Mercer County, Pennsylvania History: Life in the Land of Used to Be

“In the Land of Used to Be” is an enjoyable non-fiction book about everyday life in mid-20th century Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The farm shown on the cover was the scene of many of the author's rural childhood memories. For Boomers who grew up out in the country or in small towns, the book will be a pleasant trip down memory lane. For their children and grandchildren, it will provide surprising new insights about the youthful adventures and escapades of their elders. Alternately, it may make them wonder if such a place and time ever existed! (ISBN-13: 979-8327495098, photo-illustrated.)

Stories about living in Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Although written as a memoir, “In the Land of Used to Be” also serves as a Mercer County history book because it provides an in-depth look at what life was like growing up along Mercer County dirt roads in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s.

The book is a collection of autobiographical vignettes that cover a wide range of topics, including visits back to the mountains of rural Somerset County, where the author’s parents were born and raised. Through these vignettes, readers experience a bygone era before digital technology when unsupervised youngsters created their own entertainment and reveled in their independence. The author also weaves in references to influential societal and technological changes and historical events. His portrayal of rural Mercer County life is sure to evoke fond memories for Baby Boomers, and will provide younger generations with new insights into mid-20th century Mercer County history.

You can find the book at the Mercer County Historical Society (119 South Pitt Street, Mercer, Pennsylvania) or on Amazon. Happy reading!

An ad for a 2024 memoir about growing up as a Baby Boomer in rural Mercer County.

In his book “In the Land of Used to Be,” author and historian Lannie Dietle provides an entertaining first-hand account of growing up in rural Mercer County, Pennsylvania. This, his latest book, takes you back in time to those carefree days when Boomer kids roamed the countryside, creating their own adventures. He is best known for writing the two-volume history book “Fort Cumberland,” which provides a definitive review of the fort and its environs before the town of Cumberland, Maryland was established.

Mercer County, Pennsylvania overview
Mercer County is located in the northwest region of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and borders Ohio to the west. It adjoins Crawford County to the north, Venango County to the east, Butler County to the southeast, and Lawrence County to the south. It had a population of 127,519 in 1960, according to the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. For more information, see the 1888 book "History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present," which is available online at archive.org.