The McClure Cave is about one-half mile long and has three different “rooms,” with the largest being 300 feet long and 15 feet high. There are stalagmites and different formations throughout and a small pool of water that glistens with calcite rafts, or crystals. McClure Cave Pennsylvania's 31st Longest Cave The McClure Cave is about one-half mile long and has three different “rooms,” with the largest being 300 feet long and 15 feet high. There are stalagmites and different formations throughout and a small pool of water that glistens with calcite rafts, or crystals. Interested in a tour? The McClure Cave is now gated and any interested visitors are invited to contact the conservancy at McClureCave@karst.org Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy - McClure Cave Rules ... There are rules to follow. To keep yourself clean and preserve the interior of the cave, explorers are encouraged to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes and gloves. The gloves are necessary to protect the formations inside the cave, which can be ruined by skin oils if touched

HOW TO FIND US! From Harrisburg 1. Merge onto US-22 W 2. Take the PA-333 exit towards Thompsontown/E. Salem 3. Turn right onto PA-333 E 4. Continue onto PA-235 N 5. Turn left to stay on PA-235 N 6. Turn right at light onto PA-235 N/PA-35 N 7. Take the first left onto PA-235 N 8. Turn left onto US-522 S/Beaver Ave. - Continue to follow US-522 S to McClure From State College 1. Take US-322 E 2. Continue onto US-22 E/US-522 N 3. Take the exit toward US-522 N/Walnut St. 4. Merge onto US-522 N/Logan St. 5. Turn left onto US-522 N/S. Walnut St. - Continue to follow US-522 N to McClure From Willamsport 1 . Take US-15 S/Montgomery Pike -Continue on US-15 S 2. Turn right onto PA-45 W/Market St. - Continue to follow PA-45 W 3. Turn left onto PA-104 S/S 10th St. - Continue to follow PA-104 S 4. Turn right onto US-522 S/W Market St. - Continue to follow US-522 S to McClure Google Maps Google Maps - Click on the link above and it will take you to Google Maps. It shows a lot of activities and locations of things in McClure and West Beaver Township. Enjoy!

MCCLURE ORGANIZATIONS & USEFUL WEBSITE LINKS http://www.yellowpages.com http://www.ussearch.com http://www.whitepages.com Fema Maps for Snyder County VisitPA.com is the official tourism website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Festival & Fair Sites McClure Bean Soup Festival & Fair Beaver Community Fair PA State Assoc. of County Fairs Revitalization Committee Union Cemetery Association American Legion Post 942 American Legion Auxiliary 942 McClure SAL Squadron 942 Veterans Memorial Pool McClure Historical Society McClure QRS Volunteer Fire Company Grant & School Sites Federal Grant website Pennsylvania Grant website Midd-West School District Website Juniata Christian School Website Mifflin County Christian Academy Website PennDOT website Pennsylvania website U.S. Dept. of Homeland Secruity Pennsylvania DCNR National Oceanic & Atomospheric Adminstration (NOAA)

Held every fourth Wednesday of the monthe at 6:30pm at McClure Borough Municipal Building 1 N. Forbes St. McClure, PA 17841 Code of Ordinances Meeting: Held every fourth (4th) Wednesday of the month. Please submit two (2) weeks in advance of the meeting to properly review the plans submitted. Location: McClure Borough Municipal Building 1 North Forbes Street McClure, PA 17841 Time: 6:30pm Email: mcclure_1867@ymail.com Please email a pdf copy of the submitted plan. Borough Engineer: Reviewing Plans CES Engineering, LLC Huntingdon, PA POC: Lee Zeger, III 2nd POC: Logan Rockwell Planning Commission Board Chairman - Andrew S. Benner Secretary - Juli Jones Stephen Hoke Sharon Wright Caleb Eisenhart

MCCLURE HISTORICAL SOCIETY A Community is Born ... Pictured above is Col. Alexander Kelly McClure. THE NAME CHANGE In July, 1871, Mr. Stuck deeded a lot containing one acre and 129 perches to the Railroad Company on the site where the station was located, just off the West side of Brown Street, and midway between Walker and Railroad Streets. Soon after this, Mr. Stuck sold his farm to Galen F. Holshue of Shamokin for $10,000, who in August of 1871 employed A. K. Gift to lay out a town plot. The name Stuckton was dropped and the name McClure was accepted according to the story below and 209 lots were laid out. Mrs. Carrie Wert, a daughter of Abraham Holshue, and was one of the oldest women in McClure at the time, often heard her father tell why the name was changed. Before the turn of the century, when Abraham Holshue was working as telegraph operator for the Railroad, Colonel Alexander McClure, who had an interest in the railroad from the very beginning, arrived in Stuckton and asked: “What is the name of this town?” “Stuckton” he was told. “That’s not a very nice name he said, “Call it McClure and I’ll send all the residents my paper for a year.” Mr. Holshue spoke to others in the town who agreed that McClure would be a nice name, and thus the name was changed. In addition, some of the residents received the paper as promised. "MCCLURE IS WELL LOCATED, AND IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL POINTS BY GOOD ROADS." ~ Wrote a historian in 1886. It was not always true, at one time; this area was Wilderness, the forest primeval, where the howl of the wolf and the scream of