Briscoe Springs, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Briscoe Springs, Pennsylvania, is a small community located in Mercer County. It sits along Route 173, just south of Interstate 80. It's known as a "crossroads community" because it's where different roads meet.

Briscoe Springs, Pennsylvania

What's in a Name?

Briscoe Springs has an interesting history behind its name. Longtime residents say it was named after a person called Father Briscoe. He built a small log chapel near some springs in the late 1800s. The story goes that he also fixed wagons and helped people. One day, Father Briscoe left the area and was never seen again.

This community has also been known by other names. In the late 1800s, it was called Perry's Corners. This name came from a blacksmith named Jeff Perry. Later, in the mid-1920s, it was known as Dye's Corners. This name honored the Dye family, who built a service station and a car dealership there.

Important Places in Briscoe Springs

You can spot Briscoe Springs by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs at its north and south ends. A special stone is still visible in a farmyard owned by John and Ruth McDougall. People say this stone is from the chapel built by Father Briscoe.

Another important building is the Hemlock School. This was a one-room schoolhouse. It was moved to Briscoe Springs in the 1920s when the community started to grow. Around 1950, the Briscoe Springs Grange met at this school. The school building is now used as an office for a construction company.

Who Lives in Briscoe Springs?

The first people to live in this area were Native American Indians. They valued the many springs found here. Some stories say Father Briscoe first came to the area to work with the Native Americans. The first European settlers were farmers.

Today, Briscoe Springs is home to many different kinds of people. You'll find medical professionals, people who are retired, teachers, skilled workers, farmers, and business people. Many of the homes in the area are hidden by rolling hills and lots of trees.

How Briscoe Springs Grew

Briscoe Springs really started to grow as a community after 1922. That year, the state paved a six-mile section of Route 173. This road led to Grove City, making travel easier.

The first three houses were built in 1923. Ernest Northcote, Henry Hodgson, and Everet Swarts were the first to build homes. Today, there are about 50 homes and several small businesses.

In 1924, Benjamin Dye and his sons opened a service station and garage. They sold Durant automobiles. One of their buildings was later used by a linen company called Palmer-Smith. In the 1930s, the Bowie Coal Mine operated on the Nicklin Farm, near what is now Nicklin Road.