There is a peaceful place where the sounds of human intervention are seldom heard. Tucked away from the beaten path in the bottom of a steep-sided hollow is where you’ll find it. There you’ll find a pipe measuring eight inches or so across set into the side of the mountain that gushes with a tremendous flow of extremely cold water. Amazingly, even during the driest summers the pipe runs full.
The pipe could be easily overlooked since it is situated behind a camp where a gated state forest road ends. And that’s okay. No doubt the owners of the camp feel the same way. No electric lines, and kerosene lamps provide light after dark. Wood or coal heat still provides warmth in the winter. Who could ask for anything more?
The setting and building reflects a bygone era of pioneer spirit and self-reliance. This particular camp was established due to an opportunity of a lifetime that took place in the last century, and it would not be offered again.
It was 1913 when the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed an act to provide lease agreements for the purpose of establishing campsites on State Forest Land administered by the Department of Forest and Waters. Each lease provided about ¼ acre of ground to be leased.
For those who were permitted to build, a number of stipulations were set forth regarding the construction of the cabin. Standards for maintaining the physical structure were also part of the agreement.
The first year that lease agreements were made available, a total of 30 leases were established. The program proved to be very popular. By 1929, that number grew to 2,888 and by 1935 the number rose to 3,180. Eventually that number peaked at 3,989 leases located in 16 State Forest Districts.
Also available were 99 leased state owned buildings which were used as camps. A number of those structures were CCC buildings, some were officer’s quarters, but others were simply tool sheds that had been improved.
While State Forest Camp leases were popular prior to World War II, others chose to purchase small tracts of land on which to build. And many of those camps that were well maintained remain today.
Early on, from about 1900 up until the mid-to-late 1930’s, roads that weaved their way through and across the mountains of the northern tier provided access, but at a price.
Unimproved dirt roads of the day provided challenges when it came to traveling any time of year. And even more so during the winter months. In many cases sportsmen residing out of the area regularly used the railroads to access the towns where their camps were located nearby.
The establishment of camps really began to increase following WWII. General Eisenhower, who fought in Europe, realized the tactical advantage of the good roads that Hitler built, mainly the Autobahn, in Germany for moving troops and equipment. Following WWII, Eisenhower moved to improve the road system throughout the country and established the Interstate Road system.
The newly developed road systems and automobiles lured more sportsmen to the area to establish camps.
Even with all the new construction of camps and seasonal homes, there’s nothing like an old traditional hunting camp. No two are alike. Man caves — labeled by some — but that moniker does these structures and those who visit them a disservice.
Today most of these cabins offer at least some level of creature comforts. At some, even the old outhouse still stands and remains in service. Yet those types of camps have fallen by the wayside.
Yep, today in most camps you’ll find a television that receives its signal from a satellite dish and high speed internet. Some camps fend off the mere notion of the boob tube and have strived to keep creature comforts at camp at a bare minimum. And that’s okay, too. But in time you can bet that situation will change as well.
The great thing about camps is that each one has its own personality derived from those who frequent there. You’ve just got to love the hint of wood smoke from a wood burner or fireplace that lingers in the air when in camp. Or it’s a cool breeze that cuts through the screened opened windows that ventilates the camp.
At camp some of our best times come while sitting on the front porch. Later in the day, just about dusk, conversations are conducted in hushed tones to blend in with the night. Those of us in attendance also enjoy watching the sky turn blue black with the anticipation of the stars as they begin to stand out on the backdrop of the night sky.
As the warm earth begins to cool, the warmth of a light jacket is just enough to allow sitting and watching the night go by for just an hour or two more.
In the early days most camps were built primarily to fish and hunt from. But that’s a situation that has gradually changed. Today, going to camp provides a much needed change of pace.
Everything we do can be considered temporary, but the combined experiences generated at camp can be remembered for a lifetime.
(Charlie Burchfield, an Era outdoors columnist, can be reached at GWOutdoors@comcast.net)
