Posted September 10, 200816 yr Ebensburg, Pennsylvania - August 22, 2008 Seat of Cambria County I drove US422 from Youngstown to Ebensburg with a minor diversion along some Western Pennsylvania backroads. Ebensburg, county seat of Cambria County and part of the Johnstown Metropolitan Statistical Area, was founded in 1796 by Rhees Lloyd. The 2000 census counted 3,091 people. This shot is pretty much a metaphor for my Pennsylvania experience. Everywhere I went, I encountered cheerful, welcoming people. Returning from a run The old Cambria County Prison's cornerstone was laid in 1870 and the building, built from locally-quarried sandstone, was completed in 1872. It is thought that the prison may have been built larger than needed at the time in order to thwart an effort by Johnstown to have the county seat moved there. The brick annex within the walls was constructed in 1911 and the building served its original purpose until 1997, when it was abandoned for a new facility. The building now serves as a repository for county records. Crown Jewel of Ebensburg, the Cambria County Courthouse was built 1880-1882 and most recently restored in 1995. Old illustrations show the building with a Second Empire tower above the entrance; presumably that tower held the bell that now sits in front of the entrance. The building is symmetrical, and the cylindrical structures on the ends, housing courtrooms with balcony galleries, appear to be later additions. I asked if I could photograph the very elegant interior, but was declined permission. Historical information and photos of this beautiful building on the internet are sparse. Thanks, Ebensburg, for making me smile!
September 10, 200816 yr Nice. All that was missing was a picture of "the Walton" family. 'night Jim Bob!
September 10, 200816 yr Wonderful stuff! The circular wing of the courthouse looks interesting. Perhaps an addition?
September 10, 200816 yr I like the shot of the guy giving you thumbs up. I used to pass Ebensburg on US22 all the time on my State College to Pittsburgh trips... the courthouse looked quite imposing from the highway.
September 11, 200816 yr You mean these people weren't bitter!??! :D "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 11, 200816 yr Wonderful stuff! The circular wing of the courthouse looks interesting. Perhaps an addition? There are circular additions on both ends of the main building, and I'm sure they are later additions. Both house offices on the first floor, and courtrooms and associated facilities like judges' chambers on the second. The courtrooms are semi-circular, and there are spectator balconies above the courtrooms on the third floor. There's a lot of marble in that courthouse, and it's impeccably maintained. I just wish they could restore the bell tower to finish off the appearance. Cambria County isn't exactly flush with cash, though. You mean these people weren't bitter!??! :D People that I met were trying to do what they could to get by and make things better, and if they were frustrated, they sure didn't take it out on visitors. Being accustomed to Hoosier reserve, I had to make a conscious effort to respond in kind to the outgoing friendliness that I encountered. Ebensburg is more than 98% white. I don't know what kind of reception other races get there.
September 11, 200816 yr That prison and courthouse were tremendous, architecturally. I wished we treated law-abiding America to buildings that were just as nice! Your pictures also show that city neighborhoods and small towns are similar in design, but this picture really does the job.... edit: 10-12-2008 by rob_1412 fixed broken img link "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 11, 200816 yr Looks like a really pleasant place! Small town looks, but still well occupied.
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