The German 77: Bellefonte's Lost WWI Memorial

The German 77 at the Bellefonte Courthouse and W. Harrison Walker
Photo Retrieved From: Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive

    After four horrific years, the "War to End All Wars"  ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918. The Great War, as it came to be known, introduced the world to a level of death and destruction previously unknown. Approximately 16 million lives had been lost during the conflict, almost 2% of the world's population at that time. The United States, who had only joined the war in 1917, saw 205,690 service members returning home with wounds of various degrees. Another 116,708 never came home.

    The following year, Armistice Day was established by President Woodrow Wilson as a day to celebrate the peace that followed the end of the war and honor those who had served. As part of this remembrance, monuments and statues were erected in towns and cities across the country. Some of these dedications were comprised of military equipment captured from the enemy on the battlefields of Europe. 

Halloween Series: The Man in Black (Austin, Potter County)

The ruins of the infamous dam that caused the Austin Flood

The town of Austin in wonderfully rugged Potter County is known for dam that almost wiped it off the map over a century ago. The Austin Dam Disaster still stands as the second worst dam failure in Pennsylvania's history and the sixth deadliest dam disaster in the United States. Even before the dam completely failed, it exhibited several warnings that disaster was unavoidable. Sadly, all of these warnings went unheeded by the town and the paper company responsible for its construction. However, it appears that while the dam was sending signals of impending disaster, a gentleman in black appeared out of nowhere to offer a warning from beyond the grave...

Halloween Series: Cry Me a Squonk- A Pennsylvania Cryptid

 

North-central Pennsylvania is a haven for all sorts of wildlife, from the majestic bull elk bugling from the hollows to the shy songbirds that call from the tree tops. Few places can top such diversity and natural beauty. However, there is one species that few people, save the most seasoned sportsmen, have probably seen. More elusive than an old whitetail buck or cagey fisher, this animal has never been successfully captured  and probably never will....

Castanea Brick & Tile Co. (Clinton County)

This small locomotive, often called a dinkey,
is hauling clay from the mines to the Castanea brick works

    Castanea is the Latin name for chestnut. The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once a hearty tree that thrived across Central Pennsylvania, especially on the steep rocky ridges of Bald Eagle Mountain. In 1871, the village of Castenea was established across Bald Eagle Creek from the city of Lock Haven. The story of Castanea, like many small communities throughout the region, mirrors that of the ill-fated chestnut tree, as in both cases there are few reminders of what once was.     

Central PA's Forgotten State Forests

Since November is Native American Heritage Month, I thought it would be interesting to explore the Native American influences within out state forests. For anyone that has spent time wandering these forests, their natural beauty and recreational opportunities make them a true gem. The state forest system in Pennsylvania is comprised of 20 forests that cover 2.2 million acres and span 50 of the state's 67 counties. 

Lost To The Depths: The Story of the Frank H. Goodyear

 

The Frank H. Goodyear

        Sinnemahoning is a name synonymous with northern Pennsylvania Its origin lies with the Lenni-Lenape or Delaware who once inhabited the region. Their word "Achsinnimahoni" meaning  "at the stony lick", transformed into Sinnemahoning with the arrival of hunters and fur trapper after the American Revolution. You would think that such a unique word could be found no where else. Yet, the name Sinnemahoning can be found hundreds of miles away and 160 feet below the surface of Lake Huron. Why it can found there can be tied to one man and the empire he built in the rugged Pennsylvania wilderness.

The Watchman Printing House (Centre County)

 

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! Bellefonte was once the home of several news periodicals. Some of the names that once graced the headlines included, American Patriot, Daily News, True Democrat, Centre Farmer, Bellefonte National, Centre Democrat, and the Centre Magnet. What were once frontline newspapers are now relegated to the archives. Analyzing these periodicals and their content gives us a cross-section of what society was like at the time. Today's scoop focuses on one such paper and its editor who became a target of the United States government.