THE FORMATION OF TAYLOR TOWNSHIP

  The Township of Taylor is situated on the southern border of Blair County and was formed from Huston and North Woodbury Townships in 1855 and so named Taylor in honor of the judge of the county.

 Its present boundaries are Blair and Frankstown Townships on the north, Huston, Frankstown and North Woodbury Townships on the east, Bedford County on the south and Greenfield and Freedom Townships on the west.  Taylor Township surrounds the Borough of Roaring Spring which was initially a village in Taylor Township.

 Taylor is included as a portion of the famous and beautiful region know as the “Cove” and is drained by Plum, Cabbage and Halter Creeks and the flow from the renowned “Roaring Spring” which joins into Plum Creek to flow north through McKee’s Gap. 

 Mountains border the north and west, while the undulating surface of the Township generally affords prosperous communities and fine farm land.  The population in 1860 was 1137.  The Everett Railroad, which was once used for commute and the transport of iron ore, now services several businesses within the township.

 There are two villages within the township; East Sharpsburg and Ore Hill.  Several settled areas have local names such as: Plum Creek, Scratchtown, Burkettown and Dumb Hundred.

 The Township has numerous businesses which include; retail stores, commercial trucking, quarrying of limestone, fruit orchards, animal food processing and agriculture. 

 The major roadways are State Route 0036 and State Route 0164.

TAYLOR TOWNSHIP CIVIL WAR HISTORY

  The Northern end of Taylor Township was an important part of the civil war.  McKee’s Gap located at Route 36 and Plum Creek Roads was fortified with “Chicken Raiders” or otherwise known as “Minute Men”, entrenched into the sides of the mountains to block the advance of southern troops.  Though the forces did not experience any fighting, the southern troops did invade southern Bedford County and did not cross into Blair County.