Black Forest Souvenirs

Black Forest Souvenirs is a compelling work of history and folklore focusing on the northern regions of Pennsylvania. Author Henry W Shoemaker draws a parallel between the German Schwarzwald and the forests of Clinton, Potter, McKean, and Lycoming Counties. This volume 1 collection explores the tension between the romanticized wilderness of the late 19th century and the subsequent desolation caused by the logging industry.

Blending elements of fiction, fairy tales, and legends and mythology, the text preserves the oral traditions of elderly residents. It serves as a study of customs and traditions within the Middle Atlantic region of the United States. By recording these folk tales, Shoemaker documents a pristine landscape through the lens of social science and linguistics. This historical account includes photographs by William T. Clarke to complement the regional narratives.