Wilsonville, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Wilsonville, Pennsylvania was once a small town located in a valley. Today, you won't find it on a map because it lies hidden beneath the waters of Lake Wallenpaupack. This happened almost a century ago when a big project changed the landscape forever.

Why Did Wilsonville Disappear?

Around the 1920s, a company called PPL Corporation had a big idea. They wanted to build a large dam to create a lake. This lake would help them generate electricity, which was becoming very important for homes and businesses. To make this happen, they needed a lot of land.

PPL Corporation bought about 100 properties in the valley, including the town of Wilsonville. They paid around $20 for each acre of land. After buying the land, all the buildings in Wilsonville were either torn down or moved. This cleared the way for the new lake.

Building Lake Wallenpaupack

Once the land was clear, construction began on a large dam. This dam would hold back the water and create the huge lake. Building such a big lake meant more than just flooding the town.

Workers had to reroute about seventeen miles of roads. They also moved telephone poles and lines so people could still communicate. Even a cemetery had to be carefully moved to a new location. This was a massive undertaking to prepare for the new lake.

Wilsonville Today

After the dam was finished and the valley filled with water, Lake Wallenpaupack was created. The original town of Wilsonville now rests beneath the lake's surface. It is located near where the dam stands today.

Lake Wallenpaupack is now a popular spot for fun activities like boating and fishing. It also continues to help generate electricity. The story of Wilsonville is a reminder of how landscapes can change to meet new needs.