Mt. Davis

This marker is near the intersection of Mt. Davis and S. Wolf Rock roads.

Tower located about 100 feet from the marker, at the highest point in Pennsylvania.

Looking southeast towards Salisbury, PA.

Cluster of markers located about 100 feet from the tower structure.

Inscription: Logging on a large scale began in 1879. The following firms have cut timber on Negro Mountain: Pinkerton; markleton; J.R. Droney; McSpadden; Cook & Sechler; Cook & Duncan; Maust; Whites Creek and Muncy Lumber Co's.. The last to shut down and leave the mountain was the Muncy, in 1923. A number of logging and mining railroads crisscrossed the slopes. Deposits of coal and limestone were found shortly before 1800. A gristmill operated on Tub Mill Run from 1872 until 1940. A brick and tile industry was born when suitable clay was discovered on the mountain.

The last kiln on Negro Mountain was abandoned about 1835. Kilns were used to extract Pine Tar from Pitch Pine. Dished stones similar to the one found just off South Wolf Rock Road, were the bases of tar kilns. Pitchy sections of resinous pine, including knots and cones, were stacked on these stones, then covered with earth and wet leaves. The stack was ignited. The heat caused the pitch to ooze out of th epine onto the stone and run off along the collecting groove to where it was gathered.

The Wild Child inscription: In the late spring or early summer of 1830, a ten year old girl, Lydia Shultz, was living with her family on the slopes of Negro Mountain. Lydia was sent to the woods, as was the custom, to gather the cows. When she didn't return, neighbors went searching for the child. Months went by until she was eventually found. She had been living off the land, eating berries and other foods nature provides. The child had become quite wild, at times hiding from the searchers.

Baughman Rocks inscription: Henry Baughman - an ill-tempered man - and his two sons, were searching the fields for lost cows. The father becaome angry with his youngest son, August, who was slowing the search. The father struck him with a stick, knocking him unconscious. Henry, thinking his son was dead, hid the body amongst what is now called BAUGHMAN ROCKS. Later, returning to the site, he could not find the body. On the testimony of his eldest son, Henry was tried, convicted, and served a term for second-degree murder. What happened to August remains a myster to this day.