Goschgoschink Path facts for kids
The Goschgoschink Path, later known as Mead's Path, was an important trail used by Native Americans and early settlers in Pennsylvania. It started near Luthersburg in Clearfield County, at a place called The Big Spring. This was also where it connected with the Great Shamokin Path.
The path then traveled through what is now Jefferson County, passing near Reynoldsville and Brookville. It continued north of Clarion and ended at West Hickory in Forest County, right on the Allegheny River. From this point, travelers could journey further north to Fort Le Boeuf and Lake Erie.
The Path's Beginnings
The name "Goschgoschink" was used for three Native American towns where people had found safety. This name was in use when a missionary named David Zeisberger arrived in 1760. You can find a historical marker for "Goschgoschink" near West Hickory in Forest County, Pennsylvania. It's located on US Route 62, just south of Main Street (Pennsylvania Route 127). 41°34.067′N 79°24.2′W / 41.567783°N 79.4033°W
In 1753, a young George Washington explored parts of this region. He reported to Governor Robert Dinwiddie that he had found beautiful rolling land along French Creek that would be good for settlement.
Years later, in 1788, two brothers named John and David Mead decided to explore this land for themselves. They left Fort Augusta, which is now Sunbury, Pennsylvania. They traveled up Anderson Creek and then turned towards The Big Spring, a well-known camping spot. From there, they followed the Goschgoschink Path northwest. This led them to another trail called the Venango Path and eventually to the waters of French Creek.
On May 12, 1788, the Mead brothers founded a new settlement. They named it Meadville, Pennsylvania, located where Cussewago Creek flows into French Creek.
