Map of the Kishacoquillas Valley area (Huntingdon and Mifflin Counties)

Map of the Kishacoquillas Valley AreaThe star marks Airydale, barely recognizable as a village now, at the "Tight End" (northwest) of the Kishacoquillas Valley, just across the Miffllin County line in Huntingdon County. Allensville is the closest post office.

McVeytown (Mattawana on map) is across Jack's Mountain from Airydale along 522 and the Juniata River.

Kishacoquillas once had a post office, and now consists of the old seminary building and a row of houses along 655, northeast of Airydale.

Mechanicsville is the old name for Belleville, located between Airydale and Kishacoquillas.

Notice Sharpsburg, named for SZS's uncles, whose wagon and cooper shop was its main business.

Often called "Big Valley" by its natives, the Kishacoquillas Valley is protected by Jacks and Stone Mountains and angles southwest to northeast, from Airydale to Siglerville. Though its nickname implies otherwise, this valley amid the Allegheny Mountain ranges is only 30 miles long and 4 to 5 miles wide at the widest point near Belleville. The county line cuts across the valley near Sharpburg. Airydale and Sharpsburg are on the Huntingdon side, while everything "down the valley" (northeast) is part of Mifflin County. McVeytown, on the north bank of the Juniata River, is across Jacks mountain, but still a part of Mifflin County. The valley's official name recalls a former resident, Kishacoquillas, a Shawnee chief, who was displaced by Scotch-Irish, and 50 years later by the Amish (1791).

Map of Big Valley area

 

A larger scale map identifies Harrisburg along the Susquehanna River about 75 miles southeast of the Kishacoquillas Valley. Lewistown is the county seat of Mifflin County and Huntingdon is the county seat of Huntingdon County. Both cities are outside the boundaries of the Kishacoquillas Valley.

 

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