Boyers, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Boyers is a small, unincorporated village located in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. Being "unincorporated" means it's a community that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. It's part of Marion Township. A stream called Slippery Rock Creek flows through Boyers, and its source is just a few miles away in a village called Hilliards. One of the main roads in the area, Pennsylvania Route 308, goes right through the center of Boyers.
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A Look Back: Boyers' History
Boyers was once a busy mining community around the early 1900s. Back then, a special branch of the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad served the area, helping to transport goods and people. However, the railroad tracks were removed in the early 2000s, marking the end of that era.
From Mines to Storage
After the mines closed, the underground spaces found a new purpose. Since 1954, these abandoned mines have been used as secure storage facilities. They offer a naturally cool and protected environment, perfect for keeping important items safe.
Storing Important Collections
One major company that uses these underground spaces is the Iron Mountain Corporation. They took over the storage facility in 1998. Here, they store a huge collection of photographs, including the famous Corbis photographic collection. Imagine millions of historical photos kept safe deep underground!
Government's Secure Storage
The United States government also uses these secure underground facilities in Boyers.
- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a highly secure facility here. This is where they keep important documents related to security clearances for people who work for the government. They also handle retirement paperwork for federal employees from this location.
- The United States Patent and Trademark Office stores original records of new inventions and trademarks in another underground storage facility in Boyers. These are vital historical documents that need to be protected.
