Ingleby, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ingleby, Pennsylvania
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 Ingleby, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Ingleby, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Centre |
| Township | Haines |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 814 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1177810 |
Ingleby is a fascinating ghost town found in Haines Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. It's located in the United States. This former settlement is closest to the town of Coburn. It also sits right next to the Bald Eagle State Forest.
Other towns nearby include Aaronsburg, Millheim, and Woodward. Ingleby was once known by another name: Fowler.
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What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left. Buildings and structures often remain, but they are empty. These towns become "ghosts" for many reasons. Sometimes, a local industry closes down. Other times, natural disasters or changes in transportation routes cause people to move away.
The Story of Ingleby
Ingleby's story began with a doctor named Frank Barker. He built a large house near the tracks of the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad. This was about two miles east of some hunting and fishing cottages. The area quickly became a popular spot for visitors. People started calling it Ingleby.
A Mountain Resort
In the 1880s, Dr. Barker bought a lot of land, about 500 acres. He planned to use the land for lumber and to start fruit farms. He also wanted to breed horses there. He opened a resort called "Barker's Resort for Health and Pleasure." This resort was a place where people could relax and enjoy the mountain air. Dr. Barker later sold parts of his land for people to build their own cottages and hunting camps.
The Railroad Connection
The Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad was very important to Ingleby. The town was a "flag station" on this railroad line. This meant trains would only stop if someone waved a flag to get on or off. The railroad helped carry lumber and wood products out of the mountains. It also brought passengers to this beautiful valley.
However, the section of the railroad that went through Ingleby was no longer used after 1970. This change in transportation likely played a big part in the town becoming a ghost town.
Ingleby Today
Today, you can reach Ingleby by a road called Ingleby Road. It's also known as State Route 2018, and it's not paved. Most of the land that was once Ingleby is now privately owned. This means it's not open for the public to visit.
A Town Not on the Map
It's interesting to note that Ingleby was so small it wasn't even mentioned in some old records. For example, a post office directory from 1890 didn't list Ingleby or Fowler. Also, none of the people living in Haines Township were listed as living in Ingleby or Fowler during the 1890 census. This shows how small and perhaps unofficial the settlement was.
