Since November is Native American Heritage Month, I thought it would be interesting to explore the Native American influences within out state forests. For anyone that has spent time wandering these forests, their natural beauty and recreational opportunities make them a true gem. The state forest system in Pennsylvania is comprised of 20 forests that cover 2.2 million acres and span 50 of the state's 67 counties.
The names of these forests provide a cross-section of the state's history. Names of former governors, foresters, and prominent Pennsylvanians can all be found in the names of these natural wonders. Several pay homage to the Native Americans that once inhabited the rugged wilderness that would become Penn's Woods. Bald Eagle, Tioga, Tiadaghton, Moshannon, and Susquehannock are just a few that have their roots with the first inhabitants of the region. Overall, 8 of the 20 state forests have native influences.
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| State forests of Pennsylvania Retrieved from: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Pages/default.aspx |
However, in the early 1900's, the forest system looked very different. Many smaller state forests were designated as land parcels were acquired. Quite a number of these forests had names steeped in native languages. As time went on, these smaller forests were consolidated into larger divisions and their names were forgotten. Below are several long gone state forest names that could once be found in Central Pennsylvania.
Otzinachson State Forest
Derived from the Iroquois name for the valley of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, the word supposedly translates to Demon's Den. Evil spirits were said to reside in the valley and would torment travelers passing along its paths. Otzinachson State Forest was once a division of Sproul State Forest and encompassed territory from along the West Branch at Whetham in Clinton County, north to the Coudersport Pike. Headquarters for the forest were at Renovo, Clinton County. Today the tract is still retained within the boundaries of Sproul State Forest.
Nittany State Forest
Named after the ridge that runs the length of Nittany Valley, the word Nittany comes from the Algonquin word meaning "single mountain." Nittany State Forest was once the smallest within the system. Two state forest nurseries were once located here, however the location proved not to be ideal. Foresters for the division were headquartered in Centre Hall and Bellefonte in Centre County. Nittany State Forest later became a division of Penn State Forest, of which both are now part of Bald Eagle State Forest.
Karoondinha State Forest
In the Seneca tongue, Karoondinha translates to "land of shining waters" and was the native name for Penn's Creek. The forest was formed in 1920 after consolidating several smaller divisions in Union, Snyder, and Centre counties. Hairy John's Park and Snyder-Middleswarth State Park were some attractions within the 75,000 acre forest. Mifflinburg in Union County served as its headquarters. Raymond B. Winter once served as a forester in this district. Winters' dedication to the state's forests was honored by the renaming of Halfway Dam State Park to R.B. Winter State Park in 1957. Karoondinha eventually become part of Bald Eagle State Forest.
Monsey State Forest
Not much is known about this forest's exact boundaries or establishment. The Monsey or Munsee were a sub-tribe of the three clans of the Leni-Lenape (Delaware) which had hunting grounds and settlements across Central Pennsylvania. Chief Waupalane or "Bald Eagle" was a Monsey who had a small village in what is today Milesburg, Centre County. Bald Eagle Mountain was also once called Muncy Mountain. Headquarters for the forest was in Mill Hall, Clinton County. Bald Eagle State Forest now encompasses this tract.
Logan State Forest
John Logan is perhaps Central Pennsylvania's best known native figure. Logan was the son of Chief Shikellamy and served as a landlord of sorts for Lenape settlements on Iroquois territory in the region. Chief Logan became an ally of American settlers until the murder of his family by white marauders. He was later killed by his own nephew after succumbing to alcoholism. Land for the forest was first purchased in 1902 and grew to 58,000 acres in Centre, Huntingdon, and Blair counties. Three state forest monuments, Allen Seeger, Bear Meadows, and Detweiler Run were highlights within the forest. Headquarters were at Petersburg, Huntingdon County. In 1953, Logan State Forest was consolidated into Rothrock State Forest.
Sinnemahoning State Forest
Taken from the Lenape word "Achsinnimahoni" meaning stony lick, Sinnemahoning State Forest was, for a time, the state's largest encompassing roughly 94,000 acres in Cameron, Elk, Clinton and Potter counties. The Sinnemahoning Path was once a vital native trail that stretched from settlements on the Great Island at present day Lock Haven through to Port Allegheny, then called Canoe Place. Headquarters for the forest were at Driftwood, Cameron County. Sinnemahoning was later divided into Elk and Moshannon state forests.
Red Jacket State Forest
Encompassing tracts in Potter, Cameron, and McKean counties, this forest is named after the renowned Seneca chief and orator Red Jacket. Red Jacket had received his English name for the red coats he had been given by the British while allying with them during the American Revolution. After the war, Red Jacket met with President George Washington to discuss relations between the Seneca and the new United States. He also participated in the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784, which ceded the territory that would eventually bear the forest that would honor him. Today the tract is part of Susquehannock State Forest.
Though these names have disappeared from forest maps, the history of Native Americans in Pennsylvania remains a fascinating historical chapter for both the region and state as a whole. Their influence not only found their way into our state forests, but many geographic features or place names can trace their origins to these native languages. I encourage everyone to look further into the history of some of the names that can be found around your local area.
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