Local Historia

The Cadillac Building By Dustin Elder The community of Bellefonte, nestled in the Alleghenies for more than 200 years, has been a “city upon a hill” for many of America’s movements, innovations and industries. From its beginnings as a hub in the heart of the famed Juniata Iron region and its involvement in America’s largest…

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was an organization of Union Veterans who served and were honorably discharged from the Civil War (1861-1865).1 Starting in 1866, GAR members would meet at local posts to fellowship with their comrades and to serve their communities through “fraternity, charity, and loyalty.” The GAR also became a powerful…

Fred Waring’s journey from Central Pennsylvania to radio, television, and American culture In the era of snap orchestras, swing, and the Big Band, one personality rose from the industrial heart of Pennsylvania to captivate audiences across the country and “taught America how to sing”: Fred Waring. When he was born in Tyrone in 1900, Fred…

Its origins and golden days under the sun There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear…

Bill Jeffrey and the night American soccer stunned the world This summer, Americans will stop to soak in the most-watched sporting event on the planet: the FIFA World Cup. As hosts of the competition, and in an era that sees the U.S. Men’s National Team boasting more talent than ever before, the likes of Christian…

A local freedom seeker hunted by “Slave Catchers” in 1856 When the Underground Railroad comes to mind, people often think about freedom seekers in secret hideouts, traveling clandestinely in the night. While scenes such as these certainly occurred, many had to come out of hiding, “above ground,” along a journey of step migration to freedom.…

Early in my teaching career, I became obsessed with political drama TV shows. I would binge-watch episodes of “The West Wing” for hours, get lost in “House of Cards,” and thoroughly enjoy the more historical “John Adams” or the lighthearted “Veep.” These shows captured my imagination and offered a highly dramatized glimpse of the machine…

During the early morning hours of Oct. 5, a fire raged through the historic Woodward Inn in Haines Township. The inferno tore through the old stone inn, which dates back to 1814. The two-and-a-half story structure and the broader Woodward community were devastated by the tragedy. However, community efforts are in the works to raise…

Every autumn, as warm sunshine makes way for chilly evenings and changing colors, “spooky season” creeps into our quaint towns and villages. Like clockwork, we forget summer fun to indulge in pumpkin spice, warm soups, crisp Friday nights, and even the occasional haunt. Fortunately for those with an affinity for the macabre, our communities are…

“‘The times have been, That, when the brains were out, the man would die (Macbeth).’ But not so in these times…’” – Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” quoted in the Hanover (Pa) Guardian, March 31, 1819 In the previous month’s column, we covered Part 1 of a fascinating true crime tale that took place in Central Pennsylvania between…