LEHIGH TWP, PA
with pictures of
the Falls of Glen Onoko

The Falls

From:

1. (Text) The five volume Eckhart's "History of Carbon County"
found at
the Dimmick Memorial Library, Jim Thorpe/Mauch Chunk.

and
2. The Pennsylvania State University topographical map repository.

LEHIGH TOWNSHIP ^{Large Map}

Lehigh Township was named after the Lehigh River, which sweeps its eastern border.

Warrior's Path, a war trail used by the Indians traveling from the Susquehanna River toward the Delaware River, is located near the top of Onoko Falls. Later, while timbering during the early boat building era of the Lehigh Canal, lumbermen referred to this place as "Raftsman Path".

The character of the land was indeed mountainous and therefore very little was tillable. Villages were Laurytown, Penn Haven, and Rockport. In the 1870's, Glen Onoko was developed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and it became a major tourist attraction.

Lehigh Township was created in 1875 from a part of Lausanne Township. It is bounded on the northeast by the Luzerne County line, on the northwest by Lausanne Township, on the west by Packer Township, on the south and east by the Lehigh River which separates it from Kidder and Penn Forest townships.

In 1880, the population of Lehigh Township was 36. Its tax assessment was $26,292 with real estate of $23,742 and personal property of $2,550.

In 1883, the assessment roll of Lehigh Township revealed 198 taxable inhabitants. Farmers included Charles Carroll, Patrick Cormor, Anthony Cull, Anthony Felder, John Graaf, Michael Halley, Conrad Hinser, Hiram Hinser, Jacob Hellinger, Frank Kingle, Adolf Ludman, William McDonnell, Edward McGill, Michael Meyers, David Miller, Gabriel Miller, Jacob Petry, Christian Ramsey, John Shaffer, Samuel Simon, George Stetler, William H. Taylor, John Torny, John Wallace, end Isaac West.

In the same assessment, the Lehigh Valley Railroad owned 243 acres on the Porter House tract, 197 acres at Balliet's, 370 acres at James Moore, 187 acres at Penn Haven Junction, and a house each at Turn Hole, Bannin's, and Booth's.

The Central Railroad Company of New Jersey was assessed on a house each at Turn Hole, Penn Haven, Oxbow and North Penn Haven.

Geography

Quakake Creek (1) enters the township from the west and joins Hazle Creek (2) at Black Creek Junction where it continues east before emptying into the Lehigh River (3) at Penn Haven. Laurel Run (4) enters the township from the northwest and flows southeast to join Indian Run (5) enroute to the Lehigh River below Rockport at a point that whimsically should be dubbed as "Die Lorelei of Pennsylvania." (In Germany, Die Lorelei is located between Koblenz and Frankfurt at a sharp bend along the mighty Rhine River). Leslie's Run (6) rises near the Luzerne County line and flows into the Lehigh River in the northern part of the township.

Broad Mountain (7) constitutes the southern portion of the township, while Quakake Valley(8) passes between it and Bald Ridge Mountain (9). Bald Ridge Mountain reaches across the township from east to west, and Laurytown Valley (10) is situated on the north side of this mountain. Also see the area map.

Pre-Civil War Buck Mountain Area Map

At one time the Moravians owned a tract of timberland where Rockport is located. The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company purchased the timber and built several sawmills and dwellings on a high bluff later known as Laurytown. The logs were slid down the steep mountainside to the Lehigh River and rafted to Mauch Chunk.

The first permanent settlement was initiated at Rockport by Jedediah Irish, who headed the logging operations of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company In the 1820's.

During high water on the Lehigh River, Jed Irish would lead a "frolic" whereby thousands of logs were loosened and floated on the crest of rushing water. Equipped with wooden hand spikes and short handled axes, the men would guide the logs hurtling down the river to dams adjacent to the sawmills. After the logs were sawed into boards, rafts with the cut lumber were floated onward to Mauch Chunk, where river barges were constructed to transport coal to markets such as as Philadelphia.

The robust raftsmen returned on foot, traveling the 'Indian or Warrior Path' which once led from Gnadenhuetten (near Lehighton) to Wyoming (Wilkes-Barre). Some of these hearty, fearless rafters included Spencer Cassidy, James Evans, Thomas Jenkins, Samuel Mantawny, Alexander Santee and Peter Steel.

In 1829, John James Audubon visited the area and stayed at the log cabin of Jed Irish. During this time, Audubon made studies in Great Pine Swamp, where the famous naturalist created paintings of birds unique to the region, such as a rare woodpecker. These efforts were later published in his "Birds of America" and led to the formation of the National Audubon Society.