the panther were commonplace in the up "McClure is well located, and is accessible from all points by good roads," wrote the historian in 1886. It was not always true, at one time; this area was Wilderness, the forest primeval, where the howl of the wolf and the scream of the panther were commonplace in the upper reaches of the Middlecreek Valley. William Laub, an earlier settler, spoke of seeing a panther. He described the animal as being nine feet long, from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. The Red Men used the Mahanoy Path (Mahanoy was an early name for Middlecreek), an Indian trail that lay to the North of here, extending from Selinsgrove Westward through the forest and main part of the valley to Lewistown. In 1754, the land was bought from the Iroquois Indians by William Penn’s sons. In 1755-1785, McClure was part of Cumberland County, in 1772 was part of Northumberland County, in 1813 was in Union County, in 1843 – West Beaver Township was created and in 1855 became part of Snyder County. In 1768, Thomas and Richard Penn purchased a very large piece of real estate from the Six Nations. The way was now opened for settlement, and several families came here following the pioneer trail: the Krick’s, the Wagner’s, the Kahley’s, the Kline’s and Baker’s to name a few. These were rugged and stouthearted people filled with the spirit of adventure. Basic requirements were a strong right arm and inventiveness. To paraphrase a familiar saying, “they beat iron into plowshares and other necessary items.” It is interesting to note that the area to the North was more heavily populated. This is understandable for it is the main part of the valley and the stage coach route was in that section. It ran directly through the village of Bannerville. Henry Aurand and Isaac Fees carried the U.S. Mail and transported passengers from Lewistown to Northumberland and return in the old style coaches. It is also interesting to note that a small pocket in the Southwest corner of the Upper Valley lay dormant as though asleep. It was in this section that George Stuck and his wife Sophia purchased the Jacob Smith farm of 130 acres for $4,500. It included much of what is now built up McClure. (Their house is pictured to the left.) Mr. and Mrs. Stuck lived in the stone house built in 1840. It is the oldest known structure in the present day borough. This house is located on the South side of East Specht Street, near the Eastern approach to town, it is now owned by Mrs. Verna Bilger (1967). It was constructed out of native mountain stone. An incline was constructed for wheeling the stones to the second story. Unfortunately, nothing is known or recorded of George Stuck’s background, except that it is believed he was born in this area. His wife Sophia Kline, daughter of John Kline and wife, was born on the Ner B. Middleswarth farm, one mile east of McClure, died at the age 68 years. Samuel Kline of McClure, and David Kline, Michigan, were also brothers. Catherine Weiand and Rebecca Kline were sisters. In her younger years, Mrs. Stuck cut grain with a sickle, pitched hay, handled the double-bitted axe, milked a dozen or more cows, and rode to church or horseback. At the age of 95, her health was very good, and at the time, 1916, she had ridden the train three times. She could read German very fluently while her sight was good, having had only four months of schooling. She smoked her pipe as she had done since sixteen years of age. Mrs. Stuck was respected and affectionately called the “Mother of McClure.” In the 1870’s Mr. Stuck left McClure for Michigan where had three sons living. He died before he could return, and is buried in Three Rivers, Michigan. Mrs. Stuck then went to live with her daughter, Jane on Walker Street, in the house in which her great-granddaughter, Mrs. Edna Young, now lives (1967). After Jane’s death, she went to live with Mr. and Mrs. John Krick, at the South end of Brown Street, where Mr. and Mrs. Claude Hawk now reside (1967). When the Krick’s moved to the Wagner house, which was situated in what is now Pal Coleman’s Orchard, the late James Krick transported his great-grandmother, and Mrs. Stuck was about 93 at the time. She died October 14, 1917 at the age of 95 years, 10 months and 28 days. She is buried in the South Eastern corner of McClure Cemetery, in a plot reserved for the family of Samuel Kline, her brother, who gave the ground for the cemetery in the first place. Mr. and Mrs. George Stuck were parents of seven children, three daughter and four sons: Emma, Lavina, Jennie, Henry, George, John and Jacob. In this Centennial year (1967) there were three grandchildren living: Carrie Stuck, McClure; John E. Wagner, R.D. 2, Selinsgrove, and Lloyd S. Marks, Devitt Home, R.D. 1, Allenwood, Pa. Great-grandchildren living in McClure were Mrs. Elder S. Wagner, Mrs. Charles Goss, Mrs. Edna Young, Rudolph Wagner, Charles Krick, and Mrs. Albert Romig. In the year 1867, when it was certain that the Middlecreek Valley railroad would be located practically through the center of the Stuck Farm, George Stuck staked out a section of his farm, laid out a few lots and named the place “STUCKTON.” Thus a town was born, but without houses, except an old rotted log hut. It remained as such for the next four years. No one seemed interested in buying lots or building a home.

