Milton History

a pictorial history of Milton, PA

Broadway

Milton, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, is a small town with a colorful and often tragic past. Like most towns, it started with agriculture and mills, then became a manufacturing town of significant size. Sawmills and planing mills were built early on, with the first steam-powered sawmill constructed in 1832. Bark from lumbering was used in the tannery. The building of railroad cars became a major industry, as did the manufacture of iron and steel. The town was both supported and plagued by the west branch of the Susquehanna River, and fell victim to many fires, including the great fire of 1880.

Take a pictorial walk down Front Street as it was over 100 years ago, and see what life in Milton was like for our ancestors. Enjoy the architecture of the old homes and businesses, see the horse-drawn service wagons, early cars and trucks, and canal boats.

The Families section contains genealogical information for many of the old milton families. It paints a picture of how the town changed over the years, and what became of some of the descendents. Additional information, pictures and corrections are always welcome. I am always happy to hear from people who have visited the site. Please don't hesitate to use the link to contact me. Old pictures (pre-1930) of Milton and its people are always welcome, and your sharing of them helps others to enjoy the site. Let me know if you have pictures to share, but need help in scanning them.

This site is dedicated to Alan Laurence Hill (1903-2005), my father, who provided the inspiration for the thousands of hours of work that made it possible. He lived at 738 N Front St. until 1929, when he went away to college.