It would be inaccurate to say that Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has been an economic failure. For two and a half centuries It has enjoyed relative prosperity, providing livelihoods for most if not all of its residents, and very comfortable livings to many. On the other hand, the community never achieved the economic superstatus among American cities that its entrepreneurs aspired to at various stages in its development.
In 1808 Thomas Sully, artist to the rich and famous, painted the portrait of Henry Connelly. (Fig. 1) Connelly, looking contented, prosperous, and very Byronesque, was 39 years old at the time. He had reason to look both prosperous and contented for he was one of the leading cabinetmakers of Philadelphia.
Reproduced below are a number of the photographs which were displayed at the Cumberland County Historical Society as an exhibit "Hey Ollie, Let's Go Railroading." Over 250 photographs were put on display as a tribute to all the railroaders, both here and gone, who worked in the Cumberland Valley.
CELEBRATING THE FOURTH, 1796 Carlisle, July 6 Monday last being the Anniversary of American Liberty and Independence, was celebrated with the usual Festivity, by the Inhabitants of the Borough--The Volunteer corp of Light Infantry in military order proceeded to Mr. Holmes' Spring, where they together with a number of Citizens dined in great harmony.
For nearly half a century until his death on January 2 at the age of 85 Milton Embick Flower was the best informed, most authoritative, and most widely known historian of Carlisle and Cumberland County. He was the author of books, monographs, and catalogues that recorded and interpreted the past of this area, and, in the words of one of his successors as president of the Cumberland County Historical Society...
Peiper Cave, Carnegie Cave, and Cleversburg Sink near Shippensburg have been popular caves for about 60 years. These are among the longest caves in the State. Stone (1932) and Smeltzer (1958) provide the most complete descriptions of these caves. This article presents additional history and geology about these Cumberland County caves formed over the past three million years.
The following is a reminiscence of the World War I military experiences of my grandfather, Ralph Ray Watts. His memory of those experiences was recorded by my grandmother, Laura Mae Wakefield Watts. I suspect some of the "editorial" comments were added by my grandmother. Her handwritten summary was later transcribed by a cousin, Cindy Pricker.
The first known occupancy of the Central Pennsylvania area was by the Susquehannock Indians and predated the arrival of the white man from Europe. Some evidence has been found on the West Shore area to confirm their presence, but not enough to confirm specific locations or activities other than burials.
Index to the History of The First United Presbyterian Church, Newville. Compiled by volunteer, Mrs. Edith Bushman and typed by volunteer, Miss Caroline Marthaler. June, 1989.
In 1964, the Mechanicsburg Area School District was created by merging three existing school districts: the Mechanicsburg School District, the Upper Allen School District and the Shiremanstown School District. The school district is fortunate to have in its archives a collection of documents from the former Shiremanstown School District.