MCCLURE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MCCLURE BEAN SOUP FE STIVAL & FAIR Pennsylvania's Oldest F estival Founded in 1883 (Private Event) | Established 1891 (Public Event) BEAN SOUP HOMECOMING CELEBRATION Pictured above states BEAN SOUP ENCAMPMENT Founded July 23, 1883 by Captain Michael Smith Post No. 355 Grand Army of the Republic. Bean Soup was first started as a reunion at McClure, Pennsylvania Fall of 1891, Dedicated by Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War When talking about McClure if the Bean Soup is not talked about then...well it is embedded into the local culture and has been attended by people from around the globe. It has even made it's way to the "WHITE HOUSE" during President Eisenhower's term. The McClure Bean Soup and Home-Coming Celebration originated many years ago in the minds of the surviving Civil War veterans then living in the western end of the county (Snyder). Being naturally in a reminiscent frame of mind, the veterans longed for an agency or institution that would help them to perpetuate the more pleasant memories of their army life. Matters began to take form with the organization of the Captain Michael Smith G.A.R. Post at Bannerville, on July 23, 1883, a group of veterans of the Civil War; at its first meeting on the second story of the Joseph Peters Blacksmith Shop in Bannerville, PA for the purpose of organizing a Grand Army of the Republic Post. After several preliminary meetings, the first session of the newly formed post (Post #355) was held on October 20, 1883. This organization from time to time held many reunions and celebrations that took on the nature of a "bean soup festivals", but it was not until 1891 that the affair became an annual public event in the history of the local G.A.R. Post. From this time on the attendance was no longer restricted to the membership of the organization, but the entire community was invited to join the veterans in their celebration. The occasion rapidly developed into a popular event that commanded the interest of thousands of the neighboring counties. In the year of its greatest expansion in 1891, Ner B. Middleswarth a grandson of the Hon. Ner B. Middleswarth and veteran of the Civil War was the chairman of the committee in charge celebration. Records show Comrade Ner B. Middleswarth was in charge of obtaining from the war department "real hard tack" to be served with the bean soup just as it was done in Civil War days. Comrade Henry Kahley, who was a cook in the Civil War, was in charge of the soup, assisted by another veteran, Comrade Aaron Bickel. From 1891 on, the G.A.R. Post managed the celebration until the year 1900, when the increasing age and diminishing numbers of the veterans made it no longer possible for them to continue the work. At this juncture, the Captain Henry K. Ritter Camp, Sons of the Union Veterans, took over the work and responsibility, but the surviving veterans still assisted to the best of their strength to continue the celebration in accord with its original intent and purpose. The veterans were particularly concerned that the bean soup should be prepared and served in the original army fashion. The large crowd from year to year made it necessary to acquire a larger grove to accommodate the people. It was the transferred to a grove at McClure. Some years later in 1925, a standing committee consisted of Sam Bubb, Elder Wagner, and Verne Erb purchased the land of Cold Springs Grove from C.A. Wagner as a permanent location for the Bean Soup Celebration. The McClure Bean Soup Celebration has now become one of the largest outdoor gatherings in Central Pennsylvania. (The Story of Snyder County; 1948) In 1940, it is said that upwards of 50 thirty-five gallon kettles of soup were consumed by more than 35,000 people in attendance. Included in the soup were 1,300 pounds of beans, 1,300 pounds of beef, and 1,600 pounds of crackers. Ner B. Middleswarth was chairman of the first "Bean Soup" Committee in 1891. Records show that he was so busy serving the soup that the supply was exhausted before he had a taste. After that, the Henry K. Ritter Camp #65 Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the citizens of McClure from 1937 on the McClure Realty Corporation have put forth the effort to present this novel celebration. This uses tons of beans, a ton of beef, and a ton of crackers to serve the tens of thousands who attend each year. The making of the soup in large iron kettles is done over a wood-fired battery of furnaces capable of handling 16 large, 20 gallon capacity kettles at one time. Each man stirs two of the kettles during a two hour and twenty minute shift. GROWTH AND NATIONAL INTEREST The Bean Soup continued to grow through the years and in 1915, it was necessary for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to run special passenger trains to McClure to take care of the overflow of people that couldn’t be accommodated on their regular 6 passenger trains that came into McClure daily. In 1910, the grove was enlarged six times its former size. In 1911, the Bern Soup was starting to take on national interest attracting local Congressmen. From then on various national and state figures attended the Bean Soup from time to time including U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois, U. S. Senator Brewster of Maine, U. S. Senator Fergison of Michigan, and U. S. Senators Davis, Martin, Duff, Scott and Clark of Pennsylvania. Every Governor of the state of Pennsylvania from the days of Governor Brumbauch, with the exception of 2, has spent a day at the Bean Soup. Every Congressman this district, beginning with Congressman Focht has attended the Bean Soup. They are Congressmen Beers, Dirsham, Biddle, Simpson, Elliot, Whalley and Schneebeli. Other dignitaries who have attended the Bean Soup include Colonel Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Honorable James M. Laverty, former Secretary to president Hoover; Honorable Ernest I. Jahnke, the assistant secretary to the Navy; honorable Pat Hurley, the assistant secretary of the Army; Honorable Harold Stassen, former governor of Minnesota; Honorable Bernard Shanley, Special Counsel to President Eisenhower, and many others. In 1909, the Henry