Early Settlements in Clermont Area

There were two communal communities in the present Clermont area before 1900.  Neither was located in Clermont but rather on the outskirts. Heinrich Ginal, a German land entrepreneur from Philadelphia , began the communal experience in March of 1843.  It was called Teutonia and was located South of present day Clermont on the hill west of the present day water well. In the 1930’s and 1940’s land impressions were easily observed and seemed to indicate that there were houses located there.  Since that time tree and brush growths have obscured these objects. The lifestyle of Teutonia was socialistic and was known as a “Society of Industry.” The society flourished for about three years.

     Ginalsburg was located about two miles west of present day Clermont.  In fact a very good spring of water that was used in those days is still visible.  Ginalsburg was also part of the “Society of Industry.”  It is believed that Heinrich Ginal did not live in Teutonia but did reside in Ginalsburg.  There were rumors years ago that he ran off with a girl named Catherine who disappeared around that time.  Supposedly she wandered into a swamp area and was never found and to this day the area has been called Catherine swamp. When Tuetonia and Ginalsburg dissolved some of the residents stayed in the Clermont area while others relocated to other areas of Mc Kean County and Pennsylvania .