Read All About It: Pike County Press 1895 - 1925


The Library of Congress collection of digitized historic newspapers includes editions of the Pike County Press in the holdings of  Penn State University Libraries.  Browse the weekly issues by date through Calendar view or via the advanced search.





Pike County Press
... The 19th-century economy in Milford depended on activities associated with being the county seat, some small industries such as sawmills, and a few oddities such as silver and gold watch case factories. Milford’s enduring success, however, well-established by the late 1880s, was as a resort area. As the Pike County Press rhapsodized on May 28, 1897, “No one could fail to be charmed with the attractiveness of our valley. The hills, the fields, the flowers, the birds. No finer roads for wheelmen can be found in the State. This valley is a paradise. Health renewing, life invigorating, to those seeking relaxation and rest, and to those to whom life has become burdensome, Milford offers a good elixir. Come and see us and we will do you good.”

The weekly newspaper’s founding editor, John Hixson Van Etten, was a lawyer descended from 18th century Milford settlers.  The first issue of the Pike County Press was published in Milford in 1895.  Although announcing its support for the Republican Party, the paper covered more than just politics, reporting a great deal of local news, especially related to the resort business....
Provided by: Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA