POLK

From "The Historical Album and Daily Program, Venango County Sesquicentennial, 1805 - 1955"

The flatlands along Big Sandy Creek are believed to have been the home of the Allegewe Indians, followed by the Senecas and Delawares, prior to the settlement of the area by the white man.

Samuel Gibson, in 1798, was the first white settler to obtain land and begin farming in the area of Big Sandy Creek.

Aaron McKissick, a Maine shipbuilder, purchased land, had it surveyed and plotted under the name of Waterloo in 1839.

James Gilliland who came from Westmoreland County in 1802 taught the first school in French Creek Township. Later as an old man he furnished the land upon which the Presbyterian Church was erected and did much of the building himself. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1854; the Methodist, in 1874.

It was recorded in 1879 that Waterloo had two churches, one large gristmill, two stores, two blacksmith shops, two hotels, one school and two physicians.

Waterloo Inn, a building used by the Polk State School (presently known as Polk Center), dates back to 1840 when it served as a hostelry and stage coach stop.

The Patrons of Husbandry established Grange No. 444 at Waterloo in 1875. The Grange carried on a cooperative store for its one hundred members.

On August 23, 1886, the community became a borough, using the name of Polk in honor of President James K. Polk.

Transcribed by Penny Haylett Minnick
minnick862@verizon.net

Disclaimer:there may be errors due to transcription of information from both early and late (current contributors) work.