Bellefonte Historic District

Bellefonte Historic District is a neighborhood with approximately 300 buildings spread across a large area, displaying various architectural styles from different periods. The streets feature Renaissance Revival elements along with Second Empire and Italianate details in both residential and business structures.

The area began developing in the 1790s, with the Colonel James Dunlop House standing as the oldest building and marking the district's start. Over the following decades, Bellefonte grew into a prosperous center driven by iron production and limestone quarrying operations.

The district grew as a center for iron furnace operations and limestone quarrying, shaping the community's prosperity for many years. Walking through the streets, you can see how these industries influenced the types of buildings and their arrangement throughout the area.

The area spreads across several streets where you can see historic houses and a Pennsylvania Railroad station building from an earlier era. Some buildings now operate as museums or local shops, making it easy to explore the history while you walk through.

Five governors of Pennsylvania once lived in this neighborhood, a connection to the state's political history. A monument at Talleyrand Park recognizes their contributions to the state's development.