Big Run:

Big Run was settled in the early 1800's. It gets it's name from a creek called Big Run. The lumbering industry was big at the time the town was incorporated in 1867. The 1870 census recorded 206 residents. The highest census was in 1917 when there were 1160 living there.

The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad was a big factor in Big Run's growth around 1900. Mines as well as the lumbering industry provided work. A large tannery was built in 1889 by William Irvin. By 1920 the tannery had burned and the mines were all worked out. Since then there have been small businesses such as a shoe factory, a toy factory and a stove factory.

Big Run Milling Company, which is still operating, was started in 1867 Philip Enterline. It is well known for producing Big Run buckwheat flour.

The bank in Big Run was originally started in 1890 and was located in the tannery. In 1900 it moved to it's present location and has been known by many names in the last few years as different corporations have merged and /or taken it over.

Standard Pennant Company started in 1919 by Mrs. Andrew Shankle.

The B.R. &P. Railroad stopped in Big Run. The trolley system was once divided at Big Run. One company ran the section between Punxsutawney and Big Run. You had to get off that trolley and get on another to go further north towards Sykesville. Three hotels served travellers over the years.

The school in Big Run which was built in 1907 to replace a previous bulding which had burned. The present school used to have grades 1 to 8 and a High School. In 1951 the grades 9 to 12 were moved to the high school in Punxsutawney. In 1957, a new high school was built in Punxsutawney and Punxsy's old high school became a junior high. So, in Big Run, grades 7 and 8 moved to Punxsutawney and the Big Run school became an elementary school. In recent years there has been talk of closing the Big Run School, but so far this historic school is still serving to instruct the youth of Big Run and the surrounding area.

Big Run has survived many disasters in its history. There was a tornado in 1976. A serious train derailment in 1979 spilled gases and forced the evacuation of town. Floods occurred in 1977 and 1996. The 1996 flood was particularly devastating to many residents in Big Run as the flood waters entered many homes with up to 4 or 5 feet on the first floor.