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opposition to its inclusion, based at least partly on mistaken fears that protection would involve seizure of private property and restricted access. Eventually this opposition was overcome, but
Pennsylvania did not officially include it as one of its own state Scenic and Wild Rivers until November 25, 1992. The state treated Pine Creek as if it were a state scenic river between 1968 and 1992. It protected the creek from dam-building and water withdrawals for power plants, and added public access points to reduce abuse of private property.
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lawyer and author, shipbuilders considered pine from Pine Creek the "best timber in the world for making fine ship masts", so it was the first lumber to be harvested on a large scale. The original title to the land that became Colton Point State Park was sold to the
Wilhelm Wilkins Company in 1792. Pine Creek was declared a public highway by the
268:
Park
Natural Area. The state Natural Area runs along Pine Creek from Darling Run in the north (just below Ansonia) to Jerry Run in the south (just above Blackwell). It is approximately 12 miles (19 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide, with state forest roads providing all of the western border and part of the eastern border.
405:. The largest spar produced on Pine Creek was 43 inches (110 cm) in diameter 12 feet (3.7 m) above the base, 93 feet (28 m) long, and 33 inches (84 cm) in diameter at the top. By 1840, Tioga County alone produced over 452 such spar rafts with more than 22,000,000 board feet (52,000 m) of lumber.
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through the gorge. The soil was depleted of nutrients, fires baked the ground hard, and jungles of blueberries, blackberries, and mountain laurel covered the clearcut land, which became known as the "Pennsylvania Desert". Disastrous floods swept the area periodically and much of the wildlife was wiped out.
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The gorge is also protected by the state of
Pennsylvania as the 12,163-acre (4,922 ha) Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area, which is the second largest State Natural Area in Pennsylvania. Within this area, 699 acres (283 ha) of Colton Point and Leonard Harrison State Parks are designated a State
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to the southwest, and with NYC-allied lines in
Williamsport to the southeast. By 1896, the rail line's daily traffic included three passenger trains and 7,000,000 short tons (6,400,000 t) of freight. In the surrounding forests, log drives gave way to logging railroads, which transported lumber
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were clearcut by the early 20th century and the gorge was stripped bare. Nothing was left except the dried-out tree tops, which became a fire hazard, so much of the land burned and was left barren. On May 6, 1903, the
Wellsboro newspaper had the headline "Wild Lands Aflame" and reported landslides
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In 1879 Henry Colton, who worked for the
Williamsport Lumber Company, supervised the cutting of white pine on the land that became the park, which was then owned by Silas Billings. Colton gave his name to the Colton Point overlook on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge. Deadman Hollow Road in the
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and some partners built a settlement at Big
Meadows and formed the Pennsylvania Joint Land and Lumber Company. Dodge's company purchased thousands of acres of land in the area, including what is now Colton Point State Park. In 1865, the last pine spar raft floated down the creek, and on March 28,
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of these virgin forests produced 100,000 board feet (240 m) of white pine and 200,000 board feet (470 m) of hemlock and hardwoods. For comparison, the same area of forest today produces a total of only 5,000 board feet (12 m) on average. According to Steven E. Owlett, environmental
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system, and one of only eight specifically mentioned in the law establishing the program. Before Pine Creek could be included in the federal program, the state enacted its State Scenic Rivers Act, then asked that Pine Creek be withdrawn from the national designation. However, there was much local
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logging railroad was extended to the headwaters of
Fourmile Run, which has several high waterfalls that prevented logs from being floated down it. In 1903 the line reached Colton Point and Bear Run, which is the northern border of the park today. Lumber on Fourmile Run that had been previously
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Pine Creek Gorge served as a major route of travel for
American Indians. They hiked up and down the gorge for thousands of years to a seasonal hunting camp near Ansonia. Ansonia was named for its founder, Anson Phillips, who built a lumber mill that drew the first settlers to the town.
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construction and clearing of creeks to allow loose logs to float better. The earliest spring log drives floated up to 20,000,000 board feet (47,000 m) of logs in Pine Creek at one time. These logs floated to the West Branch Susquehanna River and to sawmills near the
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to local sawmills. There were 13 companies operating logging railroads along Pine Creek and its tributaries between 1886 and 1921, while the last log drive in the Pine Creek watershed started on Little Pine Creek in 1905. By 1900, the
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at Williamsport. Log drives could be dangerous: just north of the park is Barbour Rock, named for Samuel Barbour, who lost his life on Pine Creek there after breaking up a log jam. Hemlock wood was not widely used until the advent of
349:, were the first to be harvested, as the early settlers used the readily available timber to build homes, barns, and ships, and cleared the land for agriculture. The demand for wood products slowly increased and by the time of the
447:, but the bark was used to tan leather. After 1870 the largest tanneries in the world were in the Pine Creek watershed, and required 2,000 pounds (910 kg) of bark to produce 150 pounds (68 kg) of quality sole leather.
249:'s designation of the gorge as a National Natural Landmark notes that it "contains superlative scenery, geological and ecological value, and is one of the finest examples of a deep gorge in the eastern United States."
