You are here:   Cambria > Books > History of Cambria County, V.1
History of Cambria County, V.1

CHAPTER XI.

THE RIVERS, CREEKS AND RIVULETS--SAW AND GRIST MILLS, AND
RAFTING.

     Spring on the farm of Andrew Strittmatter, in Carroll township, near Strittmatter's tunnel, on the Cambria and Clearfield division of the Pennsylvania railroad, is the accredited source of the west branch of the Susquehanna.
     Flowing in a northwesterly direction for half a mile, thence for an equal distance nearly west, the stream above mentioned is enlarged by another run, rippling down from Carrolltown, about a mile and a half to the northeast. This is the longer run of the two and is by some considered the source of the river, which from this junction of waters all unite in denominating the west branch of the Susquehanna.
     From this point, flowing northwest generally, though with many deflections to the right and left, the river passes through Carroll township to the Northeast corner of Barr, from where it follows the boundary line of Barr and Susquehanna into the latter. On its way it is augmented by the waters of at least eleven runs, some small, others of more volume, bearing such names as Walnut run, Moss creek, and Long run.
     At this point, on the right bank, is the mining town of Spangler, which extends for about a mile and a half along the river. Here the river turns due north for a short distance, when it makes a left curve, about a mile in length, down to Garmantown, on the left bank. It is soon afterward joined by a small rivulet from the west, and Pine run which rises near Plattville and flows into it from the east, is the last large accession the west branch receives in, but not from Cambria county. From this point the general direction of the river is northward until it leaves the county at the historic Cherry tree.
     Three other streams that rise in Susquehanna township flow north into the west branch in Clearfield county, the last of which is Beaver run.
     The West Branch and its tributaries have been to Northern Cambria what the Conemaugh has been to Johnstown and its vicinity--except in disaster. As public highways, between 1857


Previous page Title Page Contents Image Next page

Created: 30 Mar 2006, Last Updated:
Copyright © 2000-2006, All Rights Reserved
Lynne Canterbury, Diann Olsen and contributors