Punxsutawney Walkabout

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Situated amongst the hills of Western Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney is approximately 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, 100 miles south of Erie and the Weather Capital of the World. Punxsutawney is located in Jefferson County and is home to approximately 6,200 residents, including a famous groundhog that goes by the name of Punxsutawney Phil. Perhaps you've heard of him.

Punxsutawney was originally a campsite halfway between the Allegheny and Susquehanna Rivers. It is located on the earliest known trail to the east, the Shamokin Path. US 119 north of Punxsutawney follows a portion of this path. At times, the area was occupied by Shawnee or Delaware people and sometimes by the Senecas or Iroquois. The name of the town was derived from the Lenape word for sand flies or mosquito, which are found in abundance in the area.

I visited the borough of Punxsutawney and nearby Gobbler's Knob on a nice, quiet spring day. It was a good opportunity to explore downtown Punxsutawney and what it has to offer, groundhog or not groundhog.


The groundhog statues are known as the Phanastic Phils There are 32 of these statues that can be found around Punxsutawney and they stand about 6 feet tall. I found them every so often during the walkabout and there will be pictures of the Phantastic Phils to be found throughout this article.

The Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney

S.S. Cosmas and Damian Roman Catholic Church

Punxsutawney's Vietnam War and POW/MIA Memorial. You are not forgotten.

I thought that this fire escape was photo worthy for some reason.

For lovers of vintage neon, the Children's Shop sign in Punxsutawney was a good find.

Barclay Bed and Breakfast

Barclay Square, a small park and town square in downtown Punxsutawney, named for the Reverend David Barclay, who is said to have founded the town of Punxsutawney in 1816.

A couple of Phantastic Phils to greet us on the way to Punxsutawney Phil's year round home.


Punxsutawney Phil does not live at Gobbler's Knob. The famed groundhog makes a year round home in downtown Punxsutawney at Phil's Burrow. My understanding is that is climate controlled and just right for a groundhog.



Punxsutawney Keystone marker.

A nice cast iron bell found at the Punxsutawney fire station.

Groundhogs are not the only rodents you'll find in Punxsutawney. These rabbits at the Garden Club Memorial Bench invite you to sit and rest.

Cannons at the Barclay Square park.




Punxsutawney Elks Club


I feel like this Phantastic Phil wanted to be the mascot for the Pennsylvania Lottery, only to lose out to Pennsylvania's second most famous groundhog, Gus the Groundhog.

Pantall Hotel

A nice sculpture piece that I liked.





The entrance to the Punxsutawney YMCA. I liked the decorative windows.

Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center, which is a local science and weather museum. The museum is located in the old post office building.







I liked this house.


Thataway to Gobbler's Knob!

First United Methodist Church.

I enjoyed my little visit to Punxsy.

So long! Until next time...


How to Get There:


Sources and Links:
Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce - About Punxsutawney
Lenape Talking Dictionary - Punxsutawney
Visit Punxsutawney - Visit Punxsutawney for a Phun-Philled Time
The Punxsutawney Historical & Genealogical Website - Area History

Location: Punxsutawney, PA 15767, USA

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