Big Spring State Park (Pennsylvania)
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| Big Spring State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Toboyne Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Carlisle, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 45 acres (0.18 km²) |
| Established: | 1936 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Big Spring State Park is a 45 acres (0.18 km²) Pennsylvania State Park in Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is on Pennsylvania Route 274, 5.5 miles southwest of New Germantown. Big Spring State Park is primarily a hiking and picnic area. An partially completed railroad tunnel that is in Conococheague Mountain is the major feature of the park.
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[edit] History
The area surrounding Big Spring State Park is now largely a wild area. This was not the case in the 1800s. One of the first businesses at the foot of Conococheague Mountain was a tannery. This tannery was in operation from the early 1800s until 1860. The tannery was converted into an axe handle factory in 1871. The Perry Lumber Railroad, a narrow gauge railway also operated in the area. It hauled lumber to tanneries, barrel manufacturers and charcoal furnaces.
The abandonded railroad tunnel is a remnant of the lumber era that dominated the economy of much of Pennsylvania in the 1800s. The Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad extended its line into the Big Spring area in an attempt to connect with the Path Valley Railroad on the other side of Conococheague Mountain in Franklin County. This tunnel was left incomplete and stands as a reminder of the lumber/railroad era.
Although the railroad may have failed in its effort to tunnel through the mountain, the tracks remained. These rails were used to transport picnickers into the area during the early 1900s. The current facilities at Big Spring State Park were built during the Great Depression in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was formally opened in 1936.
[edit] Recreation
Big Spring State Park offers recreational opportunities to those interested in picnicking and hiking. The pavilions built by the CCC and picnic tables are available in many areas of the park on a first come first served basis. A one mile trail leads to the abandonded railroad tunnel Conococheague Mountain. The park also serves as a trailhead for the Iron Horse Trail in Tuscarora State Forest.
[edit] Nearby state parks
- Colonel Denning State Park
- Fowlers Hollow State Park
- Little Buffalo State Park
[edit] References
- Big Spring State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
- Latitude and Longitude from Topozone
- Find a Park Dutch Country Roads. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
