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camp. This Dining Hall was actually moved several hundred feet to the northwest in the 1960s. The move saved it from being demolished, since the old location was over the present-day site of Route 15, which was being expanded at the time from two lanes to four. Also built during this time period was Sylvan Chapel. This chapel is set deep in the woods of the campground.
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stayed in tents and others set about the task of building the cottages that stand today at the
Heights. The first structures that were built included the octagonal outdoor church known as the Tabernacle, a cottage and a dormitory. Over the years more and more cottages were built on the hilltop. The founders of Central Oak Heights also commissioned the building of a
410:. Josh Hoffman was the first white man to hold a deed to the land. He received his patent in 1770. The land was owned by George Miller at the time it was sold to the Bible Conference Society of Central Pennsylvania of the United Evangelical Church. Mr. Miller was very found of "Miller's Grove" and sought to protect the stand of virgin
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before a swimming pool was built. The pool was built due to safety concerns regarding crossing the train tracks and U.S. Route 15 to get to the riverside. This pool was open to the youth of the summer camp and to the families that owned the cottages. A large dining hall was built in the 1950s for the
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The
Central Oak Heights of today is much different that what it was like in the early days. Most of the cottage owners are retired. They gather there in the summers with their families and enjoy the cool temperatures provided by the abundant shade given by the trees. Revival meetings have long since
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in the summer of 1894. A location near West Milton known as Miller's Grove was thought by the members of the conference was thought to be the ideal location for their meetings, but it was not available to purchase until 1907. The
Evangelicals of Central Pennsylvania continued to hold their meetings
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The first camp meetings were held at
Central Oak Heights in the summer of 1909. As many as 6,000 people came to the hilltop for these meetings. They arrived from the train stations in Milton and West Milton or if they lived close by they came on their horse-drawn wagons and carriages. Some campers
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weekend in early
September. But the official opening is April 15 and the grounds close for the winter on October 15. Most of the cottages are privately owned and occupied during the summer months by the owners. There are several cottages and dozens of rustic cabins that are available to rent. Also
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continue to be held in the original
Tabernacle. The summer camp which ended in the 1980s is a part of history. The cabins still stand. Some have fallen into disuse and others are rented out to the occasional family or youth group. The swimming pool, dining hall, and pavilions are also rented to
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that stood on his hill. One of the conditions of the purchase of the land was that the oaks be left standing. The
Evangelicals paid $ 4,816.35 for the hilltop. They agreed to allow the oaks trees to continue to grow and most importantly they had a permanent home for their summertime meetings.
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on the southern slopes of the hill. This camp, closed in the 1980s, served as a summer camp for
Evangelical and later United Methodist youth from throughout the United States. The cottagers and campers swam in the river at what was to become
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Thomas, Dr. A.J.; Gabriel, Rev. G.G.; Fleckenstine, Dr. J.H.; Hummel, Dr. N.L.; Miller, Rev. Joseph H.; Steeley, Dr. Reed O. (1967). "History of
Central Oak Heights". West Milton, Pennsylvania: The Susquehanna Conference of the
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founded in 1987, took over ownership of the land in 1990. Although no longer affiliated in an official capacity with the United
Methodist Church, a great majority of the cottage owners are members of United Methodist Church.
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The Bible Conference Society of Central Pennsylvania of the United Evangelical Church was founded in 1894 by a group of Evangelicals from Central Pennsylvania that were interested in holding
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In the Summer of 2009, the Heights celebrated its 100th anniversary. Many events took place on the grounds, including guided tours, concerts, open houses, picnics, and even
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of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna Rivers. This land was acquired from the Indians under the terms of the
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Ownership of the land passed through several churches when in 1946, the Evangelical Church merged with the
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The grounds of Central Oak Heights are traditionally open during the summer months only, beginning with
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families and youth groups, and they receive regular use from the families of the cottage holders.
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and just downstream from West Milton. This small hill was originally occupied by a small band of
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Ostlund, Jr., O.M. (1980-09-14). "The Heights a Mecca for Evangelists" (newspaper).
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Blackledge, Karen (1994-07-30). "Former Campers Return for Reunion" (Newspaper).
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conferences. They held their first summer meeting at Pine Grove near
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in Union County, Pennsylvania. It is across the river from
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Central Oak Heights is situated on a knoll overlooking the
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owners on 45 acres (0.22 km) of wooded land in
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Central Oak Heights Cottage Holders formerly owned by the
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Buildings and structures in Union County, Pennsylvania
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available to rent, is the Shaffer Building, a large
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491:"Central Oak Heights, USGS Milton (PA) Topo Map"
43:but its sources remain unclear because it lacks
281:. This body, in turn, united with the American
611:Non-profit organizations based in Pennsylvania
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427:Some of the cottages at Central Oak Heights
122:showing the location of Central Oak Heights
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289:. The Central Oak Heights Association, a
74:Learn how and when to remove this message
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89:Central Oak Heights, Pennsylvania, USA
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606:1909 establishments in Pennsylvania
451:been discontinued, although Sunday
301:in late May and closing soon after
601:Evangelical United Brethren Church
538:Evangelical United Brethren Church
279:Evangelical United Brethren Church
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569:. Friends of Central Oak Heights
318:in the woods near the cabins, a
232:a map of Central Oak Heights in
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376:West Branch Susquehanna River
350:at various locations in the
234:Kelly Township, Pennsylvania
203:55 acres (0.22 km)
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616:Methodism in Pennsylvania
354:including Sylvan Dell in
271:United Brethren in Christ
264:United Evangelical Church
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29:This article includes a
596:United Methodist Church
473:Central Oak Heights map
287:United Methodist Church
221:United Methodist Church
58:more precise citations.
553:Cite journal requires
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408:Treaty of Fort Stanwix
291:non-profit corporation
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567:"Central Oak Heights"
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386:who were governed by
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242:is an association of
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184:41.01139°N 76.87056°W
362:and Grace Church in
285:in 1968 to form the
157:Milton, Pennsylvania
240:Central Oak Heights
216:Governing body
189:41.01139; -76.87056
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360:South Williamsport
356:Armstrong Township
352:Susquehanna Valley
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31:list of references
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571:. Retrieved
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498:. Retrieved
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299:Memorial Day
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277:to form the
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256:Pennsylvania
252:Union County
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143:Pennsylvania
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120:Pennsylvania
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50:Please help
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461:Antique car
434:summer camp
312:dining hall
208:Established
187: /
163:Coordinates
114:Map of the
64:August 2020
56:introducing
585:Categories
573:2007-03-22
500:2008-06-29
484:References
400:confluence
388:Shikellamy
347:Lock Haven
175:76°52′14″W
172:41°00′41″N
116:U.S. state
495:TopoQuest
419:Buildings
364:Lewistown
327:pavilions
308:dormitory
303:Labor Day
392:Iroquois
322:and two
131:Location
526:Sunday
512:Sunbury
463:rides.
398:at the
390:of the
384:Shawnee
333:History
258:in the
244:cottage
52:improve
380:Milton
324:picnic
316:chapel
540:: 16.
446:Today
358:near
343:bible
37:, or
559:help
528:Grit
211:1909
200:Area
412:oak
341:or
147:USA
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