Valley Girl Views: The Jersey Shore Historical Bus Tour May 2019

Touring The Nippenose Valley
(See a photo album of photos from the trip here)

A few weeks back [This was May of 2019] I started researched the capitol columns that came to our area after the capitol burnt to the ground. It was one of those tangents I so often find myself on, and it lead me to the mystery of the Wi-Daah monument, of which I became slightly obsessed. So we drove to the area, and spent two hours driving around thinking how hard can it be to spot a 60 foot column? Turns out, it's impossible to just "spot". It is deep on public property surrounded by trees taller than the monument. You cannot just glimpse this from the road. So we visited the other two monuments, in cemeteries and easily accessible, and I sulked the entire way home.

Then my husband found this bus tour that was occurring two weeks later. It's not something they do regularly, they haven't done one in a long time, and it was already full. But he got us on a waiting list, and amazingly, a week later they had two openings. We were in! It was a 4 hour tour, visiting a variety of locations. Including the monument.

We boarded the bus at the park on Smith Street. While waiting for the bus, I walked a block over to Veterans park. It's a beautiful corner lot park with a large mural. Absolutely beautiful to see

More Photos of the park here -

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/veterans-park-jersey-shore-pa.html

Beautiful clock across the street from Veterans park. These clocks are popular in our area, there is a similar one in Muncy, and Eaglesmere.

Once on the bus, as we crossed the bridge, we learned that the park to the left of the bridge (opposite this clock) is named Toll House park, after the toll house that once sat here, when there was covered bridge crossing this river.

Our first stop was the Antes Fort Cemetery -

There are eight Revolutionary War soldiers buried in this small cemetery, which is owned and maintained by the DAR.

Next we drove to the Lochabar property, formerly owned by George Sanderson. We did not get off the bus here, so I do not have good photos, but we heard a bit from the homeowner about the hessian soldier found here, and they still own the buttons and skull. He shared with us the story of George Sanderson hanging the skull with candles in it, then dancing around and making noises to frighten the negro servants. Sanderson has a strong reputation as a practical joker, which is relevant when we get to the monument at little Lochabar later. I did not know that there were two Lochabars - the large old home built in 1769, and the smaller home by the springs, where the monument is located.

More about the house and soldier found here -

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-hessian-soldier-at-lochabar.html

Our next stop took us to this gorgeous panoramic view of the valley, where we learned a bit about the early land owners here, and the geology of the valley. The mountains here form the valley into a bowl shape.

Wayne Welshans, speaking to the group about the history of the valley.

For our next stop, we heard a bit about the history of the nearby church, and we took a break for snacks.

Back on the bus, we stopped briefly at the site of Englers Falls - but we could only view the woods from the bus.

"Located at the bottom of Nygart Gap just south of Collomsville. It is the only such waterfall in the valley with water dropping 20 feet or so into a sink & disappearing underground again."

The falls are on private property and no visitors are permitted.

Englers Falls were once listed as the 8th Wonder Of Pennsylvania, and although I have not been able to find photos of the falls, there is a lot written about this unique area, which I have compiled here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/englers-falls-8th-wonder-of-pennsylvania.html

And then we drove past Englers Mill -

Our next stop was at this monument, which we viewed from the bus window...

And then we drove to the Bastress Church, but we also did not get out - as we arrived during 4pm Mass.

And then we drove back a private lane, along the beautiful creek, to the springs and to the Wi-Daagh Monument.

Finally! My obsession with this monument has been satisfied - I have seen it for myself!

Read more about this monument, and watch the video of Tank's talk on this day, here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-widaagh-monument-in-antes-fort.html

"The Enchanted Spring" at Lochabar

At the same location as the monument is Lochabar Spring, at Antes Creek, is the largest spring in the state.

Then a quick stop by the Antes Fort Marker here.

Apparently there is a nice museum inside this building, but it was not open on this day.

Then back to the parking area! The tour took a bit longer than expected, but I don't think anyone minded. There were SO many knowledgeable people on this trip, we could have spent a week on the bus and not learned 1/4 of what they all had to share.

But lets face it - I paid $25 simply to see that monument for myself. The rest was just a bonus!

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More About The Wii-Daagh Monument