"This is Zindel Park,a true oddity. In the late 1920s, the City of Lock Haven constructed the small reservoir and the house, which was occupied by water officials. Next to the reservoir is a shrine, which contains lava from the Mount Etna volcano. "
We were in this park for a couple of geocaches today, and I left with a need to know more about the strange buildings and monuments! It's overgrown and a bit unkempt, with the big house boarded up, and yet is is still a beautiful, magical, spot. There are great paths here for walking, and apparently some pretty steep, not well maintained, trails with great views
"Zindel Park is a very small park with interesting stone monuments, stone bridges, a waterfall, a small lake, and a small house. It looks like an elaborate private estate since the grounds are not very extensive. It was created in 1929 and then abandoned in 1954. But since the park is in the City of Lock Haven Public Water Supply Area it has not been left to fall into ruins. I thought it was pretty cool, sort of a secret place only known to local residents."
The first time I was to this park, years ago, I don't think I saw the lava house and dam area. It seems impossible that I just missed it - we must not have walked back this far the first time! There's a large parking area, and a wide path leading right past the bridge and dam area. The trail continues right past this little, interesting, island. It's roughly 1/4 of a mile from the parking area to the entrance to the dam and lava monument.
The sign reads:
These premises are available for use for events,
although all events must be scheduled in advance
by contacting The City Of Lock Haven 570-893-5900
This feels a bit like a park within a park. You walk through a rather overgrown area, over a bridge, and there's a stone wall to the right keeping the creeks from flooding this area. The lava monument is to the right, the dam straight ahead, and a two story, boarded up, house is to the left. From the path, I didn't even notice the house. It wasn't until we crossed the bridge and entered into this little "island" tucked up along the side of the mountain, that we realized how much was in this small area.
The path past the relics, into the woods.
The Lava House
"They paused at Zindel Park, where beautifully landscaped grounds adjoin the Boyd
Keller Reservoir, just south of McElhattan, on McElhattan Run, and an attractive stone trimmed cottage, unoccupied, is falling victim to time." The Express, Aug 1971
Although I find several mentions to the lava house being built from lava from Mt Etna, I still do not know why Mt Etna Lava came to McElhattan.
"Zindel Park, located near the Boyd R. Keller Reservoir, opened in the 1920s as a tourist attraction but later fell to neglect. Shown here are the ruins of a monument made with lava rock from Mount Etna, a volcano in Italy." - note under a flicker image
Mt Etna is apparently a very active volcano that erupts regularly.
But that does not explain why the lava was brought here...
Old Views
"This was when Zindel Park was created. In 1929, it was completed and opened to the public as a beautiful tourist attraction, a picnic and play area. A monument was built from imported stone from Mount Etna in Italy, and a couple of fountains were put there. One of them is the one that now sits in Triangle Park." (full article below)
This photo is included, with no description, on Philip Zindel's Find A Grave Page.
I suspect that a trip to the historical society may have more information on both him, and the park!
Philip A. Zindel, Former Lock Haven Councilman, Dies
“Lock Haven – Philip A. Zindel former Lock Haven Councilman died at his home, 140 East Church Street at 2:30 Wednesday, May 12, 1954. He had been ill for 20 years.
Mr. Zindel had served as a councilman for 10 years when, in 1933, he suffered a stroke and was forced to give up his many activities. During his career as a Councilman, he was best known for developing the park near the dam at McElhattan. As Head of Parks and Public Property,
he developed the park into one of the areas beauty….
A Lock Haven merchant for many years, he was a life member of the Hope Hose Company and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Surviving are a son, Lester A. Zindel of Pittsburgh; Margaret E. Zindel, a teacher in Lock Haven schools; one great grandchild; a brother Max K. Zindel, Arden, N. Carolina; and a niece, Nancy Myers, who cared for him for many years.”
The Gazette and Bulletin
Williamsport, PA
Thursday, May 13, 1954
Philip Zindel was my great grandfather. The rocks from Mt. Aetna were sent to him by his sister Annie, who was living in Italy. According to family legend, she had gone to Paris, joined the Folie Bergere, and married an Italian count.... Later they moved to Long Island.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for that information!!!
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