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The town of New Brighton lies above Bridgewater and Sharon, on Beaver River, about three miles from the mouth. As early as 1793 a blockhouse for the defense of their settlement existed on its site, but no improvement worthy of note was apparent prior to the opening of the Beaver Canal. In fact its growth may date back only to about the year 1830 or '35. The water-power here, and at Fallston directly opposite, is excellent, and has led to the erection of large manufacturing establishments in both places-flouring mills, saw mills, planing mills, woollen mills, paper mills, Etc.; factories for the manufacture of buckets, kegs, wire, nails, axes, fire-brick, furniture, carding, steam engines, ploughs, etc., etc.

The bluff back of Fallston abounds in excellent coal, and on both sides of the river the hills are covered with a fine growth of timber, giving to the locality, in connection with the water-power, most excellent facilities for manufacturing. In New Brighton there is an academy for boys, a retreat for insane females, public schools, and church edifices of the following denominations; Episcopal, Disciples, Methodist, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Baptist. Banks, national, private and savings,- a fine hotel-the Huron House-opposite the depot, etc. The combined population of these two places number about 4,000.

The Borough of Bridgewater, which is in close proximity to Beaver on the same side of Beaver River, and fronting on both it and the Ohio River, includes in its corporate boundary the old town of Sharon, lying further up the Beaver, extending to Brady's Run. It is noted only for its manufacturing facilities and shipping advantages. On the Rochester side of the Beaver, opposite Bridgewater, there is a double-lock, for locking boats out of the slack-water into the Ohio.
The town is connected with Rochester, formerly East Bridgewater, by a substantial wooden bridge, covered; below which, and nearer the point on the Ohio, is the elegant railroad bridge of the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Rail Road Company, and on the east side of the creek passes the track of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway. The manufacturing interests are represented by two foundries, one glass house, broom factory, saw mills, tanneries, breweries, &c. On the Ohio, the landing is one of the best on the river; and near it is a stone harbor, a safe and desirable retreat for steamboats from ice, drift-wood, &c. Bridgewater, as consolidated with Sharon, has some 1,500 inhabitants, and is gradually increasing in population and manufactures. There are a number of churches, common schools and educational institutions in the place, and the community bears the name of being moral and God-fearing.

Beaver is the county seat of Beaver County, Pa. The county was erected in 1800, out of Allegheny and Washington; it comes within the secondary geological formation, and is sub-laid with fine beds of bituminous coal, iron ore, limestone, cannel coal, sulphur and alum-, the soil is alluvial, arid and fertile.

The town of Beaver was laid out in 1791, by act of Assembly, Thomas Mifflin, Governor, and in 1800 was made the county seat, by the same act that incorporated the county. By an act of the same session, 500 acres of land were granted for an academy, which, together with a court house and jail built of stone, and two or three seminaries, form the principal buildings. The Bar of the county is second to none in the State, of the same number of members, either in forensic power or parliamentary discipline. Beaver was incorporated a borough in 1802, and contains at the present time about 2,000 inhabitants. There are three institutions of learning in the place: the Old Academy, Rev. J. W. Martin, principal; the Ladies' Seminary, Rev. D. H. A. McLean, principal, and the Beaver Female Seminary, under the auspices of Rev. R. T. Taylor. The latter was incorporated with full powers to grand diplomas in 1853. Among those active in its erection were Rev. Joshua Monroe, an aged minister of the M. E. Church, Rev. W. G. Taylor, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that time, and the Hon. Daniel Agnew, now one of the Supreme Judges of the State and President of the Board of Trustees. The institution met with what was then at least the usual difficulties in securing the funds requisite for its completion. Its first principal was Rev. Sheridan Baker, who remained in charge of the school for about two years, and was succeeded by Samuel Davenport, who remained about one year. At this juncture of affairs, Rev. R. T. Taylor took charge of the school, and has brought it to an enviable position among other schools. During the last season, notwithstanding the pressure on the finances of the community, they contributed $2,500 to put the building in good repair. It now challenges comparison as to its architectural proportion and its general appearance, as well as its internal arrangements for the health and comfort of its pupils. It occupies two buildings, the main one being three stories above the basement-about 80 by 60 feet-has capacity for about forty boarding pupils, giving to the school much of the character of a family. Its grounds are ample, and beautifully and tastefully laid out and decorated with climbing vines, shrubs and evergreens. The present principal is a practical educator, and is at home in the school room, before any class or in the lecture room. Universal attention is paid to music in this institution, the trustees seeking in this to meet the increasing demand for thorough and extended instruction in this science.

The scenery around this town, for real beauty is perhaps fully equal to that found anywhere on the Ohio.

