The Hidden Threads of American History in Pennsylvania's Small Towns

Think you know American history? Think again. In this episode, we uncover the forgotten and fascinating stories hidden in Pennsylvania’s small towns—stories that reveal just how deeply local history weaves into the national narrative. Guest Dustin Elder, co-owner of Local Historia, takes us on a captivating journey through central PA, from a daring Revolutionary War expedition to the aftermath of a deadly 1893 circus train wreck, the boom-and-bust legacy of the lumber industry, and the gritty undercurrents of Prohibition. You’ll meet a Revolutionary War general who surveyed the wilds of Centre County, hear how a tiger escaped into the Pennsylvania woods, learn how clear-cutting forests helped shape early conservation efforts, and discover how the temperance movement surged through Bellefonte—culminating in a river that once ran with beer. It’s the kind of history they don’t always teach in textbooks—but should. Tune in and rediscover America, one small town at a time.