\\ V'' w \, «' Old Things Put To Good Use At Juniata Juniata Crossings as viewed from the river is the entrance to the gift shop. Picket fence, old posts, and an antique jelly cupboard make up this display. An old hutch used for display adds to the charm of the shop. Lancaster v LINDA WILLIAMS Bedford Co. Correspondent EVERETT (Bedford Co.) Kenny and Paula Clingerman have combined their talents to turn a historic old building into a picturesque gift shop. The Clingermans are the own ers of Juniata Crossings, a build ing oozing with charm and dat ing from the early 1800 s. If the grounds could talk, the Crossings would tell of early settlers in con stant peril from savage foes and victims of the tomahawk. The packhorse trail on the property was first established by Indians and was one of the earliest east west routes traveled by white men. The first building on the prem ises was a small stockade known as the Block House and built as a defense against Indians in the summer of 1758. That same year, the old Military State Road was completed by General Forbes to allow easier movement of troops, wagons and military supplies and was later the principal thorough fare until the Pittsburgh/ Philadelphia turnpike was built. Juniata Crossings as it now stands was built around 1842 by George Householder. It was bought by George McGraw and quickly renamed McGraw’s Tav ern. The property included small fields where traveling cattle, horses, sheep and turkeys could rest for a few days before going on the long trip to eastern mar kets. Around 1882, Juniata Cross ings became the property of Sam uel and Sarah McGraw who called it Sun Hotel. The first bridge, a one-lane chain link type, was severely damaged by the Johnstown Flood in 1889. At that time, it was made into a double-lane cov ered bridge, one of the most unique in Pennsylvania. The sec ond Johnstown flood in 1936 de molished the bridge and it was never rebuilt. According to some people, the property is said to be haunted. A former owner, Huston Neptune, said a man from Breezewood told him he spent a summer night at the Crossings when the tempera ture was more than 100 degrees and he would have frozen to death if he had not used three woolen blankets. Another story states the ghost of a golden horse supposedly trots across the covered bridge searching for its rider who had been killed by bandits. To date, the Clingermans have not encountered any of the ghosts. Kenny, an excavator with car pentry and building skills has put the building into beautiful condi tion. Paula says her whole family has helped with inside renova- The porch creates the setting. These feed bins display colorful items. Dried flowers hang from an antique window frame. Crossings tions including finding old family relics to be reincarnated and used in displays throughout the shop. “We have taken anything any one offered and put it to good use,” Paula laughs. Kenny used old lumber to build a house within a house in the main shop and filled it full of Americana. An antique store counter from Vermont has be come the checkout counter. Old windows from a sun porch form a jewelry cabinet. Old posts and pieces of picket fence all add to the ambience. Feed bins display colorful items on the porch. The back of the building is the entrance. Prior to the new road, the back was once the front. A path leads to the picturesque Ju niata River overlook where the double-lane covered bridge once crossed the river. The Clingermans plan to do a number of things with the old building where the floors still sag and the wooden door stoops are well worn. Occasionally, Paula hosts a tea for special events such as Mother’s Day, Christmas or just to welcome spring.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers