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Old 04-26-2012, 11:35 AM
 
2,290 posts, read 3,646,887 times
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Bedford (pop. 2,841) is the seat of Bedford County (pop. 49,762), and is located halfway between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh east-west (105 miles) and Altoona and Cumberland MD north-south (40 miles) at the intersection of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-99, U.S. 220 and U.S. 30 (Lincoln Highway). Bedford has an urban cluster population of 4,693. Situated in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province of South-Central Pennsylvania, Bedford is tucked into a narrow valley between Kinton Knob and Evitts Mountain.

Settled in 1751 and laid out in 1766, Bedford was a strategic location during America's late-colonial and early federal history. Originally called Raystown, the British Army established Fort Bedford there in 1758, one of a string of forts extending west across Penn's Woods to protect British supply chains during General Forbes expedition to oust the French from Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio (Pittsburgh). In the following years, the star-shaped log fort protected settlers from Indian raids during Pontiac's Rebellion. However, Fort Bedford was then attacked by rebel settlers known as the "Black Boys" in 1765, unhappy with British policy to reopen trade with the Native American tribes involved in raids targeting settlers in the Bedford area.

In 1794, President George Washington marched a militia force of 12,500 to Bedford in order to quell insurrectionists displeased with the federal excise tax on whiskey (Whiskey Rebellion). Washington established a headquarters at the Espy House in Bedford. This was an important early test of federal authority.

In the 1850s, President James Buchanan established his "summer White House" at Bedford Springs two miles south of Bedford. The mineral springs there were renowned for their "healing powers", and a resort/spa was established in 1806. In 1855, the Bedford Springs Hotel was the site of the only Supreme Court hearing held outside the capital.

Bedford long produced Cannondale bicycles, but production was moved to Taiwan in 2009.

A very old and well-preserved town, Bedford has a wealth of architecture ranging from Federalist to Greek Revival to Victorian... and even some nice Gothic Revival and Art Deco examples. The town is a big tourist draw and is quite lively.







The Bedford County Courthouse was built in 1828 and is the oldest courthouse still in use in Pennsylvania.












Lawyers' Row
























art deco gas station (1933)






Pitt St. is the business district




the Union Hotel was built in 1835
















built in 1771






at right is the Espy House... built in 1771... in 1794 President George Washington used it as his Bedford headquarters during the Whiskey Rebellion






HeBrews Coffee Company




Bedford has a thriving banjo scene






Downtown movie theater, multiple candy stores, everything tea!!!! what else does one need!?
















a gorgeous former hotel (now senior apts)




















heading south of town...


...we arrive at the Bedford Springs Hotel


the resort catered to elites, including 7 presidents throughout the 19th and most of the 20th century... it also served as a detention center for interned Japanese diplomats during WW2... but it eventually fell on hard times and closed in 1981.


From 2004-2007, Bedford Springs underwent a $120 million renovation and reopened in 2007. It was purchased by Omni in 2009.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort | Pennsylvania Golf & Spa Resort


golf in the Pennsylvania mountains


James Buchanan slept here... many many times


dangerously taking a photo while driving... a few miles west of Bedford exists the Jean Bonnet Tavern... built in 1762, it is easily one of the oldest buildings in Western Pennsylvania... it caught me by surprise... hence the hurried photo
Jean Bonnet Tavern - Bedford, Pennsylvania


Bedford County is full of covered bridges


here's one further south near the Mason-Dixon line
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Old 04-26-2012, 12:49 PM
 
Location: Philly
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I can't see half the photos but thanks for the ones I can see and the interesting history. nice town,. jean bonnet is a pleasant surprise, the only place I know off the turnpike where you can get decent beer and a good burger (made with local bison). beers hail from all over PA, erie's railbender, penn brewing, yard's, troeg's were all in attendance as well as a house beer or two.
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Old 04-26-2012, 12:56 PM
 
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That's strange. Let me know if the pictures show up for you later.
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Old 04-26-2012, 02:10 PM
 
Location: Alexandria, VA
14,430 posts, read 25,446,644 times
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Fantastic photos! thanks so much for posting them - I can't believe I haven't gone to Bedford (from Pgh. originally, I know Somerset, etc.) - I'm going to have to schedule a visit.
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Old 04-26-2012, 02:13 PM
 
Location: Boston Metrowest (via the Philly area)
6,501 posts, read 9,479,230 times
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Thanks for the thread! Bedford looks like such a beautiful, quaint town -- and the amount of historic preservation/restoration is impressive. It's little gems like these that make our state such a great, unique and underrated place.
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Old 04-26-2012, 03:50 PM
 
Location: Philly
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evergrey View Post
That's strange. Let me know if the pictures show up for you later.
yep
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Old 04-26-2012, 04:06 PM
 
4,273 posts, read 11,133,207 times
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If your budget allows the inside of Bedford Springs is interesting too. Nice for them that you skipped over the disappointing commercial areas on Old 220 north of town and US 30 to the east.
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Old 04-26-2012, 07:34 PM
 
356 posts, read 802,740 times
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I LOVE Bedford
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Old 04-26-2012, 07:56 PM
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA
1,567 posts, read 2,965,080 times
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Nice town. Great pics.
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Old 04-26-2012, 09:28 PM
 
Location: Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh, PA
32,160 posts, read 74,119,310 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ki0eh View Post
If your budget allows the inside of Bedford Springs is interesting too. Nice for them that you skipped over the disappointing commercial areas on Old 220 north of town and US 30 to the east.
1.) What is the general "vibe" of Bedford Springs? I'm looking for a Fall getaway for my partner and I to escape the big city for a holiday weekend (possibly Columbus Day), and the resort looks gorgeous! Is it mostly older (55+) couples who dress up, wear their pants up to their chests, play golf, sip wine, and go antiquing, or do younger couples and more liberal types also patronize this place? I've never had a massage before, and I think just relaxing here on the outskirts of such a quaint small town might be just what the doctor ordered to help assuage some of the stress I've endured over my past few vacationless years.

2.) By "disappointing commercial areas" I suppose you mean big-box stores, strip malls, fast-food restaurants, etc.? If so I'm actually pleased to see that the town proper still looks so charming and vibrant, given its small stature, while competing with this grotesque sprawl on its periphery.

3.) Do you, Evergrey, or others have any additional insight about Bedford, Bedford County, or Bedford Springs? I'd be happy to hear it! It might be nice to use this as "home base" to visit Fallingwater, too.
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