Buchanan State Forest
Buchanan State Forest | |
---|---|
Type | State park |
Location | Bedford, Franklin, Fulton counties |
Coordinates | 39°49′55″N 78°32′54″W / 39.83194°N 78.54833°W[1] |
Area | 71,683 acres (29,009 ha) |
Elevation | 2,484 feet (757 m) |
Created | between 1909 | and 1930 s
Etymology | James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States |
Owned by | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
Operated by | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Open | Yes |
Camp sites | Yes - primitive |
Hiking trails | Yes |
Terrain | Various |
Website | www |
Location | McConnellsburg, PA |
Buchanan State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #2. The main office is located in McConnellsburg in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The forest also includes tracts in Franklin and Bedford Counties. It is named for James Buchanan of Pennsylvania, the fifteenth President of the United States.
The forest is found in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians of south-central Pennsylvania and comprises 71,683 acres (29,009 ha) divided into several units located in Bedford, Fulton, and Franklin Counties.
History
Buchanan State Forest was formed as a direct result of the depletion of the forests of Pennsylvania that took place during the mid-to-late 19th century. Conservationists like Dr.
There are several areas of historical significance in and around Buchanan State Forest. The Forbes Road built during the
Buchanan State Forest was acquired by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania following the lumber era that swept through most of Pennsylvania during the mid-to-late 19th century. Vast stands of old growth forests were harvested by various lumber companies. These lumber companies left behind a "barren wasteland" of stumps and drying treetops that were vulnerable to fire.
CCC Camp No. S-52 was built in 1933 on
An abandoned
Sideling Hill Tunnel is one of three original Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels which were abandoned (this one in 1968) after two massive realignment projects. It is now surrounded by Buchanan State Forest. Sideling Hill Tunnel is 6,782 feet (2,067 m) long. It was the longest of the original tunnels on Pennsylvania Turnpike. Alongside the Rays Hill Tunnel, the Sideling Hill Tunnel is now part of the Pike2Bike Trail. Together, the two tunnels as well as the roadway are commonly known as the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Sweet Root Natural Area
Sweet Root Natural Area is a section of the Buchanan State Forest, located near
Nearby state parks and special areas
- Cowans Gap State Park is located in Fulton and Franklin Counties within Buchanan State Forest.
Special areas in Buchanan State Forest include Sweet Root Natural Area, Pine Ridge Natural Area, Martin Hill Wild Area, Redbud Valley (known for bird watching), and four picnic areas.
There are three other state parks in District #2:
- Buchanan's Birthplace State Park (Franklin County)
- Shawnee State Park (Bedford County)
- Warriors Path State Park (Bedford County)
Neighboring state forest districts
The U.S. state of Maryland is to the south:
- Rothrock State Forest (north)
- Tuscarora State Forest (northeast)
- Michaux State Forest (east)
- Forbes State Forest (west)
- Gallitzin State Forest (northwest)
References
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Buchanan State Forest
- ^ a b "History of the William Penn State Forest". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ^ a b c d "History of the Buchanan State Forest". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on April 6, 2004. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
- ^ "Laurel Mountain State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
- ^ Mary Byrd Davis (23 January 2008). "Old Growth in the East: A Survey. Pennsylvania" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-29.
- "Buchanan State Forest". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on February 25, 2004. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
- "State Forest Districts". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2006-07-12. Note: Map showing districts after the July 1, 2005 realignment