Toland, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Toland is a tiny village and community in south-central Pennsylvania. It's nestled in Cumberland County and the beautiful South Mountain Range. Less than 50 people live in this friendly, close-knit place.
Where is Toland?
Toland is a very small village. It's so small that it doesn't have its own post office. Because of this, people in Toland use a mailing address in Gardners, Pennsylvania.
The village itself is less than 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles) long. You can find it on Pine Grove Road, just east of Mountain Creek Campground. The closest town is Mount Holly Springs, about 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) north. Most people from Toland go there to get their supplies.
Toland is also about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Carlisle. It's about 24 kilometers (15 miles) north of Gettysburg. And it's roughly 11 kilometers (7 miles) southeast of Boiling Springs.
Toland's Story: How it Began
Toland was built a long time ago, in the early 1900s. It was created for the people who worked at a clay mining company nearby.
When Toland was first built, it had 11 houses. These were "duplex" houses, meaning each building had two homes inside. They were built side-by-side along Pine Grove Road. Each home had a small piece of land, less than 0.17 acres. More homes have been built since then.
Back then, the community only had one well for everyone. Families would use a hand pump to get their water. The area that is now a sand pit used to be a clay mine. This clay mine was the main reason Toland was built in that spot.
What Can You Find in Toland?
Toland is surrounded by the Michaux State Forest. This means there are lots of trees and nature all around. Just a few miles to the west, you can find some great places. These include Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Laurel Lake, and Fuller Lake. These spots are near where Pine Grove Road meets Pennsylvania Route 233.
The famous Appalachian Trail is also very close to Toland. It crosses Pine Grove Road less than 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) away.
The only business in Toland is the Cherokee Campground. It used to be called the Tagg Run Campground. The restaurant that was once at the campground, called Tagg Run restaurant, is now closed.
Toland Mission is a small church in the village. It's a non-denominational church, meaning it's not tied to one specific Christian group. It can hold up to 74 people. The church was first built in Carlisle by the owner of Beetem Lumber Company. He built it for the families living in Toland.
Near the church, there was once a one-room schoolhouse. Children from Toland used to go to school there. But later, the children started going to a bigger school in the township. The old schoolhouse was then changed into a home.
