By Edwin M. Barton, Historian for Columbia County Historical Society

Bloomsburg, on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, has a population of 12,375.
It enjoys the distinction of being the only incorporated town in  Pennsylvania.
Other municipalities of this approximate size are generally boroughs. This distinction
arises from a special act of incorporation passed by the General Assembly on March 4, 1870. The
community leaders of that time, desiring to establish a municipality, found it difficult to set off the
built-up section from Bloom Township in such a manner that it would not leave the remainder of
the township with population too small to support a township government and also too widely
divided in territory. A prominent state and national figure at that time, a resident of Bloomsburg
and a member of the State Senate, Charles R. Buckalew, solved the difficulty by securing the
passage of the special act of incorporation, noted above, which made the boundaries of the new
municipality coterminous with Bloom Township. This arrangement resembles that of the New
England towns, and, it is inferred, the new municipality was designated town for that reason.
Buckalew, a diligent student of government, was able to secure in this act of incorporation, the
embodiment of several other distinctive features, most of which, but not all, are still in effect.

Bloomsburg's earliest development was closely associated with the Indian period of American
history. The Susquehannock Indians were the first occupants of the Susquehanna River Valley
which served as a major route into Central New York State.

The only reminder of the original inhabitants is the legacy of colorful Indian names such as
Susquehanna, Catawissa, Nescopeck, and Shickshinny.

Peaceful settlement brought about an influx of early squatters and land speculators. The protected
bottom lands along the river were occupied first, followed by the occupancy of higher lands. In
1772, James McClure came to the area from Lancaster and built a log cabin near the banks of the
Susquehanna within the present Town limits.

In 1781, a wooden stockade was constructed around the McClure dwelling to protect settlers
from Indian attacks. Today, all that remains of the Fort McClure site is a one-room cabin, which is
open to the public.

The Bloomsburg area was largely self-sufficient at first, but gradually developed a need to find
markets for surplus products. The construction of new roads and the opening of the North Branch
Canal, encouraged an influx of new settlers and stimulated the economy.

The discovery of iron ore nearby gave rise to a flourishing iron industry that lasted three-quarters of a century.

Bloom Township, as it was known until the mid-1800's was one of the original 12 townships which
comprised Columbia County in 1813. Various portions were taken from it to be added to surrounding
townships, and in 1870, the remainder was organized as the Town of Bloomsburg.

The turn of the century brought about a substantial change in Bloomsburg's economy. The iron ore
was exhausted, and the agricultural base was depleted. New types of businesses were introduced.
Textile mills began to locate here, such as Magee Carpets. These were supplemented by numerous
small manufacturing enterprises that established the diversified pattern that characterizes the
present economy of Bloomsburg.

Bloomsburg is located in the heart of Columbia County. It is the county seat.

The Central Business District has experienced an economic and aesthetic revitalization. The
Downtown has become a model to other communities involved in similar activities. A section of the
town has been named a National Historic District, opening the way for the refurbishing of its fine
residential architecture.

The campus of Bloomsburg University immediately adjoins the Downtown and contributes to the
community in many ways.

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Rotary and over 100 other clubs and organizations
are represented. The Bloomsburg Public Library contains 26,500 volumes and is easily accessible
in the downtown area.

The community's health care needs are met by the Bloomsburg Hospital and the resources of the
area's physicians.

The Annual Renaissance Jamboree, the Bloomsburg University Community Arts Council and
the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble contribute to a rich cultural diversity.

The Bloomsburg Area School District and the Central Columbia School District serve the
community with fine academic and vocational learning experiences. Additional opportunities are
provided by the Columbia Montour Area Vocational-Technical School. Four private schools, St.
Columba, Bloomsburg Christian School, Columbia County Christian School and the
Greenwood Friends School, compliment the educational offerings available in the Bloomsburg area.

A beautiful, safe, and healthy environment, combined with the benefits of a diverse and progressive
community, great location, cultural tradition, quality education and outdoor fun, make Bloomsburg
an ideal place to raise a family and operate a profitable business.