The l830's

In 1836, J. Moore opened a post office at Laurytown. Later, Samuel Wolf was postmaster and also conducted a tavern. The post office was relocated to Rockport in 1841. An early road connected the Lehigh and Susquehanna Turnpike at the Spring Mountain House, through Weatherly near Rockport to White Haven. In 1836, Asa Packer owned a merchandise store, and he was later succeeded by R. Q. Butler. In 1831, a German Lutheran and Reformed Church was started. It also included a school.

The village of Rockport was once popularly known as "Grog Hollow". This name was associated with the pastimes of the 1,000 laborers there during the construction of the Upper Division of the Lehigh Canal and the Buck Mountain Railroad.

On Sunday they gathered at the tavern (a small log building) of Jake Morris. Outdoor activities included pitching quoits, playing cards, target practice, fighting, arid drinking whiskey. As an extension of bar service in the small, crowded tavern, Jake would pass a bucket of whiskey through the window where the men outside stood in line and shared tin cups.

Penn Haven

In 1838, Penn Haven became a shipping point of the Hazleton Coal Company and was consequently settled. The company built two inclined planes to take coal cars up and down the steep mountain. The self acting planes were 430 feet feet in height and 1,200 feet in length. As a loaded car descended on one plane, it would draw an empty car up the other plane.

After the flood of 1850, the railroad constructed a branch rail from the bridge at Hazle Creek to the top of the mountain at Penn Haven. After being acquired by the Lehigh Valley Railroad, this became the main branch on the main line to New York. The railroad built 40 houses for employees whose major commute was by railroad. The busy rail junction served both tourists and freight.

In 1859, the village had 300 inhabitants, a hotel, a store, and a school. After the flood in 1862, the planes were abandoned since the canal was never rebuilt above Coalport. The Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad was completed in 1867 between Mauch Chunk and White Haven.

The Central Railroad of New Jersey, lessee of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, crossed Black Creek at Penn Haven Junction. In the 1880's, the railroad depot and a hotel were the only vestiges remaining in the village.

Penn Haven House

This house was intact until at least the mid-1940s. It stood alone and was eaily visible from the LVRR passenger trains as they slowed down to make the transition from the main line to the Hazleton branch line.

 

Rockport

The mines were located on the summit of Spring Mountain in the village of Clifton in Lausanne Township. The breaker was erected at Rockport In Lehigh Township, about five miles from the mines. On the rail line from Buck Mountain to Rockport, operated by the Buck Mountain Coal Company, loaded cars ran down along Laurel Creek to Rockport by gravity. At first, mules were employed to pull the empty cars back to the mines but the animals were later replaced by a fourwheeled, wood burning locomotive.

A breaker stood on the banks of Laurel Run Creek. The machinery was driven by an ordinary 25 foot overshot water wheel. With the exception of the breaker at Nesquehoning, this was the only other breaker in the anthracite region powered in this manner.

In 1841, a post office was established at Rockport under the direction of R. Q. Butler. Other construction included a store, two schoolhouses, and an office building. After the flood of 1841 swept away the canal by which the coal was shipped, operations were suspended until repairs were made.

In 1860, the village of but one street had 250 inhabitants, a church, a hotel, a store, and a school. Rockport was a popular summer resort for vacationers seeking the fresh mountain air.

Rockport remained the shipping point for the Company until 1862 when the canal was again destroyed by flood. It was never rebuilt, and the ensuing change in the labor market brought a significant population decline to the village.

After the flood of 1862, the Hazleton Coal Company built a railroad from Hazle Creek Junction to the mines at Buck Mountain. This railroad connected with what became the Lehigh Valley Railroad at the Hazle Creek Junction, about two miles north of Weatherly. In 1883, the Buck Mountain Coal Company was assessed for 23 lots, three houses and five acres of land at the old store. At this time, the Buck Mountain coal Company ceased business.

Black Creek Junction, located In the extreme northwest corner of the township, was a major depot for the Lehigh Valley Railroad which included the Quakake Branch (formerly the Lehigh and Mahanoy Railroad prior to the merger in 1866) and its northbound traffic to Weatherly. The coal billing offices of the Lehigh Valley Railroad were also located at Black Creek Junction.

Recent pictures at Rockport (1)

Recent pictures at Rockport (2)

For much more on the railroads traversing the Lehigh Gorge from Glen Onoko to White Haven see this excellent site about The Central Railroad of New Jersey.

