Roulette, PA
History
Roulette history has been well written and documented, through the books of: Beers 1890 history, Victor Beebe's history of Potter County and Robert Lyman Sr's. many volumes of Roulette and local histories. I see the Roulette history as divided into 5 eras, first the settler's era, second the cutting of the virgin timber era, third the industrial era, fourth the second growth hardwood and farming era and last the present technological era. 

The 5 eras overlapped each in time frames and one era, begat the next era. After the big timber was removed, the area was left with few natural resources. The 1942 flood destroyed most of what remained of the local railroad infrastructure. At the end of World War 2, the nation's manufacturing growth passed us by. The Commonwealth and the large timber companies acquired nearly 50% of Potter County lands. There was some local manufacturing but not enough to provide most of our family, friends, neighbors and classmates with gainful employment, so most of them had to leave Roulette to find jobs. Hopefully the computer age will give Roulette natives a window to the world of employment facilities, enabling them to remain living here in the mountains.

 A Poem by Prudence Lyman Boyington of Roulette. 

If struggling right hath found one cheering word, 
If hope hath in desponding heart been stirred, 
If sorrow hath from one lone soul been driven, 
By a single verse of the past here given, 
Then in my soul a living joy shall dwell, 
Brighter than art can paint or language tell, 
Now close these leaves, each page hath done its part. 

Each thought hath left its impress on the heart, 
O, may it be that naught hath here been traced, 
That after years may wish to have effaced, 
O, may it be my own home town hath won, 
Some slight bestowment by the task now done. 

From the book, Poets Of Potter County....

by Robert B. Merten

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