Tanneries in Pennsylvania date to 1812. Tannery Owners were some the first small Businessmen and Entrepreneurs. In 1875, there can be identified eight tanneries in neighboring Tioga County:

Knoxville, W.D. Angel Tannery
Blossburg, Hoyt Brothers
Osceloa, R. Hammond & Co.
Westfield, Crary Garrett-Horton & Co.
Tioga Township - E. Buyer Tannery
Delmar Township, Bailey Lowell & Co.
Niles Valley, O. B. Lowell & Sons
Wellsboro, Joseph Riberolle

The following towns in Potter County had tanneries:

Oswayo
Costello
Shinglehouse
Roulette
Harrison Valley
Galeton
Coudersport
Latonia

Early leather tanneries were a by-product of slaughterhouses. The hides of slaughtered cattle became the hides of the Tanning Industry. The Lumber Industry provided the tanning agent; the bark of trees felled by lumber companies was used for the Tannic Liqueur.

1. Galeton Tannery - from newspaper obit: "William McClure Gale Dies in Brooklyn, New York

   The Founder of Galeton died at the home of his daughter Mrs. J.F. Arundell in Brooklyn, New York, Saturday, May 23, 1903 at the age of 84 years. Mr. Gale from boyhood was identified with the leather business and after considerable successful experience in that line, he located the tannery in Galeton in 1880, one of the largest in the United States. Galeton was named in his honor, he lived there until 6 years ago when he went to Brooklyn, New York to reside. His is survived by 5 children. Loring R. Gale, Mrs. J.F. Arundell, Mrs. W. F. Osborne of Brooklyn, George R. Gale and John A. Gale of Binghamton, New York.

2. Harrison Valley Tannery In 1875 H. H. Crary, William H. Garrett, James Horton and Edson Davidge, under the firm name of Crary, Garrett, Horton & Co built a tannery at Westfield, Tioga County, PA. After the death of William H. Garrett the firm reorganized and in 1881 they expanded to Harrison Valley, Potter County, PA taking the firm name of Walter Horton & Co.

3. Hammond Tannery, the stop west of Coudersport on the Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad, was constructed in 1880 by Francis Hammond and it used his name until 1890 when it was sold to the Hoyt Brothers. After several more owners in 1951 it became the property of the Damascus Tanning Company. It operated until 1978."

From the Pennsylvania Statistics Potter County 1899-1920

A note about the tanning process found in Elkland Library, Elkland, Tioga Co., PA.

The above is from my collection. I am interested in hearing from anyone with an interest or knowledge of the Tanneries of Potter and Tioga County. Rose Watkins, e-mail rosettawat@aol.com

Submitted by Rose Watkins.