Beginning in 1828, coal and iron were mined there.

Here Ralston is shown situated in the center of iron and coal fields
in an early map of the Williamsport & Elmira Railroad.

Ralston was named for Matthew C. Ralston, of Philadelphia,
who was the original president of the railroad
that was built from Williamsport to Ralston between 1834 and 1837.

(By the time Ralston was reached, requiring fourteen bridges over the serpentine Lycoming, the money was exhausted and building ceased for nearly twenty years).

The project was, in the 1850's, continued through to Elmira, New York,
and it came to be known as the Williamsport & Elmira Railroad.

The Ralston train station c. 1900.

In 1876, Ralston consisted of about twelve or fifteen houses,
one store, two hotels, and a post-office.

In 1892, it was written that, "Ralston never fulfilled the rosy expectations
of its founders. When the railroad was completed through to Elmira,
and the McIntyre Coal Company ceased operations, it came to a standstill almost,
and its growth for several years past has been slow.
Its leading industry now is the great tannery of J. E. Proctor,
which gives employment to about 250 men…
At present Ralston has about 106 families, with a population of 500…
J. W. Kilbourn runs a general store".

A bird's eye view of Ralston, c. 1920.

A view of the village of Ralston, looking west, c. 1920.

By 1907 all the timber had been taken from the mountains.
Mining had revived somewhat but, in 1906 and 1907,
there were strikes in the mines for higher wages.
By the time they were settled, the coal company had lost
its best customer, the railroad, thus making it difficult
to operate at a profit, so mining was finally discontinued.

The tannery was the remaining employer, as was the railroad passing through.

The tannery burned c. 1926.

The railroad ceased to run c. 1954.

Ralston would grow no more.
 

Next Page