In 2009, Budget Travel magazine conducted a poll to identify the coolest towns in the United States, Huntingdon was ranked as the 5th Coolest Small Town in America.
The Historic Borough of Huntingdon
The Borough of Huntingdon was settled in 1767 by Rev. Dr. William Smith on the ancient Indian Village of Standing Stone. He named the Borough in honor of the Countess of Huntingdon, a large benefactor of the University of Pennsylvania where Smith served as the first Provost. Smith sold deeds to early settlers, but only gave them one year to build a substantial house, otherwise the property reverted back to Smith. Huntingdon was incorporated into a borough in 1796.
In 2009, Budget Travel magazine conducted a poll to identify the coolest towns in the United States, Huntingdon was ranked as the 5th Coolest Small Town in America.
In 2009, Budget Travel magazine conducted a poll to identify the coolest towns in the United States, Huntingdon was ranked as the 5th Coolest Small Town in America.
Those who walked before us
The Standing Stone Monument provides a brief glimpse into those who walked before us. Long before the arrival of European settlers this area was home to the Oneida Indians. Numerous early explorers, such as John Harris (of Harrisburg) spoke of the Village of Standing Stone. Even today, simply construction in downtown Huntingdon will yeild hidden Native American relics from centuries past. According to legend, the original Standing Stone was carried away by the Oneidas after their lands were sold by the Iroquios in Albany Purchase of 1754. A second stone was erected in its place by early white settlers, nevertheless, William Smith order the stone removed. The current moment was dedicated during the Centennial of Huntingdon Borough in 1896.
The Smith Home - 105 William Smith Street
Built in 1797 by town founder Reverend William Smith and his son Richard. 105 William Smith Street is the most historic house in Huntingdon. Richard was a prominent attorney and politician. Unfortunately he didn't fair as well in financial matters, whereupon he fell on hard times. In 1823 he was sued by a relative of his wife's family. During the trial he rose to defend his honor, after a passionate diatribe and numerous demands by the judge for order, Mr. Smith sat down in his chair, laid his head on the table and simply died. 105 William Smith Street was purchased by David Rittenhouse Porter. Porter was born and raised in Montgomery County. His father Andrew was a distinguished Revoluntionary War General. Andrew had turned down a request from President Madison to serve as Secretary of War. David Porter moved to Huntingdon in 1815 where he studied law and bought an iron furnace. Nevertheless, he found his true calling in politics. He was elected into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1820 and later served in the State Senate. In 1838 he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania and was re-elected in 1841. David Porter's brother George was appointed by President Andrew Jackson as Governor of Michigan Territory. Another brother, James Madison Porter served as Secretary of War under President Tyler.
Horace Porter was born at 105 William Smith Street in 1837. Horace was educated at West Point and Harvard. He rose to the rank of General during the Civil War. He also received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chickamauga. In the final year of the war he was appointed personal secretary to General Grant, a post he would continue when Grant was elected President. Horace later served as Vice President of the Pullman Palace Car Company. As President of the Union League of New York, he was the leading figure in the construction of President Grant's tomb in New York City.
In 1897 he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to France. While in France, Porter personally searched and financed the recovery of John Paul Jones grave, returning it to a place of honor at Annapolis.
The Orbison House - 301 Penn Street
The Orbison House at 301 Penn Street was built in 1815 by prominent attorney William Orbison. Orbison was born in Adams County in 1777 but settled in Huntingdon by 1801. In 1808 he married Eleanor Elliot, the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Ashman) Elliot. The Elliots and Ashmans were among the earliest residents of Huntingdon County. William and Eleanor had twelve children all of which married into prominent families. Sarah Harriet married her first cousin Dr. Benjamin McMurtrie; Caroline; Thomas Elliot; William Penn; Ellen Matilda married Dr. John Harris; Henrietta Ashman married Hugh McAllister; Martha Ann; Louisa Augusta; Edmund Burke; James Henry; Isabella Slemmons; and Charles Carrol.
William served as President of the Huntingdon Bank and in 1832 he laid out the town of Orbisonia in the southern part of Huntingdon County.
After William's death in 1857 his son William Penn (b. 1814) inherited the home at 301 Penn Street. William Penn Orbison married Lydia Rebecca Allison in 1841. Like his father, he was an attorney and served as President of the First National Bank of Huntingdon.
The Speer House - 234 Penn Street
R. Milton Speer served as a member of Congress from 1871-1875. His son Robert Elliot Speer became a prominent leader in the Presbyterian Church. The Speer Library at Princeton is named in his honor. Another son, William McMurtrie Speer was connected with the some of the premier newspapers in New York City.
Huntingdon County Historical Society
For information on Historic Huntingdon:
Huntingdon County Historical Society
106 4th Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
814-643-5449
mail@huntingdonhistory.org
www.huntingdonhistory.org
Huntingdon County Historical Society
106 4th Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
814-643-5449
mail@huntingdonhistory.org
www.huntingdonhistory.org
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