The rolling fields and quiet towns of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, belie its dynamic history. From slaves who escaped to freedom through Underground Railroad stations in Shippensburg and Boiling Springs to a telephone-like invention created by Lower Allen’s Daniel Drawbaugh a full decade before the patent of Alexander Graham Bell, the pages of Cumberland County’s history conceal long-forgotten but true tales. There are numerous but often-overlooked contributions from county residents—from 1920 to 1923, Newville hosted the first state police academy in the nation, and during World War II, a humble bandage invented in Carlisle saved countless lives. With an engaging collection of vignettes, author Joseph David Cress explores these and other hidden tales from the history of Cumberland County.

Award-winning journalist Joseph David Cress has worked as a full-time newspaper reporter since October 1990. Since November 1998, he has been a staff writer with the Sentinel in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Hidden History of Cumberland County is his fifth book with The History Press. Prior works include Remembering Carlisle: Tales from the Cumberland Valley, Murder & Mayhem in Cumberland County, Murder & Mayhem in York County and Wicked Carlisle: The Dark Side of the Cumberland Valley.