K. Ritter Camp, Sons of Veterans began promoting the Bean Soup and to use the proceeds to beautify Cold Springs Park. In 1916, train excursions to the Bean Soup were advertised at two cents a mi1e. Soup was raised from 5 cents a bowl to 15 cents in 1916 and 25 cents in 1917. In 1914, an additional field was acquired in order to park cars. By 1916, about 750 cars were parked, and by 1921 there were about 2000 cars bringing people to the Bean Soup, and consequently it was no longer necessary to have special trains. In 1919, the Bean Soup also became a “Homecoming Day” for those who had returned from the First World War. Rev. A. C. Forscht, pastor of Christ's Lutheran Church preached a stirring sermon. The following were honored that first Homecoming Day: Millard Hoffman, Charles C. Middleswarth, Jacob H. Erb, J. L. Snook, Ray Wilt, James F. Romig, C. S. Beaver, O, W. Pheasant, William Kahley, Erie Swanger, Harry L,. Wagner, Roy Haines, Clayton Wagner, Carl Pheasant, Orren Wagner, William Gross, Harry Swanger, Reed Spigelmyer, Ralph Boyer, David Ekman, Marlin Wagner, Isaac Forscht. 19 kettles of bean soup were made and served that day, this being the largest number up until that time. THE REUNION CONTINUES The Official McClure Bean Soup Band - The McClure Sons of Union Veterans Band was the official music organization for the annual McClure Bean Soup Festival and Homecoming Celebration in the early 1900's . The Band was organized in 1904 under the leadership of J.M. Rauch. Front row from left to right - John Hendricks, C A Baker, Charles Stimely, Keemer Stuck, Charles Heeter and John Gill. Second Row - Erie Stuck, John Heeter, Calvin Knepp, J.M. Rauch, John Wagner, George Fisher, Edgar Treaster. Back Row - Clarence S. Goss, Emroy Heeter. Rauch's famous band was first mentioned as playing at the Bean Soup in 1920, and it continued to play each year for many years. 1922 saw the beginning of agriculture exhibits, which continued for about 5 years. In 1925, it was decided to have 2 days for the Bean Soup and in that same year extensive improvements were made. New eating stand tables, seats, large grandstand were erected and other improvements made. This was the year in which the showing of automobiles began a feature of the Bean Soup which continued for several years, Exhibits of various kinds, including the state game exhibit, were initiated in 1927. From 1928 to 1932 airplane rides at a cent a pound were popular at the celebration. Balloon ascension by Louis Raymond, Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1931 and a parachute jump by Jackie Sommer in 1932 were extra attractions at the Bean Soup. Mention of the McClure Drum Corp as an attraction at the Bean Soup was made for the first time in 1929. A public address system was put into operation in 1931. It is interesting to note that in 1933 Bean Soup was postponed because of rain for the first time in 42 years. In 1934 people were able to see the entire process from butchering the beef to the serving of the finished product. New additions and improvements go on from year to year. In 1948, the large building 44 x 28 feet beside the spring, was, erected. In 1949, the seating capacity was increased 33%, a new eating stand was erected and a new furnace installed. In spring of 1967, the large wooden building, once a store, but recently an apartment building, was removed by the owner, C. C. Wagner, thus making more room for the Bean Soup and giving a better view to the buildings used in the making and serving of the soup. Through the years the Bean Soup celebration has gained nation-wide recognition in various ways including magazine write-ups, newspaper stories and radio and television, In 1966, it marked its 75th anniversary. The Michigan Bean Growers Association donated a ton of beans which were used for this anniversary occasion. Many interesting and entertaining programs have been presented through the years. Today’s celebration offers, in addition to the main attraction of making and serving the Civil War Bean Soup, band concerts, exhibits of craftsmanship, television and radio stars, shows, rides, concessions, and all kinds of entertainment you would find at a County Fair except livestock exhibits. In 1956, McClure bean soup was delivered to the White House, Washington, D.C. and it was October 8, 1956 to be exact. It was flown to Washington in a plane chartered by the Tri-County National Bank. (The honorary members that had the privilege were Wilmer Hackenberg, James Thompson, Samuel Bubb, and the following people from the Presidents staff Bernard M. Shanley, Exec. Secretary to the President and Congressional Representative Richard M. Simpson) In 1967, the Committee in charge was Samuel H. Bubb, C. S. Klinger and Elder S. Wagner. On June 2, 1961 all of the McClure Bean Soup records and a great deal of memorabilia were destroyed by fire. Then in 1971, TV stations out of Philadelphia (KYW-TV) and from Pittsburgh (KDKA-TV) were in town to tape the news segments concerning the doings at the McClure Bean Soup. In addition to the TV stations, the Ford Times, a national magazine had an article in its September issue. In 1966, The Tampa Tribune in Florida had some nice things to say about the Bean Soup. The Cincinnati Enquirer and The New York Times also ran large articles on the Bean Soup. This year marked the 75th anniversary of the McClure Bean Soup Festival since it became public; one items that was for sale that year was a commemorative white bowl with gold trim around the top lip with inscription stating McClure Bean Soup 75th Annual 1891-1966 McClure, PA. In the August 28, 1974, Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) ran a large article entitled the Town Celebrating with GI Bean Soup. During the 1976 McClure Bean Soup Festival the Harrisburg Patriot’s coverage of the Bean Soup was quite extensive. In addition, senior citizens were treated to free soup and free rides. This being the 200th birthday of our nation, the town was once again patriotically decorated. In 1980, prior to that year’s Bean Soup Festival the Chicago Tribune ran an article extolling the uniqueness of the affair. Then in 1981, the Philadelphia Inquirer did an extensive article on that year’s Bean Soup Festival.

