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In 1750, Robert MacRay
established a trading post in the region which would one day
become Bedford County. Life on the frontier was full of turmoil,
a result of hostilities between the British & French. Raids and
attacks from hostile Indians, allies of the French, eventually
pressured MacRay to abandon his Raystown outpost.
In 1759, the British ousted the French from
Fort Duquesne. In preparation, a new road was cut to Raystown
and toward the French stronghold. A new garrison at Raystown was
named Fort Bedford. The captured French fortification was
renamed Fort Pitt. The new road west was transformed from a
network of Indian trails to become known as the Forbes Road.
Later, this evolved onto a toll road, or turnpike, providing
direct access across the state.
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Following the defeat of the French and with the
expectation of greater safety afforded by Fort Bedford, the area
soon began to increase in population. Pioneers used Forbes road to
reach and settle in the lush valleys and timber-rich mountains.
However, outlying communities, such as Saxton, still experienced
the dangers of the frontier. Casualties from the Indian conflicts
were frequent as late as 1780. |
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Fort Bedford and the surrounding
area grew as a transportation and lodging center because of its
strategic location on the major route through PA. In 1794, the
Nation's first President, George Washington, stayed at the Espy
House (now the Washington Bakery) in Bedford. The President's
arrival was in response to one of the Country's first tax
crises, the Whiskey Rebellion.
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The discovery of curative spring
waters and the establishment of the Bedford Springs Hotel, lured
the wealthy and influential to Bedford during the 19th century.
President James Buchanan used the hotel as his summer White House.
It was here that our President received the first trans-Atlantic
telegram, sent by Queen Victoria, from England. |
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The second half of the 19th century
was a time of prosperity in Bedford, with population increasing
almost 100% between 1870 and 1890. Many of the area's attractive
homes and Victorian neighborhoods were built during this time.
The Huntingdon
and Broad Top Railroads steamed between the mines, foundries,
and coal fields. The picturesque route crossed the Raystown
Branch of the Juniata River at several sites, such as the
crossing at Mountain Rose Beach.
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