40-675: Shikellamy State Park is a 132-acre (53 ha) Pennsylvania state park located at the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania . The park is divided into two sections. The older part, on a bluff on the western bank of the Susquehanna River, is the 78-acre (32 ha) Shikellamy overlook in Union Township , Union County . The newer part
80-476: A brief history of their development since the first park opened in 1893. State parks range in size from 3 acres (1.2 ha) to 21,122 acres (8,548 ha) and comprise one percent of Pennsylvania's total land area. According to Dan Cupper (1993), "Pennsylvania is the thirty-third largest state, but only Alaska and California have more park land". There are state parks in 62 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties , which nearly reaches Pennsylvania's goal of having
120-450: A lake known as Lake Augusta. In 1874 a group of rowers (log raftmen and shad fishermen) from Shamokin Dam and Sunbury competed in a regatta on Lake Augusta, rowing in both singles and doubles. The rowers from Shamokin Dam were victorious that day, winning a barrel of flour, gold sleeve buttons and a silver cup, while the rowers from Sunbury vowed to win in the next year. The most popular event of
160-475: A state park within 25 miles (40 km) of every resident in the Commonwealth. Eleven parks do not have "State Park" in their name. Three are " Conservation Areas ": Boyd Big Tree Preserve , Joseph E. Ibberson , and Varden ; four are "Environmental Education Centers": Jacobsburg , Jennings , Kings Gap (also a "Training Center") and Nolde Forest ; White Clay Creek is a "Preserve"; Norristown
200-517: A store will be open to provide snacks, boating gear and gas. It was announced in 2010 that marina building would be remodeled for the purpose of establishing and environmental education center at the park. The project, to be led by the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies, aims to improve water quality, promote research, provide environmental education and address other concerns related to
240-582: A successful nest on the cliffs below the scenic overlook. It is only the third known "wild nest" built by the birds in the state. Most other breeding pairs have been introduced to sites throughout the state by the Pennsylvania Game Commission . Both sections of Shikellamy State Park have a hiking trail. At the overlook there is a one-mile (1.6 km) nature trail. Careful hikers will get the chance to observe some wildlife. They might see white-tail deer , many different songbirds and
280-413: A wide variety of wildflowers . Hikers can also observe the development of forests at the overlook. The forest changes from scrub forest to mature hardwood forest. The marina is encircled by paved walking paths for those interested in taking a walk along the river and marina. In the early-to-mid-19th century, the construction of a dam across the Susquehanna River, just south of the city of Sunbury, produced
320-642: Is a census-designated place (CDP) in Monroe Township , Snyder County , Pennsylvania , United States. The population was 641 at the 2000 census. Hummels Wharf is located at 40°50′5″N 76°50′12″W / 40.83472°N 76.83667°W / 40.83472; -76.83667 (40.834638, -76.836753). According to the United States Census Bureau , the CDP has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.78 km ), all land. As of
360-661: Is a "Farm Park"; and Big Spring is a "State Forest Picnic Area". Seven parks are undeveloped with no facilities: Allegheny Islands , Benjamin Rush , Bucktail , Erie Bluffs , Prompton , Swatara , and Varden ; the last four of these are in the process of being developed. Five state parks are small picnic areas: Laurel Summit , Patterson , Prouty Place , Sand Bridge , and Upper Pine Bottom . Five state parks have major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams and/or lakes: Bald Eagle , Beltzville , Elk , Kettle Creek , and Sinnemahoning . Three former parks now belong, at least partly, to
400-943: Is now Cherry Springs , "Codorus Creek" is now Codorus , "Kooser Lake" is now Kooser , "Laurel Hill Summit" is now Laurel Summit , and "Promised Land Lake" is now Promised Land ). Such minor name changes are not included in this table. The following eighteen were once Pennsylvania state parks, but have been transferred to federal ( National Park Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ) or state ( Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission , Pennsylvania Game Commission , Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry ) agencies, or ceased to exist. The following are significantly different former or alternate names for two former Pennsylvania state parks. One former park dropped one word from its name ("Colerain Forge" became "Colerain" sometime between 1924 and 1937). Such minor name changes are not included in this table. Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania Hummels Wharf
440-571: Is primarily to allow the American shad to access the upper part of the Susquehanna. On this site there was the earlier Shamokin Dam. This dam maintained an adequate water level for ferry traffic across the Susquehanna from Shamokin (now Sunbury) to the west bank. It was destroyed in March, 1904 by the breakup of 22 inches (56 cm) (56 cm) of ice in the spring thaw. This is the dam that
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#1732771894372480-475: Is the 54-acre (22 ha) marina on the southern end of Packer Island in Upper Augusta Township , Northumberland County . Packer's Island lies between the city of Sunbury and the borough of Northumberland at the confluence of the two branches of the river. Shikellamy State Park is named in honor of Shikellamy , an Iroquois chief. Chief Shikellamy played a major role in the history of
520-480: Is the home of a wide variety of game fish. Anglers will find largemouth bass , smallmouth bass , crappies , catfish , walleye , northern pike , and muskellunge in the waters of Shikellamy State Park There are many picnic tables available for picnicking spread throughout Shikellamy State Park. The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Shikellamy State Park: List of Pennsylvania state parks As of 2024 , there are 124 state parks in
