Shippen Township in Tioga County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pine Creek
Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2023
1. Pine Creek Marker
The Indians called Pine Creek “Tiadaghton,” which meant river of pines. These now-gone pines brought drastic changes to Pine Creek.
Logging began in the 1800s. Before the logging, the thick soil held rainwater like a sponge. It released it slowly to the creek. Pine Creek stayed high enough to canoe all summer.
Today water runs off much more quickly carrying soil with it. The creek is rock-strewn by August.
Pine Creek still has much of its wilderness spirit. Experience it in the spring by raft or canoe. Like early travelers, you’ll find it a path to lead you into the wilderness.
Erected by PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Natural Landmarks series list.
Location. 41° 41.702′ N, 77° 27.338′ W. Marker is in Shippen Township, Pennsylvania, in Tioga County. Marker is in Leonard Harrison State Park, at the end of the East Rim overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4797 PA Route 660, Wellsboro PA 16901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Born to Be Wild... and Respected (about 400 feet away,
this page online
Regarding Pine Creek. From Wikipedia
Leonard Harrison State Park is a 585 acre Pennsylvania state park in Tioga County,Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is on the east rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 ft deep and nearly 4000 ft across here. It also serves as headquarters for the adjoining Colton Point State Park, its sister park on the west rim of the gorge. Leonard Harrison State Park is known for its views of the Pine Creek Gorge, and offers hiking, fishing and hunting, whitewater boating, and camping. The park is in Shippen and Delmar Townships, 10 mi west of Wellsboro at the western
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2023
2. Pine Creek Canyon and Marker
Pine Creek flows through the park and has carved the gorge through five major rock formations from the Devonian and Carboniferous periods. Native Americans once used the Pine Creek Path along the creek. The path was later used by lumbermen, and then became the course of a railroad from 1883 to 1988. Since 1996, the 63.4 mi Pine Creek Rail Trail has followed the creek through the park. The Pine Creek Gorge was named a National Natural Landmark in 1968 and is also protected as a Pennsylvania State Natural Area an important Bird Area, while Pine Creek is a Pennsylvania Scenic and Wild River. The gorge is home to many species of plants and animals, some of which have been reintroduced to the area.
Although the Pine Creek Gorge was clearcut in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it is now covered by second growth forest, thanks in part to the conservation efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The park is named for Leonard Harrison, a Wellsboro lumberman who cut the timber there, then established the park, which he donated to the state in 1922. The CCC improved the park and built many of its original facilities. Since a successful publicity campaign in 1936, the park has been a popular tourist destination and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Leonard Harrison State Park was chosen by the
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 12, 2001
3. Grand Canyon of PA
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 12, 2001
4. Grand Canyon of PA
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 28, 2007
5. Map of Leonard Harrison State Park
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 16, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
