Boalsburg began as a post village in the early nineteenth century, and flourished because of its location along the major stage routes leading to both Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The town is named after Captain David Boal, who settled in the area after emigrating from Ireland in 1789. In 1809, land speculator Andrew Stroup officially laid out the village along two main thorough-fares, Pine and Pitt (now Main) streets. The grid-patterned streets and the main town square, or diamond, are lined with excellently preserved examples of Federal and late-nineteenth-century architecture. The buildings represent a wide range of construction techniques, including log (now covered with clapboard, c. 1815 at 110 W. Main Street), plank, and balloon framing. Several taverns catered to travelers ( CE13), and many residences served as workplaces for artisans. After the eclipse of stage transportation, Boalsburg became an agricultural village, as its Odd Fellows Hall (1895; 101–109 W. Main Street) testifies. At the same time, residents modernized their older buildings with expansive porches and other fashionable features.
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