Simon B. Elliott State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Simon B. Elliott State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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CCC-built stone pumphouse and picnic pavilion at S. B. Elliott State Park
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 Simon B. Elliott State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Pine, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 318 acres (129 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,119 ft (646 m) |
| Established | 1933 |
| Named for | Simon B. Elliott |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | S. B. Elliott State Park |
Simon B. Elliott State Park is a fun place to visit in Pennsylvania. It covers 318 acres and is located in Pine Township, Clearfield County. The park is surrounded by the huge Moshannon State Forest. It's filled with beautiful trees like hardwoods and oaks that have grown back over time. You can find S. B. Elliott State Park about 9 miles north of Clearfield, right off Interstate 80.
Contents
Park History
The Lumber Boom
In the mid-1800s, there was a huge demand for wood. People came to Clearfield County to cut down the tall white pine and hemlock trees. Companies like Central Pennsylvania Lumber and Goodyear Lumber owned lots of land. They built railroads and roads to move the timber.
However, this "lumber boom" didn't last forever. Soon, most of the trees were gone. When the trees disappeared, many people left too. The land was left bare, which caused problems like erosion and big wildfires.
Rebuilding the Forests
The state of Pennsylvania bought these deforested and burned lands. They started a huge project to plant new trees. This effort helped the forests grow back, and now they are part of Moshannon State Forest.
The park is named after a special person, the Honorable Simon B. Elliott. He was a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, which is like the state's government. He was also a conservationist. This means he cared a lot about protecting nature. Simon B. Elliott strongly believed in replanting forests to stop erosion and fires.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
Simon B. Elliott State Park was built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that gave young men jobs. The young men from Camp S-116-PA built many of the buildings, roads, picnic areas, and trails you see in the park today.
They also cleared brush, cleaned streams, and planted many trees to help the forest grow. The CCC even placed a special plaque in the woods to honor Simon B. Elliott.
Fun Activities at the Park
Fishing and Hiking
Fishing is a popular activity at S. B. Elliott State Park. You can find both native and stocked trout in the park's small mountain streams. To reach these fishing spots, you'll need to hike through the woods. The park has about 3 miles (5 km) of hiking trails.
Quehanna Trail System
The park is also a starting point for the Quehanna Trail System. This long trail is about 75 miles (121 km) and goes through Moshannon State Forest. It even connects to another trail system called the Susquehannock Trail near Sinnemahoning State Park.
Camping and Picnics
The CCC built several cozy cabins and picnic pavilions that you can use. There's also a campground with 25 sites for a more rustic camping experience. The campground has modern restrooms, but there are no showers.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed on about 234 acres of S. B. Elliott State Park. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. Some common animals hunted here include ruffed grouse, eastern gray squirrel, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and common pheasant. Many more acres are available for hunting in the nearby Moshannon State Forest.
Nearby State Parks
Here are some other state parks close to S. B. Elliott State Park (within 30 miles):
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