Eldorado Found: the Central Pennsylvania Highlands

by Henry Wharton Shoemaker

In this 1917 guidebook from the pre-automobile era, Henry Shoemaker breaks from his typical literary-folklore subjects to chronicle the natural and social landscapes of central Pennsylvania. The reader is introduced to the wildlife and the geographic features of Clinton, Centre, Mifflin, Union, Lycoming, Cameron, and Snyder Counties through Shoemaker s detailed narration and anecdotal notes. A staunch opponent of automobile tourism, Shoemaker urges his readers to avoid this deadly, soul destroying machine . . . fatal to the lover of scenery or the naturalist. As most roads of the time were not suitable for travel by automobile, this volume gives the modern reader a glimpse into the touring norms of the early twentieth century on foot, by carriage, or on horseback.

In the text, Shoemaker points to supposed locations for numerous legends found in his collected works. Heavily illustrated with scenic turn-of-the-century photographs, Eldorado Found brings central Pennsylvania s history to life."

Hardcover

First published February 1, 1917

About the author

Henry Wharton Shoemaker (February 24, 1880 – July 14, 1958) was a prominent American folklorist, historian, diplomat, writer, publisher, and conservationist.

Shoemaker was born in New York City, but was closely associated with Pennsylvania, where he spent summers in childhood and took up residence later in life. His father, Henry Francis Shoemaker (1845–1918), was a railroad magnate, investment banker, and close confidante of future Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Charles W. Fairbanks. His mother, Blanche Quiggle, was the sole daughter of railroad magnate and diplomat Col. James W. Quiggle of Philadelphia and Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. He attended the E. D. Lyons Classical School and Columbia University. He then served in the military and attained the rank of Colonel. Attracted to foreign service, he worked in European embassies before returning home to enter a brokerage venture with his brother William. His brother died in an elevator accident, and Henry closed the brokerage.

Reviews

[Patricia Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful collection of tales from the mountains of Pennsylvania. It includes lovely descriptions of the mountains, interesting tidbits of history, some names of the first settlers and other trivia.