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Second from Ashcroft, CressonPhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
CHistory
History · Cresson Township

Cresson Township dates to 1902, and 1 of its places is on the National Register

More historic than 30% of U.S. towns · #946 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. What drives it

Most of Cresson Township was built recently: 9% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1980. Its Register listing is the Benjamin F. Jones Cottage. Its Register listing is the Benjamin F. Jones Cottage. Below: 30 old photos and papers, maps from 1902 on, and the census since 1910.

1902founded
1on the National Register
9%homes built before 1940
30old photos & papers
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Cresson Township’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Cresson Township began

When was Cresson Township founded?

1902

Cresson Township dates its founding to 1902 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1910.

First census: 1,470 in 19102020 census: 2,839124 years

How historic is Cresson Township?

C

More historic than 30% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikidata. First post office: 1832.The full story ↓
History grade

What drives Cresson Township’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Cresson Township is more historic than 30% of U.S. towns, #946 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. Its National Register listings hold the grade up; its age pulls it down.

C
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Cresson Township’s overall grade.
Founding era1902, from Wikidata: founded 1900–1944, an older era than 9% of U.S. townsDHomes built before 19409.3% of homes (±3.8) · typical PA town 17.7% · U.S. 8.4%C+National Register1 listing, 3.6 per 10,000 residents · typical PA town 2.1 · U.S. 2.4B
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 30%
NewerOlder
Pennsylvania towns of 2,500+ (1,035)Ahead of 9%

Pennsylvania towns list about as much on the Register as the country (a typical Pennsylvania town has 2.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Cresson Township’s 3.6 sits near the middle of its state (63% of Pennsylvania towns have fewer) while its 1 listings outnumber those of 51% of U.S. towns.

How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from C− to B−. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±3.8 points). Two sources give 1902.

Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Cresson Township’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A town in old photos30 old photos, postcards and papers, 1870–1968.On the map since 19024 editions of the USGS map, 1902 to 1981. Watch Cresson Township change.Boom and bustPeaked at 2,659 in 1960; 1,525 people lived here in 2020.Lost villages1 post office opened and closed inside today’s Cresson Township, and 3 old place names are still on the map.
★ What stands out · By decade

Cresson Township, decade by decade

5 decades in the archive, from the 1870s to the 1960s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1870s6 items
Mountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s stereographsc. 1870Mountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s …Mountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s stereographsc. 1870Mountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s …Mountain House, Cressonc. 1870Mountain House, CressonMountain House, Cressonc. 1870Mountain House, CressonCresson Springs, two hundred and fifty-one miles from Philadelphia1874Cresson Springs, two hundred and fifty-one miles from…Cresson, a summer resort on the P.R.R. among the wilds of the Alleghenies1875Cresson, a summer resort on the P.R.R. among the wild…
1890s–1900s10 items
US-PA(1891) p721 CRESSON SPRINGS1891US-PA(1891) p721 CRESSON SPRINGSPRR(1893) p044 CRESSON SPRINGS, PA1893PRR(1893) p044 CRESSON SPRINGS, PAPRR(1893) p068 CRESSON SPRINGS, PA - AVENUE1893PRR(1893) p068 CRESSON SPRINGS, PA - AVENUECresson Springs Brewery1906Cresson Springs BreweryWebster Hill1906Webster HillMt. Aloysius Academy1906Mt. Aloysius AcademyOffices of C.&C. Division, P.R.R. [Pennsylvania Railroad]1906Offices of C.&C. Division, P.R.R. [Pennsylvania Railr…Round House of C.&C. Division P.R.R1906Round House of C.&C. Division P.R.RPlane No. 6, Old Portage R.R1906Plane No. 6, Old Portage R.RBridge over the old portage R.R. [Railroad] at the foot of Plane No. 61906Bridge over the old portage R.R. [Railroad] at the fo…
1930s8 items
DETAILED ELEVATION OF SOUTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933DETAILED ELEVATION OF SOUTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, …PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF NORTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF NORTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, Sp…PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, Sp…HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 1 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 1 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge…HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 2 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 2 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge…HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 3 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 3 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge…HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 4 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 4 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge…HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 5 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)1933HABS PA,7-CRES.V,1- (sheet 5 of 5) - Skew Arch Bridge…
1960s1 item
DETAIL VIEW OF SOUTH PORTAL - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at Old U.S. 22 on east slope of Allegheny Mounta…1968DETAIL VIEW OF SOUTH PORTAL - Skew Arch Bridge, Spann…
1970s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
Date unknown5 to date
PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH PORTAL - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at Old U.S. 22 on east slope of Allegheny M…Date?PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH PORTAL - Skew Arch Bridge, …PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH SIDE OF BRIDGE LOOKING EAST - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at Old U.S. 22 on east…Date?PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH SIDE OF BRIDGE LOOKING EAST…Samuel Lemon House, Gallitzin Road (LR07068), U.S. Route 22 vicinityDate?Samuel Lemon House, Gallitzin Road (LR07068), U.S. Ro…Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route 22 (Old)Date?Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Rout…Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at Old U.S. 22 on east slope of Allegheny MountainDate?Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at Old U.S. …
Today14 recent
KBTP-KJST trip 20251222 (3)2025KBTP-KJST trip 20251222 (3)Entering Sankertown, PA from Cresson, May 20242024Entering Sankertown, PA from Cresson, May 2024Cresson, PA various signs along PA 53 sb, May 20242024Cresson, PA various signs along PA 53 sb, May 2024Untitled photo2022Untitled photoSecond from Ashcroft2015Second from AshcroftPA Coal and Coke offices in2015PA Coal and Coke offices inMainline2015MainlineBikes Welcome2013Bikes WelcomeHorseshoe Curve map, Horseshoe Curve Park PA2013Horseshoe Curve map, Horseshoe Curve Park PAMapFoggy Morning Fall Morning with snow on the ground - panoramio (8)2009Foggy Morning Fall Morning with snow on the ground - …Foggy Morning Fall Morning with snow on the ground - panoramio (4)2009Foggy Morning Fall Morning with snow on the ground - …Cresson train yard 22006Cresson train yard 2NS 7210 EMD SD80MAC CR paint2005NS 7210 EMD SD80MAC CR paintNS 7210 EMD SD80MAC CR paint (cropped)2005NS 7210 EMD SD80MAC CR paint (cropped)
On the map

