Punxsutawney
Item
Title
Punxsutawney
Creator
Thaddeus M. Fowler
American, 1843–1922
Published by T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer
American, 1843–1922
Published by T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer
Date
1895
Materials
Color lithograph
Measurements
17 x 27-7/8 in. (43.2 x 70.8 cm)
Description
Although the first settlers—other than Native Americans—came to the Punxsutawney area in the early nineteenth century, growth was relatively slow. By 1850 the town’s population had reached barely 100 inhabitants. The predominant industries were agriculture and lumber until the 1880s, when it became profitable to mine the hills surrounding Punxsutawney for bituminous coal, some of which was baked locally into coke to fuel the steel industries in Pittsburgh. With the coal came the trains. The Buffalo, Rochester, and Pittsburgh Railroad brought the first line into town, in 1883. The Pennsylvania Railroad followed three years later.
Some visitors may be wondering. By the time Thaddeus Fowler drew this view of the town, the residents of Punxsutawney had been celebrating Groundhog Day for eight years.
Some visitors may be wondering. By the time Thaddeus Fowler drew this view of the town, the residents of Punxsutawney had been celebrating Groundhog Day for eight years.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, partial gift and purchase from John C. O’Connor and Ralph M. Yeager.
Identifier
86.555
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.