The history of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, is recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this 42-Page Book, reprinted primarily from four hard-to-find vintage books. The spiral-bound booklet has the print size adjusted to fit 8 1/2 x 11 paper. A clear vinyl sheet protects the front cover.

 Source books include: Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania (1843) by Sherman Day; 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: Johnstown, Ebensburg, Loretto, Munster, Beulah (Beula), Cresson, Cresson Springs, Carrolltown, Conemaugh, East Conemaugh, Millville, Franklin, Summitville, The Summit, Woodvale, Coopersdale, Prospect, Chest Springs, Adamsburg, Belseno, Revloc, Barnesboro, Spangler, Dividing Ridge, Windber, Ferndale, St. Lawrence, St. Bonifacius, St. Augustine, Gallitzin, Fairview, Munster, Plattville, Hemlock, Portage, Lloydsville and Nanty-Glo.

The Day and Egle histories cover 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. There is occasionally some duplication of material, but often with a different slant or additional details.

Among the many and diverse subjects in the booklet are: Early settlers and their hardships: hard weather, wild animals and savage Indians; a "concert" during court; Rev. Demetrius Gallitzin, a princely cleric; a most atrocious murder; Floods in Johnstown (site of Indian town of Kickenapawling); Allegheny Portage Railroad, designed by Sylvester Welch; Journey of "The Hit or Miss"; Coal Mining; The Cambria Iron Works and Bessemer Steel; John Hart and the Kittanning Path; Resorts for summer visitors; "Unknown Plot" in Grandview Cemetery; two famous sons: Charles M. Schwab and Robert E. Peary; the Ghost town of Beulah; the "shook" business and other interesting bits of history and trivia.

 The recently added fourth 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 the Village of Ebensburg; Johnstown and the Cambria Iron Works; Cresson, on the Allegheny Mountains; View on the Old Portage Road; Catholic Church at Carrolltown; and St. Aloysius College.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?