Susquehanna Bridges- Karthaus Traditional Cache
Susquehanna Bridges- Karthaus
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is part of a series of caches highlighting bridges that
span the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Clearfield County.
Please bring something to write with. There is parking at the site.
There are also two caches close by (a virtual at the canoe launch)
so check them out if you havent found them. Public restrooms
available at the nearby canoe launch (may not be available in the
winter).
The village of Karthaus was laid out in 1827 or earlier on a sharp
bend in the river at the mouth of Mosquito Creek. The current
village if further east and was built cheifly through the extensive
coal and lumbering interests developed there. As with many towns
and villages along the West Branch, lumbering was an important part
of the communtiy. While I was a boy scout in the 1970's we canoed
this section of the river often. It was then that I learned of a
large rock long the river at Karthaus that had a steel ring mounted
in it. This allowed the logging rafts to tie up so the workers
could go into town. In the early 1800's coal was mined in Karthaus
Township. This coal was shipped down river in arks. Many loads were
lost due to rocks and log obstructions in the river. Iron ore was
also discovered and a foundry was build down river. The river
obstructions that plagued the coal arks were removed and forged
ironwear was shipped downstream to market. Due to the distance to
the market, and the continued dangers of the river, this industry
quickly ended. Karthaus is still an important part of river travel.
The PA DCNR and PA Fish Commission has built a canoe launch and
revovery site across the river from town and part of an offical
river trail. Moshannon Falls, a class two whitewater, is a short
distance upstream from Karthaus. Finally, on November 27, 1889,
sixteen year old Clara Price, while walking home after staying a
few days at a friends house, was murdered by an Englishman named
Alfred Andrews along what is now Rt. 879 on the Centre County side
of the river. A marker is located off the roadside at the place
Clara was killed.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)