Very early railroading along the LVRR in this locale.

Glen Onoko

Glen Onoko, also known as Hatchet Falls in 1830, is a scenic glen located along the southern edge of the township about two miles north of East Mauch Chunk on the eastern side of Broad Mountain. The ravine is the site of several beautiful historic waterfalls that descend over 900 feet in a distance of slightly over one mile.

Onoko was the name an Indian chief's daughter who was a white settler's lover. The irate chief accused the white man of stealing his daughter's affection and executed the culprit by throwing him over the cliff by the falls. During this execution, Onoko hid in clump of rhododendron bushes, and upon witnessing her lover's doom, gave a shriek of despair before leaping from the cliff to share In her lover's horrible fate.

According to legend, the spirit of the Indian maiden haunts this tragic spot. At precisely 9:15 on any clear sunshiny morning, the restless ghost of Onoko, also known as the "Spirit of the Mist", makes a misty appearance as a white veiled lady gliding across the silvery surface.

Another version regarding the origin of the name involved the same tribe but concerned a brave named Opachee, who was forbidden to marry Onoko. In this Instance, she committed suicide in a like manner without the presence of her lover.

Starting a journey into the glen, one is greeted by a cleft known as "Pulpit Rocks" which stand 20 feet high and serve as stately ushers to the Glen It is also referred to as Sentinel Rock.

Falls located in the heart of the Glen:

Chameleon Falls, creating a drop of 50 feet, pooled into a basin lined with moss covered rocks and partially hidden by frolicking flora and variegated foliage, representing a floral paradise.

Also known as the "Veil of Wenonah", others describe these falls as one of the most pleasing features in the Glen. Mountain laurel, the state flower of Pennsylvania, thrive in this haven naturally supplied with an everlasting high humidity and shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

A gigantic fallen hemlock tree with carved steps provides an access up the steep bank to continue through the Glen.

Ascending further, one now sees the beautiful Rainbow Cascades so named for the gorgeous hues in full display.

Cave Falls, home of the "Spirit of the Mist", was named for an Indian cave adjacent to the falls.

Even on hot days, a cool breeze is always present in the Glen. Coupled with the ever flowing water and pleasant sounds enhanced by the natural surroundings, this Glen as . sires a visitor of quiet and simple relaxation.

Past the Falls of Onoko, the highest in the Glen and at the top of Onoko Falls, the view from "Sunrise Point" includes scenic mountains, gaps, and of course, the majestic Lehigh River below.

After walking north for one half mile, Packer's Point, named in honor of Asa Packer, the pavilion roof provides protection from the burning sun. Along the way was a cabin which served as refuge for the hardy lumbermen. The view from Packer's Point is equal to that from Mount Pisgah. A half mile south east are the depots at the base of the Glen where our Journey began.

Facilities at the Glen included picnic grounds and amusements for the children making it a family affair.

Another Outstanding Attraction

Glen Onoko was also the site of Onoko Tavern, built on the east bank of the Lehigh River in 1885 at a cost of $30,000. E. R. Siewers and E. J.Klotz of Mauch Chunk, and George Esser of Philadelphia were the investors in the Wahnetah Land and Improvement Company. This spacious four story hotel contained 47 rooms elegantly decorated in addition to a large dining hall and an 84 foot bar. Room rates were $8 per week and meals cost around 50 cents.

In 1888, M. O'Brien was proprietor of the hotel which offered a daily rate of $3 for first class accommodations. Weekly rates ranged from $14 to $21 per person at the 250 person capacity facility. Later, the name of Onoko Tavern became Wahneta Hotel in respect to the Indian princess 'Wahneta'.

Excursions to the Glen

In 1888, an excursion ticket from New York to the 'poplar mountain resort' of Glen Onoko was worth $8; From Philadelphia it was $1 less. The ticket included dinner on Saturday night through breakfast on Monday morning. A train fare from New York, without amenities cost $2.25.

Opening night of the hotel on May 30, 1886, produced gross receipts of $2,800. Other amenities included carriage and horse rides, tennis courts and a series of scenic walks. Pedestrian travel to the hotel from Glen Onoko Station Included a suspended walk bridge crossing the Lehigh River. The footbridge, three feet in width, was the shortest and easiest means of reaching the hotel from the two railroad stations at Glen Onoko.

U.S. President Grover Cleveland's wife visited Glen Onoko in the spring of 1888 for the season opening.