Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania

The history of Huntingdon County, PA, is recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this NEW 39-Page Illustrated Book, reprinted primarily from three hard-to-find vintage books. The spiral-bound booklet has the print size adjusted to fit 8 1/2 x 11 paper. A vinyl sheet protects the front cover . Source books include: An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1876) by William Egle, M.D.; Pennsylvania, a Guide to the Keystone State compiled by WPA writers; and My Pennsylvania, a 1946 project of the Bureau of  Publications, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Some Information may be repeated in various excerpts, but often with a different slant or with additional details.)

The communities mentioned include: Alexandria, Barnet, Birmingham, Broad Top City, Cassville, Coalmont, Coffee Run, Dudley, Eagle Foundry, Ennisville, Fairfield, Franklinville, Gaysport, Grafton, Graysville, Hollidaysburg, Huntingdon (Standing Stone), McAlevy's Fort, McConnellstown, Manor Hill, Mapleton, Marklesburg, Mill Creek, Mount Union, Newburg, Newry, Nossville, Orbisonia, Petersburg, Robertsdale, Saltillo, Saulsburg, Shade Gap, Shaffersville, Shirleysburg, Spruce Creek, Three Springs, Warrior's Mark, and Water Street.

The Egle history covers the early development of this area, while excerpts from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from a 1940 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities.

Among the many and diverse subjects in the booklet are: Early Settlers (with lots of names), Mountainous Terrain; Mineral Deposits; List of 1837 Iron Works; Juaniata Iron; PA Canal; Portage RR, Pennsylvania RR;  How changing transportation effected economy; Burnt Cabins area at Aughwick; Fort Shirley; Indian Troubles on the Frontiers; Attempts at Mining Lead for Revolutionary War; Natural Formations; the Sinking Valley; Payment in "Long Dollars and "Orders"; Selina, Countess of Huntingdon; Story of the Standing Stone; a tale of Careless Tories; the Standing Stone Guards and county officers in the Civil War; Juniata College, founded by the Dunkers; the Lincoln Caverns, the Pennsylvania Industrial School; a Multiple Murder near Shirleysburg in 1840; Futile Search for Buried  Silver; and other interesting bits of history and trivia.

The recently added excerpt from the third book includes a 1940s map of the county, several photos and a concise update of the county's progress as it looked shortly after World War II.

ILLUSTRATIONS include Huntingdon, from the Hill below the Town, Hollidaysburg, Distant View of Huntingdon, Seal of the Burough of Huntingdon, Jack's Narrows on the Pennsylvania Railroad (full page), Spruce Creek Tunnel on the Pennsylvania Railroad (full page).

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?