Submitted photo
Pictured is the cover of ‘Juniata Terrace… A Walk Back in Time,’ by Rick Bodenschatz, which was released Wednesday.

LEWISTOWN — A new book, “Juniata Terrace… A Walk Back in Time,” captures the rich history of the Juniata Terrace community, which will be designated as a National Historic Place on Wednesday, June 19. The book’s release coincides with the ceremony and offers readers a deep dive into the community’s past, present, and enduring spirit.

Author Rick Bodenschatz, who grew up in Juniata Terrace, embarked on this project to preserve the community’s history for future generations.

“There are so many generations anew, so to speak, that did not experience even things in the 40s, 50s, and 60s,” Bodenschatz said. “This book will bring to light a lot of that history and give a lot of knowledge and pride in what’s going on with the National Register.”

The book is a labor of love for Bodenschatz, who has written seven other books. His journey began with researching the monument on the Boulevard, which honors the men from Juniata Terrace who died in World War II and the Korean Conflict. This research led him to delve deeper into the community’s history, culminating in the creation of this comprehensive book.

“Juniata Terrace… A Walk Back in Time” is a 224-page volume filled with over 200 photographs and illustrations. It begins with an introduction to Mifflin County’s history, including the rise of the American Viscose plant and the influx of workers and their families to Lewistown. The book then details the construction of Juniata Terrace as a “Garden City Community” designed to accommodate these workers, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of building a community from scratch.

Bodenschatz’s research uncovered fascinating details about the construction process.

“They had to do what was called the ‘big cut’ to form the Terrace because it was on a hillside,” he explained. “And they had to make this enormous cut, similar to what they had to do to build the canal and cut away the flat area to build Juniata Terrace on that hillside.”

The book also describes the logistical feat of transporting building materials up the hill from the railroad using a specially built side rail.

“There would have been over three thousand doors, three thousand windows, millions of bricks, you know, so it was a Herculean job that was started in June 1923 and by the end of… December 1925, two and a half years, was finished,” Bodenschatz said.

The book goes beyond the physical construction of the community, delving into the lives of the people who lived there. It tells the story of the eleven residents who gave their lives for their country in World War II and the Korean Conflict, and how the community rallied together in times of adversity.

Juniata Terrace faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including floods, fires, and the closure of the American Viscose plant in 1972. Yet, the community persevered. Bodenschatz attributes this resilience to the strong sense of community and pride among the residents.

“Juniata Terrace survived the industry that built it,” he said. “The plant employed over 5,000 people at one time, and when it was shut down, it employed 3,000 people. And it was devastating to the whole county, but the Terrace endured.”

The book also celebrates the community’s ability to rebuild and thrive. In 2014, a massive fire destroyed or damaged 25 homes on the 300 block. The insurance companies were amazed at how quickly the homes were rebuilt, a testament to the community’s spirit. They were immediately rebuilt and better than they were before.

Bodenschatz hopes readers will come away from the book with a deeper understanding of the community’s history and resilience.

“Everyone in Mifflin County should be proud of that fact,” he said. “Obviously, past residents and current residents should be very proud of it. And I think that anyone in the county should be. The big takeaway to this is not just the book, but the appointment to the National Register of Historic Places gives credibility to the community and also allows it to position itself to get grant awards for its infrastructure.”

The book is not only a historical record but also a celebration of a community’s enduring spirit. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, a community can thrive when a shared sense of pride and purpose unites its members.

“Juniata Terrace… A Walk Back in Time” is available for purchase at the Juniata Terrace Community Building, Wilson’s Meat Market, and the Mifflin County Historical Society Library & Research Center. The book is priced at $29.