Station Park is located in the center of town between the Post Office and the one of a kind water fountain. Station park is a quite shaded park with playground equipment for all ages, an open area to start a pick up game of football or soccer, a picnic pavilion, and benches throughout the park. It is used for community events and private gatherings. McClure Station Park Station Park is located in the center of town between the Post Office and the one of a kind water fountain. Station park is a quite shaded park with playground equipment for all ages, an open area to start a pick up game of football or soccer, a picnic pavilion, and benches throughout the park. It is used for community events and private gatherings. Station park was formed after the closure of the local railroad (The Sunbury-Lewistown Railroad). The Dedication Service for the new park climaxed the week-long celebration for the Bicentennial of the United States of America in 1976. Historic Road Sign - 1 , Historic Road Sign - 2 . Keystone Marker Trust has a database of Historic Road Signs - Website Database . Railroad Fountain In 1979, a new fountain sung an old tune of Railroad Days gone by, the new fountain was put in when the new street construction was being completed, in which portions of west Walker and Railroad streets were merged into west Railroad Street. Water cascading down over the sides of a fountain, located at the east entrance to west Railroad Street in McClure, sings a tune of sorts. The notes of trickle, splash and gurgle can be interpreted as a melody of the golden days of railroading. As if by per-arranged plan of long ago, the fountain sits squarely on what at one time was the old railroad bed. Inadvertently, the fountain had its origin in 1867 when the grading began for the Middlecreek Valley Railroad Company. Prior to that, it was decided to locate the railroad on the south side of the valley, resulting in the formation of McClure. Officials of the railroad selected McClure as the place on the line where the steam locomotives would take on water. There were two water towers, the first one erected on the north side of the tracks. The second tower was built on the south side of the tracks, replacing the first. This latter tower was continued in use until 1963 when the railroad ceased to operate in McClure. McClure Station Park Grant Project Documents Station Park Concept Plan Station Park Comprehensive Plan Station Park Land Development Plan Pavilion/Restrooms/ ADA Ramps Plan History & Transformation McClure Bacon Fest INDULGE IN BACON BLISS AT McCLURE'S BACON FEST! Taking place in mid-April around the charming McClure Station Park, the air is infused with the irresistible aroma of sizzling bacon. Can you smell it yet? Join us for McClure's Bacon Fest this April, featuring an array of bacon-infused delights, from mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches to decadent chocolate-covered bacon, maple bacon cupcakes, bacon pancake dippers, and much more! With over 200 vendors lining the streets, it's a bacon lover's paradise. Visit http://www.mcclurebaconfest.com/ for more information and savor the anticipation of bacon goodness! McClure National Night Out Held inside McClure Station Park on the first Tuesday of August. The event is hosted by the McClure Revitalization Committee. Nation Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and emergency service while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. Follow McClure Station Park @McClureStaionPark

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SOCIAL MCCLURE McClure Borough & Municipal Authority McClure Community Library McClure Station Park Cold Springs Grove McClure Sons of American Legion McClure Historical Society McClure Hometown Hero Banner Program McClure Volunteer Fire Company McClure Bean Soup Festival & Fair McClure Revitalization Commitee

