The Cumberland County Historical Encyclopedia is an expanding publication on the history of the Cumberland County. Covering a wide range of topics and the entire Cumberland County geographic region, the Encyclopedia seeks to be an initial entry point to those interested in the County's history. Entries seek to provide a list of resources available as well as showcasing some of the Cumberland County Historical Society's own collections.
The experiences of Levi Bowen during the Civil War are examples of perseverance in the face of severe hardship. It is surprising he survived the war after the trauma he endured. Levi’s diary describes his service from April to December 1864. Before he started his diary, he had already served m
George Brandt’s elegant brick mansion house stood just across the Yellow Breeches Creek at a bend in the road to Dillsburg (present day Route 74). Mature trees were set against the backdrop of the mountain to the south and a covered bridge which crossed the creek to the north.
John Braught was born in North Middleton Township in 1867. His father died of a farm accident when he was two years old. He spent his early years working on the family farm consisting of a “brick house and a log barn.” In his late teens or early twenties he started working as an artist.
Son of artist, John D. Braught, Ross was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and graduated from Carlisle High School. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where colleague, Thomas Hart Benton, called Ross “the greatest living American draftsman”.
When it was officially opened ceremoniously for traffic on January 16, 1839, the Susquehanna River bridge, also referred to as the Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge, was intended to connect the Cumberland Valley with the Harrisburg and Lancaster Railroad.
When Jane Buchanan died in Shippensburg in 1888, she was the last survivor of the eight children of Capt.
Even though John Butcher learned to read but couldn’t write and Charlotte Butcher never learned to read or write, all of their children had at least some schooling. Mary Butcher graduated from the colored high school in 1884. She became a seamstress and lived at home with her parents along with two of her sisters-Agnes, a cook; and Hattie, a seamstress.
John J. Butcher, remembered as “one of Carlisle’s most highly respected colored citizens,” was born enslaved five miles from Winchester, Virginia, around 1832. On his death certificate John Butcher’s father’s name was listed as Frank. His mother’s first and maiden names weren’t recorded. Both of his parents were also born in Virginia.
Perhaps it is only a legend that a group of dissidents from Peace Church (now "Historic Peace Church") on Trindle Road set up a camp to hold services at a tiny village then called White Hill. The name was given by Dr. John D.
The Camp Michaux historical site is located in Cooke Township on the slopes of South Mountain about two miles from Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The site is located along Michaux Road, about 1 ¼ miles north of Pine Grove Road (State Route 233) in Michaux State Forest.