The village of Piney, Pennsylvania

[ysengrin]

You're looking generally east, across the Clarion River, at the site of the old wharf at the village of Piney, Pennsylvania. From 185 to 135 years ago, that bank was the site of a little river port. Iron ingots from the Beaver and Madison furnaces were shipped south to Pittsburgh on flat boats built here, with 75 to 100 tons of metal on each boat. Later, fire clay was shipped as well. Going south from the wharf stood boat scaffolds, a saw mill, general store, blacksmith's shop, a hotel and several homes. Hahn's Ferry (now the site of a highway bridge across the Clarion) was at the southern end, where Piney Creek entered the Clarion.

None of this remains now, though a careful eye can still trace the remains of the old dam across Piney Creek that directed water to the sawmill's spillway. The coming of the railroad to Sligo in 1873 shut down the river trade, and the village of Piney slowly slipped away as acid runoff from the mines increased.

The forest you see dates from well after this period.

Location of the old Piney wharf (approx): 41°10'13.79"N, 79°28'17.02"W

Comments

[xoagray.livejournal.com]

it would be really neat to go over there and have at that area with a metal detector to see what kind of stuff might be just under the ground.

[sabotlours.livejournal.com]

I love the history of the East. Places that were thriving settlements just slowly withered away. When I was in college I was fascinated by lead mines in NW Illinois. Almost nothing is left of them because they were active in the 1840's and 50's. I found it odd that the lead industry collapsed right before the start of the Civil War.

[wildfox34.livejournal.com]

It's some nice areas for nature hiking as well! I'm usually out in PA once a year doing some hiking and such. :)