Sights To See - Shikellamy's Profile

 

Along the river wall in Sunbury is a gazebo where you can stand to see Shikellamy's profile in the mountain across the river. Note - there is no parking right at this spot, but you can park on a side street and cross north front street to climb the steps.

The plaque inside reads:

"If you stand on this spot and look across the Susquehanna River toward the bridge on the right, you can see the face of Chief Shikellamy profiled in the cliff above the opposite shore. Visible are his hairline, forehead and nose. 

In colonial times, the Iroquois Indians claimed control of this valley by right of conquest. They sent Shikellamy here to serve as their territorial administrator over other tribes living in the region during the mid-1700s. His efforts helped in extending the peace that Pennsylvania founder William Penn established in the 1680s between Native Americans and European settlers. 

Shikellamy died in 1748 and was buried about a quarter mile north of here. A monument along North Front Street honors his memory and is located near his grave, which is now unmarked. "

Shikellamy's Profile has been highlighted on postcards and tourist outings since at least the early 1920s

The profile is much overgrown these days, and not nearly as clear as it once was.

April 2024

Perhaps it's time for another trim?

In 1924, citizens cleaned up the trees and foliage to restore the silhouette.

In 1922, papers had mentioned a goatee had formed on the profile.

After the flood wall was erected, an article in the Daily Item suggested a viewing platform.

Postcard of the view before the flood wall.

"Shikellamy's Profile, One of the natural wonders of this section of Pennsylvania is the Shikellamy profile, carved by Nature in the face of Blue Hill, and most clearly discerned from a spot on North Front Street near Packer. In many ways it rivals the Great Stone Face of New England, immortalized by one of our most famous authors.

For some some years a sign board on North Front Street pointed to Shikellamy profile and many tourists paused to view the natural wonder. Also, many local residents never tired of watching the changes wrought by the seasons in the appearance of the face on the hillside. But the concrete wall erected along Front Street in connection with the flood protection program changed all that. The profile no longer is visible from ground level on Front Street. The metal sign which invited a look see is gone.

The suggestion has been advanced that a platform, with steps and railing, be erected alongside the flood wall at the spot where for so many years travelers and local residents paused to gaze at old Shikellamy The would not be great, the desire to look be more compelling than formerly, human nature being what is it, and a natural wonder would return to public view" - August 1951

The Jaycees erected a viewing platform with two totem poles in 1956, in time for the Fort Augusta Bicentennial Celebration that year.

By 1965, the platform had been erected.

The plaque inside the current viewing platform tells us that the original platform  was erected by the Sunbury Lions Club in 1964.

View of the river from the viewing platform

While in the area, be sure to cross the street and see the Magazine, and Fort display in front of the Northumberland County Historical Society, in the Hunter House at Fort Augusta. 

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More Old Photos Of The View Of  Shikellamy's Profile:

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"Oneida chief and overseer or vice-regent of the Six Nations asserting Iroquois domination over conquered Delaware and other tribes. He lived at Shamokin Indian town, Sunbury, from about 1728 until his death, 1748. Said to be buried near here."