Legend of Seven Mountains of central PA
By Andy Hagerty
One of the things that all people in the Lewistown area are almost always aware of is the Seven Mountains pass between Milroy and Potter’s mills. This is the place where route 322 crosses over and heads into Penn State area and is often closed due to the hazards of such a steep roadway with an almost right turn at the upper end and again towards the bottom. My first time over coming home from Bellefonte in the dark reminded me of a roller coaster specifically that part where you crest the first high point then sort of hold on for dear life on the downward and fun portion of the ride.
Being new to the area, I was wondering which of the many mountains were the seven selected for the honor of inclusion into the title of “Seven Mountains”. Many people had no idea. Some could name a few of the likely peaks, but no one ever could give me seven names at the same time. Now, although this is not a paranormal situation, a mystery is a mystery.
Being new to the area, I was wondering which of the many mountains were the seven selected for the honor of inclusion into the title of “Seven Mountains”. Many people had no idea. Some could name a few of the likely peaks, but no one ever could give me seven names at the same time. Now, although this is not a paranormal situation, a mystery is a mystery.
After a lot of research, conversations and digging into the past, I have determined that no one really knows why it is called Seven Mountains. There are several possible theories, but no real proof. I do know that shortly after I finish this story and hit the send button, I will come across some the elusive piece of evidence that will give me a definitive answer, but until then, I will go over the most likely stories I have come across.
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One theory stated that the road from Milroy to Potter’s Mills was originally called Seven Mile Mountain road. This was corrupted and shortened Seven Mountain road over time. The distance between to two locations would have been about seven miles give or take. This is a plausible possibility.
Another frequent story is the area was known as Several Mountains, which was again corrupted over time.
There is a story that the local Indian tribes had a myth about seven brothers. However the main source of this legend is Henry Shoemaker, who was more story teller than historian. His acquaintance with factual events was more or less fleeting.
Another possibility is linked to the German settlers who came into the valley from their old home in the Rhineland. They had stories of the Seven Hills area, where giants helped the locals with a flooding situation, saving many lives and much property.
The The House of the Black Ring, Fred Lewis Pattee, 1905 in the opening paragraph has a good as many explanation:
" When the great Architect had finished building the earth, he dumped the chips and debris into the centre of Pennsylvania, and men called the heap the Seven Mountains.
They are not mountains at all, but long ridges like giant furrows plowed deep into the very sandstone and left ragged and chaotic. Straight they go for leagues, making a right line of the horizon, the second and third ridges following as if drawn with a pantograph. Here and t here is a wild slash across the furrow, a rip into the very foundations of the range, and through the rock-snarl at the bottom worms a scared little stream. It is a gap – so they call it- and if one can wriggle through the jagged litter and the Rhododendron, spiked like a wire tangle, it will lead him into the next valley, which is often a narrow gut full of torn sandstone and matted scrub, where only the rattlesnake may freely go. Often there is a bend in the furrows, a mad swirl as if the primal dough has been stirred with a giant mixer. Then the furrows run straight again."
" When the great Architect had finished building the earth, he dumped the chips and debris into the centre of Pennsylvania, and men called the heap the Seven Mountains.
They are not mountains at all, but long ridges like giant furrows plowed deep into the very sandstone and left ragged and chaotic. Straight they go for leagues, making a right line of the horizon, the second and third ridges following as if drawn with a pantograph. Here and t here is a wild slash across the furrow, a rip into the very foundations of the range, and through the rock-snarl at the bottom worms a scared little stream. It is a gap – so they call it- and if one can wriggle through the jagged litter and the Rhododendron, spiked like a wire tangle, it will lead him into the next valley, which is often a narrow gut full of torn sandstone and matted scrub, where only the rattlesnake may freely go. Often there is a bend in the furrows, a mad swirl as if the primal dough has been stirred with a giant mixer. Then the furrows run straight again."
However the title was given, the area is now known as Seven Mountains, with a winery, Boy scout camps and other area businesses proudly using the name. We at Nightwatch Paranormal invite anyone who may have another story or theory about this amazing area to let us know. Although this was not too paranormal related we hope it was at least of interest….. and is a good lead in to the Ingleby monster. Que dramatic Music…..