Saltsburg is located at 40°29'9" North, 79°26'52" West. According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of. of it is land and of it is water. The total area is 16.67% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 955 people, 406 households, and 261 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,628.9 people per square mile. There were 445 housing units at an average density of 2,156.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 99.16% White, 0.21% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.21% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population. There were 406 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.97. In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $27,448, and the median income for a family was $37,614. Males had a median income of $32,778 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,580. About 11.4% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
On June 20, 1769, William Gray commended the first survey in the Saltsburg area. Early settlers of the wooded region were mainly Scots-Irish immigrants. From 1768 until 1795, people migrated west and found the town of Saltsburg and Indiana County. Those settlers did not take full advantage of the area near the Kiskiminetas River until 1795 because of the threat and attacks of Native Americans. The name “Saltsburg” assumes a relation of the salt grain to this town. It is true that salt flourished in this “newly discovered” area. A Mrs. Deemer was the first who noted this discovery. Around the years 1795-1798, the woman responsible proved salt was present in the Conemaugh River, about one mile above Saltsburg’s present site, in a town now known as Moween. Mrs. Deemer produced a sample of salt by simply evaporating the water from the river. In January 1817 the first sale of land was made to the Congregation of Saltsburg. In 1816-1817 Andrew Boggs purchased a large amount of land, which held the first town lots. The town was named with common consent of her first settlers, based on the newly thriving salt industry. The town’s religion was mainly Presbyterian, which was also the denomination of the first church built in Saltsburg. The first house was built in 1820, and now is occupied with the Presbyterian Church. The town quickly filled with merchants in the late 1820s, and the town became a prosperous place to reside. John Carson became the first tailor in 1827. Daniel Davis was the first blacksmith in 1828, and George Johnston was the first merchant in 1829. The population of the town continued to grow, and in 1838, the town was declared a borough. In 1840 the estimated population was 335. The primary means of transportation in the area were on foot, carriage, train or boat. The canal and train were fairly new to the people living in the area, but they adapted well. The canal and railroad were major trade conduits for the town and the region. As the town grew it became a site for the passage of the main line canal from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh. Coal and salt were transported along the canal and the building of boats became very important. In 1835 and 1836, Robert Young, Butler Meyers and Jacob Newhouse opened the first canal-boat construction business in the town. Newhouse and his workers crafted some of the finest heavy freight boats the old canal ever saw. For several years boat building was said to be the chief industry of the town. In 1855 the railroad bridge was built, with Major S.S. Jameson as the contractor and with the help of the principal mason John Marth. By 1864 the railroad brought an end to the canal era. The growth of the town was minimal until coalmines became prevalent in the 1870s. Dr. John McFarland, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College was the town’s first physician; he came to Saltsburg in 1836. In addition to being a physician, Dr. McFarland was also the director of the Indiana County Medical Society and an instructor at the Saltsburg Academy. Later he served in the state House of Representatives from 1845–46 and became a man of the railroad industry. He was one of the first directors of the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad. The first school was a log house located closer to the trestlework or railroad bridge. John Whittlesey was the first teacher, and John Bucklin was the second. The Saltsburg Academy was established in 1852. It was approximately 52 feet long by 30 feet wide. The town of Saltsburg is located in the southwestern corner of Indiana County, Pennsylvania. It currently has an estimated population of 923. The borough maintains its own police department and currently has one police officer. Supplemental police protection is provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. Saltsburg also has its own volunteer fire department. There is an elementary school as well as a high school. They are located next to the Kiskiminetas River. Being so small, the economy of Saltsburg is based on small restaurants, a few salons, a gas station, and a grocery store. The Rebecca B. Hadden Stone House Museum is located at 105 Point Street and has survived many floods, the construction of the railroad, and has been standing since the days of the canal. The Saltsburg Area Historical Society is an organization that continues to retain information from the past of the town and the people and their ancestors of the area. The Saltsburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Every year, Saltsburg holds a celebration in the Canal Park and on Point Street. The celebration lasts three days in early June and includes crafts, food, live music, games, and a fireworks display. Also a unique tradition is the annual duck race. Plastic Ducks are numbered and thrown into the river from the bridge. If the duck with your number finishes first you win the $500 prize.
Community Days
Saltsburg holds its own community days in early September called "Canal Days." The celebration includes many booths along the historical canal in town. The booths contain many crafts, food, and games. It also has live music, fireworks, and an annual poker run bicycle ride. This ride is generally seven miles along the West Penn Trail. At the end of the ride, each person receives five cards to create a poker hand. The best hand wins.
