won first national championship
