Terrace named on National Register
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JUNIATA TERRACE -- The Juniata Terrace has officially been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
According to a news release, Mayor John Wagner and Historian Rick Bodenschatz were notified Friday that the U.S. Department of Interior had approved their application to be listed.
"This culminates a process that began almost two years ago. Research, interviews, writing and final reviews over that period resulted in a considerable amount of historical detail," said Bodenschatz. "This qualified Juniata Terrace as a Historic District. It is remarkable that any industrial villages survived from the early 20th century, so it is even more exceptional for one in its entirety to have survived."
In February, the Borough of Juniata Terrace had been approved as a historic district at the state level and was recognized by the state of Pennsylvania. From there, the State Historic Preservation Office sent the nomination to the National Park Service for federal historic recognition.
Wagner expressed his pride in the community, stating, "So many industrial towns did not survive the industrial era. Generations of hard-working residents helped Juniata Terrace to turn many corners through the years, surviving and adapting."
To be considered a historic district, a property must meet the National Register criteria for evaluation. This consideration involves an examination of the property's significance, age and integrity.
A property must be at least 50 years old and meet at least one of the four criteria eligibility rules. The property must have association with either a significant event(s) or significant people as well as architecture. Those seeking a spot on the list of historic places must have the ability to provide information about the history or prehistory of a property.
This 100-year-old borough which consisted of 250 brick homes, a meat market and grocery store, repurposed elementary school and playgrounds was nominated for the National Registry listing due to it serving as a planned company town for the American Viscose Company.
The American Viscose Company opened its vast rayon manufacturing plant in Lewistown in 1921. Soon to employ almost 5,000 workers, the company needed more housing to accommodate the many families relocating to Lewistown. The company's answer was to build a "modern industrial village" based upon the Garden City design. The homes could only be rented by American Viscose employees, initially for $1 a week.
The first home was occupied in December 1924, with most homes being rented by the end of 1925. By 1930, over 600 residents from the 250 homes were employed at the plant. By 1950, the new owners of American Viscose chose to sell all of the properties. In 1967, Juniata Terrace became a Borough to govern itself.
The designation of the Historic District of the Borough of Juniata Terrace for the National Register of Historic Places is a distinction earned by a town hard at work. Each year improvements are made to maintain the original Garden City theme for the community.
Borough Council President Doug Kepner has been a life-long resident. He stated that "we take pride in maintaining and preserving every aspect of our community, from our boulevards to our playgrounds to our streets to our community building and for the safety of our residents."
An announcement will be made when the Borough of the Juniata Terrace receives their certificate with a ceremony to follow.