Northumberland County Historical Society

Fort Augusta was a stronghold in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the upper Susquehanna Valley from the time of the French and Indian War to the close of the American Revolution. At the time, it was the largest British fort in Pennsylvania, with earthen walls more than two hundred feet long topped by wooden fortifications. With a garrison of over 300 troops and walls specially constructed to resist artillery, it presented a formidable defense and was never attacked. It served as a refuge for local settlers during the French and Indian War and during the American Revolutionary War. It was abandoned in 1780 and dismantled in 1796.

The West Branch Division of the Pennsylvania Canal ran 73 miles (117 km) from the canal basin at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, at the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River with the main stem of the Susquehanna River, north through Muncy, then west through Williamsport, Jersey Shore, and Lock Haven to its terminus in Farrandsville. At its southern terminus in the Northumberland basin, the West Branch Canal met the North Branch Canal and the Susquehanna Division Canal. Through these connections to other divisions of the Pennsylvania Canal, it formed part of a multi-state water transportation system including the Main Line of Public Works.Between Northumberland and Muncy, the canal lay east of the river. Beyond Muncy, where the river makes a right-angle turn, the canal lay to the north. Started in 1828 and completed in 1835, it had 19 lift locks overcoming a total vertical rise of about 140 feet (43 m). The locks, beginning with No. 13, slightly upstream of the Northumberland Canal Basin, and ending with No. 34 at Lockport, across the river from Lock Haven, included two guard locks and an outlet lock in addition to the 19 lift locks.The state intended to extend the West Branch Canal from Farrandsville further upstream along the West Branch Susquehanna River to the mouth of Sinnemahoning Creek. Plans called for 33 miles (53 km) of canal, but the project was abandoned along with the idea that the West Branch Canal would eventually connect to the Allegheny River in western Pennsylvania.

The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the Northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch being its principal tributary. The West Branch, which is 243 miles (391 km) long, is entirely within the state of Pennsylvania, draining a large mountainous area within the Allegheny Plateau in the western part of the state. Along most of its course it meanders past mountain ridges and through water gaps, forming a large zigzag arc through central Pennsylvania around the north end of the Allegheny Mountains. In colonial times the river valley provided an important route to the Ohio River valley. In the 19th century, its lower valley became a significant industrial heartland of Pennsylvania. In the 20th century, the upper reaches of the West Branch turned a yellow/orange color due to sulfurous drainage from nearby and abandoned deep bituminous coal mines.

The Bloody Spring is a historical site in the Sunbury, Pennsylvania area. Located on school district property, it is purported to be the location where a soldier from Fort Augusta that was guarding cattle was ambushed and murdered by a Native American tribe member in 1756, during the French and Indian War. His blood is said to have colored the water in the spring red, resulting in the name, The Bloody Spring. The site, located on Memorial Drive and .1 miles south of Shikellamy Avenue, is marked with a historical marker.

Sunbury ( SUN-berr-ee), Pennsylvania, is a city that serves as the county seat of Northumberland County. Nestled in the heart of Central Pennsylvania's picturesque Susquehanna Valley, Sunbury is strategically positioned on the east bank of the Susquehanna River. This location is notably downstream from where the river's main and west branches converge, adding to the city's scenic beauty and historical significance. Sunbury's roots stretch back to the early 18th century, reflecting a rich tapestry of American history. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,905, illustrating its role as a significant community within the region. The city is not only the principal city of the Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area but also plays a key role as one of the three principal cities in the larger Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area. One of Sunbury's most notable historical highlights is its connection to the legendary inventor Thomas Edison. In 1883, the Hotel Edison became the first building in Sunbury to be illuminated by Edison's innovative three-wire electrical system. This event was so momentous that the hotel was later named in honor of Edison. The historical significance of this moment is further accentuated by the story of John W. Treadwell, Jr., a nine-year-old boy who had the honor of flipping the switch to activate the new lights, marking a new era in the city's development.Beyond its electrical history, Sunbury is home to several other historic landmarks. These include the Beck House and the Northumberland County Courthouse, both of which are steeped in architectural and historical value. The Sunbury Historic District, another key feature of the city, is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing the city's commitment to preserving its rich heritage. Today, Sunbury continues to blend its historical legacy with modern living, offering residents and visitors alike a unique glimpse into both the past and the future. Its strategic location, historical significance, and enduring charm make Sunbury a noteworthy and beloved part of Pennsylvania's landscape.

The Sunbury Historic District is a national historic district located at Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses 238 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Sunbury. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Shamokin (; Saponi Algonquian Schahamokink: "place of crawfish") (Lenape: Shahëmokink) was a multi-ethnic Native American trading village on the Susquehanna River, located partially within the limits of the modern cities of Sunbury and Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania. It should not be confused with present-day Shamokin, Pennsylvania, located to the east. The village was the focus of missionary efforts, and then was the staging area for raids on English settlements in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War. It was burned and abandoned by the Lenape in May, 1756. A few months later, Fort Augusta was constructed on the site of the village.

The Beck House, also known as the Old Scott House, is a historic home located at Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It was included by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in its Inventory of Historical Places in April 1975, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library, also known as the Dr. Joseph Priestley House or Cross Keys Inn, in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Pomfret Manor Cemetery is a cemetery located in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Former members of the United States Congress and U.S. Medal of Honor winners are among the notable interments here.

Sunbury Armory is a historic National Guard armory located near Sunbury, in Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1938, and is a two-story, "I"-plan building consisting of an administration section, stable, and drill hall. It is constructed of concrete block with a brick veneer and executed in the Moderne style.It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Shikellamy State Park is a 132-acre (53 ha) Pennsylvania state park located at the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. The park is divided into two sections. The older part, on a bluff on the western bank of the Susquehanna River, is the 78-acre (32 ha) Shikellamy overlook in Union Township, Union County. The newer part is the 54-acre (22 ha) marina on the southern end of Packer Island in Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County. Packer's Island lies between the city of Sunbury and the borough of Northumberland at the confluence of the two branches of the river.