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401:. The lumbermen would then walk home, following the old Pine Creek Path at the end of their journey. A spar sold for one dollar and three spars up to 90 feet (27 m) long were lashed together to make a ship's
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the lumber industry had reached the interior and mountainous regions of Pennsylvania. Lumber thus became one of the leading industries in Pennsylvania. Trees were used to furnish fuel to heat homes,
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in the Pine Creek watershed, and by 1840 there were 145, despite a flood in 1832 which wiped out nearly all the mills along the creek. Selective harvesting of pines was replaced by
547:. The latter, opened in 1996, runs along the former NYC railroad bed for 64 miles (103 km) from Wellsboro Junction in Tioga County to Jersey Shore in Lycoming County.
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there in the early 20th century. Fourmile Run flows through the park: its O'Connor Branch is named for the dead trapper's brothers, who were loggers in the area.
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Continental Glacier dammed it with rocks, soil, and other debris. Glacial meltwater formed a lake near the present town of Ansonia, and when it overflowed the
627:"Pennsylvania Trail of Geology, Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks, The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, Geologic Features of Interest (Park Guide 5)"
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By the early 19th century, the demand for lumber reached the Pine Creek Gorge, where the surrounding mountainsides were covered with eastern white pine
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As the 19th century progressed, fewer pines were left and more hemlocks and hardwoods were cut and processed locally. By 1810 there were 11
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of all lumber in a tract. The first lumbering activity to take place close to what is now Leonard Harrison State Park occurred in 1838 when
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776:(Map). 1 inch is 2 miles. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry. May 2011. Archived from
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in 1682, up to 90 percent of what is now Pennsylvania was covered with woods: more than 31,000 square miles (80,000 km) of
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in diameter and 150 feet (46 m) or more tall, eastern hemlock 9 feet (2.7 m) in circumference, and huge hardwoods. Each
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Within the park, Pine Creek and the walls of the gorge "visible from the opposite shoreline" are also protected by the state as a
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opened, following the creek through the gorge. The new railroad used the relatively level route along Pine Creek to link the
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373:. Rifle stocks and shingles were made from Pennsylvania timber, as were a wide variety of household utensils, and the first
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from the Leetonia lumber railroad and the nearly clearcut Pine Creek Gorge, at one of the lookouts in what is now the park.
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Along Pine Creek between Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks a century after the end of the lumber era
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275:. In 1968, Pine Creek was one of only 27 rivers originally designated as eligible to be included in the
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Visitors can view the gorge and its plants and animals in the state parks and along hiking trails and the
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for kitchen and dining (left), sleeping (center), and horses (right): the railroad is on the shore behind.
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on March 16, 1798, and rafts of spars were floated down the creek to the Susquehanna River, then to the
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245:. This federal program does not provide any extra protection beyond that offered by the land owner. The
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488:'s mill at Tiadaghton. When that burned in 1905, the lumber went to the Leetonia mill on
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Pine Creek had flowed northeasterly until about 20,000 years ago, when the receding
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Pine Creek Gorge panorama from Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County, Pennsylvania
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that were spread throughout the state, and wood for construction, furniture, and
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899:
Taber III, Thomas T. (1995). "Chapter Two: The Boom — Making It All Possible".
826:. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from
802:(1st ed.). Petaluma, California: Interprint. pp. 75, 76, 80, 82, 84.
690:. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from
632:. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from
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Seasons Along The Tiadaghton: An Environmental History of the Pine Creek Gorge
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Seasons Along The Tiadaghton: An Environmental History of the Pine Creek Gorge
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853:(2nd ed.). Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: Pine Creek Press. pp. 51–52.
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includes Colton Point and Leonard Harrison State Parks and parts of the
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park is named for a trapper whose decomposed body was found in his own
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974:"Trail of the Month, July 2009: Pennsylvania's Pine Creek Rail Trail"
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and continues south. Its deepest point is 1,450 feet (440 m) at
949:(1st ed.). Petaluma, California: Interprint. pp. 53–62.
717:. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. pp. 189–193.
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inaccessible was harvested and transported by train, initially to
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along 12 miles (19 km) of Pine Creek between Ansonia and
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Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
16:
A gorge carved by Pine creek in Pennsylvania, United States
851:
Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon: A Natural & Human History
715:
Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring State Forest Natural Areas
798:
Owlett, Steven E. (1993). "A Wild and Scenic River?".
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It sits in about 160,000 acres (650 km) of the
945:Owlett, Steven E. (1993). "The Death of a Forest".
849:Dillon, Chuck (2006). "Protection for Pine Creek".
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1211:List of National Natural Landmarks in Pennsylvania
824:"Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers Program: Location Map"
512:Since the end of the lumber era, the forests have
1250:Protected areas of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
433:1871 the General Assembly passed a law allowing
365:making. Large areas of forest were harvested by
337:. The forests near the three original counties,
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877:. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
1185:John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
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1255:Protected areas of Tioga County, Pennsylvania
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658:"National Natural Landmark: Pine Creek Gorge"
468:Jersey Shore, Pine Creek, and Buffalo Railway
8:
1245:National Natural Landmarks in Pennsylvania
1190:Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas
1095:Florence Jones Reineman Wildlife Sanctuary
1090:Ferncliff Wildflower and Wildlife Preserve
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875:"The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum - History"
516:and include trees that are 100 years old.
