Chimney Rocks Park

    

     Heading north on Rt. 36 leaving Hollidaysburg PA, it is hard to miss the huge limestone formations overlooking the borough.The rocks get their name from the resemblance to chimneys. Local history tells of Native American tribes using the rocks as a lookout over the valley. The borough of Hollidaysburg bought the land that is now Chimney Rocks Park in 1994. Up until its purchase, few poorly maintained trails allowed access to the rocks and lookout. By 1999 with help

Part of the recreation area

from local and government agencies, a small recreation area was constructed including better trails, picnic pavilion, play ground equipment, and safer lookout spots. One curious aspect of the area is that a small cave is said to be near the highest lookout. While meeting fellow hikers in passing, some have heard of the cave, but none know the location. I have yet to find any clear documentation of the caves existence or anyone who knows more than the rumors.

Looking over Hollidaysburg

Lincoln Highway : Story Land

     Taking a late summer's trip down the old Lincoln Highway from Bedford PA, I came across an eighteen foot tall Pied Piper playing his flute above the road. Curiosity struck my friends and I. I was forced to turn around and take a better look. The Piper stands at a gate of what used to be an amusement park called Story Land. The park is now privately owned and closed to the public. A small county store now sits where the entrance once stood. We decided to get a closer look at the Mother Goose, Humpty Dumpty, and other classic story book characters that were still scattered in the woods behind the country store. However, we were soon stopped by the “No Trespassing” signs that boarder the wood-line. Disheartened, we took what photographs we could and continued on our way down US Rt. 30.

      Story Land was a great attraction between the 1950's-1970's and was sadly closed in the 1980's. Now Piper's Place Country Store sits on the property and is owned by the daughter of the original owner. This road side attraction is located on the Lincoln Hwy just west of Shellsburg, PA on the right side of the road if heading from Bedford PA, but missing the enormous Pied Piper is almost impossible.