Undertakers in Harrisburg found their morgues full of flu victims in October 1918 with no way to give them proper burials.
During the height of the 1918 influenza outbreak, central Pennsylvania ran out of coffins
Christmastime at War in Harrisburg: 1917
Central Pennsylvania celebrated war-time Christmas in 1917 by welcoming soldiers on leave, big turkey dinners, and plenty of snow.
Letters to Santa Claus Reveal Wishes of Pennsylvania Children from 1904
The Harrisburg Telegraph published hundreds of letters to Santa Claus in its December 1904 issues. They reveal pictures of life in the first decade of the 20th century.
Wartime Thanksgiving in Harrisburg – Central Pennsylvania’s Celebration Amid World War I | 1917
Discover how Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, celebrated Thanksgiving in 1917 amid the challenges of World War I. Explore wartime traditions, soaring food prices, and community spirit during America's first wartime Thanksgiving in over 50 years. Delve into historical accounts capturing this pivotal moment in Central Pennsylvania. Read the full story.
Spanish-American War Veteran Saves A Family’s Thanksgiving
A storekeeper in Harrisburg saved a family's holiday by shooting dead an escaping turkey on a busy city street.
“Pleasant excursion” – A ride on the Lykens Valley Railroad in 1833
Explore a rare 1833 account of riding Pennsylvania's Lykens Valley Railroad, one of the state's earliest railways. Discover how this horse-drawn line connected Bear Gap coal mines to Millersburg, spurring growth in the Coal Region and shaping Pennsylvania's industrial history. Dive into this snapshot of 19th-century railroad innovation. Read the full story.
“What to do in air raids?” – Harrisburg’s early civil defense preparations in 1942
What do you do when the lights go out, the sirens come on, and the bombs begin to fall?
“Hungry Fans Plan Big Welcome” – Baseball Star Jake Daubert Returns in 1919
Baseball fans from Upper Dauphin County gathered in Harrisburg in August 1919 to watch a local hero play for the Cincinnati Reds on City Island.
Honoring Civil War Veterans: Memorial Day 1889
A writer in Lykens, PA describes the town's Memorial Day ceremonies in May 1889.
Blackout drills – Central Pennsylvania prepared itself for enemy air raids in 1942
In May 1942, vast swaths of Central Pennsylvania went dark. Local air raid wardens planned blackout drills to prepare for enemy bombers.