Lititz Foundation To Host Uncharted Lancaster
According to Adam Zurn, his website, Uncharted Lancaster, is known for two things. "One side is history, where I highlight fascinating local history people might not be familiar with," he said. "The other side is an adventure side." Zurn's adventures may end with plastic gold coins or fake gems, but he knows it is the excitement of deciphering clues to be the first to unlock the riddles that really thrills adventurers.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1:30 p.m., Zurn will present "Ghost Stories and Tales of Adventure With Uncharted Lancaster" via Zoom as the guest of the Lititz Historical Foundation. Zurn plans to share local legends and horrific tales associated with the River Hills area of Lancaster County, which is now partially owned by the Lancaster Conservancy and is home to Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve.
Zurn, who lives in the southern part of the county, will share his knowledge of the River Hills area near the Susquehanna River. "We have gorges and ravines and hills to climb," he said, noting that Shenks Ferry in Conestoga Township was once a thriving village. "Today it is nothing but forest," Zurn stated, adding that the area is now owned by the Lancaster Conservancy. "It was a vibrant community." Zurn said that from the mid-1800s until the 1940s, Shenks Ferry included a school, a church, a post office, and lots of houses. "There was a ferry crossing (at the Susquehanna River) there," shared Zurn. "Later they dredged coal from the Susquehanna River." According to Zurn, the operation removed coal dust that had washed down from the coal regions after decades of coal mining from the river. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes changed the riverbed, making the dredging operation obsolete.
The presentation was originally scheduled on March 14, but COVID-19 restrictions resulted in postponing the event more than once. "Finally, Cory (Van Brookhoven, president of the Lititz Historical Foundation), decided to do it via Zoom," Zurn said. "Since it is (being held) pretty close to Halloween, I will include some ghost stories and spooky legends."
One such event that occurred in River Hills was an enormous explosion that shattered windows more than a mile away. "On June 9, 1906, at 12:42 p.m., a dynamite factory (C. R. McAfee Powder & Oil Co.) exploded at Shenks Ferry," said Zurn. The blast, which involved about 2,500 pounds of dynamite, blew up a building known as the punch house, which is where the dynamite was placed in paper tubes to be packed in 50-pound wooden cases. "Eleven men were killed," said Zurn. According to reports, the explosion was heard as far north as Manheim Township.
Zurn noted that families are often inspired to go exploring based on his presentation. "I get messages from people who say, 'My kid doesn't like walking to the mailbox ... but he walked 4 miles today and never complained, and it was all because we were searching for treasure.'"
The presentation is free; however, the Zoom link is limited to 100 participants, so registration on a first-come, first-served basis is necessary. Readers who wish to register may search for "Ghost Stories and Tales of Adventure With Uncharted Lancaster" at http://www.eventbrite.com. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m., but the Zoom session with pre-show entertainment will start at 1 p.m.
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