Beaver Creek (Lehigh River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaver Creek, Carbon County, Pennsylvania |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Highest of two: on south face Broad Mountain above Hometown, Pennsylvania 1,360 feet (415 m) 40°51′00″N 75°58′30″W / 40.85°N 75.975°W |
| River mouth | Lehigh River between Jim Thorpe and Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania 40°52′32″N 75°45′41″W / 40.8755°N 75.7615°W |
| Length | 14.9 mi (24.0 km) |
Beaver Creek is a cool stream located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. It flows from west to east and eventually joins the Lehigh River. This creek is so important that it even gives its name to the town of Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania. It also helps drain the southern parts of Beaver Meadows into another stream called Black Creek.
Beaver Creek starts about 1,500 feet (460 m) high up in a place called Junedale. Junedale is a small village in Banks Township, right at the edge of Carbon County. From there, the creek flows mostly east-northeast for about 5.74 miles (9.24 km). It goes right through the middle of Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania.
When it reaches Weatherly, the creek makes a sharp turn. It then flows south for about 1.25 miles through the center of Weatherly. About 7.0 miles (11.3 km) from where it started, Beaver Creek meets up with Hazle Creek. When these two creeks join, they form a new stream called Black Creek. Black Creek then turns sharply to the east.
Contents
The Story of Beaver Creek
How Beaver Creek Helped Pennsylvania Grow
Beaver Creek and Black Creek were very important for the early development of Province of Pennsylvania. Imagine a time when there were no big roads or highways! These creeks helped people travel and move goods.
A special road, called a turnpike, was built along Black Creek and Beaver Creek. This road went north from Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania all the way to the Susquehanna River. This made it much easier for people to travel and trade across the state.
Beaver Creek and the Railroad
In the 1800s, during a time when America was becoming more industrial, these creeks played another big role. A railroad called the Beaver Meadows Railroad was built. This railroad connected Beaver Meadows to the Lehigh Canal.
The Lehigh Canal was like a water highway that helped move coal and other goods. The Beaver Meadows Railroad used the path along Beaver Creek and Black Creek to connect towns like Weatherly and Penn Haven Junction to this important canal. This helped transport goods and raw materials, which was key for the growing industries in the United States.
