Nippenose Township, which lies on the opposite side of the river from Jersey Shore, is one of the oldest in the county, ranking next to Muncy, and has a very interesting history. It is situated in a bend of the West Branch of the Susquehanna commonly called the "Ox Bow" from its resemblance to that important part of an ox team’s equipment. It is the twenty-eighth in size in Lycoming County, containing 9,820 acres, although at one time it was as large as some states. It adjoins Clinton County on the west and the river divides it from Jersey Shore borough. It was originally a part of Northumberland County and at the May sessions of the court held at Northumberland in 1768, it was erected into a township, being taken from a part of Bald Eagle and Upper Bald Eagle townships in Northumberland County. It comprised a vast scope of territory, out of which several townships in Center, Clinton and Lycoming counties have since been erected.

Settlers were early attracted to this section by reason of the extreme fertility of the soil and the unsurpassed beauty of the surroundings. There is no portion of Lycoming County that is more attractive. The township lies between the base of the mountains on the south and the river on the north and is pierced by a great gorge through which flows Antes Creek. The origin of the name Nippenose is not certainly known. By some it is contended that it is a contraction of the Indian word "Nippe-no-wi," which meant an attractive and delightful location. By others it is asserted that the name was given to it because of the fact that a certain Indian chief lingering too long toward the winter period on one of his hunting expeditions had the misfortune to have his nose badly frostbitten and thenceforth became known to the early settlers as "Nippenose," and it was after this old chief that the township was called. In the absence of any conclusive proof, the former origin of the name is the more likely, as the country is all that the name "Nippe-no-wi" signifies—a warm, genial, summer-like place, surrounded by imposing mountains, peculiarly fitted for human habitation.

The first settlement was made as early as 1769, one Henry Clark being the first to make his permanent abode in the township. He was followed by the Sterretts, who occupied Long Island, in the river opposite Jersey Shore, and which down until the flood of 1889 was one of the most fertile spots in Pennsylvania. Col. John Henry Antes came next and settled in Antes Fort, built the stockade, a grist mill, carding mill, and just before his death erected a large brick house on the river bank, to which his son-in-law, Elias P. Youngman, subsequently removed from Mifflinburg and opened the first public house in the vicinity, known as "Nippenose Inn."

The settlers in that portion of the township known as the "Ox Bow" were Irish Presbyterians and possessed all the virtues of that sturdy old stock which left such a lasting impression on many of the early settlements throughout the state and indeed in the whole country. Among the first of these to come to Nippenose Township was James McMicken, in 1779. He was originally from Bucks County and purchased a large tract which came to be known as the "McMicken Farms." His oldest son, David, who was born in Bucks County, but grew to manhood here, became a very prominent man in the community, having served both as deputy sheriff and sheriff of the county. He was also very active in military affairs, having risen through the various grades of captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel to the rank of brigadier-general.

Among the other early settlers of importance was Charles Stewart, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland. He came to this country when a young man, settling first in what is now Dauphin County and afterwards in Cumberland County. He was attracted by the richness of the lands in the "new purchase," along the banks of the west branch of the Susquehanna, and came hither in 1788, purchasing 700 acres of land in Nippenose Bottom, lying in the great bend of the river nearly opposite Long Island and adjoining Jersey Shore Borough on the west. On this magnificent estate Charles Stewart lived for many years in considerable style, made many improvements on the farm and engaged in nearly all the important industrial enterprises of that day. He owned quite a number of slaves, whom he had brought with him from Cumberland County, and many of the descendants of these slaves are still living in Williamsport, as well as some of the descendants of Charles Stewart himself. The late George W. Youngman, Esq., of Williamsport, was a son of the Elias Youngman above mentioned.

Antes Fort is the only village in Nippenose Township, although Jersey Shore is just across the river. Antes Fort was never incorporated as a borough, although it is laid out with streets and alleys. It was first named Granville, but when the railroad was built through there, the name Jersey Shore station was given to it, and this has continued as the railroad designation of the place to this day. The name Granville soon dropped out of use and the place continued to be known as Jersey Shore station until in recent years the village has assumed the name of Antes Fort, which is also the name of the postoffice.

At the time of the building of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad great difficulty was experienced at the deep cut just west of Jersey Shore station. This was the heaviest and most expensive piece of work on the line. The cut, which curves through a bench of the mountain, is 60 feet deep at one point, and is 2,200 feet long. Three hundred thousand cubic yards of earth were removed, at a cost of $120,000. Two or three contractors attempted to do the work, but were compelled to give it up. Finally George Chapman and Sidney Dillon, who afterwards became one of the leading railroad magnates of the United States, undertook the work. They introduced a steam excavator, the first one ever seen in this section, and the work proceeded rapidly for some time. Then, in the winter of 1855, frost penetrated so deeply into the ground that blasting had to be resorted to. Then came the Crimean war and powder became so scarce that it could not be obtained. The contractors stuck to the work, however, in spite of the many discouragements and setbacks, and the work was finally successfully completed in the year 1857. Antes Fort is at present a flourishing little village in the center of one of the richest farming countries in this section of the state and enjoys a large measure of prosperity.

Antes Creek, which flows through the township, is three miles in length and is the outlet of the waters of Nippenose Valley, which sink beneath the limestone rocks underlying the soil. At the head of the valley the waters emerge in a great spring which is the fountain head of Antes Creek. The stream is large enough to drive a large woolen mill and a grist mill.

Nippenose Township has a population of 512.