History of Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area

In the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, logging companies lumbered the area. Trees were hauled from the stump to the mill on the Perry Lumber Railroad. This narrow gauge railroad had a terminus at the east end of the park.

The trees were cut to supply tanneries, barrel manufacturers, and charcoal furnaces. A tannery near the spring operated during the early 1800s until 1860. In 1871, an axe handle factory was started in the old tannery.

The Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad laid tracks through the park to link to the Path Valley Railroad in Franklin County. Their tunnel through Conococheague Mountain failed, and the Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad went out of business.

During the early 1900s, the area was a community picnic area accessible by road and railroad. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania developed the current facility in 1936 with Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-111-PA.