Jerry Church negotiated with Dr. Henderson of Huntingdon to purchase 200 acres of farmland between Susquehanna River and the Bald Eagle Creek, including the farmhouse (now the Heisey Museum). Mr. Church obtained title to the land and laid out lots to be sold. The town, known as Lock Haven, was incorporated as a borough in1840 with a population of about 700.

A rich history is one of Lock Haven's important resources. The building of the canal. which was completed to Dunnstown in the summer of 1834, stimulated the lumber industry in Clinton County. The rapid growth of the industry was experienced after the successful completion of the West Branch Boom in 1849. This made Lock Haven  the first market on the west branch of the Susquehanna River for the timber rafts. Lumberman from eastern Pennsylvania came there to purchase the rafts of timber. In 1860 Pennsylvania was the largest producer of lumber in the United States. The aggregate cutting capacity in the Lock Haven Mills was one hundred million board feet per year and the lumber industry in the area eventually include thirteen mills of various types. Most of the large, beautiful homes, located on Water Street Historic District were built by families who prospered from over fifty years of timber harvest in Clinton County.

WATER STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT

The Water Street Historic District contains approximately 350 buildings. many historically associated with wealthy lumber industry, government and commercial development. All of Lock Haven's Central Business District is included in the District, as are the beautiful homes and churches on Water, West Main, and West Church Streets.

HEISEY MUSEUM

The Gothic Revival style dwelling which housed the Heisey Museum was constructed on the farm that later became Lock Haven and is the town's oldest brick building. This house has served as a farmhouse, tavern, doctor's office and home of several other locally prominent families. First constructed as a Federal style building circa 1830, it acquired its Gothic character in a major remodeling circa 1866. The home was given for use as a museum in memory of Samuel Morse Heisey in1962. Now restored to the mid-Victorian era, collections are displayed in room settings which reflect life as it was in Lock Haven 125 years ago.

PIPER AVIATION MUSEUM

The Piper Aircraft Corporation, which maintained its headquarters in Lock Haven from 1937 to its closing in 1984, is well known for its "Cub" and for a series of aircraft bearing Indian names such as; Aztec, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Comanche, Navajo, and Pawnee. Piper Aircraft Corporation grew to become the worlds leading producer of general aviation aircraft. Many of which can be seen in action during "Sentimental Journey" - an annual "fly-in" event at William T. Piper Memorial Aircraft, held in June. In 1977, the Piper Aviation Museum acquired the former Piper Engineering building, which is located adjacent to the William T. Piper Memorial Airport.

Downtown Lock Haven Inc. ~ 105 East Main Street ~ Lock Haven, PA 17745

Phone & Fax: 570-748-1576 ~ Contact Us by Email