Meet Lewistown’s Founding Mother
Most communities have a founding father. Lewistown has a Founding Mother.
If you enjoy discovering the stories behind the places you visit, Dorcas Buchanan is a name worth knowing.
More than 270 years ago, Dorcas Buchanan arrived in the Juniata Valley with her husband, Arthur, and settled at Ohesson, a Native American village where Kishacoquillas Creek meets the Juniata River. The couple established a trading post and tavern, laying roots in the area that would eventually become Lewistown.
But Dorcas was much more than the wife of a frontier trader.
She became the first European woman living in what would become Lewistown. She raised children, helped operate the family tavern, hunted for food and navigated the dangers of life on the Pennsylvania frontier. Her hunting skills became legendary, as did her courage.
When frontier warfare forced the Buchanan family to flee their home multiple times, Dorcas faced danger head-on. In one reported encounter, warriors threatened her and demanded her belongings. According to her obituary, Dorcas confronted them—and they ultimately backed down, reportedly respecting her bravery.
After her husband’s death, Dorcas returned to the Juniata Valley and took over the family store and tavern. She became a successful businesswoman and expanded her holdings to 300 acres. In 1762, the land was warranted in her name, making her the first woman to own property in what is now Mifflin County.
Eventually, the land Dorcas owned was sold and subdivided into the blocks that make up downtown Lewistown today. In other words, when you walk through downtown, you’re walking through a place connected to the story of this remarkable frontier woman.
That connection continues at Old Town Cemetery, where Dorcas is buried. Her grave is just a few blocks from her former homestead on Kish Creek. Her story earned her a place in local lore as a pioneer matriarch, intrepid frontierswoman, independent tradeswoman and Lewistown’s legendary Founding Mother.
Discover Her Story
Dorcas’s story is one of those unexpected discoveries that can make exploring a small town even more meaningful. Look beyond the streets, storefronts and historic buildings, and you’ll find the stories of the people who helped shape them.
To learn more about Dorcas Buchanan’s extraordinary life, look for “Dorcas Buchanan: Colonial Trailblazer,” a brochure written by Cate Barron. It takes a deeper look at the woman who braved the wilderness, faced frontier warfare and broke barriers as a tradeswoman in the early days of Lewistown.
Hosted by the Newton-Wayne Historical Society, the event invites visitors to explore how canal boats once navigated the Juniata River and to learn about ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the last surviving lockhouse of its kind. The day will begin with the dedication of a new interpretive sign, highlighting the significance of the site and its role in the region’s transportation history.
Next year marks America’s 250th birthday. Pennsylvania has been gearing up for this over the last few years. The state agency that’s coordinating efforts, America250PA, has started programs that include Pennsylvania Day, Memorial Flag Initiative, and the #PAProud Servicemember Spotlight. Two of their programs have already reached Mifflin County. The Keystone Classroom Initiative was at Lewistown Elementary School in December and the Liberty Tree was planted with help from the McVeytown Mason Lodge in October.