Pennsylvania

While Pennsylvania might not be as globally renowned for its historical association with stone lifting as Scotland or Iceland, the rugged terrain and abundance of natural stone have undoubtedly fostered a culture of strength and manual labor where moving heavy stones would have been a common necessity. Historically, in rural Pennsylvania, particularly in farming and early industrial communities, individuals would have encountered and moved substantial stones for various purposes, from clearing fields and building fences to constructing foundations and even as impromptu tests of strength amongst peers. The types of stones prevalent in Pennsylvania, such as fieldstones (often granite, gneiss, or quartzite), sandstone, and limestone, would have presented varied challenges in terms of shape, size, and weight, naturally leading to the development of techniques for lifting and carrying them.

In a more formalized sense, the spirit of stone lifting likely manifests in Pennsylvania through strongman competitions that have gained popularity in recent decades. While not exclusively focused on natural, oddly shaped stones of the past, these modern events often include "Atlas Stones" – large, spherical concrete stones that pay homage to the historical practice. These competitions draw athletes from across the state and beyond, testing their raw power and lifting prowess against progressively heavier stones. Furthermore, the tradition of feats of strength, often involving heavy and unwieldy objects, resonates with the blue-collar history of many regions in Pennsylvania, where physical labor and demonstrable strength were highly valued. Therefore, while specific historical records of organized "stone lifting" events akin to the Highland Games might be less prominent, the underlying culture of strength, the presence of heavy natural stones, and the modern strongman movement firmly root the spirit of stone lifting within the physical landscape and athletic pursuits of Pennsylvania.