Relative to Somerset County, Conemaugh Township was late in developing. It was not until the turn of the Twentieth Century that important and major steps were made in Conemaugh Township. Coal mining and lumbering were among the first and most Important industries in the entire Somerset County region. Farming, the first economic activity of the area, never achieved the economic impact that the coal and lumber industries obtained; however, farming has been more persistent and dependable than either of the major extractive Industries.

Conemaugh is an Indian name meaning "long fishing place." The Indian village, where Johnstown is now located, was known by the same name. Conemaugh township was formed by the Somerset County Court in February, 1801, out of a part of Quemahoning Township, and included nearly all of the present townships of Paint and Ogle, and a wide strip of Cambria County, including Johnstown. Conemaugh Township was gradually diminished in size by the formation of Cambria County, and of new townships, to its present area.

Early Industries were coal mining, timbering, and farming. The principal villages of Jerome, Davidsville, and Hollsopple were founded by coal companies. Davidsville, the oldest village in the township, was the business center for many years.

The advent of paved roads has led to a spreading out of population from these areas and to their diminished importance as business centers. The principal business centers serving the area at this time are the city of Johnstown and Richland Township.

Coal has played an important role in the development of the Township, and is responsible for the location of almost all of the present named settlements. The current commercially important coals are the Upper and Lower Freeport, and the Upper and Lower Kittanning. These seams generally range in thickness from 2.5 feet to 5 feet. The underlying Brookville has not been worked in the Township because of depth and slate partings, but may have future commercial importance.

The Importance of coal extraction to the Township economy has continued to decrease over the past twenty years, and is no longer a major factor. Although coal mining has diminished as a major industry in the township, there is estimated to be over 100 million tons of coal underlying the township.

Much of the area of Conemaugh Township lends itself to agriculture. Agriculture has been a significant contributor to the economy for as long as the township has been in existence. Perhaps the most significant trend in agriculture has been the shift towards specialization. There has been a substantial decrease in general farms, and an increase in one or two crop farms, such as livestock and dairying. It can be assumed that the trend toward specialization will continue, and that the small farm will almost disappear from the scene.

Conemaugh Township is unique in that it does not encompass or contain any incorporated towns or villages and that it does not have one urban cluster of two thousand population; yet, it is progressing toward becoming a major suburban area of the Johnstown Standard Metropolitan StatistIcal Area.

Conemaugh Township, with its 42.6 square mile rural area, is a very attractive community. This is especially true in comparison with the congested urban area of the city of Johnstown. U.S. Route 219 has put nearly all of Conemaugh Township within easy access of Johnstown. The natural, ruggedly-beautiful, open space of the Township has become more exposed to rapid urbanization and sprawl. Now is the time to plan for an organized, open and healthy community and a bright future.

Although Conemaugh Township, as part of Somerset County, has had many common characteristics of the County, it has moved toward the industrial pull of the neighboring city of Johnstown in Cambria County. Johnstown, an industrial community of 40,000 population, is the major concentration of employment in the entire region. The city also serves as the center of the S.M.S.A.

Two conditions prevail in the relationship between Conemaugh Township and the city of Johnstown. First, the outward growth of city suburbs has extended into Conemaugh Township. Secondly, natives of Conemaugh Township have looked to Johnstown industries as a major source of employment. Yet Conemaugh Township is part of Somerset County. The traditional and political pull of the Township is toward Somerset, the County Seat. Federal, State, and local programs come to Conemaugh township via Somerset, but in reality the township has, in recent years, become strongly associated with Johnstown and southern Cambria County. Conemaugh's search for self-identity is evident.

The Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area of Johnstown includes all of Cambria and Somerset Counties. At present, Conemaugh Township best identifies as part of this S.M.S.A. This is true because of the location of the Township in Somerset County, and its direct association with Johnstown.

Christian (Smith) Miller was one of the first settlers of what is now Conemaugh Township. In 1790, he bartered for 300 to 500 acres of land from the Shawnee lndians In the area near Jerome. In 1790, he married a girl by the name of Berkey and they erected a cabin near the Maple Spring Church Grove. Here ten children were raised. His first wife died at the age of 33 and he later married again. They 1lved with the Indians with whom they were friendly. Their son Jacob took care of Christian and his wife until l835-1939 when they died. All the rest of Christian's children went to Ohio and farther west as the west opened. Many settled in Holmes County, Ohio, where today 90% of the population have their roots in Somerset County. Christian was the first pioneer Bishop and Minister of the Amish Church in Conemaugh Township. Christian and his wives are buried on the hillside of Mary Yoder Farm near Maple Spring Church Grove.

Joseph Johns I, who founded the city of Johnstown in 1793, purchased a farm near Davidsville (top) in 1804 and resided there until his death in 1813.The graveyard (middle), bounded by its bright white fence, can be readily seen atop an easterly hill from U.S. Route 219 north of Davidsville.

Shaffer Bridge (bottom), the only remaining covered bridge in the Township, is located on Covered Bridge Road within sight of its intersection with Route 985.