ArcaMax

During the Great Depression era of the 1930s, people in a compact region of Pennsylvania managed to avoid the worst of the hard times. They occupied a canyon that separates the Appalachian Plateau from the ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. It's an area of rugged foothills, limestone valleys and dense forests.

The primary reason why this locale managed to escape the direst consequences of the economic crash was the presence of Pennsylvania State University. That institution provided both jobs and financial stability to those who lived and worked nearby, even through the depths of the Depression.

Somewhat later a husband-and-wife team of newspaper columnists began referring to State College, the town where Pennsylvania State University is located, as the "Happy Valley." That name stuck.

I recently visited the community and other nearby towns, and I returned home with an understanding of why Happy Valley is an apt title and description. Penn State offers a unique atmosphere characterized by youth, vibrancy and culture. Founded in 1855, it enrolls about 90,000 students each year and has 20 campuses throughout Pennsylvania, including its main site -- University Park, adjacent to downtown State College.

The university and its surrounding grounds themselves offer an inviting choice of attractions. One is the collection at the Palmer Museum of Art. It spans centuries and represents a diversity of cultures.

The museum is situated within The Arboretum at Penn State, a lovely, curated landscape that seamlessly blends art, architecture and nature. Among its many features are 10 acres of garden spaces, 14 acres of rolling meadows, colorful seasonal plantings, sculptures and gentle walking paths over which to explore the site.

Nearby, outdoor art turns the entire downtown heart of State College into an outdoor museum. A downtown art trail features 40 murals, sculptures, statues, stained glass and other works.

Treats for the taste buds rather than the eyes are served up at the Penn State Berkey Creamery, the largest university ice cream maker in the United States. The milk used here comes from university cows, and agricultural students contribute to making the delicious dessert. Among rotating flavors are some unusual choices such as White Out, Monster Mash and Peachy Paterno, named after the university's longtime football coach.

Those dairy delights hint at the variety of field-to-fork foods that add to the destination's appeal. Amish family farms provide beef, cheese and produce that are raised and grown with loving care.

The Heirloom Farmer offers milk, muffins, honey and more, harvested from nearby fields. The history of the Way Fruit Farm dates back to 1872, when 1,000 apple trees were planted, and it continues under ownership of the sixth generation of the original owner's family.

History also lives in museums that recount various chapters of the area's story. Iron-making began in Pennsylvania as early as 1720 and evolved into a key industry due to the abundance of high-quality iron ore, limestone and trees. While advances in technology resulted in the closing of most iron furnaces in the late 19th century, I was immersed in the heyday of that industry at the Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village. The story of what became the region's leading industry is told there through hands-on demonstrations and walking tours. The Curtin Mansion engulfs visitors in the genteel ambience of an upscale Federal-era manor house.

The Boal Estate has been that family's home for more than 200 years, and it displays the original furnishings, artwork and artifacts from around the globe. I found more intriguing the adjacent small -- but imposing -- Columbus Chapel. It houses what is said to be the most extensive collection of Christopher-related items in North America, including an admiral's desk believed to have belonged to the famous explorer.

The Matson Museum of Anthropology displays casts of ancient fossil life. Artifacts that demonstrate various aspects of farming and rural life are highlighted at the Pasto Agricultural Museum.

Tiny towns that are scattered about the area, each with its own character and appeals, are equally varied and inviting. Boalsburg is a walkable community that clings to its quaint village atmosphere. Philipsburg displays ties to the region's industrial past. Founded in 1795, Bellefonte retains much of its original Victorian architecture.

Another magnet for tourism is a diverse list of year-round festivals that appeal to a wide range of interests. From street fair to music fest, farm celebrations to a craft market, they add to the long list of attractions that draw more than 5 million travelers a year to experience and enjoy what State College and its nearby neighbors have to offer.

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WHEN YOU GO

For more information: happyvalley.com.

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Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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