In the early 1900s, a thriving lumber industry transformed Galeton into the biggest city in Potter County. More than 30 trains stopped there each day, carrying people and goods across America, while shops, hotels, restaurants, and theaters crowded Main Street and hummed with activity. By 1915, few merchantable trees remained, and Galeton's lumber boomtown days ended. The town turned to other industries to maintain its vitality, including manufacturing and tourism. Today, the forest remains a cornerstone of Galeton life for residents and visitors alike, and landmarks such as the tannery general store, built in the 1880s by the Gale family, remain part of the community.