Well, we have survived this election cycle! Our mailboxes are no longer stuffed with political advertisements, my incoming texts have dropped by 90 percent, and the television commercials have returned to the usual fare of laundry soap, insurance ads, and medications. No matter which side of the aisle you are on, I’m sure you too are glad it’s over. I hope your candidates won, but even if they didn’t, we still live in one of the greatest places on earth. Now, as we move forward, I hope we can stitch our communities back together using the needle and thread of our shared values.

While we’re on the topic of politics, let’s take a look at some of the notable U.S. presidents and candidates who made stops in Mifflin County over the years. These stories are adapted from an article by our well-known local historian and former educator, Forest K. Fisher, who has done so much to preserve our area’s unique history.

One of our most iconic presidents, Abraham Lincoln, passed through Lewistown when he was a congressman, traveling via the Pennsylvania Canal. Reflecting later on his trip, Lincoln famously said, “I know well the valley of the Juniata.” Little did he know that men from Lewistown would be among the first volunteers to heed his call for troops to defend the Union during the Civil War. These volunteers, known as the Logan Guard, showed such dedication that the only stone ever removed from Lincoln’s tomb was gifted to Mifflin County. It now sits at the base of the moment in downtown Lewistown on the side facing South Main Street, as a tribute to those who served. Across the street, a mural by artist Dwight Kirkland celebrates the legacy of the Logan Guard.

President Taft also paid a visit to Mifflin County, where he addressed a gathering of State Chamber of Commerce members at the old Lewistown High School, sharing his insights with local leaders.

Theodore Roosevelt, while traveling as the outgoing president and presidential candidate for the Progressive Party, stopped in Lewistown on his way from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Over 2,500 people crowded into the Lewistown Junction Train Station to see Roosevelt, who charmed the audience, especially when he expressed appreciation for the children present. His visit was brief, however, as his speech was cut short when his train unexpectedly started moving. Roosevelt, an adventurer at heart, insisted on seeing the site of the notorious 1909 Great Train Robbery in the Lewistown Narrows, where a mysterious robber had attempted to steal $10 gold pieces but ended up with bags of pennies. The robber was never caught, and rumors persist of a shadowy figure still searching for his lost loot in the woods.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie were also known to pass through Mifflin County on their trips to and from Penn State University, where his brother, Milton Eisenhower, served as president from 1950 to 1956. It’s said that Eisenhower’s limousine would sometimes stop for gas near Milroy on old Route 322.

Vice President Richard Nixon stopped at the Lewistown Junction Train Station and was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,500 people. Nixon’s visit, like so many, speaks to the deep interest in national politics that has long resonated with the people here.

While campaigning in 1964, presidential candidate Barry Goldwater stopped at the Lewistown Junction Train Station, where the Chief Logan High School Band welcomed him with a celebratory performance. Though Mifflin County voters showed strong support for Goldwater, he ultimately lost the election to Lyndon Johnson.

Avid fly fisherman Jimmy Carter made a quiet visit to the Kishacoquillas Valley, where he stopped at Metz Hatchery in Belleville to pick up feathers for fishing lures — a unique connection between local traditions and a former president.

In 2008, former President Bill Clinton visited Lewistown to speak on behalf of his wife, Hillary Clinton, during her presidential campaign. Clinton drew a large crowd at the Lewistown High School gymnasium, highlighting Mifflin County’s interest in national political figures.

The year was 2008 when Senator and presidential candidate, Barrack Obama made an unannounced stop for lunch at J.P. Edwards Grille and Bar in Burnham as part of his “Road to Change” tour through Pennsylvania.

Personally, the closest I have come to a sitting president was a memorable behind-the-scenes tour of the White House. I even had the surreal opportunity to stand inside the Oval Office — smaller than I’d imagined — and have my photo taken in the spot reserved for presidential press conferences. It’s an experience I’ll never forget!

These stories are a testament to the remarkable history that Mifflin County shares with U.S. presidents and their journeys. From Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton, each of these figures left a small but memorable mark on our community. Reflecting on these visits reminds us of Mifflin County’s enduring connection to the wider story of America, one that’s threaded together by shared moments, local traditions, and a deep-rooted respect for the history and values we hold dear.

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Rhonda S. Kelley is the executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.