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907:: Paulhamus Litho, Inc. pp. 23–34.
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1240:Landforms of Tioga County, Pennsylvania
1155:Reynolds Spring and Algerine Swamp Bogs
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1235:Canyons and gorges of Pennsylvania
1145:Nottingham Park Serpentine Barrens
14:
998:Pine Creek Gorge official website
1165:Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area
1140:Nay Aug Park Gorge and Waterfall
1085:Ferncliff Peninsula Natural Area
382:3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m)
156:The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
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570:Aerial view of Pine Creek Gorge
562:Pine Creek Gorge in the winter
306:Pine Creek lumber drive, with
277:National Wild and Scenic River
1:
976:. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
785:Retrieved on October 8, 2012.
391:Pennsylvania General Assembly
223:West Branch Susquehanna River
474:(NYC) to the north with the
197:, near the southern end. At
181:. The gorge begins south of
158:, is a 47-mile (76 km)
1003:Leonard Harrison State Park
905:Montoursville, Pennsylvania
901:Williamsport Lumber Capital
33:Pine Creek Gorge in autumn.
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1180:Tannersville Cranberry Bog
1130:McConnells Mill State Park
1110:Hearts Content Scenic Area
1055:National Natural Landmarks
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1120:Hickory Run Boulder Field
1070:Bear Meadows Natural Area
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1009:"Colton Point State Park"
600:"51 Great Places to Hike"
581:Pine Creek (Pennsylvania)
472:New York Central Railroad
273:Pennsylvania Scenic River
235:National Natural Landmark
38:
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1195:Titus and Wattsburg Bogs
713:Fergus, Charles (2002).
397:and the shipbuilders at
203:Colton Point State Parks
1150:Presque Isle State Park
1105:Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
262:Tiadaghton State Forest
1170:Susquehanna Water Gaps
1160:The Glens Natural Area
1080:Cook Forest State Park
1019:on September 27, 2011.
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314:Before the arrival of
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1115:Hemlocks Natural Area
662:National Park Service
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545:Pine Creek Rail Trail
540:inhabit these woods.
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247:National Park Service
233:The Pine Creek Gorge
126:41.27167°N 77.32694°W
1075:Box Huckleberry Site
830:on December 19, 2003
783:on October 26, 2014.
625:McGlade, William G.
476:Clearfield Coalfield
256:Pine Creek Gorge in
1135:Monroe Border Fault
749:on February 2, 2004
351:American Revolution
154:, sometimes called
131:41.27167; -77.32694
122: /
1200:Wissahickon Valley
770:Tioga State Forest
688:"Pine Creek Gorge"
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327:eastern white pine
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239:Tioga State Forest
179:Tioga State Forest
1230:Allegheny Plateau
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694:on April 19, 2004
668:on August 2, 2007
518:White-tailed deer
170:in north-central
164:Allegheny Plateau
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93:Nearest city
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1015:. Archived from
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832:. Retrieved
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778:the original
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763:
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692:the original
682:
670:. Retrieved
666:the original
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641:. Retrieved
634:the original
620:
608:. Retrieved
603:
594:
542:
534:river otters
511:
498:
494:Elk Township
465:
449:
426:clearcutting
419:
379:
339:Philadelphia
316:William Penn
313:
292:
270:
266:
232:
212:
191:U.S. Route 6
176:
172:Pennsylvania
155:
151:
150:
87:Pennsylvania
61:Pennsylvania
538:bald eagles
530:black bears
129: /
104:Coordinates
1224:Categories
980:October 7,
643:2013-07-01
587:References
445:wire nails
435:splash dam
298:Lumber era
219:debris dam
215:Laurentide
195:Waterville
168:Pine Creek
142:Designated
117:77°19′37″W
114:41°16′18″N
97:Waterville
85:counties,
855:(No ISBN)
606:. Gannett
604:USA Today
490:Cedar Run
453:bear trap
399:Baltimore
359:tanneries
335:hardwoods
323:colonists
243:Blackwell
209:Formation
187:Wellsboro
913:35920715
610:June 25,
575:See also
514:re-grown
481:Leetonia
422:sawmills
369:to fire
367:colliers
318:and his
189:, along
79:Lycoming
71:Location
526:turkeys
347:Chester
284:History
260:in the
185:, near
183:Ansonia
83:Clinton
59:Map of
953:
911:
806:
721:
536:, and
522:beaver
363:barrel
355:tannin
345:, and
320:Quaker
81:, and
781:(PDF)
774:(PDF)
637:(PDF)
630:(PDF)
343:Bucks
160:gorge
75:Tioga
982:2012
951:ISBN
909:OCLC
883:2008
836:2008
804:ISBN
755:2008
719:ISBN
700:2008
674:2008
612:2011
499:The
403:mast
308:arks
201:and
145:1968
1057:in
492:in
166:by
1226::
1011:.
965:^
921:^
891:^
860:^
790:^
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660:.
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532:,
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412:A
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341:,
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77:,
1047:e
1040:t
1033:v
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