South Central Pennsylvania

Coal deposits were found in a 500 square mile area in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which were formed over 300 million years ago from the decaying plants and organic substances which once dominated the area. As time progressed, changes to the Earth’s tectonic plates and the environment caused the organic materials to carbonize and form black mineral deposits, which we know as coal today. Unlike other areas in the United States where coal is found, the region underwent a seismic process where coal formation was much more aggressive. Fold mountains created from tectonic plates converging added massive pressure resulting in coal deposits with higher levels of carbon called anthracite.

Today, the majority of coal used in production comes from Northeastern Pennsylvania. During the Industrial Revolution, anthracite coal powered homes and businesses across the Northeastern United States. Railroad transportation between Philadelphia, New York City, and other cities in the Northeast was made possible thanks to these discoveries. European immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Wales, Italy, and Poland found opportunities during this boom in coal to make a living. Despite the violence and anguish which made the lives of these immigrants harder as they risked their lives working under hazardous conditions, they managed to find joy in the hard work they brought to the table and rose up to demand better wages and safety regulations.

They were powerful enough to bring coal production, transportation, and distribution of anthracite coal during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency (1901-1909). While the region’s coal industry isn’t the same as it once was, you’ll still see many historical remnants of an area that thrived from job opportunities in the coal industry during your visit. Stop by at the Lackawanna Historical Society  in Scranton’s Hill Section and you’ll get a glimpse into what life was like in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. You can also visit the Anthracite Heritage Museum where you can experience the hard work and determination of European immigrants who worked in the coal mining industry’s factories, mills, and mines.

When you’re traveling in South Central Pennsylvania and heading towards your camping destination, don’t forget to stop by at some of the most lifelike battlegrounds, museums, and attractions documenting and preserving the history of the deadliest conflict in American history. Pennsylvania was the second state to join the union in 1787 and had a large role to play in the outcome of the Civil War by providing advanced weaponry, ammunition, armor, and ironclad warships to the federal government at the time.

Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16^th president, made his most famous speech at Gettysburg, and the first thought on your mind might be to visit the Gettysburg National Military Park, where you can witness history as it happened with battlefield guide-led bus tours. Most people would associate Gettysburg with the Civil War, but did you know that Abraham Lincoln also championed the construction of what would become the Transcontinental Railroad? Before going on a tour at the Gettysburg National Park, you might want to visit the Lincoln Train Museum where you’ll learn how the Transcontinental Railroad brought a divided nation together and see the entire 6,000-acre battlefield with the Gettysburg Diorama.

Planning to stay at Gettysburg for the night? There are also many nighttime activities for you to participate in. For starters, we recommend stopping by the Jennie Wade House, at night where you’ll learn about the life and death of Jennie Wade, the sole casualty of the battle and go on your own paranormal investigation tour at The Haunted Orphanage!

Step away from your electronic devices, computers, and cell phones and unwind with a visit to Amish Country. Here, Amish and Mennonite families live their lives and farm the land without conveniences like electricity or power tools ingrained in everyday life for most people. Lancaster County is home to the oldest Amish settlement and visit the dairy farms where cows are milked manually. The most conservative Amish families keep their food refrigerated by frozen blocks of ice!

Travel like the Amish do on a horse and buggy and head on over to the Amish Farm and House, a must-see destination. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, awarded the property to Governor John Evans in 1715. Farmhouse construction began in 1815. Although the property’s owners have changed, the Amish, Mennonites, and Quakers who settled here retained their lifestyle as technology advanced. On your way there, stop by Lancaster Central Market and try some of the locally-produced Amish cheeses, meats, vegetables, and deserts. The market was also listed by CNN as one of the world’s best fresh markets.

After that, you can unwind at some of the most rustic campgrounds in the Pennsylvania Dutch area like the Tucquan Park Family Campground in Holtwood, PA. Travel time from the Amish Farm and House to this campground is only half an hour. Staying at this campground during your visit provides quick access to the other attractions in the area such as the Strasburg Railroad, Wheatland (the home of 15th U.S. president James Buchanan), and the Choo Choo Barn.

Want more things to do while you’re in South Central Pennsylvania? You can make your visit to the region even more magical when visiting Hershey, PA where Hershey’s chocolates are manufactured. Take a free tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World, then have your taste buds water some more with tours at Snyder’s Pretzels, Martin’s Snack Foods, Utz Quality Foods and many more. Find out more information at www.yorkpa.org and learn about York County’s factory tour attractions.

To top off your trip in South Central Pennsylvania, visit the Mount Hope Estate & Winery, home of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, where private wine tasting sessions for Lancaster County Cider, Swashbuckler Beers, and Mount Hope Wines!