The governing body of the Town is made up of six members and the presiding officer, the Mayor.
The terms of the mayor and council members are four years, with three elected every two years. It
is generally felt that this form of government is superior in a number of respects to that provided for
the boroughs. Council members are elected at large and they feel that they are serving the entire
municipality, rather than giving undue attention to the special interests of the ward that elected
them. The Mayor, who is President of the Council, presides at all meetings. Furthermore, being a
member, the Mayor participates in all discussions and has a vote on all questions, but does not
have a veto. All of these provisions differ from the Borough Code.

There has always been in Bloomsburg a public spirit in which, generally, all persons will "put their
shoulders to the wheel" and make the "coach of progress" roll along despite obstacles. When
Columbia County was created in 1813, the county seat was Danville, a location far removed from
the center. Later, after a long struggle it was finally brought to Bloomsburg, mainly by the efforts of
its citizens. One of the opposition arguments was the cost of the transfer, to which the Bloomsburg
leaders responded that the transfer would be at no cost to the taxpayers. Private property was
donated and one citizen fired the bricks and donated them for new construction.

When it was proposed that the Sixth District State Normal School be located at Bloomsburg,
again private sponsored subscription lists and personally pledged from their private resources the
considerable funds needed to carry the institution past its initial struggles, including a disastrous fire.
This particular struggle was during the financial stringencies of the 1870's. Now these efforts are
rewarded by the magnificent Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, with an enrollment of nearly
6,000 students.

The neglected river front needed improvement. Planners got to work and hundreds, literally, rolled up their sleeves,
and now Town Park, a beautiful river front park has resulted. Campaigns, work days,
and family festivals at the park each year engender enthusiasm and give all a feeling
of personal ownership in the park. Other sources also provide needed funds by which
improvements and expansion are continuously achieved.

The old "swimming holes" gradually became inadequate under modern urban conditions, and a
loan was floated through a Park Authority. The results were a swimming pool and wading pool
with proper control and safety precautions. This facility is located at Town Park.

Using a Parking Authority, the Town some years ago provided about 200 off-street parking places
and is currently doubling this number. One of the by-products of this improvement was the change
from diagonal parking on Main Street to parallel parking. The result has been to make the town's
Main Street a splendid business and shopping center.

By still further use of the Municipal Authority the Town was among the first to face its responsibility
in the clean streams program of Pennsylvania and floated a bond issue of $1.25 million to provide
a combined sewage disposal and incinerator plant. Several modern and attractive school buildings
have been built also through a municipal authority.

Also, through the initiative of its citizens, the Town was early in securing a splendid library. The
Bloomsburg Public Library has recently doubled the size of the original building. The Columbia
County Traveling Library, housed in the Bloomsburg Library, serves all of Columbia County
except Berwick, which has its own library.

Confronted with a threat of economic stagnation in the 1950's, the rejuvenated Columbia Montour Chamber of
Commerce initiated a movement for the creation of the Bloomsburg Area Industrial Development
Association (BAIDA) and secured generous subscriptions to implement it. Significant expansion
has already been secured and; further, the Town and the whole area associated with it are now in
a strategic position to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the excellent highway
system and associated improvements in transportation.

Perhaps you will visit Bloomsburg at the time of the outstanding Bloomsburg Fair, one of the
largest in Pennsylvania, held late in September or early October. Featured are harness races and
exhibits of unusually wide range of agricultural, horticultural, manufacturing industries, in almost
endless profusion and of quality hardly to be surpassed.

Where once Bloomsburg was a combination of crossroads in a country village with few
locally-based industries, it has now become a textile town catering to an international as well as a
national market producing carpets, knitted goods, silk fabrics and ladies undergarments. In
addition, as is appropriate to its name, it is a leader in the cut-flower industry. The influence from
its proximity to Interstate 80, which traverses its northern edge, with two interchanges almost at its
boundaries has resulted in economic expansion in canning industries, printing and metal fabricating.
These growth achievements have been and are guided by an active and alert Columbia Mountour Chamber of
Commerce and a cooperative spirit on the part of local governments of the region; especially
Bloomsburg Town Council.