Vanport, which is now a part of the Beaver incorporation, is located some mile and a-half westward from the court house, on the Ohio River, and is noted only for its abundance of potter's clay and limestone, lime kilns and potteries. There are two lime kilns and four potteries there, all of which turn out first class articles. The potteries are owned by Albert Russell, Esq., and Enoch Fowler, Esq., and the principal lime kiln by Amos Doutt, Esq. It has one public school and a Baptist Church, and about three hundred inhabitants.

Beaver falls, 1882 by Karle and Reichenbach.

This place comes next in order in our course up the Beaver River. It is connected with New Brighton by two substantial bridges, and was formerly called Brighton, or Old Brighton. It is also on the line of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway, and Beaver Canal, and has all the advantages of shipping, waterpower, coal, etc., accorded to New Brighton and Fallston, in our note of those places-, has large manufacturing establishments, prominent among which may be mentioned the Beaver Falls Cutlery Company, which is organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of manufacturing table, pocket and other cutlery, edge-tools, and other implements and articles pertaining to general hardware. At the present time, however, the Company is exclusively engaged in the production of table and spring cutlery, of a quality which it is prepared to guarantee against that of any similar goods of other brands, whether produced in America or imported from foreign countries.

The works, machinery, and other fixtures owned and operated by this company in prosecution of the various branches of its business, are situated at the south side of town, and consist, in all, of some eight or nine buildings, mostly connected, and ranged upon three sides of an oblong area of ground. Of this number, five are large and substantial brick edificies, roofed with slate, four of them being three stories in height, besides having lofty and well-lighted attics. These contain, among other departments, the grinding and machine shops, and the saw, hofting, finishing, material, engraving, packing, stock, and counting-rooms of the concern. The remaining buildings are of one story, adapted to the purposes of table and pocket forging, the storage of raw material, and to accommodate many other departments which of necessity are included in an establishment for the manufacture of large quantities of every variety of cutlery.

The large power absolutely required for this industry is derived from the Beaver River, the water flowing thence through canals and acting upon a number of turbine wheels located in vaults of heavy stone masonry, within the establishment. From these, the momentum so obtained is distributed along lines and counter lines of shafting throughout the entire premises.

In addition to the above, the Company have in operation a steam engine of one hundred and twenty-five horse power, built and furnished to them by the celebrated Woodruff & Beach iron works, of Hartford, Conn., making their whole available power amply sufficent for the fullest capacity of the buildings.

Further details might be here presented, respecting the machinery employed, material used, and the general management and economy observed in the establishment, but we have not the space. At present, however, we may add, that in all parts of the outfit and organization of the Beaver Falls Works, neither educated skill nor determined effort have been spared to make them complete in every particular.

There are two Planing mills in the place-one owned by Messrs. Waddle, Wilson & Co., and one by Harrold & Co. The former employ twenty-five men and turn out 600,000 feet of lumber annually. The latter's capacity is something similar, and both do a paying business.

The Brighton Paper Mill, situated on Beaver River near Beaver Falls, is the most extensive paper manufactory in the Valley, and is now owned by Messrs. Frazier, Metzger & Co., successors to the Pittsburgh Paper Manufacturing Company. The mill is elegantly located for manufacturing purposes, being on the river's edge, having a water-power from a pool of water seven miles long, and is capable of turning out two tons of paper per day. This mill manufactures all kinds of wrapping paper, such as hardware, manilla, roofing, baling, rag and straw papers. Mr. Frazier, senior member of the firm, has charge of the mill and superintends the practical department. Martin Metzger, another of the firm, attends to the financial and purchasing department at the mill, and Fred Metzger, his brother, also a member of the firm, has charge of the warehouse situated at No. 82 Third Avenue (late 3rd. Street), Pittsburgh.

The manufacture of salt is another branch of business represented here. The works of James Patterson & Sons make 4,500 barrels of salt annually.

Glass works, on a large scale, are in course of erection here at the present time; and in addition to these, are furniture establishments, potteries for door knobs, etc., etc. The place is prospering rapidly, and is destined, in time, to be a large manufacturing town. It has a fine hotel-the Bracken House-good schools, churches, etc., and about 1,500 inhabitants.

Phillipsburg is located on the south side of the Ohio River, directly opposite the mouth of Beaver. It was originally owned by Phillips and Graham, but in the spring of 1821 was sold to Count De Leon, who had seceded from the Economite Society, with a number of followers. He and his people immediately occupied and called it "New Philadelphia," holding it in common, on the same principle as the Economites, for a time, but the society finally disbanded, and now live in individual interest; remaining in the place, however, and pursuing the frugal routine of life for which their class is noted.

