By C. Paul Keller

Named after the shingled house which once stood there, Shinglehouse
was a logging town, But much of its revenue also came from farming. It
had a thousand residents by 1860 and sent many of its boys to the Union
army. With the highest casualty list in Potter county, Shinglehouse lost
almost seven percent of its population to the Civil War.

In 1900 two important changes happened to the small burg. The New York
and Pennsylvania Railroad reached town and the Palmer Window Glass
Plant entered as well. Within two years the size of the town had doubled.
Several Hotels and stores were built including a theater. The Olean Street
Railway became the only trolley line to operate in Potter County. At the
window glass plant many "whimsies" or novelty items were made by glass
blowers after hours to take home, several of which, including a beautiful
glass chain swag, can be seen in the Oswayo Valley Historical Society.
The glass plants closed within twenty years, and a silk mill operated for
only a few years.

A tiny, almost cage-like, jail was placed in the basement of the old school
and local boys enjoyed running down to peer through the window to see
what drunks were down there. This jail can be seen next to a model of the
original shingled house on Oswayo Street.

The Potter County Fair in nearby Millport is held at the beginning of
August. With live music, animal judging shows, crowning of the Fair
Queen, rides and crafts, canned goods and art on display. Plus the
Oswayo Valley Historical Society on the fairgrounds. There is something
fun for everyone. While in Shinglehouse be sure to check out the lovely
park with a year-round nature trail. The surrounding countryside will
remind you why we call this area "God's Country."
Our History
Welcome to:
Shinglehouse, PA
                               Fielder Jones

Fielder Allison Jones (August 13, 1871 – March 13, 1934) was an American
center fielder and manager in baseball. Born in Shinglehouse,
Pennsylvania, his playing career began with the Brooklyn
Bridegrooms/Superbas in 1896. In 1901, he joined the Chicago White
Stockings in the new American League, where he would finish his playing
career. Six years after his last game as a White Sox, he joined the St. Louis
Terriers of the newly-formed Federal League, where he served as a player-
manager before the league folded.

Jones managed the "Hitless Wonders" in the 1906 World Series, which
was the White Sox' first World Series win. He had one last stint as a
manager with the St. Louis Browns, but his earlier success with the White
Sox eluded him, as his St. Louis teams never finished above fifth place.

He was head coach for the Oregon State Beavers baseball team in 1910,
going 13-4-1 and winning the Northwest championship.

He died in Portland, Oregon at age 62.
                              Myrtle Meriwether

In 1880 a young  woman from Shingle House by the name of Myrtle
Meriwether  became the first Miss America, then known as Miss United
States. The contest was held in Rehoboth, Del., where she had gone to a
convention of the Business Women's League of which she was the
corresponding secretary. She entered the contest for the fun if it and later
was surprised to find she had won. Thomas Edison was one of the judged
for the beauty contest. Her prizes  were a guilded plaque and a $300
complete bridal trousseau. Myrtle sold her winning costume  the next day
for half of the value to pay her bills, then returned home to Shingle House
to a quiet life.