New book on Kinzua Skywalk announced by local writer/photographer
From staff reports
RENOVO, PA – The year 2020 is something none of us will forget anytime soon. To many of us it will be remembered as the ‘year of the mask,’ but to amateur photographer, Gladys Caroline it will forever be known as the year of the Kinzua Skywalk.
Caroline has always had a fascination with the Kinzua Bridge. The bridge comes with significant history and was once called the Eighth Wonder of the World. While trying to comply with Covid 19 guidelines and stay self-isolated she and her best friend, Roger, traveled to McKean County to catch a glance of the engineering masterpiece that hosts one of the most stunning views in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The bridge was built in 1881, it was once the tallest railroad structure at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high. To accommodate much heavier trains the bridge was dismantled in 1900 and rebuilt out of steel. It continued to be used for commercial service until 1959.
The bridge was then sold to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1963. A second restoration process began in 2002, but before it was finished a tornado struck the bridge in July 2003, causing a large portion of the bridge to collapse. It was later determined that corroded anchor bolts that held the bridge to its foundations failed, greatly contributing to its collapse.
In 2011 the bridge was reinvented and turned into a skywalk as a tourist attraction. Pronounced “kin-zoo,” by residents, and an experience-rich in Native American history. The SkyWalk was named ‘One of the World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Skywalks and Viewpoints in the World by the Culture Trip, United Kingdom.
Caroline’s goal was not only to admire the breathtaking scenes but to photograph every aspect of the bridge in great depth. Several weeks after visiting the bridge, Caroline shared her photographs on Instagram. Lee Roberts, a Boston native, of Northern Books Publishing Group saw the photographs and requested permission to publish them.
‘Some people see just a bridge but it is so much more than that. Look closer and you will see a hidden treasure,’ Caroline said. ‘I can honestly say this was one of the best adventures I had ever experienced. Not only was it a massive part of history but an experience I will cherish for a lifetime,’ she added.
Caroline gives friend and photography mentor Stephen Miller all the credit for her work. ‘From the day Steve joined the Chapman Wordweavers Society we had an instant friendship. I attended several photography classes he held at the Salvation Army Renovo. He taught us all the fundamentals of photography. As part of a class trip, we did a photoshoot for local DJ Glenie b’s book cover, ‘Off the Air.’ I will never forget that day. We laughed so hard, but the photographs were absolutely breathtaking.’
Gladys Caroline is a pen name used by bestselling author and activist Donna Kshir to pay tribute to her late maternal grandmother. A woman who Ms. Kshir states, ‘truly impacted her life.’ Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts have added their names to a proposed amendment to make the Central Registry public. The proposed amendment would monumentally impact the lives of children and families by significantly reducing the number of children exposed to abuse and neglect. Currently, the duo hosts a Wednesday night radio show ‘Real Talk on AU4H Radio. The podcast streams on iHeart Radio. Books are available at Amazon.com, Lulu.com, and other brick-and-mortar stores.
Article submitted by Northern Books