MCCLURE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Col. Alexander Kelly McClure Vocations: Journalist, Author, Publisher, Historian, Writer, and Politician THE EARLY DAYS OF ALEXANDER KELLY MCCLURE Alexander Kelly McClure was born in Sherman’s Valley, Pennsylvania to the farming family of Alexander and Isabella Anderson McClure on January 9, 1828. He received little formal schooling and was apprenticed to a tanner in 1843. He also assisted as a printer at the local Perry County Freeman, and so began a long and distinguished career as a newspaperman. Within a few years he was editor and publisher of the Juniata Sentinel in Mifflintown, and before long the strident Whig views he had developed earlier at the Freeman came to the notice of Pennsylvania political leaders. The youthful McClure was appointed to the staff of William F. Johnson, the first Whig governor of the Commonwealth, with the honorary rank of colonel. In 1850 he served as the deputy United States marshal for Juniata County thanks to Whig president Millard Fillmore. Two years later McClure relocated to Franklin County, took over the Franklin Repository, and then turned it into one of the most influential newspapers in the state. LAW & POLITICS A prominent citizen of Chambersburg for two decades, McClure studied law and was called to the Franklin Bar in 1856. Politics and the press, however, remained his major interests. In 1853 he had been selected as the Whig candidate for auditor-general, the youngest man up to that time in Pennsylvania nominated for a state office. He lost that race, and his Whig passion began turning toward the newly emerging Republican Party. McClure carried on a spirited conflict with the local Democratic Valley Spirit through his own press in Chambersburg, the powerfully Republican Repository. He attended the Commonwealth’s Republican organizing convention in Pittsburgh in 1855, was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1858, and the following year became a member of the state Senate. He played an even more prominent role in Republican politics in 1860 when, still only thirty-two years of age, he and Andrew Curtin succeeded in bringing over the Pennsylvania delegation at the national convention from Simon Cameron to Abraham Lincoln. McClure immediately launched himself in the state and national elections as chairman of the Republican State Committee, constructing an efficient and widely organized campaign that swept his friend Curtin to the governorship and Lincoln to a sweeping Pennsylvania victory. CIVIL WAR On the outbreak of war (Civil War), Senator McClure became the chair of the state's Senate Committee on Military Affairs. He acted as spokesman for Curtin and offered the governor strong support within the legislature. He assisted Curtin in the calling of the influential meeting of “Loyal War Governors of the North,” held in Altoona on September 24 and 25, 1862. He was also commissioned as an assistant adjutant general under President Lincoln and helped provide seventeen Pennsylvania regiments to the Union armies. His own personal brush with war came with the Confederate occupations of Chambersburg, the second of which, in 1863, saw him meet with General Lee personally. In 1864 a third Confederate foray into Pennsylvania saw the town burned to the ground with McClure’s “Norland” estate on the northern outskirts deliberately targeted for destruction. He never rebuilt his estate in Chambersburg (Norland was later to become much of the campus of Wilson College), and instead moved to Philadelphia, opening a law office in that city. Around this same time, he also invested in western mining. As a representative of the Philadelphia-based Montana Gold and Silver Mining Company, he traveled and worked, in 1867 and 1868, as superintendent of the mill that was built with company funds on the Oro Cache vein in the Montana Territory. REMAINDER OF DAYS The remainder of his political career saw McClure take on an increasingly independent bent. He supported Ulysses S. Grant at the 1868 Republican National Convention, but by the time of the General’s reelection bid, McClure had become disillusioned with the party; he then led the Pennsylvania delegation to the Liberal Republican National Convention that nominated Horace Greeley. Back home in Philadelphia, he had similarly broken party ranks, winning a hard fought election to the state Senate on the Citizen’s ticket, with Democratic endorsement. In 1874 McClure ran for mayor, with similar backing, on the popular platform of anti-corruption, losing by only a few hundred votes. Not giving up, the following year he and Frank McLaughlin founded the Times as an independent, anti-corruption voice for Philadelphia. McClure remained its editor until 1901 when he sold the newspaper to Adolph Ochs. McClure had earlier, in 1869, published letters of his travels in Montana, but from 1892 onwards he began to write on his reminiscences of a long political career. He published works on Andrew Curtin, Abraham Lincoln, and Pennsylvania politics as he had seen them, and he also wrote a more contemporary biography of William McKinley. Alexander Kelly McClure died in Philadelphia on June 6, 1909.

