Quintessential Pennsylvania

GILLETT - Founded 1783. This village in Bradford County just south of Elmira, New York was named for Deacon Asa Gillette, a pioneer settler.  Over time, the 'e' at the end of Gillette's name would be dropped as it is on the keystone. Sources and Links: Tri-County Genealogy and History - What's in a Name - Gillett

It's a beautiful day at the waterfall, a beautiful day at the waterfall. Hi, readers. Today, we are going to check out Mr. Rogers' waterfall, or rather Buttermilk Falls at the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, located in New Florence in Indiana County. You may be wondering why I started off with references to the beloved television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood . The answer is quite simple. The land surrounding Buttermilk Falls was once owned by Fred Rogers ' grandfather, Fred McFeely. As a boy, Fred Rogers would visit his grandfather at the Buttermilk Falls property and explore the natural and peaceful surroundings of the property, including the 45 foot tall waterfall. Decades later, in 1995, the 48 acres of land around Buttermilk Falls was donated to Indiana County Parks so everyone can enjoy this waterfall. Located just south of US Route 22 in the southern edges of Indiana County, visitors to Buttermilk Falls Natural Area can expect to find a picnic area, a few h

Opened in 1812, Volant Mills is located in Western Pennsylvania Amish country along the Neshannock Creek in Volant. The historic grist mill has been the economic center of this small town in Lawrence County for over two centuries. Now owned by a community non-profit organization, Volant Mills features shops where customers can buy handcrafted goods. There is currently a restoration effort underway to restore the historic waterwheel and other water powered turbines, making this a working mill again. Lots of fishing takes place at the old dam along the Neshannock Creek near Volant Mills. A covered footbridge. Volant Mills has an inviting front porch. A front porch with lots of antique items. The historic waterwheel. Sources and Links: Volant Community Development Corp. - Volant Mills Visit Lawrence County Pennsylvania - Volant Mills VisitPA.com - Volant Mills Volant Shops - Volant Village Shops   How to Get There:

Sometimes, cruising along the back roads, you'll find something neat that you didn't expect to see. During one of my trips around northern Pennsylvania, I found a piece of Americana on one of these back roads. Located in Bradford County in the small community of Warren Center , there is a replica of an older Sinclair Gas station that has been restored to vintage condition. The signage, building and the gas pumps all look pristine. This link to a bygone era is worth celebrating as well, as there is an annual cruise-in every September where you can have your classic car photographed in front of the gas station. Vintage gas pumps serving ethyl and gasoline. A look inside of the gas station. True back then as it is now. I would love for gas to go down to those prices again! The Sinclair dinosaur logo was a secondary logo back then. Sinclair gas sign. Sources and Links: Welcome to Warren Township - Warren Township Annual Cruise In Waymarking

COLLEGEVILLE - Founded 1896.  Home to Ursinus College , Collegeville gets its name as a result of the location of Ursinus's two predecessors, Freeland Seminary and Pennsylvania Female College.  Collegeville is the third name for the area surrounding the college.  It was first named Perkiomen Bridge after the completion of the still standing bridge in 1799.  In 1848, the village was renamed Freeland after the Freeland Seminary of Perkiomen Bridge was established by Henry Hunsicker. (1) In 1869, a train station in the Freeland area was named Collegeville.  Finally in 1896, the town of Collegeville was incorporated on June 9th. (1) The current Collegeville marker is a result of the restoration efforts of the Keystone Marker Trust .  In 2013, the Borough of Collegeville and the Keystone Marker Trust installed three new replica Keystone Town Markers.  Prior to the replacements, two markers had been removed/gone missing and one other was badly damaged . Sources & Links: (

GRATERFORD - Founded 1756. Named for Jacob Kreater, an early settler.  The Montgomery County village was originally called Grater's Ford (at least into the 1870's) but would be later changed to its current spelling sometime after.

ZIEGLERSVILLE - Founded 1804.  Montgomery County Village named after Andrew Ziegler.

In suburban Philadelphia, there is a rather unique traffic obstacle along PA Route 320 (South Gulph Road).  A rock outcropping, known as Hanging or Overhanging Rock, jutes out into the northbound lane of the highway.   It sticks out into the travel lane enough that a 7'0" low clearance warning sign is ahead of it and numerous small vans and delivery trucks have to swerve around it. So why is this rock here?  Wouldn't PennDOT have removed the rock by now?  Well, there's a story behind it and why it is still here - and it involves George Washington. Overhanging Rock is the site of Washington's Continental Army's last encampment before taking up winter quarters at Valley Forge in 1777.  The encampment lasted roughly six days, December 13th-19th. (1)  It is the historical significance of the rock's location that led to different battles over the rock well over a century later. Overhanging Rock in 1919. (2) (Free Library of Philadelphia) Fast forwar

GREEN LANE - Founded 1749.  Simply named after the green foliage on the trees that lined the road.  Nearby, Green Lane Park is a popular year-round destination.

RAHNS - Founded 1865.  This Montgomery County village is named for George Rahn, an early settler.  Rahns is located at the intersection PA 29 and 113.

PUNXSUTAWNEY --- Founded 1818. Name of Indian Origin. Best known for annual Groundhog Day ceremony and the legendary groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil .