Pine Grove Furnace State Park
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| Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Carlisle, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 696 acres (2.82 km²) |
| Established: | 1913 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Pine Grove Furnace State Park is a 696 acre (2.82 km²) Pennsylvania State Park with two lakes in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is the location of the former Pine Grove Furnace, an iron furnace that operated for 131 years on South Mountain. Pine Grove Furnace State park is 8 miles (12.87 km) from exit 37 of Interstate 81 on Pennsylvania Route 233.
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[edit] History
The first iron furnace at Pine Grove Furnace was built in 1764. The early furnace manufactured products made of cast iron like fireplace backs, iron kettles and ten plate stoves. Laurel Forge was built in 1830. This forge hammered and reheated the cast iron to make wrought iron. Wrought iron is a product that can be easily bent into many different shapes. The furnaces at Pine Grove burned only charcoal for the first 112 years. The demand for charcoal was great. One iron furnace could consume one acre (0.004 km²) of forest in one day. Massive charcoal furnaces were built at Kings Gap, just a few miles from Pine Grove Furnace, to meet these needs. The charcoal was created by stacking timber around large hearths. The hearths were fired by a collier, who tended the hearths for 10 to 14 days until the charcoal was ready. The charcoal was then sent to the waiting iron furnaces at Pine Grove Furnace. It gradually became more difficult to acquire the needed volume of charcoal as the surrounded mountains were stripped of their timber. The furnaces were updated so that coke and coal could be burned to keep the fires of the furnaces burning. The maximum output of iron at the furnaces was 6,000 net tons in 1883. This was not enough to keep up with the competition that was able to produce iron at a higher capacity. Pine Grove Furnace was closed to iron production in 1895.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought the iron works and surrounding lands, all 17,000 acres (68.80 km²), in 1913. Most of the acquired lands became part of Michaux State Forest. But 696 acres (2.82 km²) was set aside for the establishment of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Some reminders of the iron industry days still stand at the park. The iron master's mansion is now a youth hostel, while the furnace, clerks office and stable provide a historical reference. The grist mill is being used as the visitor center and the former inn is now the park office. Several residences, traces of the raceways and charcoal hearths can be seen today. Many of the facilities at the park were built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The young men of the CCC Camp S-51-PA constructed roads throughout the state forests, constructed bridges on the state roads, planted trees for reforestation, and cleaned streams.
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Fishing and boating
Fuller Lake is a 25 acre (0.10 km²)lake that has filled an abandonded quarry left over from the days of the iron industry at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The common game fish in Fuller Lake are pickerel, trout and perch. Boating is not permitted on Fuller Lake. Laurel Lake is a 25 acre (0.10 km²) that was created to supply water power for Laurel Forge. The common game fish in Laurel Lake are also pickerel, trout and perch. Boaters are limited to using electric powered and non-powered watercraft on Laurel Lake. Gas powered boats are not permitted. All boats must have a valid registration from any state. Mountain Creek is a trout fishery with brook, brown and rainbow trout.
[edit] Hunting
Hunting is permitted in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The most common game species are rabbits, squirrels, turkey and white-tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission.
[edit] Swimming and picnics
Swimming is permitted in Fuller and Laurel lakes. The beaches open Memorial Day weekend and close Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards are on duty each day from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 pm. There are many picnic tables spread throughout the park. In addition to the table two pavilions are available for rent at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
[edit] Trails
Pine Grove Furnace State Park has 3 miles (5 km) of hiking trails within its boundaries. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the park. The trails are open to cross-country skiing and some trails and roads are open to snow mobiling during the winter months.
- Buck Ridge Trail is a 6 mile (10 km) trail that connects Pine Grove Furnace State Park with Kings Gap State Park as it passes through Michaux State Forest. This trail is marked with orange blazes.
- Creek Trail is a 0.5 mile (1 km) trail that begins at the park amphitheater and follows Mountain Creek as it passes vernal pools and a stand of white pine trees.
- Mountain Creek Trail is a 1.4 mile (2.3 km) trail that passes through wetlands and forests as it follows Mountain Creek. Hikers may get the opportunity to see white-tail deer, heron, beavers and waterfowl.
- Koppenhaver Trail is 1.0 mile (1.6 km) in length and passes through a stand of mature hemlock and white pine.
- Pole Steeple Trail is a 0.75 mile (1.2 km) trail with a steep climb to the Pole Steeple Overlook. From the overlook visitors can view the entire park.
- Swamp Trail is 0.25 mile (0.4 km) in length and passes through a swamp.
[edit] Wildlife
Pine Grove Furnace State Park is home to a variety of habitats. It provides an example of how nature has reclaimed the land that was once heavily used by man. The areas surrounding the former iron furnaces have created a variety of habitats of open areas, forests, and wetlands. The park is a rest stop for migrating birds during the spring and autumn months. Vireo, thrush and warblers stop over on their migration path. Migrating waterfowl like Canadian geese, merganser, loon, mallard and teal ducks stop for rest and food at Laurel Lake. At least six species of woodpeckers can be seen in the woods of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Butterflies reach their peak in the summer months when the woods are filled with a wide variety of songbirds. Common woodland creatures like white tail deer, squirrels and chipmunks are plentiful. Black bears and beaver also make their home in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
[edit] Staying overnight
Pine Grove Furnace State Park has several options for visitors interested in spending the night or camping at the park. There is a 72 site rustic camping ground that is open to tents and campers. The campground does not have flush toilets but drinking water is provided. A camp store is 0.25 mile (0.4 km) from the campground. There is a large area for organized group camping which is wooded and surrounds an open playfied.
Pines Cabin is a two story wood frame house that is available to rent year round. It has a modern kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and three bedrooms that can sleep up to eight people. The Paymasters Cabin is a remnant of the days of the iron furnace, with a modern kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms that can sleep up to six people. Both cabins have a central heating system. The Ironmaster's Mansion is a youth hostel. It is commonly used by hikers who are traversing the Appalachian Trail.
[edit] Nearby state parks
- Big Spring State Park (Perry County)
- Caledonia State Park (Adams and Franklin Counties)
- Codorus State Park (York County)
- Colonel Denning State Park (Cumberland County)
- Cunningham Falls State Park (Maryland)
- Fowlers Hollow State Park (Perry County)
- Gifford Pinchot State Park (York County)
- Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center (Cumberland County)
- Little Buffalo State Park (Perry County)
- Mont Alto State Park (Franklin County)
[edit] References
- Pennsylvania State Parks: The CCC Years. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park History. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park, USGS Dickinson (PA) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
