Manheim Township near Parkville in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Passenger Pigeon

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, January 1, 2009

1. Passenger Pigeon Marker

Inscription.
Across Lake Marburg on the northern horizon lie the Pigeon Hills, once inhabited by thousands of passenger pigeons. The monument at the top of the knoll replaces the original Boy Scout Memorial erected in the Pigeon Hills in 1947. The original memorial was destroyed in 1981. It was rededicated September 12, 1982, and reads as follows:

In the interest of the preservation of wildlife we here dedicate this memorial to the ill-fated passenger pigeon which from earliest pioneer days until the 1880s flocked to these Pigeon Hills. This migratory bird, now extinct, was once so plentiful its numbers darkened the skies.

Dedicated Sunday, October 12, 1947, By the Boy Scouts of America Conewago District of the York - Adams Area Council.

Erected 1982.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Communications. A significant historical date for this entry is September 12, 1863.

Location. 39° 47.3′ N, 76° 54.05′ W. Marker is near Parkville, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is in Manheim Township. Marker can be reached from Marina Drive, half a mile Blooming Grove Road (Pennsylvania Route 216). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2600 Smith Station Rd, Hanover PA 17331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies. A different marker also named Passenger Pigeon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mary Ann Forge and Furnace (approx. 2 miles away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 2.9 miles away); Heidelberg Township Recreation Park (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named Heidelberg Township Recreation Park (approx. 3.3 miles away); Jefferson (approx. 3.7 miles away); a different marker also named Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 3.7 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. 3.7 miles away).

Additional commentary.
1. Pigeon Hills
Be careful not to assume that the Pigeon Hills were named for the passenger pigeon. According to Gibson's 1860 History of York County, the largest landowner was named Pigeon and the hills were undoubtedly named for him.

— Submitted January 1, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Passenger Pigeon Marker with Pigeon Hills in left background and Lake Marburg in left background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, January 1, 2009

2. Passenger Pigeon Marker with Pigeon Hills in left background and Lake Marburg in left background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,160 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.