MCCLURE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Local Schools in McClure Borough | West Beaver Township McClure High School Public schools followed the Free-school law of 1834. Prior to those schools were privately supported by parents of the children attending them. In 1901, a new school house was built on the site of the two story structure for it. Through there were four large rooms, three of which were used for the grades and one for the high school, which opened in 1908. In the early 1920’s, the rural school consolidation movement began in the County, before construction of the old West Beaver High School building in 1928, students attended school in the building that was known as the McClure Fire Hall. The West Beaver Township High School was organized in 1908 with a two year curriculum. In 1914, the curriculum was lengthened to three years, in 1921, it was reduced back to two years and in 1928, it was made a four-year curriculum. The West Beaver Schools reached their peak in growth and stature during the two decades in which W. Michael Weader served as principal. By 1934, West Beaver Township had completely consolidated its schools. All students, grades 1st through 12th were housed in the West Beaver building at McClure. The school was frequently labeled McClure High School. For twenty-eight years, this school became the hub of the community interest and activity. The elementary school regularly excelled in scholarship, as was indicated by outstanding performance in the County Scholastic Contests. Entrance into high school was determined by a testing program administered by or through the County Superintendent of Schools. McClure High School Alma Mater Rah! Rah! Rah! McClure High School To you we raise this tune; Praises we give you now for The Orange and Maroon. We are all for you And for your team so true We’ll fight, fight, fight for victory and right, And we’ll show what McClure High can do. Rah! Rah! Rah! For the gang, boys The gang so proud and true; Loyal we’ll play the game For M.H.S. and you. Our banners grandly shall wave where e’re we roam We’ll fight, fight, fight for victory and right And we’ll all come marching home. West Beaver Elementary 1980 - 2012 In 2004, consolidation rapped at the Midd-West School District in Snyder County as it was voted on joining Middleburg High School and West Snyder High School, two schools there were considered “huge” inner school district rivals. Then in 2005, the work started with the new high school Midd-West High (old Middleburg High School). West Snyder High School was turned into a Middle School, the grades were 5th through 8th grade, and West Beaver Elementary School was turned into a K-4 grade school. Another part of the consolidation was that the Beaver Vocational High School (Beaver Adams Elementary School) in Beaver Springs was closed down and sold. The class of 2005 went from Middleburg having 103 students in their graduating class and West Snyder having 63 students in their class to a new total for Midd-West High School of 166 students. The new mascot was voted on by the students, the choices were: Marauders, Mustangs and Pirates. The mustang was the winner of the contest. In 2010, the then “new” Midd-West High School underwent a complete overhaul of the old Middleburg High School. The entire building was taken down and a newer and “greener” building was built in its place. On May 14th, 2012, the Midd-West School Board voted (5 Yes to 4 No) to close West Beaver Elementary School and Perry-West-Perry Elementary school (Mt. Pleasant Mills). West Beaver Elementary School officially closed on July 1st, 2012. West Snyder was turned into a K-5 elementary school and everyone else went to the schools in Middleburg (H.S., M.S., or the elementary school). The closure of the school ended a long history of schools in West Beaver Township, from the one room school houses in the late 1880's to 2012. McClure can be proud of the great educational institutes that were in it's confines for the nearly 130 years that they were there; they will be missed and remembered by the ones that roamed those hallways. Something to note for future generations West Beaver Elementary did not go down with out a final fight. Nearly 500 signatures on petitions, McClure Borough Council President (Mr. A. S. Benner speaking at the school board meetings) and many concern parents / citizen of McClure and Western Snyder County, went to the meetings to fight for the last pubic school in McClure.

