Author of Glen White Book Prepares to Release New Book

Kevin Stiver, who authored “Glen White, PA: The Town that was Forgotten in the Alleghenies”, is preparing to release a new book called “Overcoming the Alleghenies”, on September 19.

Stiver was only 14 when he wrote his first book and is now 16.

The book is inspired by a book written by historian Fred Long in 1966, on the history of travel over the Allegheny Mountains, highlighting the Kittanning Trail, The Allegheny Portage Railroad, and The Pennsylvania Railroad.

“I want to honor his legacy, and return the book to the shelves because he was a well-known historian of his time,” Stiver said.

Long was responsible for the reconstruction of Fort Roberdeau, kickstarting the Railroaders Memorial Museum, was in charge of the exhibits, and was the first to introduce the idea of a museum at the Horseshoe Curve.

Stiver said Long’s son Craig Long, was happy that future generations would be able to know about what his father wrote.

“Overcoming the Alleghenies” expands on the information in the Long book which was only 22 pages and measured nine by six inches.

“Mine is still nine by six, but it has 140 pages,” Stiver said.

The Kittanning Trail was the first means of traveling west for the American Indian tribes in the area.

“I discuss the root of the trail and notable landmarks,” he said. “I went into more detail about the Indians who used the trail.”

The book talks about notable Indians in the area such as Chief Logan, notable colonists responsible for organizing trades, and towns that started to sprout up at the time.

Frankstown, the former site of Assunepachlaa Lenape Indian village, was a growing trading post maintained by Frank Stevens since 1723.

Stiver said the first means of travel for the colonists was the Huntingdon-Cambria and Indiana Turnpike system which loosely follows Route 22.

“The original route mostly is followed on Route 22 and changes to Old Route 22 up to Cresson,” he said.

Because the turnpike was not fast enough, Stiver said, they had to create something that would connect the state from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.

That is how the canal system was created.

“The canal system could have missed Hollidaysburg if it wasn’t for the campaign of Huntingdon County residents because it was Huntingdon County before it was Blair,” he said.

Because of their campaign, the canal basin was moved to Hollidaysburg, which created thousands of jobs to construct the system.

Then that is where the Allegheny Portage Railroad comes in which operated from 1943 to 1945.

It was a series of 10 incline planes that went over the Allegheny Front to transport the canal boats from Hollidaysburg to Johnstown.

“I talk about the route of the planes and what it meant for the area and the state,” Stiver said.

In 1845, the Pennsylvania Railroad was gaining traction and by 1849, they built the shops in Altoona.

“The canal system and the Allegheny Portage Railroad were on their way out,” he said. “There was an effort to save the route — in 1854, the Horseshoe Curve opened and like that, they were done because it was so much more efficient.”

The New Portage Railroad was opened in 1855 and saw the construction of the Mulshoe Curve over Old Route 22.

Stiver said the Main Line of Public Works was sold to the PRR, which used the system for a few months before closing it and reopening it in 1901.

The system was used until 1981 when the rails were taken out.

Stiver’s book also talks about how the Horseshoe Curve revolutionized travel in the area.

“People came from far and wide to see it, and still do — nothing like that had ever been seen before,” he said. “

The book covers the history of the Horseshoe Curve that is often not talked about such as a canal boat being on display in the 1880’s, what people saw on the way to it in the 1900s, and how that has changed over time.

Stiver’s book then asks questions about what is next and where innovation will go next.

“Since 1966, there have been many advancements in travel,” he said. “ We changed rail companies three times since then.”

Stiver questions when is the next time another rail will be removed from the Horseshoe Curve or when is the next time a new route of road will be constructed over the Allegheny Mountains?

“I-99 has changed travel for the area but doesn’t go over the Allegheny Mountains.”

With the advancements in air travel, he thinks maybe over time, there will be fewer people traveling by train.

“The number of trains is lessening but the length of trains is growing,” Stiver said. “There will be a time when the last train will go around the Horseshoe Curve. I am only 16, so when you are thinking about it, 50 years from now, I might be adding another section to this book about a whole new thing.”

The book will be released at the Blair County Genealogical Society, where he will also give a presentation on September 19 at 7 p.m. Those who attend the event can purchase a book and have it signed.

After that it will be available at the Genealogical Society’s bookstore, Baker Mansion gift shop, Railroaders Memorial Museum and Horseshoe Curve, Allegheny Portage Railroad, and eventually Barnes and Noble.