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Studying and preserving the history of the DuBois area.

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The DuBois Area Historical Society open to the public throughout the year. We are located at 30 W Long Ave. DuBois, PA.

Summer Hours — April to November
Tuesday 10am–2pm
Wednesday 10am–3pm
Thursday 11am–1pm

Winter Hours — December to March
Please call us for an appointment.

Donations are appreciated from all visitors upon admission.

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Community donations of resources and time are vital to our mission!

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Get Involved

Our board meetings take place on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00 PM at our building in downtown DuBois.

30 W Long Ave. DuBois, PA 15801
P.O. Box 401, DuBois, PA 15801
814-371-9006
info@duboishistory.org
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News & Announcements

DUBOIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY SPRING WALK ON MAIN STREET

DUBOIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY SPRING WALK ON MAIN STREET

The rain cleared long enough on Mother’s Day weekend to hold the DuBois Area Historical Society’s 15th Spring Walk in…
Spring Luncheon 13 April 2024

Spring Luncheon 13 April 2024

NURSING EXPERIENCE AT HISTORICAL LUNCHEON The mother/daughter team of Rita Gutowski and Mary Shaffer amused and informed a crowd of…
Education Room

Education Room

In March of 2024 the DuBois Area Historical Society completed the purchase of new chairs and tables for the education…
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Shop

Browse our collection of books, maps, DVDs, and other resources.
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DuBois Area Timeline

  • 1682 Pennsylvania Founded William Penn arrives in the New World after receiving a charter from King Charles II, establishing the Province of Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers and other religious groups. Penn founds Philadelphia, which quickly becomes a significant trade and cultural center.
  • 1776 America's Independence The United States declares independence from Great Britain, with the Declaration of Independence being signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.
  • 1796 George Shaffer Purchase George Shaffer purchases 364 acres in what would become Brady Township, Clearfield County along the Sandy Lick Creek.
  • 1812 DuBois Area Settled The George Shaffer family arrives at future site of DuBois.
  • 1824 Falls Creek The first settlers arrived in the Falls Creek area in 1824 and Falls Creek Borough was established of Washington Township in Jefferson County in 1839.
  • 1826 Luthersburg Brady Township was officially organized in 1826. A road from Luthersburg to Troutville (Route 410) was completed in 1831, and in 1835, Luthersburg was laid out as a town.
  • 1847 John DuBois Land purchase John DuBois purchases 291 acres in Clearfield County.
  • 1861 American Civil War Begins The American Civil War begins in 1861, with Pennsylvania playing a key role in the Union's victory over the Confederacy.
  • 1872 John Rumbarger establishes Rumbarger Town John Rumbarger laid out 100 lots on his farm near what is now N. Main St & W. Long Ave and named it Rumbarger.
  • 1873 John DuBois begins building his 1st Mill here John DuBois began construction of the "small mill" to cut material for constructing the "large mill."
  • 1873 Reynoldsville Reynoldsville borough was formed from a portion of Winslow Township, Jefferson County.
  • 1874 Allegheny Valley Low Grade Railroad The AVRR arrived in DuBois. It was an East/West line. The line ran from East Brady to Driftwood and opened the area for significant growth.
  • 1874 First Coal Mine Mine opened by M.B. McHugh
  • 1881 DuBois The Borough of DuBois was incorporated out of Sandy Township, Clearfield County.
  • 1883 Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad The BR&P arrived in DuBois, this was a North/South line. Coal mining was becoming a major employer in our region.
  • 1884 DuBois/VanTassel Tannery established In 1884 the VanTassel brothers, Alexander & Edward partnered with John DuBois to build a tannery on 1st Street.
  • 1886 John DuBois dies John DuBois dies and is succeeded by John E. Dubois as owner of the property & businesses of his uncle.
  • 1888 Great DuBois Fire The fire destroyed the entire business district of DuBois.
  • 1890 Trolleys come to DuBois 14 April 1890 the DuBois Traction Passenger Railway Company is chartered.
  • 1893 First Firemen's Parade The tradition begins as firemen in DuBois organize a parade to showcase their commitment and service to the community, a tradition that continues annually to this day.
  • 1896 DuBois Brewery Frank Hahne Sr. Starts DuBois Brewery: German immigrant Frank Hahne Sr. establishes the DuBois Brewery, crafting flavorful beers and maintaining exceptional cleanliness. The brewery operates until 1972.
  • 1896 The Street Car Era DuBois introduces the DuBois Traction Street Railroad Co. in 1896, providing a streetcar system that expands across the city until the rise of automobiles in the 1920s leads to its decline.
  • 1897 DuBois Hospital Hospital opened on W. Scribner Ave.
  • 1900 Deep Shaft Coal Mining Berwind-White Coal Company establishes coal mining in DuBois, contributing to the city's growth until labor disputes in 1929 lead to the closure of deep shaft mining.
  • 1904 DuBois Lumber Mill The DuBois Lumber mill closed in DuBois after 28 years of operation and the cutting of almost a billion board feet of lumber.
  • 1907 Sykesville Established In September 1907, forty-five lots ranging from $20 to $55 each were sold at public auction by the Sykesville Land Company. Sykesville became a borough early in 1907 with the first Borough election held on April 30, 1907.
  • 1915 DuBois becomes a City City status approved by Commonwealth of PA.
  • 1918 Maple Avenue Hospital 8 October 1918 Maple Ave. Hospital opened.
  • 1918 Pvt. James Patterson USMC Pvt. Patterson was first DuBois Marine killed in WWI.
  • 1934 First night football game played The 1st night football game was played between DuBois & Ridgway. DuBois won 7-0.
  • 1935 DuBois Center of Penn State DuBois Center of Penn State opens.
  • 1936 St. Patrick's Day Flood DuBois experienced significant flooding as a result of heavy rain and snow melt.
  • 1941 Radio Station WCED First radio broadcast of WCED DuBois is made.
  • 1954 DuBois's Last Train Ride DuBois experiences the end of its era as a major railroad center, with the last ride on the C & M Junction Division of the B & O Railroad from DuBois to Clearfield taking place on June 15, 1954.
  • 1958 Major Israel McCreight "First Citizen" M.I. McCreight 93, dies.
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