Juniata Memories: Legends Collected in Central Pennsylvania

by Henry Wharton Shoemaker

Published in 1916, Juniata Memories was Henry W. Shoemaker's eighth volume of Pennsylvania folklore. Written in the author's typical literary style, this volume includes twenty-six legends set in Central Pennsylvania and the Juniata Valley. These stories, "secured from old people, hermits, farmers, lumbermen, teamsters, hostlers, hunters, trappers, old soldiers, and their ladies," prominently feature the Stone, Kishacoquillas, and Penn's Valleys and the many towns that lie within and around them, such as Huntingdon, Lewistown, and Selinsgrove. The stories share a common theme with those in many of Shoemaker's other volumes, portraying Pennsylvania's pioneers as having a decidedly spiritual connection with nature.

Juniata Memories includes some of Shoemaker's best-known legends, such as "Nita-Nee: A Tradition of a Juniata Maiden" (the story of Mount Nittany's formation in Centre County) and "The Standing Stone: A Legend of the Ancient Oneidas" (set in Huntingdon County). These popular tales stand alongside Shoemaker's telling of famous area love stories, ghost lore, supposed Indian legends, hunting lore, and even a story of buried treasure along the Susquehanna River. The volume is illustrated with scenic turn-of-the-century photographs taken by the Pennsylvania Railroad's official photographer.

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1916

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.