Shade Gap

Shade Gap

Shade Gap is located in southeastern Huntingdon County approximately 12 miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Fort Littleton interchange. It sits at the eastern base of Shade Mountain just south of that mountain’s water gap where Shade Creek passes through. Shade Creek is covered by St. Mary’s Covered Bridge Huntingdon County Bridge #8. It is a 65.25-foot-long (19.89 m) 16.5-foot-wide (5.0 m), Howe truss bridge with cut stone abutments, constructed in 1889. It crosses the Shade Creek and is the only remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County. Because of the steep mountainous area in the days when Europeans first passed through the area, it was a prime location for Indian ambushes. Giving it the nickname shadow of death. There is a marker noting the nick name along route 522. The heavily wooded steep mountains are peppered with caves, which makes it next to impossible to find an attacker. In 1966, this fact was brought home forcibly to the locals. The events of that May brought the FBI, state police, local law enforcement and local volunteers together in what was at the time the largest manhunt in history with over 2000 people. Peggy Ann Bradnick was kidnapped at the age of 17 after getting off the school bus with her siblings by William Hollenbaugh. Although, the locals knew him as Bicycle Pete or the Mountain Man. The search took 7 days and claimed the life of Special Agent Terry R. Anderson. Anderson was shot by Hollenbaugh who was reportedly a sharp shooter. There are several books recounting the abduction , The Voice in the Mountains, Deadly Pursuit and a movie Cry in the Wild, the taking of Peggy Ann. Today Shade Gap is home to Shade Gap Feed and Flour has been in business since 1846. The community is rich in history and an ideal place to call home. In 2023 the average home price was $182,000. The local elementary school and volunteer fire company area the heart of the community. Every year the fire company hosts their annual Shade Gap Picnic. The picnic offers parade, hayrides, petting zoo, hot dog eating contest, giveaways, and dirt drags.