Masten, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Masten is a ghost town in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. It's a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty. From 1905 to 1930, Masten was a busy town built around a lumber mill. Later, from 1933 to 1940, it was home to a special camp called the Civilian Conservation Corps. The last family left Masten in 1941. Today, Masten is a quiet place. It's also the starting point for a popular hiking trail called the Old Loggers Path.
Contents
The Story of Masten
A Town Built for Lumber
Masten began in 1905. A man named Charles W. Sones started it. He owned a large lumber mill and the town itself. Sones worked with the Union Tanning Company. This company needed hemlock bark to make leather. They also bought other types of wood from the area.
Railroads and Growth
Two different railroad lines served Masten. These were the Susquehanna and New York Railroad and the Susquehanna and Eagles Mere Railroad. The trains carried lumber and supplies. They also helped people travel to and from the town. These old railroad paths are now part of the Old Loggers Path hiking trail.
Changes Over Time
In April 1917, the agreement with Charles Sones ended. The Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company then bought the mill, the town, and the railroads. The mill kept working until September 18, 1930. That day, the very last log was cut.
After the Mill Closed
After the mill stopped working, most of the houses were taken apart. Their wood was sold. The Susquehanna and Eagles Mere Railroad was also closed down.
On May 6, 1933, a new group arrived. It was the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC. They set up a camp at Masten. This camp was called "State Forest Camp" S-80-Pa. Some of the remaining buildings were removed to make space for the camp. The CCC camp closed in 1940.
Masten Becomes a Ghost Town
Some families stayed in Masten even after the mill closed. They were there during the CCC camp years. But in 1941, the very last family moved away. Since then, Masten has been a true ghost town.
Today, you can still see some parts of Masten. There are a few old building foundations. A tall smokestack also remains standing. Some of the original homes are still there too. They are now used as hunting camps.
