Caledonia State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Caledonia State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Reconstruction of Caledonia Furnace
Caledonia State Park Location in Pennsylvania
Location	Pennsylvania, United States
Area	1,125 acres (4.55 km2)
Elevation	1,096 ft (334 m)
Established	1903
Named for	Caledonia Furnace
Governing body	Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Website	Caledonia State Park

Caledonia State Park is a fun place to visit in southern Pennsylvania. This large park covers 1,125 acres. It is located in Franklin and Adams Counties.

The park gets its name from the Caledonia Furnace. This was an old iron-making factory. It was once owned by a famous person named Thaddeus Stevens. Today, the park is known for its many activities. It also has the Totem Pole Playhouse, a popular summer theater.

Park Location and Scenery

Caledonia State Park sits in a beautiful valley. It is nestled between Blue Mountain and the South Mountain Range. These mountains are part of the larger Blue Ridge Mountains.

You can find the park where two main roads meet. These are U.S. Route 30 and Pennsylvania Route 233. The park is near Fayetteville. It is located between the towns of Chambersburg and Gettysburg.

A Look Back: Park History

Caledonia State Park has a rich history. It was once home to an iron furnace. This furnace was owned by Thaddeus Stevens. He started the furnace in 1837. Stevens was from Caledonia County, Vermont.

Thaddeus Stevens was a very important person. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He strongly believed in ending slavery. People also know him as the founder of Pennsylvania's public school system.

The Civil War and the Furnace

The iron furnace faced destruction during the American Civil War. In June 1863, Confederate cavalry attacked it. General Jubal Early led these soldiers. Some historians think the furnace was destroyed for two reasons. First, it slowed down the Union's ability to make war supplies. Second, it was a way to punish Stevens for his anti-slavery views.

After the furnace was destroyed, the nearby fields became hospitals. This happened during the Battle of Gettysburg. That battle took place in July 1863.

From Furnace to Park

The furnace was rebuilt after the war. However, it closed down by 1902. The land was then sold to Pennsylvania. Caledonia State Park officially opened in 1903.

For many years, a trolley company leased the land. It became a popular spot for tourists. Especially those visiting the Gettysburg Battlefield. The trolley company even built some amusement rides. These rides are no longer there today.

In 1922, a nine-hole golf course opened. It has since grown to 18 holes. A group called the Pennsylvania Alpine Club helped rebuild parts of the old furnace. They also built a monument. You can still see parts of the old iron-making days. These include a blacksmith shop and charcoal hearths. Many park roads and buildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. It helped young men find work.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Caledonia State Park offers many ways to have fun. It has 10 miles of hiking trails. There is also a swimming pool and a golf course. You can enjoy summer theater performances. Hunting and fishing are also popular activities.

Camping Adventures

Caledonia State Park has two campgrounds. They offer 184 campsites for tents and trailers. The campgrounds open in mid-April. This is for the start of trout fishing season. They close in December after deer season.

The camping areas have hot showers and flush toilets. There is also a place to empty RV waste. A large area is available for group tent camping. It can hold up to 100 people. This area has picnic tables and fire rings.

You can also rent two cabins all year round. Each cabin can sleep up to 10 people. They have heating, modern kitchens, and bathrooms. Each cabin has three bedrooms and a living room.

Fishing Fun

A creek in Caledonia State Park

Fishing is a favorite activity at Caledonia State Park. It is also popular in the nearby Michaux State Forest. Three streams flow through the park. These are East Branch Conococheague Creek, Rocky Mountain Creek, and Carbaugh Run.

These streams have warm water fish. They also have brown trout, native brook trout, and rainbow trout. The brown and rainbow trout are added to the streams. This is done by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Hiking Trails

The famous Appalachian Trail goes through Caledonia State Park. This trail stretches from Georgia to Maine. The Ramble Trail is 2.2 miles long. It passes by the old millrace from the iron furnace days.

The park has ten other trails. These trails go through different natural areas. They also pass by historical sites.

Hunting Opportunities

Caledonia Falls.

About 740 acres of woods are open for hunting. Hunters must follow the rules of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Common animals to hunt include rabbits, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.

Hunters can also go into the Michaux State Forest. They can park at Caledonia State Park. Then they can hike into the forest using the trails.

Totem Pole Playhouse

Totem Pole Playhouse

The Totem Pole Playhouse is a summer theater. It is located at Caledonia State Park. This playhouse is famous across the country. It attracts very talented actors. It also puts on many different kinds of plays.

The playhouse started in 1950. Karl Genus was its first director. It later moved to its current location in Caledonia. The Totem Pole Playhouse became very well-known. This happened under the direction of William H. Putch. He was married to actress Jean Stapleton. She also acted in many shows there.

Putch directed the playhouse for 30 years. He was in charge of 270 plays. Many famous actors have performed here. You might recognize names like John Ritter, Sandy Dennis, and Michael Gross.

Nearby Parks to Explore

Here are some other state parks close to Caledonia State Park (within 30 miles):

• Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area (Perry County)
• Buchanan's Birthplace State Park (Franklin County)
• Colonel Denning State Park (Cumberland County)
• Cowans Gap State Park (Fulton County)
• Cunningham Falls State Park (Maryland)
• Fowlers Hollow State Park (Perry County)
• Gambrill State Park (Maryland)
• Greenbrier State Park (Maryland)
• Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center (Cumberland County)
• Mont Alto State Park (Franklin County)
• Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Cumberland County)
• South Mountain State Park (Maryland)