Wyalusing Rocks Overlook: Wyalusing, Susquehanna River, Bradford County, PA

Wyalusing Rocks, also known as Prayer Rocks, has lead people to it for as long as we have documented history. It was an important point in native american cultures for it was a high point overlooking a stunning horseshoe bend in the Susquehanna, and a high point from which signals from Indian tribes could be seen for miles. The place marked the intersection of the Warriors Path that lead north to Binghamton to as far as the Carolinas to the South, and the Wyalusing Path that lead to Shamokin. The Great Warrior Path would be utilized during General Sullivan's scorched earth campaign during the American Revolution against the tribes of the Finger Lakes region of New York, a human disaster of tremendous proportions. All in all, this spot is extremely historic for a multitude of reasons throughout many periods of human history in North America.

Wyalusing Rocks has remained an extremely important historic spot throughout all periods of human history in North America.

A great summary of the Native American meaning of the spot comes from the following excerpt from the website of the Eastern Delaware Nations.

"Wyalusing is said to refer to "where there is an old man." The "ng" sound refers to a dwelling. The word is believed to refer to a holy or medicine man who once lived here. Early spellings of Wyalusing dating back to the 1700's include: Machachlosung, Wuihaloosing, Mockocklocking, Monmuchlooson, Machmihilusing, Ch’wilihlusing, and Wilhilusing. 

The earliest known settlers in the region were Susquhannock (also known as Andastes) Indians. Their palisaded town Gohontoto was destroyed by the Iroquois in 1650. Later, the Tuscarora, a tribe of the Iroquois Six Nations, and Monsee Delaware occupied the region, followed by Moravians from Germany who founded a mission town here in 1763. This location is marked by an Oblisk erected by members of the Moravian Historical Society in June 1871."

Two intersecting indian paths, camptown races, go to that history page of bradford county in bookmarks. Match to postcard from sullivan trail

Historic sign caption: "Warrior's Path: A great Indian Highway from Six Nations country, New York, to the Catawba country in the Carolinas. It made its way through the Allegheny Mountains by following the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys.

The great importance of the history of this location is only exceeded by its sheer natural beauty. The autumn colors are especially stunning to take in at this overlook.  

Remember this image!

This postcard image dates back to 1921 and is part of my personal collection. This location has remained a beautiful destination in the age of the automobile, with the historic and scenic Route 6/Grand Army of the Republic Highway, one of the first coast-to-coast highway networks and the longest continuous road in the United States, running through the location of the site. In the early times of the age of the automobile, the route was designated as Sullivan Trail, in commemoration of the devastating military campaign that wiped out tribes in the Finger Lakes region. The Sullivan Trail name still remains in certain areas, though this northern section of the highway no longer carries that designation.

Additionally, it is pretty likely that horse races from nearby Camptown to Wyalusing were likely the inspiration for Camptown Races, Stephen Foster's famed and troubling minstrel song that has lived on with countless different adaptations since, including in Looney Toons episodes and many different things within pop culture. 

This route has been noted for its beauty and seemingly secluded nature. In the famous On the Road, by famous beat writer Jack Kerouac, protagonist Sal Paradise asked about hitchhiking through Pennsylvania on Route 6, but was told to take the "Pittsburgh route," aka the PA Turnpike, for it would "have more traffic" that would he would be able to catch a ride with. 

The old Lehigh Valley Railroad, running riverside on the Susquehanna. This line ran from New York City through New Jersey to the Lehigh Valley, up to the Finger Lakes Region, and to Buffalo. It was a core artery for coal deliveries and the movement of goods from places that were once key industrial areas.

Wyalusing Rocks is a formation of flat lying sandstones and siltstones that perched atop a high cliff above a horseshoe bend in the Susquehanna. They create an overlook platform of sorts that provide a stunning view. 

The stones are alternate with red and green colors and are part of the Catskill Formation

To me, I personify the little trees that grow out of formations like this with having great determination. I have no idea of what the age of this tree is, but tree growth is stunted in habitats like this, where the soils are at a minimum.

Author Phillip Van Doren Stern, author of the original story of It's a Wonderful Life was also born in this location, something that I think is a sign of how positively inspirational this area can be.

This is another from my same set of 1921 postcards. It looks like it could be a match in reverse. I love those old concrete highways. It looks like it was the same size as the current shoulder. 

It seems that this beautiful location is a magnet for American history, both good and bad. There is something special about this place and it is well worth checking out. 

