Near Punxsutawney in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Groundhog Day

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 19, 2006

1. Groundhog Day Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

As early as 1886, German immigrants here observed Groundhog Day and established the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club in 1899. According to folklore, if the hibernating groundhog—known as Punxsutawney Phil—leaves its burrow on February 2 and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. The legend is based on a European custom predicting the length of winter by weather conditions on Candlemas, an ancient Christian festival.

Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1859.

Location. 40° 55.877′ N, 78° 57.461′ W. Marker is near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Woodland Avenue Extension and Sportsman Park Road on Woodland Avenue Extension. It is located on site at Gobblers Knob. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Punxsutawney PA 15767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies. Punxsutawney (approx. one mile away); Barclay Square (approx. 1.1 miles away); Charles J. Margiotti (approx. 1.7 miles away); Rossiter Strike Injunction (approx. 2.7 miles away); Great Shamokin Path (approx. 3.3 miles away); First Pennsylvania Troopers Killed in the Line of Duty (approx. 5.2 miles away); Millstone (approx. 7.1 miles away); McGee's Mills Covered Bridge (approx. 10.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Punxsutawney.

Also see . . .
1. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. (Submitted on January 26, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Groundhog Day - Behind the Marker. Explore PA History.com (Submitted on July 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 2, 2016

2. Groundhog Day Marker

Groundhog Day Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 2, 2016

3. Groundhog Day Sign

Behind Phil's doorway

Groundhog Day image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 2, 2016

4. Groundhog Day

Phil's doorway...to be opened on February 2

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,295 times since then and 98 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 30, 2011. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.