Special Section: Bellefonte, Pa Talleyrand Park is today, he said something like, “Quelle belle fountain!” (What a beautiful fountain!) Mrs. Harris anglicized it to “Bellefonte” and promoted the name.
“Any town in Happy Valley is wonderful but Bellefonte is the most unique. It’s small town charm can’t be beat and the people are fabulous. It’s the perfect pairing of the vibe you find in older towns close to large cities, and the laid back atmosphere of central PA.” - Mark Dello Stritto
Before you go Don’t Miss
Talleyrand Park ‑ for adults and Children Plaza Centre Antiques ‑ 814-357-4870
Restaurants worth checking out: Cafe on the Park cafeonthepark.net
Jim’s Italian Cuisine jimsitalian.wordpress.com
Seven of Bellefonte’s residents during the Victorian period became governors ‑ five in Bonfatto’s Pennsylvania, one each in California and Kansas. The statue of Andrew Gregg Curtin, gover‑ bonfattos.com nor of Pennsylvania during the Civil War, stands in front of the courthouse. He helped unite the states in opposition to slavery and in support of Lincoln and the Northern cause. Curtin Cool Beans Coffee was born in Bellefonte (the spot is designated by a historical maker of South Allegheny bellefontecoolbeans.com Street) and he eventually built a house now occupied by the Elks Club on West High Street. The Diamond Deli - 814-353-3354 Many of Bellefonte’s closely‑built Georgian structures from the late 18th and early 19ths centuries were destroyed by a series of fires in the late 1800s. It was a tragedy, but now completely so, because The Gamble Mill Restaurant & Microbrewery while the fires consumed wonderful architectural treasures, they Located only minutes from Penn State University in Bellefonte, also made way for the more ornate Victorian building popular at The Gamble Mill combines a unique casual and historical atmo‑ the time. sphere with bold American cuisine. Enjoy either the informal That was the case with the block where the Crider Exchange pub menu or a fine dining experience. Plus, don’t miss their was built in 1889 on North Allegheny to the right of the court‑ in‑house brewed selections crafted by former Dogfish Head house. Mr. Crider commissioned Robert Cole to design the building brewer Mike Smith. For more information visit in a mix of Queen Anne façade and Second Empire roof. www.gamblemill.com Queen Anne style is typified by the use of various surface treatments such as the pressed metal fishscale pattern, and also by turrets—an example of which is found in the First National Bank building (1888) next t the Crider Exchange. In fact, much of Victorian architecture is a combination of styles. In Bellefonte, the Victorian period ran approximately from the Civil War to 1910. Even though this tour stops here, the fun’s just beginning if you get hooked on Bellefonte. Like the Big Spring, the town seems to be an inexhaustible source of nourishment.
Melady Kehm is noted for the insightful and entertaining tour she gives of Bellefonte, Boalsburg, State College and other Central Pennsylvania attractions.
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