French Azilum and the Marie Antoinette Overlook, Susquehanna River, Bradford County, PA

Today we visit French Azilum and the Marie Antoinette Overlook, along the Susquehanna River and Route 6 near Towanda, PA. It overlooks a stunning horseshoe bend in the Susquehanna River and provides an excellent place for checking out some autumn colors. For some a better understanding of the history of this location, we need to take a look at some context. 

You were in trouble if you were one of the powerful elites in France in the 1780s and 1790s. The working classes and other oppressed groups were through with being taken advantage of. The people rose up in the French Revolution to fight for better futures for themselves and their children, whether it be on the mainland, or within many of the nation's colonies. The brutally oppressed people of Haiti, who were forced into enslavement either as natives or through the slave trade, had risen up against their French oppressors. The Haitians won the fight, the only successful slave uprising that lead towards the creation of an independent nation state. The French captors were forced into exile off of the island.

Towards the end of the revolution in France, when it became clear that the monarchy was going to fall. Some prominent Philadelphians were sympathetic to the plight of the aristocrats and proposed the creation of a settlement. The village was built tract along a horseshoe bend along the Susquehanna River near Towanda, PA. This was an area that was largely uninhabited by European Settlers. 1600 acres were purchased, and a grid system was set up with 30 log buildings built, along with a school, several small shops, a chapel, gristmill, blacksmith shop, and more would be built. It is rumored that Marie Antoinette was to flee to this settlement, though this is not officially verified. She faced the guillotine before she would have the chance to successfully flee. While the French Revolution was bloody and violent, the result would be the end of absolute monarchies in western Europe and a trend of countries moving forward with secular and enlightened governments that were more tolerant of all groups of citizens. 

The land would have supported much more development, but the settlement would end up being very short lived. Napoleon declared amnesty and many of the French returned home. Some of the families that lived on the settlement ended up living in the region, with some descendants still living in the area. Most of the land is currently used for farming. None of the original structures remain. A cabin from the period was relocated to the site, and a home that was built by a family member of the original settlers was built in 1836, and they serve as a museum for this quirky piece of history. 

Recognition of the historic site, specifically with a beautiful lookout overlooking the Susquehanna River Valley from Route 6, was created as one of the many awesome WPA projects during the Great Depression. Regardless of the history of the spot, this is a stunning lookout point that is worth seeking out. 

An elegant structure at the overlook.

This overlook is stunning and it is yet another place of sheer beauty along the Route 6 corridor. The Marie Antoinette Inn, a nice little bar and restaurant, is located right at the overlook. 

High Knob Overlook and Dry Run Falls: Loyalsock State Forest, Sullivan County, PA

Earlier this week we talked about the spectacular Canyon Vista at Worlds End State Park. Just a few miles down the road in the adjoining Loyalsock State Forest is the High Knob Overlook, a place with a view that looks like it is straight out of a Bob Ross painting. This is a spectacular scenic overlook that stands at an elevation of roughly 2000 feet, with a view that is roughly 1200 feet over the spectacular landscape of the area. The overlook gives views that are as far as forty miles away on clear days, and mountain tops in seven counties are visible. On most days, at least twenty miles are visible. 

Coordinates:

41.444221, -76.679035

The dramatic landscape here was formed with giant glaciers some 20,000 years ago. 

The setting sun

The fall colors are particularly beautiful in this location.

80 percent of Loyalsock State Forest, roughly 90,000 acres of land open to recreation for all Pennsylvanians, are visible from this location.

This section of the knob had some particularly stunning yellow colored trees scattered across the ridge. The colors looked like they were straight out of a Bob Ross painting, "little trees" and all!

The sun setting on a spectacular day and an even more amazing overlook. 

Even with the sun almost fully set, these yellows continued to radiate as if they were glowing.

Almost completely set!

Dry Run Falls

Coordinates: 41.430345, -76.670412

Just down the road from the overlook is Dry Run Falls. The size of this set of falls is maybe twenty feet it is not particularly spectacular, but it is pretty nonetheless, and well worth a stop after visiting the downright spectacular High Knob Overlook. This set of falls has a nice little picnic area where you can listen to the babbling creek with a picnic lunch. There are a bunch of different creeks with waterfalls throughout the area, along with tremendous hikes. Forksville and Hillsgrove Covered Bridges are also nearby. I highly recommend visiting the Endless Mountains Region, Worlds End State Park, and Loyalsock State Forest if you like outdoor recreation and the sights and sounds of nature. 

Be sure to check out our Interesting Pennsylvania 2017 wall calendar, available through the drop down menu at the top of this page, or through this link. It is available on early-bird special for free with purchases of our book through the page, or individually for $9.99 plus shipping.