The Legend of Penn's Cave
By: Nate Potter
Updated: October 25, 2011
On nights when the air is calm and still and silence abounds, you can
still hear the piercing cries of a man longing for his one true live,
"Nittany!"
...Or so the legend goes.
Penns Caves is is an underground cavern in Centre Hall, Centre County, and the only way to see it is by boat.
Some might say the Caves is a little scary anytime of the year. It's dark, cold and maybe a little creepy, but this time of year, it can be even more spooky, especially after your guide tells you that the Caves could be haunted.
In the 1700s there was a man by the name of Malachi Boyer. Malachi was a fur-trapper who lived in this area and traded a lot with the Native Americans. Malachi traded with many different tribes. One had a chief named Okichawa, and Okichawa had a beautiful daughter - Princess Nittany. Malachi met Nittany while trading back and forth with Okichawa. The two fell in love. They wanted to get married, but Okichawa forbade it. Malachi and Nittany ran away together, but there was a slight problem. You see, Nittany didn't tell Malachi that she had 7 older brothers, and when Okichawa found out that his daughter ran away with Malachi, he sent his 7 sons after them. Eventually, they caught up to Malachi and Nittany. They took Malachi prisoner and threw him into what is now known as Penn's Cave. Malachi swam around the caves for several days, calling out for help, calling out for Nittany. Eventually, he drew his last breath, "Nittany!"
And on nights when the air is calm and still and silence abounds, you can still hear the piercing cries of a man longing for his one true live, "Nittany!"
On Friday, October 28th, you can get a special flashlight tour of the cave, hear the Legend of Penn's Caves from inside the cave and celebrate Halloween! It's Penn's Caves special Halloween Tour, meaning all the guides will be dressed up, and they'll be a special light show inside the Caves.
You can find more information here: http://www.pennscave.com/specialevents.php
...Or so the legend goes.
Penns Caves is is an underground cavern in Centre Hall, Centre County, and the only way to see it is by boat.
Some might say the Caves is a little scary anytime of the year. It's dark, cold and maybe a little creepy, but this time of year, it can be even more spooky, especially after your guide tells you that the Caves could be haunted.
In the 1700s there was a man by the name of Malachi Boyer. Malachi was a fur-trapper who lived in this area and traded a lot with the Native Americans. Malachi traded with many different tribes. One had a chief named Okichawa, and Okichawa had a beautiful daughter - Princess Nittany. Malachi met Nittany while trading back and forth with Okichawa. The two fell in love. They wanted to get married, but Okichawa forbade it. Malachi and Nittany ran away together, but there was a slight problem. You see, Nittany didn't tell Malachi that she had 7 older brothers, and when Okichawa found out that his daughter ran away with Malachi, he sent his 7 sons after them. Eventually, they caught up to Malachi and Nittany. They took Malachi prisoner and threw him into what is now known as Penn's Cave. Malachi swam around the caves for several days, calling out for help, calling out for Nittany. Eventually, he drew his last breath, "Nittany!"
And on nights when the air is calm and still and silence abounds, you can still hear the piercing cries of a man longing for his one true live, "Nittany!"
On Friday, October 28th, you can get a special flashlight tour of the cave, hear the Legend of Penn's Caves from inside the cave and celebrate Halloween! It's Penn's Caves special Halloween Tour, meaning all the guides will be dressed up, and they'll be a special light show inside the Caves.
You can find more information here: http://www.pennscave.com/specialevents.php
