HISTORY
The location of the town is pleasant and picturesque. It also possesses great commercial advantages, being in the midst of a good agricultural region, while close at hand are abundant resources as yet but slightly developed, such as timber, coal, ore and limestone. Meyersdale has present prosperity and encouraging prospects for the future.
The name of the town has undergone various modifications. While the place was only a straggling and unimportant country village, it was known as Meyers’ mills. After the railroad was built, and evidences of prosperity began to appear, a more ambitious spirit seized the citizens, and the town became Dale City. This title was worn but a short time before it was shaken off, and the present appropriate name assumed in its stead.
The first plat of the town was made in 1844, when Jacob Olinger caused thirty lots to be laid out. Alexander Philson, of Berlin, was the surveyor. In 1852, an addition of forty or fifty lots, embracing the whole of North street, was laid out by Jacob Olinger, and M.D. Miller, surveyor. The Olinger property consisted of about two hundred and fifty acres. In 1869 the Olinger heirs caused the balance of it to be laid off in town lots; Kenneth McCloud, surveyor.
About the same time Peter Meyers laid out about sixty acres of his land in town lots. This addition embraced Meyers’ avenue, Second avenue, Large street and Keystone street and part of Centre street. In 1870 that portion of the town lying southwest of Flaugherty creek was laid out at the instance of Daniel, U.M. and William Beachley; J.B. Gaither, surveyor.
A portion of the town is built quite irregularly, owing to the fact that a number of houses were erected before a general survey was made.
In 1872 the Olinger and Beachley plats were incorporated as a borough under the name of Dale City. In 1874 the borough limits were extended so as to include the Meyers plat, and the entire town was incorporated as Meyersdale. The first borough officers were as follows: Franklin Enos, burgess; Gillian H. Walter, assistant burgess; U.M. Beachley, G.H. Walter, George Weber, James S. Black, Frederick Naugle, councilmen; Jacob J. Holtzhue, high constable; David Koontz, street commissioner; W.C. Hicks, secretary.
The first house within the limits of the town was erected by Andrew Barntrager about 1780. The property is now owned by the Meyers heirs. The first house after the town was laid out was built on the spot where Hartley Brothers’ store stands, by Godfrey Bittner, in 1845.
Adam Cook built a mill where the Meyers’ mill now stands, long prior to 1800. The mill now standing was built by Peter Meyers in 1826. The first store in the place was kept by Peter and William Meyers in 1831. It stood about midway of Meyers avenue. The first hotel was erected in 1848, by James McGuire. It has since been converted into a dwelling, and is now occupied by Dr. U.M. Beachley.
The first blacksmith shop in the place was built by John Berger, who worked at his trade here as early as 1800. The first shoemaker, Adolph Just, began work in 1845, in a shop which he still owns. W.P. Welshons was the first tailor. He settled here in 1848.
The first schoolhouse in the town, also the first in Summit township, was a log building which stood near the center of the town. It was built as early as 1812. A second log building was erected about 1822. In 1861 the present brick schoolhouse was built at a cost of two thousand dollars. It was begun by private enterprise, and finished under the direction of the schoolboard. The school is well graded and in excellent condition. Six teachers are employed.
A commodious opera house, 30X68 feet in size, was erected in 1883, by William Slicer and Alexander Glotfelty.
Banking was established in 1868 by Philson, Black & Co., chiefly through the efforts of Samuel Philson, of Berlin, who is now sole proprietor of the business. The bank is a private institution, and has been managed since 1882 by S.B. Philson, son of the proprietor.
S.D. Livengood and J.M. Olinger began banking business in 1872, and continued until 1875. A national bank was then organized, which continued in existence until 1880. S.D. Livengood then bought out the establishment and established the Farmers’ Bank instead. Mr. Livengood is sole proprietor.
A pottery was established in 1873 by George J. Black, who is the present proprietor of the business. Mr. Black manufactures all kinds of stoneware, drain-tile and sewer-pipe. Of drain-tile he makes about 20,000 feet per month. Mr. Black is a native of Somerfield, in this county, and was there engaged in his present business until he removed to Meyersdale.
The planing-mill of Daniel Schultz was erected by its present owner about 1870. About 100,000 feet of lumber for building purposes is planed yearly. The planing-mill owned by L. Morrill manufactures for the furniture store of Morrill, Masters & Co., doing a large business in that line. In 1873 Friedline Brothers (J.H. and H.I.) erected a planing-mill at a cost of about $8,000. In September, 1882, the mill, then owned by J.H. Friedline, was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt the same year, and is now owned and operated by J.H. Friedline and D.S. Cober. This is the best planing-mill in the county, and is provided with the latest and best machinery. About eight hands are employed, and from 300,000 to 400,000 feet of lumber planed yearly.
The firm of Hartley & Co., merchants, was established in 1868. The members of the firm are S.C., L.E. and H.P. Hartley. The store occupied by this firm was erected by S.C. Hartley and A.F. John in 1875. A large business in drygoods, clothing, etc., is carried on. The store is in two departments; each 26 X 66 feet in size.
The firm of Dill, Watson & Co., manufacturers and dealers in lumber, was formed in the spring of 1880, and consists of M.R. Dill, manager, A.H. and W.H. Dill, Jonathan Boynton and James E. Watson. The mills of this company are located on the Salisbury Branch railroad, in Elk Lick township. In 1882, 6,188,000 feet were cut. The amount of lumber shipped is about 5,000,000 feet yearly, solely for building purposes. The company gives employment to from sixty to one hundred hands.
(History of Bedford, Somerset & Fulton Counties, PA; 1884)
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