FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-015

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (February 2, 2026) – This issue of Fun with Maps celebrates the most famous of all critters – the Groundhog – on his very own day.

OUR FRIEND PHIL

Today is Groundhog Day, or Hedgehog Day, if you live in the British Isles.  In some parts of Canada, it is known as Daks Day, deriving from the German word for badger, Dachs, who is the weather determiner in central Europe.

In the US, the custom comes from the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Tradition says that if the groundhog sees his shadow as he emerges from his burrow on February 2nd, his special day, it means six more weeks of winter.  If the clouds block the sun, then spring is coming soon.

All eyes are on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where the official mascot – a hedgehog named Phil – is the forecaster.  This location has been the official headquarters of groundhog predictions since 1887.

Although Phil saw his shadow this morning and the winter weather does appear to be here for a while longer, Phil’s accuracy rate is less than 40%.

Here is a map of Pennsylvania by Matthews from 1886.  Punxsutawney is 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.  

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.