Cresson Township on the map, 1902 to 1981

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Cresson Township. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Cresson Township on the 1902 USGS mapCresson Township on the 1963 USGS mapCresson Township on the 1972 USGS mapCresson Township on the 1981 USGS map1902Ebensburg sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Cresson Township.

People over time

Cresson Township, census by census

05001,0001,5002,0002,500192019401960198020002020Peak: 2,659

Peaked at 2,659 in 1960; 1,525 people lived here in 2020.

12 censuses, 1910–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Cresson Township’s Wikipedia page.

The story

How Cresson Township came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Cresson Township.

Read it all →

One of the first buildings in the area which would become Cresson was the Mountainhouse Hotel. The Queen Anne style structure was opened by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1881, sold to the Cresson Springs Co., and demolished in 1916. It was hoped to attract visitors from Pittsburgh and Johnstown looking for clean air and "therapeutic" mineral springs. Although itself unsuccessful, it led to the development of several other hotels, companies, and the town itself.

The area is currently known as the "Mountainhouse Grounds" to local residents and is in the midst of development. Several of the original cottages still stand, including those of Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Jones.

ChaptersMountainhouse eraStereographs of R.A. Bonine

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Timeline

Cresson Township, 1832 to 1968

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 19th century
  2. 1832Post officeThe Summit post office opens
  3. 1870In the archiveMountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s stereographs
  4. 1888BuiltBenjamin F. Jones Cottage is built
  5. 1891In the archiveUS-PA(1891) p721 CRESSON SPRINGS
  6. 20th century
  7. 1902
    FoundingCresson Township is established
  8. 1902On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  9. 1906In the archiveCresson Springs Brewery
  10. 1919Post officeThe Summit post office closes
  11. 1933In the archiveDETAILED ELEVATION OF SOUTH SIDE - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at U.S. Route…
  12. 1960CensusPopulation peaks at 2,659
  13. 1968In the archiveDETAIL VIEW OF SOUTH PORTAL - Skew Arch Bridge, Spanning Incline No. 6 at Old U.S. 22 on …
Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

Mountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s stereographs
Retake this viewMountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title: Purviance’s stereographs, c. 1870

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Cresson Township’s page.

Retake this view · +15
On the National Register

1 historic place in Cresson Township

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving.

place listed
1
National Historic Landmarks
0
none yet
historic buildings protected
1
each building in a district counts
first listed
1995
Benjamin F. Jones Cottage
Benjamin F. Jones Cottage, built 1888
Buildings

Architectural styles listings

Late Victorian1
Queen Anne1
Benjamin F. Jones CottageLate Victorian · Built 1888

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

Places that used to be

Lost post offices, old corners and burying grounds

Another post office, Summit, opened and closed inside today’s town.

Hamlets and corners on the map
DysertownHoguetownSummit
5cemeteries and burying grounds inside Cresson Township
Saint Aloysius ChurchSaint Francis XavierSaint Francis Xavier Cemetery MausoleumSisters of MercyUnion

US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

Help out

Finish Cresson Township’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
3 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Date a photo5 archive items have no date. Guess the decade.+2Retake an old viewMountain House, Cresson.Alternate Title…: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Allegheny TownshipIts storyB−Munster Township1 historic placenot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townTunnelhillIts storynot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townJuniata Township1 historic placenot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townGallitzin TownshipIts storynot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townWashington TownshipIts storynot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townAllegheny TownshipIts storyB

Questions about Cresson Township’s history

What year was Cresson Township founded?

In 1902, according to Wikidata. Cresson Township’s post office opened in 1832, and the census of 1910 counted 1,470 people here.

How does Cresson Township rank for history?

Cresson Township is more historic than 30% of U.S. towns, #946 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

What is on the National Register in Cresson Township?

One place: the Benjamin F. Jones Cottage (listed 1995).

How old are the homes in Cresson Township?

9% of Cresson Township’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±3.8 points), against a typical 18% for a Pennsylvania town; the median home was built in 1980.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (32), the Library of Congress (12), the National Register of Historic Places (1), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.