Lost Resting Places: Mcquire Cemetery

     Sometimes I find very interesting things while Geocaching. For those of you who don't know what geocaching is, it is basically a high-tech scavenger hunt. People use GPS receivers to hide boxes and various other things and other people use their GPS to find them. More than likely there is a geocache hidden only a few miles from you live. Anyway, while geocaching a few months ago, I came across another almost forgotten cemetery in Huntingdon County called Mcquire Cemetery.

      Mcquire Cemetery now resides in RothRock State Forest. A short ride on the game land roads, a sign marks the trail leading up to the cemetery. Hiking back the trail you first come across a small bridge over a creek and then make your way up a hill. The cemetery is to the right of the trail and surrounded by a newer wooden fence. All that remains of the cemetery is multiple fieldstones; their names lost to history.

      Upon my arrival to the cemetery, I paid my respects to the early pioneers and began to wonder. How many more small cemeteries also could be out there in the remote parts of Pennsylvania? And how many of them have been forgotten or lost. Mcquire Cemetery gave me a peaceful feeling while being there. Once I had taken a few pictures, we found the geocache near the cemetery and made our way back to our vehicle. Once home from our day of exploring, I began to research more in-depth about the Mcquire Cemetery.

      To my surprise, the area of the cemetery was once host to an indian massacre. Indian raids were a frequent thing during the time the cemetery was established in the late 1790s. There were two families involved in the massacre, Mcquire and Donnelly. Both families had casualties and a few escaped. Legend tells of Jane Mcquire being in a near by field with the cattle when the raid took place. Once the Indians had found her, they grabbed her by the dress just as she grabbed the tail of one of the cattle and was dragged off to safety. It may be hard to believe, but regardless it has helped this encounter to service many generations.

      Directions to this location from Pettersburg PA are as follows. Head west on Rt. 305 (Juniata Valley Pike) and take a right onto Barree Rd. Follow it along the Little Juniata River until you can make a right onto Teaberry Hollow Road. A short drive will then take you to Mcquire Road which will lead to the sign marking the trail.