Today was a “look-back” day. After assisting my beloved wife in solving an email issue on her computer, I sauntered over to my own electronic “masterpiece” for the purpose of composing this current week’s newspaper article.
At a loss for inspiration, and drawing a complete blank as to what to write, I began sifting through one of my electronic folders with the hopes of, perhaps, finding SOMETHING which would spark my Creativity.
NOPE
Most of the ancient documents through which I searched, when opened, only drove my mind further and further into the brinks of desperation. What to do? What to write about? Without question, I have NEVER experienced this problem previously!
WHOAA….what’s THAT? WOW, I basically forgotten all of the “stuff” which now made its presence known before my eyes! AS I rambled through the documents I now re-discovered, a feeling of re-discovery now swept me away.
Several years ago, I was honored to serve on a Commonwealth Committee which had as its purpose to develop a Scenic Byway which would course through our Region. The Byway would include the Conneaut Lake, North Shenango, and Linesville Communities.
Completely enthralled by what now lay once again before me, I dove deeper and deeper into the documents which described the reasons for this project, and the incredible essence of each of the proposed regional inclusions.
LEST WE FORGET
What I have chosen to include in this article are some of the immeasurable intrinsic qualities which the Byways Committee chose to enumerate. A “shortened” version of this information follows……
CRAWFORD LAKELAND SCENIC BYWAY: ROUTE 285 INTRINSIC QUALITIES
SCENIC:
Almost everything about Pymatuning is huge. At 21,122 acres, it is the largest state park in the Commonwealth.
The 17,088 acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the Commonwealth. At the western-most terminal of State Route 285, the most beautiful panoramic vista of this large body of water can be enjoyed.
Along the corridor of this same route large stands of native hemlock may be observed. As the traveler proceeds along the highway, he/she may note the following scenic attractions:
• The Pennsylvania Game Commission Waterfowl Management Area
• The Migratory Bird Observation Facility
• The Pennsylvania State Game Lands
• Access to the Hartstown Swamp/Wetlands
• The original Espyville Station Railroad Terminal Building
• Several buildings erected by the area’s original inhabitants
• The “Causeway” as it crosses Pymatuning Reservoir
ARCHAEOLOGICAL:
The Shenango River Watershed originates in a large wetland area in Conneaut Township, Crawford County, and flows in a southerly direction from Pymatuning Lake approximately 70 miles to a point just south of New Castle in Lawrence County. There it joins the Mahoning River to form the Beaver River, which, in turn, empties into the Ohio River. Tributaries in Crawford County include Paden Creek, Linesville Creek, and Crooked Creek.
Interestingly, “Pymatuning” is taken from the Iroquois language and literally means “the crooked-man’s dwelling place.”
Along the low lands of the Shenango River as it passes through North Shenango Township, numerous remains of the Mound Builders have been, and can still be, observed. Besides a number of mounds from thirty to fifty feet in circumference but of slight elevation, two circular forts have been found…each enclosing approximately one-half acre of ground. One is located near the bank of the river on Tract 31, and another on Tract 34. The embankment is not high, but each is/was surrounded by a moat, which indicates their construction for the purpose of defense. Heaps of stones, piled-up in square form like rude altars, have also been found along the banks of the Shenango.
HISTORIC:
Shenango Township, one of the original subdivisions of the County, was created on July 9, 1800.
Espyville, in the western part, was laid-out in 1833 by John Espy.
Although the original village did not attain any great size, it contained a store, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one paint shop, a jelly factory, a cider mill, a saw and planning mill, a school, three churches, about twenty families, and the only post office in the township. All of these original buildings (or their remnants) are still observable along Route 285.
Originally, there were three churches in North Shenango. The Methodist Episcopal at Espyville was organized with seven members at the house of Aaron Herriott in 1831.
Center Chapel, a Methodist Episcopal edifice, is located about one-half mile east of Espyville Station. It was founded in 1825.
The North Shenango Untied Presbyterian Church was organized in 1849 by Rev. H.H. Thompson
Joseph Wright taught the first school about 1804, in a deserted cabin, which stood at Elliotts Corners in the central part of the township.
The North Shenango School stood at the current site (and in the current building) of the North Shenango Community Center.
The remnants of the Erie & Pittsburgh Railroad tracks cross(ed) over Route 285 at the approximate center of Espyville Station. The structures of the original terminal (now an antique store) and the original post office/stationmaster’s office (now a private residence) still exist at this site.
NATURAL:
Natural areas have unique scenic, geologic, or ecological value and are set aside for observation and to protect outstanding examples of natural interest and beauty. Pymatuning has two natural areas, both accessible from Rout 285. The 725 acre Blackjack Swamp has unique natural communities. In the northern part of the lake is Clark Island which has 161 acres of mature hardwood and white pine forest.
Pymatuning Lake drains into the Shenango system from two outlets. The first is Crooked Creek, which flows through the Pymatuning Marsh and through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Game Lands #214. The gamelands area extends on either side of Crooked Creek almost to Adamsville. Over 30 species of mammals and 60 species of birds are year-round residents of the watershed.
The second outlet to Pymatuning is the Shenango River, which flows out the western lobe of the lake between South and West Shenango Townships.
The only bald eagles believed to nest in Pennsylvania are located within the waterfowl area.
AND MORE!
The Scenic Byway Proposal, from which excerpts are included above, is merely ONE of several precious documents which have, over the course of the years, attempted to describe the qualities of our precious Region. EACH of these mentioned documents forms a comprehensive concept for the development of our Area…a development which not only recognizes the natural and historic wonders which surround us, but also indicate how the economic development of our communities can be enhanced through the implementation of these concepts.
The Rt. 285 corridor proposal is only ONE of several documents. The Linesville Community went to great length to develop an even MORE detailed proposal entitled THE PYMATUNING TAILS VISION PLAN.
Taken together, these plans present an unequaled Vision of this region of Crawford County.
BTW…as a result of the presentation of the CRAWFORD LAKELAND SCENIC BYWAY PLAN, the Commonwealth chose to designate our surrounding portion of Rt. 285 as, indeed, a Scenic Byway. Many of the Byway signs designated the “trail” were installed, and can still be seen.
Now…where do we go from here???
“We can find America down the trail of freedom
Walk the way of my fathers from sea to sea
Oh can you find America,
hear the drums of freedom
Gonna find it together,
walk this trail
Walk the trail with me”
- BILL MILLER
(The Trail of Freedom)
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