South Central Pennsylvania Legends & Lore by David Puglia – Folklore & Local History

From haunted highways to hidden hermits, South Central Pennsylvania is home to a rich tapestry of legends, ghost stories, and folk traditions. In this spine-tingling and thought-provoking collection, folklorist David Puglia explores the curious, the creepy, and the culturally significant tales that have been passed down across generations.

Delve into stories like:

• The headless ghost of Schuylkill County

• The Hummelstown Hermit, still said to linger in the depths of Indian Echo Caverns

• Powwow healers of York County, practitioners of Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic

• The near-tragic tale of Milton Hershey’s narrow miss with the Titanic

• The mysterious “Wizard of Cumberland County” and other modern legends

More than just ghost stories, this book is a journey through the folkways, superstitions, and cultural crossroads of a uniquely American region. Puglia expertly blends storytelling with cultural insight to paint a fuller picture of South Central Pennsylvania’s complex past—from clashes between early German and English settlers to tales still whispered today.

About the Author: David Puglia teaches in the American Studies program at Penn State Harrisburg and serves as Assistant Archivist at the Center for Pennsylvania Culture Studies, specializing in Pennsylvania folklore and ethnography.

Details:

• Publisher: The History Press (Arcadia Publishing)
• Pages: 160
• Format: Paperback

• Publication Date: October 9, 2012

✨ A must-read for fans of ghost stories, local legends, and hidden histories—perfect for history lovers, folklorists, and curious travelers alike.