County Information

Program Information

County Facts

Established in 1860, the lovely mountainous area of Cameron County is rich in beauty and heritage. Named for Simon Cameron, a 19th century politician who served as a U.S. Senator and Ambassador to Russia, Cameron encompasses two boroughs (Driftwood and Emporium) and five townships. The youngest and one of the smallest counties in western Pennsylvania, itís 401 square miles are home to approximately 6,674 people(1990 census).

Lumbering, mining and manufacturing were early economic forces in the countyís history. The county seat, Emporium, was once renowned as the "powder city." It was named for Climax Powder Company which manufactured the powder and dynamite used to build the Panama Canal. Quarrying of flagstone was also an important economic contributor. The quarries of Cameron County produced the flagstones seen today in walkways at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. History also tells us of Sizerville Springs and itís famous 1888 sanitarium and hotel where mineral water with "marvelous cures" was bottled and sold. Today only the waters remain as a reminder of the once flourishing health resort. The countyís greatest era of prosperity is attributed to B.G. Erskine's purchase of National Incandescent Lamp Company which developed into the internationally known Sylvania Electric Products and GTE.

County Statistics

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US Census Bureau
United States Department of Commerce

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USDA Home Page: http://www.usda.gov/