Here the State Soldiers' Orphans' Home is located, which is under the charge of the Rev. W. G. Taylor. This Institution was established in 1865, by the authority of the State, for the education of the children of deceased soldiers of the late war. The building used is that known as the "Water Cure." The school was opened in March, 1866, with one scholar-, on the 4th of July following it had 84, and one year from that date the roll numbered 184. Since then the number has varied from 130 to 184, some being transferred, and some removed, on arriving at the age of 13 years, the age to which, by law, they are authorized to be educated. The building contains 55 rooms, varying in size from 9x12 to 26x5O feet. In size the building has been doubled since it was first opened, three additions having been added, its capacity at the present time being two hundred. The scholars are taught all the elementary branches, as far as they are capable of studying, as thoroughly as in any school in the Union, and are graded into classes according to their advancement. Musical instruments are furnished for those wishing to study this branch, and every comfort and convenience is afforded the children to be found in any first-class seminary. An industrial department is also attached, where all sorts of work are taught, two hours a day being set aside for this branch. The Faculty of the school is as follows:

Professor - W. G. Taylor.

First male assistant - D. M'Callister.

First female assistant - Mrs. C. T. Taylor.

Second female assistant - Miss M. M. Taylor.

Third female assistant - Miss M. M. Chambers.

Matron - Miss N. W. Thompson.

Gardener - Benjamin Strite.

The Borough of Rochester, the next in the cluster, is situated on the Ohio River, immediately above the mouth of the Beaver, extending along the river's bank some two miles, and is more important in many respects than either Beaver or Bridgewater. Here the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway diverges from the river, and the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Railroad has, in point of fact, its starting point, although the cars are run on through to and from Pittsburgh, via the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago tract, it following the Ohio River, and the Fort Wayne the course of the Beaver for some distance.

Located here are many manufacturing establishments of considerable importance, comprising the "Pittsburgh National Plow Factory," the "Union Agricultural Works," sash and door factories, planing mills, brick works, etc., etc., which in the aggregate give employment to a large number of men.

Messrs. Oatman, Parson & Kinzer have a large saw and planing mill near the depot, which turns out 300,000 feet of sawed lumber annually, and some 225,000 planed, together with about 800,000 shingles.

Messrs. Miller, Dobson & Trax have just started a large establishment in the same locality for manufacturing sash and doors.

The "Rochester Saw and Planing Mill" is the oldest one in the place, being established in 1854. It is owned by Messrs. Scott, Boyle & Williams, and works 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually, valued at $500,000.

The "Rochester Sash and Door Factory," owned by M. Miller & Co., works about 500,000 feet of lumber annually in the manufacture of doors, sash, shutters, blinds, etc.

All these works are supplied with the most modern style of machinery, and are all run by steam power. They have the receiving and shipping facilities of the river, on the one side, from whence the logs are drawn to the mills, and the railroad tracks on the other, for loading and shipping the products.

A high bluff overhangs the business part of the town, the brow of which is ornamented with many handsome dwellings, and in fact the great bulk of the people live on the bluff, the strip on the river being taken up almost completely by the railroads, railroad buildings, commission and storage houses, and the manufacturing establishments referred to above. The situation is healthy, and from the bluff the scenery is picturesque and heartsome. The borough contains at the present time some 1,300 inhabitants, and is rapidly increasing.

Freedom is situated immediately above Rochester, on the Ohio River, stretching along its bank in a narrow strip and extending back over its bluff, which at this point is not so abrupt. Like Rochester, the part along the river bank is taken up in business houses, storage commission warehouses, etc. There is, however, another branch of business carried on here on a pretty extensive scale-that of boat and barge building. Several boat-yards are scattered along its river front, from which a great many fine steamboats, coal barges, etc., are launched annually, bringing considerable revenue to the place. These yards were built by the Phillips's, on their vacation of Phillipsburg (nearly opposite), in 1821. They purchased the tract of land on which Freedom is located from Gen. Lacock on a Monday, laid it out on Tuesday, and before the close of the week had fourteen houses built. In days gone by some fine steamers were turned out from these yards for instance, the "St. Louis," "Meteor," and "General Pratt." The number of inhabitants at the present time will reach about 1,500,

At Homewood, some six miles above Beaver Falls, the Fort Wayne road branches, one branch going northward to New Castle, and there connecting with the Pittsburgh and Erie road, for the city of Erie and the Lake, and at Lawrence Junction, at the mouth of the Mahoning River, connecting with the Youngstown branch for Youngstown, Cleveland, etc., the other westward to Chicago. The place is only noted for this, there being no improvements worthy of mention, excepting a few stores, a saw mill, hotel and post office.