POLICE & COMMUNITY WATCH MARK BAILEY - Chief of Police c/o Middleburg Borough Police Dept. 13 North Main St. Middleburg, PA 17842 911/ (570) 837-0321 If no one is in the office, call Snyder County’s non-emergency number at 570-372-0826 Pennsylvania State Police R.D. #1 Box 131, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 Phone, Emergency: (570) 374-8145 Phone, Non-Emergency (570) 374-5793 Fax: (570) 374-1753 Community Watch The Challenge Neighborhood Watch groups are a smart way to help protect the safety of your community. According to the FBI, over 2.1 million incidents of burglary were committed in 2012. A burglary takes place in the U.S. every 14.3 seconds, according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Clock. And burglary is not a crime limited to night-time. In fact, the National Crime Prevention Council reports that more than 60 percent of all residential burglaries occurred during daylight hours. While these statistics are alarming, they remind us of the ever-growing impact of crime in the United States -- and that no matter where you reside, you are a potential victim. Not everyone can afford subscription-based home security systems that provide 24-hour monitoring. Local policing efforts are often stretched too thin for routine patrols and must rely on the active participation of community residents for crime prevention. Since most crimes happen in isolation, a Neighborhood Watch team is employed to act as an extra set of "eyes and ears" when a police presence is not always available. But a Neighborhood Watch group does more than canvass its community. In most cases, involvement creates opportunity to get to know those living in your geographical area, helping to open the lines of communication with local police and better overall cooperation among residents in crime prevention efforts. Participating in a Neighborhood Watch group builds confidence and encourages residents to take an active interest in one another's properties and livelihoods. https://nnw.org/start Community Watch How to Make a Difference At VolunteerGuide.org: Neighborhood Watch groups prevent crime, reduce burglaries, and deter home invasions. Find out how to join a Neighborhood Watch program in your community. Find out how to join a Neighborhood Watch http://www.volunteerguide.org/minutes/service-projects/neighborhood-watch Since most Neighborhood Watch groups work in shifts, find a shift that best suits your current schedule. Consider a mode of transportation that's right for you. Vehicles offer a quick way to canvass a neighborhood. But walking (foot patrol) is also acceptable in most cases. Taking your dog for a walk is an excellent opportunity to assist in your community's Neighborhood Watch efforts. Post Neighborhood Watch road signs with warnings to would-be intruders. As an additional deterrent to crime, place a Neighborhood Watch sticker on your front door, a front window, or post a sign on your lawn. This small but significant act is an excellent deterrent and lets would-be intruders know that you and your community are watching. Many neighborhoods already have a Neighborhood Watch program in place. For those that don't, speaking with your community association will help you gather more information about specific needs. Contacting local law enforcement organizations is also beneficial in helping initiate the task. The following groups specialize in crime prevention in residential settings and offer good advice in starting a Neighborhood Watch program: The National Sheriffs' Association provides a helpful Neighborhood Watch Manual. USAonWatch offers relevant tips on how to protect your home from becoming a target of burglary. Crime Watch services many geographical districts by providing a website where visitors can post suspicious activity to the attention of their local police departments. Police gather this information and use it to follow credible leads. The National Neighborhood Watch Institute offers advice and makes products available to assist crime prevention efforts in residential neighborhoods.