Bedford County, Pennsylvania: History and Heritage

Bedford County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, situated in the Southwest region of the commonwealth. As of the 2020 census, the population was 47,577, with the county seat located in the town of Bedford.

History of Bedford County

18th Century Foundations

The early history of the region is marked by the establishment of trading posts and military fortifications. Around 1740, a trader named John Wray established a trading post about two miles east of the site of Fort Bedford. This post, consisting of a few buildings surrounded by a fence, was referred to as a 'town' (derived from the Old English 'Tun').

During the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years' War), the British Army under General John Forbes, led in the field by Colonel Henry Bouquet, established an encampment near Raystown. While the fort was initially unnamed, it was eventually named Fort Bedford prior to December 1758.

The Road to the West

Following the capture of Fort Duquesne in 1759, English colonists constructed a road between Fort Pitt (formerly Fort Duquesne) and Fort Bedford. This route followed and improved upon ancient Indian trails and was later widened and paved as Forbes Road, which is now known as Route 30. The construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike later established a primary highway through the county.

County Formation and Evolution

Bedford County was officially created on March 9, 1771, from part of Cumberland County and named in honor of Fort Bedford. Over time, the county's boundaries were significantly reduced as new counties were formed from its territory, including Huntingdon (1787), Somerset (1795), Centre (1800), Cambria (1804), Blair (1846), and Fulton (1850).

The land was developed into lush farms and woodlands, serving as a trading center for those traveling toward Pittsburgh and further west. Notably, in 1794, President George Washington visited the county in response to the Whiskey Rebellion.

19th Century and the Bedford Springs Hotel

In the late 19th century, the Bedford Springs Hotel became a premier destination for wealthy vacationers, drawn by natural springs that had been utilized by Native Americans for centuries. The hotel gained significant political importance during the administration of President James Buchanan, who used it as an informal summer White House. It is also noted that the U.S. Supreme Court met at the hotel once, marking the only time the high court has ever met outside of the capital.