Bellefonte was laid out in 1795, by James Dunlop and James Harris, on what was known as the "Griffeth Gibbon tract." The beautiful spring whence the town derived its name (belle--beautiful, fonte--fountain) was the attraction that indu ced Dunlop and Harris to select that particular location as the site of a town. The town was incorporated in March 1806. In March 1814 , another act of incorporation was passed repealing the former one. It included more territory than the first. Bellefonte was incorporated from Spring Township.
(Source: D.S. Maynard, Industries and Institutions of Centre County with Historical Sketches of Principal Villages, Bellefonte, Pa., 1877.)
BELLEFONTE BOROUGH CENSUS RECORDS
1890--3,946 1900--4,216 1910--4,145 1920--3,966 1930--4,804 1940--5,304 1950--5,651 1960--6,088 1970--6,828 1980--6,300 1990--6,358 2000--6,395
(SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.)
TAX ASSESSMENT RECORDS
Tax assessment records for Bellefonte Borough from 1808 forward can be found in the basement of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum in Bellefonte. Persons wishing to use these records must first sign the Guest Researcher register in the Pennsylvania Room.