Sinnemahoning State Park

History of the Park

Sinnemahoning State Park was developed on the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek following the completion of the George B. Stevenson Dam. This dam was originally known as the First Fork Dam, and later renamed in honor of Clinton County Senator George B. Stevenson, who promoted the drive for legislation authorizing the project. The dam reduces downstream flooding in the Susquehanna River Basin. It was completed in December of 1955.

The opening of Sinnemahoning State Park represents one of the state’s first attempts to develop multi-purpose use of an impoundment area. The park opened to the public in 1958. On March 9, 1959, the construction of the recreation areas and facilities were completed. The park then contained three picnic areas with three non-flush toilets, four wells, a beach area and a boat launching and mooring facilities. In 1966, one picnic area was converted into a camping area.

When the park area first opened to the public in 1958, it was managed by the Bureau of Forestry. In 1962, the park was incorporated into the state park system.

On July 1, 1983, the George B. Stevenson Dam, a state owned and operated flood control dam, was transferred to the Bureau of State Parks for administration.

History

The first inhabitants of the area arrived about 10,000-12,000 years ago, when glaciers were still sculpting the upper Susquehanna watershed. The watershed was full of fish and the forests teamed with wildlife, berries and nuts. Along the riparian bottoms, one has only to scour plowed fields for remnants of artifacts left behind from encampments and hunting parties. The name Sinnemahoning is derived from an American Indian word meaning “Rocky Lick.” This natural salt lick is reputed to be near the mouth of Grove Run, a stream that flows through the nearby town of Sinnemahoning.

The late 1800s saw the heyday of logging in this area. Large expanses of forests were cut with white pine being the cornerstone species. Log drives on the First Fork were not an uncommon sight in the early spring as lumber companies herded their supply down river to market.

By the 1850s, rail transportation was beginning to grow. As transportation and access improved along the river, the race to develop those resources began in earnest. The Lowlands Bottom Trail, which runs through the middle of the park, was once the old Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. This artery opened up trade and transportation, providing a reliable and efficient route for goods and services to reach from the port of Erie to the growing city of Philadelphia.

For more information about the logging history of north central Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Potter County, 814-435-2652. www.lumbermuseum.org

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