560-654: Is used for recreation. The dam and lake are part of Shikellamy State Park. The dam was named for Adam T. Bower, Chief Clerk of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1967–68 and Director of Services during the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1967-68, by Act 2001-5 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly . There are plans underway to add a fish ladder to the dam. The fish ladder
600-491: The U.S. state of Pennsylvania . The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks , a division of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is the governing body for all these parks, and directly operates 116 of them. The remaining parks are operated in cooperation with other public and private organizations. The first Pennsylvania state park, at Valley Forge , opened in 1893 and
640-465: The census of 2000, there were 641 people, 314 households, and 184 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,254.1 inhabitants per square mile (870.3/km ). There were 336 housing units at an average density of 1,181.5 per square mile (456.2/km ). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.04% White , 0.47% African American , 1.25% Asian , 0.94% from other races , and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of
680-589: The 1930s, some mere camping and picnic areas in state forests, while others preserved unique sites. The 1930s saw a great expansion of parks and their facilities under Governor Gifford Pinchot , who cooperated with President Franklin Roosevelt , despite their being of different political parties. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established 113 CCC camps in Pennsylvania (second only to California). Using CCC and Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor,
720-656: The DCNR, the state parks in Pennsylvania are on more than 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) with some 606 full-time and more than 1,600 part-time employees serving approximately 36 million visitors each year. Admission to all Pennsylvania state parks is free, although there are fees charged for use of cabins, marinas, etc. Pennsylvania's state parks offer "over 7,000 family campsites, 286 cabins, nearly 30,000 picnic tables, 56 major recreational lakes, 10 marinas, 61 beaches for swimming, 17 swimming pools" and over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of trails. Pennsylvania's first state park
760-541: The NPS built five Recreation Demonstration Areas , which became Pennsylvania state parks in 1945 and 1946: Blue Knob , French Creek , Hickory Run , Laurel Hill , and Raccoon Creek . The CCC also "fought forest fires, planted trees, built roads, buildings, picnic areas, swimming areas, campgrounds and created many state parks". In 1956, there were forty-four state parks in Pennsylvania, mostly in rural areas. Forty-five parks had been added by 1979, mostly near urban areas, and
800-470: The Native Americans in the area. The path ran from Frankstown, through New Berlin, and eventually to Northumberland. In the 1840s, the cliff was home to John Mason, an eccentric bachelor who constructed a viewing tower that hung at a 45-degree angle of the precipice. The tower was destroyed in 1864. In 1894, a beautiful hotel was constructed where the current pavilion is now, and that hotel burnt to
840-587: The Sunbury Fabridam or Fabri Dam) is the world's longest inflatable dam and it impounds the Susquehanna River . The dam is located just below the confluence of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna, between the towns of Shamokin Dam and Sunbury . The dam is 2,100 feet (640 m) long. When it is raised in the summer, it creates the 3,000-acre (1,200 ha) Lake Augusta , which
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#1732771894372880-462: The Susquehanna River watershed . The research would monitor river quality at 17 locations along the West Branch between Lock Haven and Sunbury. Six colleges and universities that lie in the Susquehanna valley are part of the coalition. Students from Bloomsburg University , Lock Haven University , Susquehanna University , Bucknell University , Lycoming College and King's College would use
920-422: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seven parks preserve the industrial past: Canoe Creek is the site of a former lime kiln , and Caledonia , French Creek , Greenwood Furnace , Kings Gap , Mont Alto , and Pine Grove Furnace (plus one former park) are all former iron furnace sites. Eight current parks and one former park contain at least part of eight different National Natural Landmarks . According to
960-401: The average family size was 2.63. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males. The median income for a household in the CDP
1000-402: The banks of the river. Lake Augusta is 3,600 acres (1,500 ha). The purpose of the dam is to provide recreational boating. The river/lake is usually at about 6 feet (1.8 m) in depth at this point. Beginning in 2010 Lake Augusta Outfitters will be operating a full service marina at the park. Boats such as kayaks and canoes will be available to rent on a daily or hourly basis. Additionally
1040-550: The day was a "tub" race in which the same rowers sat in wash tubs and paddled over a shorter course. The sport of rowing became a popular sport in central Pennsylvania, and in 1888 a National Association of Amateur Oarsmen Championship was held on the Lake Augusta. Rowers traveled from as far away as Canada and the Midwest to compete, and reportedly, thousands of spectators lined the banks of the river. The number of spectators
1080-522: The end of the last century, a masters rowing club, the Central Pennsylvania Rowing Association , was founded. The college teams and masters club now share a boat house on Lake Augusta near the junction of Routes 11 and 15 , just north of Shamokin Dam. Shikellamy Marina is on the Susquehanna River. The world's largest inflatable dam is three miles (5 km) downstream from the park. This dam forms Lake Augusta with
