On May 1, 1982, a balmy Saturday, Selinsgrove entered the Guinness Book of World Records for constructing and consuming “the world’s longest banana split.” The giant sundae, which was 8,006 feet in length, lined several blocks of Market Street.
The first of two great fires consumed much of Downtown Selinsgrove on February 21, 1872. A second conflagration occurred on October 28, 1874. In all 54 businesses and residences were lost in the blaze.
The Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company was formed on November 20, 1874. Better known as the Hookies, the volunteer fire company still protects and serves the community.
Sigfried Weis opened a store at Market and Pine streets in 1884. The family business grew into a huge chain of “pure food” markets.
The Susquehanna River is one of the three oldest rivers in the World! Geologically speaking, the river dates back more than 300 Million Years with its exposed bedrock ledges dating back over 400 Million Years. The water of the Susquehanna flowed before the continents divided in the time of Pangaea. About 200 Million Years ago during the divide of the continents it is believed that Africa ran into North America and the great upheaval that resulted from that collision formed the mountains and resulting river valley that we know today as the Susquehanna Valley.
The southern-most point of the Isle of Que was considered sacred ground by the Native Americans; it became their burial ground.
About 12,000 years ago early man first appeared in our valley after the last ice age. These early Native Americans consisted of small nomadic family groups following the migrating hooved animal herds through our river valley. The ancient ones called those mountains, “The Keepers of the Sun” as they believed the Great Spirit kept the sun behind those mountains at night but released it every morning, just as it happens for us today.
