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HISTORY OF CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
John Blair Linn, 1883
Boalsburg
"Springfield, now Boalsburg, was laid out by Andrew Stroup, Dec. 10, 1810, of Mifflin County, and his plan is duly recorded in that name originating from the large spring in its immediate locality.
The appearance of the village in the year 1811, as described to the writer by George Jack, Esq., was "one house upon the site of George B. Jack's store, one situated where the academy building now is, one near to where Stover's store is, and a tavern that stood where David Sparr lives." It was kept by David Boal. The latter was afterwards succeeded as landlord by Jeremiah Culbertson, who died in 1832. The building was afterwards converted into a store, and for a number of years kept by John Bell. It was eventually demolished in 1870.
Until the year 1820 the village was known by the local name of Springfield. In 1820 a post-office was established, and the name of Boalsburg adopted, in honor of David Boal, Esq., at that time a much respected and highly influential citizen of the place, who laid out an addition to the town in 1832. The first postmaster was Col. John Hasson. His successor was James Huey, who was followed by Charles Rainey. Rainey retained the office for a great many years. He gave place to the venerable George Jack, who served in the capacity for the period of twenty years. The present postmaster is James P. Stuart.
One of the first storekeepers wax Mr. Petrikin, of Bellefonte. In 1818, Col. James Johnson opened a store, and the following year erected the substantial building now occupied by S. H. Stover, which he used as a tavern. The date of the year in which it was built can be seen cut in a stone over the main entrance. Another early store-keeper was John Jack. The first school-house was built about the time the town was laid out. It stood upon the lot now owned by Sarah Johnson. The first teacher was Thomas Evans, who was of Quaker descent ,and who for some unexplained reason was dubbed "captain." He is spoken of as having been a man of excellent learning, and as having written a great many deeds of transfer of property that took place in his time. He had formerly been in the employ of Gen. Philip Benner. Hans Smith, George Wasson, and William Smith (the latter being better known as " Billy") also taught in the old school-house.
Among those that settled in Boalsburg in the early days of its existence were the Shenebargers, Prices, Patrick Mooney, Barney Riley, and others, who were mostly Irish Presbyterians."
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