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![]() The first settlers arrived from Pontiac, Michigan, through ![]() South street formed the south line, thirteenth the north line, ![]() Bowen Avenue - named after Adna H. Bowen, a first settler, ![]() ![]() Adams Avenue - named after the second President John ![]() Juniata Avenue - named after the community and a ![]() Blue River Avenue - named after the river which runs ![]() Platte Avenue - named after the river which runs through ![]() Republican Avenue - named after the river which runs ![]() In the days before cars, distances were great, transportation slow, and the farmers needed communities near-by to transact business, buy supplies, do their banking and be a part of a social center. It took about 2 hours to travel 5 miles, do your business, and travel home. The businesses grew because people would spend the day to buy their groceries for the next 6 months to a year. Because the town needed businesses, settlement in Juniata was rapid. The first election was held in December, 1871. 29 eligible voters cast 28 votes for Juniata as a county seat. So Juniata became the FIRSTcounty seat. The very next day, it was ordered that a county courthouse be built.Samuel Stuhl received $30.00 to build the building. It was 20 feet long, 16 feet wide and 8 feet to the ceiling made of pine. It was finished in 10 days. The materials were paid for by the county. The unpaid balance drew 10 per cent interest until it was paid. The courthouse was built on Juniata Avenue and Tenth Street. There is a stone marker located at the site. It says that the building stood here from 1871 to 1878. Learn more about: Thanks to the Adams County Historical Society for letting us borrow these excellent pictures of Juniata's beginning. If you would like to learn more about Adams County, visit their web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~neadams |