On top of a mountain in Northwestern Pa. , sits a little Swedish community of Mt. Jewett. Pop. well don't blink because it slowly is dwindling down sad to say.
Settled about 200 or so years ago, by Swedes immigrated from Sweden, so its told because it reminded them of their home country, it thrived in the early 1900's. Churches, factories, schools, stores etc. It was a busy little place. Just outside the boro, was a railroad bridge. At the time, the longest and highest bridge of its kind in the country! It was called "THE KINZUA BRIDGE!" Kinzua being what the Indians(Seneca's) called this part of the country. A few years ago, a tornado came through and sadly, part of the main structure came down. Here is what it looks like today.
GIANT COLUMNS TOPPLED OVER LIKE KIDS DOMINO'S!
The structure was fantastic-as you could walk across-not me-as it was 300 feet high!
Up until a few years before- a steam locomotive would take you across.
Today- it is preserved as it collapsed- as a reminder of what it was and how grand it looked!
This is a picture of Sherry and her mother and the grand kids and their cousins.
Behind them you can see the entrance to the remaining section that you can walk out on and look down through the floor to the Kinzua valley below.
THE BRIDGE AFTER IT CAME DOWN-SO SAD!
TOPPLED OVER LIKE CHILDREN'S TINKER TOYS!
How it use to look when you could walk across it-way above the valley floor!
NOW IT STANDS FORLORN IN SILENCE OF THE KINZUA VALLEY!
Today you can stand on the glass and look 300 ft.down!
A railing around the outside keeps you safe!
Now a state park-bring the family-eat out!This is a tribute to a landmark of many years-KINZUA BRIDGE-where Sherry grew up!
Located just a few miles from her old homestead-many a adventure she had there with her family!
Many memories she has shared-her father esp. was fond and often drove his snow mobile across it!
So it is here that I give you the final picture in all her glory.
THE KINZUA BRIDGE-MOUNT JEWETT PA.
Now here is a map of Mt. Jewett Pa. where Sherry grew up! A little Swedish community!
HER MOTHER STILL LIVES ON ANDERSON ST. RIGHT BY THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-SAINT MATHEWS!Where the Swedes built their first church-MT. NEBO-EIGHT SIDED CHURCH-HER FAMILY IS BURIED HERE-WE OWN OUR OWN LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN HERE!
When we come home-it shall be here-actually the only place in Mt. Jewett with cell phone reception which will only be fitting for my wife-SHERRY!
Below is the heritage of the Swedes of this area-a complete mural on the side of a building on main street depicting life and settlement of this area so long ago. Every August- the Swedish festival is celebrated with carnival-parade-food-drink-contests-church dinner-and coffee at Cafe Sol.
A exciting time of the year and the little town comes back to life for 3 or 4 days-and I must not forget the dance at the fire hall and their game of chance in the open truck bay. I tried to find more pictures but I ran out of time. But it is beautiful-and you should mark your calenders and journey to this little place of peace and comfort-and excitement come August!
SWEDES-OR PART SWEDISH-ALL OF THEM! GOD BLESS THE SWEDES!
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