Big Spring State Park (Pennsylvania)

Geobox Protected Area
name = Big Spring State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption =
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Big Spring Run
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Perry
district_type = Township
district = Toboyne
city =
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 15
lat_s = 52
lat_NS = N
long_d = 77
long_m = 39
long_s = 03
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|1196517
title=Big Spring State Park
date = August 30 1990
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-04-03]
elevation_imperial = 1375
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 45
area_round = 1
area1_imperial =
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highest =
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lowest =
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biome =
biome_share =
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geology =
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plant =
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established_type =
established = 1936
management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
management_location =
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visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free = Carlisle, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Big Spring State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first = yes
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/bigspring.aspx Big Spring State Park]

Big Spring State Park is a convert|45|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania State Park in Toboyne Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is on Pennsylvania Route 274, convert|5.5|mi|1 southwest of New Germantown. Big Spring State Park is a hiking and picnic area. A partially completed railroad tunnel in Conococheague Mountain is a feature of the park.

History

The area surrounding Big Spring State Park is now largely a wild area. This was not the case in the 1800s. One of the first businesses at the foot of Conococheague Mountain was a tannery. This tannery was in operation from the early 1800s until 1860. The tannery was converted into an axe handle factory in 1871. The Perry Lumber Railroad, a narrow gauge railway also operated in the area. It hauled lumber to tanneries, barrel manufacturers and charcoal furnaces.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/bigspring.aspx
title = Big Spring State Park
accessdate = 2006-11-08
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

The abandoned railroad tunnel is a remnant of the lumber era that dominated the economy of much of Pennsylvania in the 1800s. The Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad extended its line into the Big Spring area in an attempt to connect with the Path Valley Railroad on the other side of Conococheague Mountain in Franklin County. This tunnel was left incomplete and stands as a reminder of the lumber/railroad era.

Although the railroad may have failed in its effort to tunnel through the mountain, the tracks remained. These rails were used to transport picnickers into the area during the early 1900s. The current facilities at Big Spring State Park were built during the Great Depression in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was formally opened in 1936.

Recreation

Big Spring State Park offers recreational opportunities to those interested in picnicking and hiking. The pavilions built by the CCC and picnic tables are available in many areas of the park. A one mile trail leads to the abandoned railroad tunnel in Conococheague Mountain. The park also serves as a trailhead for the Iron Horse Trail in Tuscarora State Forest.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of Big Spring State Park: [cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/region_dutch.aspx
title = Find a Park Dutch Country Roads
accessdate = 2006-11-08
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ] [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/perry_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Perry County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-28 "Note: shows Big Spring State Park"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-20]
*Caledonia State Park (Adams and Franklin Counties)
*Colonel Denning State Park (Cumberland County)
*Cowans Gap State Park (Fulton County)
*Fowlers Hollow State Park (Perry County)
*Greenwood Furnace State Park (Huntingdon County)
*Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center (Cumberland County)
*Little Buffalo State Park (Perry County)
*Mont Alto State Park (Franklin County)
*Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Cumberland County)
*Trough Creek State Park (Huntingdon County)

References

External links

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