Milton State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Milton State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Milton, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Milton, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 82 acres (0.33 km²) |
| Established: | 1966 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Milton State Park is an 82 acre (0.33 km²) Pennsylvania State Park in the borough of Milton in Northumberland County. The park is on Montgomery Island in the West Branch Susquehanna River, just east of the village of West Milton in Union County. Milton State Park is on Pennsylvania Route 642.
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[edit] History
[edit] Eary Pioneer
The recorded history of Milton State Park begins in 1762 when Marcus Huling Jr. made a claim on the island in the West Branch Susquehanna River. Huling planted an apple orchard on what was to become known as Montgomery Island.
[edit] Mills on Montgomery Island
Ownership of the island eventually transferred to the Straub Family. The Straubs built a dam across part of the river in 1824. The Straubs ran a sawmill and gristmill on the island and built a bridge between the island to the banks of the West Branch Susquehannah River.
[edit] Farming
In time the mills closed and the land was used for farming. The island was no longer used for farming by the early 1900's.
[edit] Working Together to create a State Park
Over the next 60 years the island was divided among several owners and used as a picnic ground with several athletic fields. The Milton Rotary Club and the Borough of Milton worked together to consolidate the deeds and transferred ownership of Montgomery Island to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1966.
[edit] Hurricane Agnes
Hurricane Agnes wiped out the newly created Milton State Park in 1972. The island and much of Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna River watershed was flooded extensively by the hurricane. The park was eventually rebuilt with federal disaster relief funds.
[edit] Natural Beauty
Milton State park is within sight of downtown Milton, Pennsylvania. This does not mean that it lacks for natural beauty. The island is surrounded by the waters of the West Branch Susquehanna River and the southern part of the island is not developed. It is covered in a forest of river birch, silver maple and sycamore trees. Milton State Park is a haven for migrating birds and waterfowl.
[edit] Recreation
There are several soccer and softball fields that are used by the residents of West Milton and Milton for recreational and church league events. Montgomery Island provides for an ideal stopping point for those exploring the river in canoes and kayaks. Milton State Park is handy to the fisherman interested in taking a short trip from Milton or West Milton for a day of fishing for catfish, panfish, bass, northern pike and muskellunge. There is one mile of hiking trail on the northern side of the park.
[edit] Picnics
The northern side of the park has ample picnic facilities. Families will find many picnic tables and charcoal grills for their use. There also is access to fresh drinking water and restroom facilities.
[edit] Nearby State Parks
- Shikellamy State Park (Union and Northumberland Counties)
- R. B. Winter State Park (Union County)
- Sand Bridge State Park (Union County)
- Susquehanna State Park (Lycoming County)
[edit] References
- Milton State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. "2006 General Highway Map of Montour County and Northumberland County". Retrieved on 2006-10-11.Note: shows Milton State Park
