Morrison Cove

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Morrison Cove (also referred to as Morrisons Cove or Morrison's Cove), is an eroded anticlinal valley^[1] in Blair and Bedford counties of central Pennsylvania, United States extending from Evitts Mountain near New Enterprise, north to the Frankstown Branch Juniata River at Williamsburg. The width of the valley varies from 10 to 15 miles between Tussey Mountain on the east to the chain of Dunning, Loop and Lock Mountains on the west. Almost entirely enclosed by these mountains, the only openings in the cove are at Loysburg Gap in the south, McKee Gap in the west, and at Williamsburg to the north. The floor of the valley is mostly level, with many large fertile farm fields. The southern end of the valley drains to the Raystown Branch Juniata River via Yellow Creek through Loysburg Gap, and the northern end drains to the Frankstown Branch, via Clover Creek.

The principal towns of The Cove are:

• Roaring Spring
• Martinsburg
• Williamsburg
• Woodbury

Although on the other side of Dunning Mountain, Claysburg could be included in this list because of the shared culture and customs of the area. [1]

Altoona-Blair County Airport and Cove Valley Airport are located in Morrison Cove. Pennsylvania Route 36 is the main north/south route through the valley from Loysburg Gap to McKee Gap. Pennsylvania Route 866 branches off PA-36 at Woodbury to Martinsburg.

[edit] History

Morrison's Cove is often mentioned as a landmark in early wills and records of importance. It is a fertile valley eight miles wide and 12 miles long, and extends into present Blair and Centre Counties. Wills Creek Valley and Friend's Cove are also in this section of the state, and were well known to the early settlers. [2]

[edit] External links

• Morrison Cove is at coordinates 40°14′57″N 78°20′09″W / 40.2492448, -78.3358466 (Morrison Cove)Coordinates: 40°14′57″N 78°20′09″W / 40.2492448, -78.3358466 (Morrison Cove)

[edit] References

1. ^ Kempler, Steve (2007-01-19). Geomorphology : Chapter 2 Plate T-12 : Folded Appalachians. NASA, Goddard Earth Sciences (GES), Data and Information Services Center (DISC). Retrieved on 2008-03-16. “Nittany Valley and Morrison Cove, eroded anticlinal valleys (coves), near the western edge of the fold belt shown here, and Broadtop Mountain (a syncline east of Morrison Cove) are examples of inverse topography, which is common in this geomorphic province.”