Pennsylvania Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Population: 7,000

Located in Centre County

The Bellefonte area has a regal past. Its history is filled with important people, beautiful architecture, and prosperous times. Bellefonte was laid out in 1795 by James Harris and James Dunlop. In 1800, Bellefonte was designated as the County Seat of Centre County. The Bellefonte Academy was the first preparatory school in the county and was established in 1805. In 1806, the town was incorporated as the Borough of Bellefonte.

The town's name comes from the French statesman, Talleyrand. He visited the area shortly after its settlement, and upon being shown the Big Spring, exclaimed, "La Belle Fonte!" The Big Spring provides Bellefonte's drinking water and flows at the rate of 11.5million gallons per day. Bellefonte is referred to locally as the "Home of Governors" as seven of our residents were elected governor, five in Pennsylvania, and two in other states. Three of these people were lifetime residents, Andrew Gregg Curtin, James A. Beaver, and Daniel H. Hastings.

Bellefonte is dominated by architectural wonders, including the Brockerhoff Hotel, the Bush Arcade, the Bush House, the Crider Exchange, Petrikin Hall, the Hastings Mansion, and the mansion district on Curtin and Linn Streets. Bellefonte has a National Register Historic District which contains over 300 structures.

The Bellefonte area is defined as Bellefonte-Milesburg-Pleasant Gap. These areas represent a wealth of business and industries that manufacture electronic components, extrusion presses, limestone, research chemicals, brass and building products.

A short distance from the main campus of The Pennsylvania State University, Bellefonte offers a new resident recreation, affordable housing, plus many conveniences.