1120-501: The former state parks were also chiefly historic. In addition to preserving historic sites, Pennsylvania also sought to preserve natural beauty and offer opportunities for recreation in its state parks. In 1902 Mont Alto State Forest Park was the second park established, a year after the state "Bureau of Forestry" was set up to purchase, preserve, and restore Pennsylvania's forests, which had been ravaged by lumbering, charcoal production, and wild fires. Parks were added sporadically until
1160-535: The frontier in Pennsylvania . He was a friend of the Native Americans and the American Colonists of the 18th century. Shikellamy's village was located near where the overlook section of the park is today. Shikellamy State Park was opened in two phases. The overlook was opened for visitors in 1960; the marina for boaters opened 12 years later, in 1972. The Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam (also
1200-454: The ground in 1898. In the early 20th century, the cliff was frequented by locals for picnics and leisure, often at what was called table rock. Wealthy mineral miners attempted an excavation of the cliff, in hopes of discovering valuable minerals, but were unsuccessful, leading to a small cut out which gives the appearance of a cave, however, there are no caves anywhere in the cliff. Over the years, scout camps and rehabilitation camps were set up on
1240-534: The land, and in 1960 the state opened a public state park on the land. Shikellamy Overlook offers two scenic overlooks. They are 360 feet (110 m) above the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and North Branch Susquehanna River. One can get a view of the northern and western rivers as well as a bird's-eye view of Northumberland, Sunbury, and Hummels Wharf . A breeding pair of state-endangered peregrine falcons have established
Shikellamy State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
1280-432: The new center as a base of operations when conducting studies on the river. The coalition hopes to have the conversion completed by 2011. Boating is very popular at Shikellamy State Park. The river is busy with recreational boaters and water skiing enthusiasts. All types of boats are permitted, provided that are properly registered with the state. Fishing is a major attraction at Shikellamy State Park. The Susquehanna River
1320-406: The population. There were 314 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and
1360-434: The system had increased by 130,000 acres (53,000 ha). This was thanks largely to the efforts of Maurice K. Goddard , who served as director of the precursors to the DCNR for twenty-four years under six administrations. The number of visitors to parks more than tripled in this time and two voter approved bond issues (Projects 70 and 500) raised millions of dollars for park expansions and improvements. All this expansion
1400-578: The west bank town of Shamokin Dam is named after. There is another, existing, low head dam 1.2 miles (1.9 km) down stream, for the Shamokin Dam Power Plant The Overlook has been an important prominent feature of the Susquehanna valley for centuries. Before Moravian settlers inhabited the valley in the 18th century, the Penns creek path began and ended where county line road now sits, an important logistics route for
1440-834: Was Valley Forge State Park , purchased by the Commonwealth on May 30, 1893, to preserve Valley Forge . It was transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) on the Bicentennial of the United States , July 4, 1976. Many state parks still preserve history: as of 2012, forty-two Pennsylvania state park sites are on the National Register of Historic Places , including two National Historic Landmarks ( Delaware Canal and Point ), twenty-eight Civilian Conservation Corps sites in nineteen parks, and twelve other parks' historic sites and districts. Eight of
1480-417: Was $ 24,600, and the median income for a family was $ 25,781. Males had a median income of $ 38,942 versus $ 25,109 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 19,218. About 14.1% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over. Hummels Wharf is located in the 108th House District and the 27th Senate District of
1520-917: Was given to the National Park Service (NPS) for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. There are a total of seventeen former Pennsylvania state parks: four former parks have been transferred to the NPS, four to the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission , two to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , one to both the Corps and the Pennsylvania Game Commission , five to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry , and one has ceased to exist. Nine current and two former state parks have had major name changes or have been known under alternate names. The list gives an overview of Pennsylvania state parks and
1560-748: Was not without costs and by 1988 there was an estimated $ 90 million in deferred maintenance. In 1993, as the park system celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary, new tax and bond revenues were earmarked for the parks. Since 2000, parks are being improved through the state's Growing Greener and Growing Greener II and bond programs. The following are significantly different former or alternate names for nine current Pennsylvania state parks. Note that many parks were originally "State Forest Parks" or were state public camping or picnic areas in Pennsylvania state forests. In modern times, some "State Parks" have become "Environmental Education Centers", while other parks have dropped one word from their name ("Cherry Springs Drive"
1600-518: Was so great, the railroad companies rerouted trains to accommodate the throngs of people. Rowing in Central Pennsylvania was popular until an ice surge in 1904 demolished the dam that made conditions ideal for the sport. In 1968, a new inflatable dam was installed that allowed rowing to slowly return. By the early 1980s Bucknell University had established a crew team, and by the early 1990s Susquehanna University had its own team. Near
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