Historic Map - Berlin, PA - 1905

View of Berlin, Somerset County, P.A., 1905 / drawn & published by T. M. Fowler.

This reproduction panoramic view of Berlin, Pennsylvania was drawn and published by Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler in 1905. Berlin was established as a farming community in the late 1700's. The fertile soil left after timber clearing was perfect for growing oats, barley, potatoes, and other crops. In 1842 Charles Stoner, a blacksmith, established the first foundry at Berlin. Later, when coal was discovered in the area, Stoner created the Wm. Penn Coal Stove. Pig iron was then brought in from all around to be processed here. Manufactured items made at the foundry included pots, plows and threshing machines. In 1845 Henry Floto started a successful cigar manufactory on Meadows Street. Two popular brewing companies operated in Berlin during the mid-1800's; the Hagner Brewing Company and the Hoffman Brewing Company. Chair making was also prominent during this time. Coal mining in the area began in 1875 with a dig by Thomas Price near the train station. Later mines included the vast Philson Iron and Coal Company mines located two miles southwest of town. The Eclipse Wood Pulley Works was established in Berlin in 1892. The company, under the management of D. G. Reitz, produced mining pulleys for use in the industry. When the company reorganized in 1900 as the Berlin Wood Products Company, Inc. it made pulleys, silos, gliders, brooder houses and porch swings. In 1905 a local group had machinery from Rowena, PA brought into the then defunct pulley works and started a shoe making factory.

The map from 1905 includes Berlin’s streets and buildings and features inset illustrations of the following:

• Supplement East End Addition. Shows Berlin Improvement Co. Property.
• Public School.
• The Big Department Store. Berlin Mercantile Company.
• High School.
• Interior View. First Floor Berlin Mercantile Co.
• Residence of Floyd E. Morrison.
• Fornwald & Sons’ Planing Mill, Lumber Yard and Residences.
• Trinity Reformed Church.
• Jonas M. Cook Property.
• National House. P. J. M. Grath, Proprietor.
• The Gleaner Publishing Co.
• Berlin Record Office.
• Groff’s Department Store.
• First National Bank Building.
• Jacob J. Zorn’s Residence. Has lived in this house sixty seven years.
• Philson National Bank.
• East End Hotel. C. H. McIntyre.
• Residence and Business Block of A. J. Hillegass. 1873 Berlin Granite & Marble Works. 1905 A. J. Hillegass, Proprietor. Successor to R. H. Koontz.
• Lutheran Church.
• Residence of R. S. Meyers.
• Residence of A. H. Musser.

Features numbered & lettered references to the following locations:>

1. Public Schools.
2. Central Hotel.
3. National House.
4. East End Hotel.
5. B. & O. R. R. Station.
6. Lutheran Church.
7. Reformed Church.
8. Progressive Church.
9. Methodist Church.
10. Evangelical Church.