The Mahanoy Mountain, located about 12 miles south of Sunbury, has a history that reaches back to a time long before settlers reached this area. Mount Mahanoy is located at the junction of Line Mountain and Little Mountain, two long mountain ranges that fuse just east of the Susquehanna River’s shoreline.
From the air or a geological map, they resemble a giant hairpin. Line Mountain stretches to the east about 24 miles into Schuylkill County, where it joins with the Mahantongo Mountain and has just one gap at Dornsife, which allows the Mahanoy Creek to pass through it. Little Mountain extends about 30 miles northeast and ends near Ringtown, with two gaps through which the Shamokin and Roaring Creeks flow.
Towering impressively over the Susquehanna, at an elevation of more than 1,000 feet, the Mahanoy Mountain is visible from busy Routes 11-15 near Port Trevorton.
The mountain served as the northern boundary of the Province of Pennsylvania from 1749 to 1768, the time of the greatest struggle between the settlers and American Indians. Tulpehocken Road, the first surveyed road in Northumberland County, headed north from the old Indian trail located near the base of the mountain to Fort Augusta.
In lieu of cash for services rendered to the proprietaries, famous treaty negotiator Conrad Weiser had acquired nearly 3,000 acres of land in the area. Journal entries indicate that Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg, grandson of Conrad Weiser, traveled through the area in June 1771 to inspect the land. He wrote, “On the 28th in the afternoon, I went up a high mountain at Mahanoy. Here the Conestoga and Delaware Indians formerly had one of their strongholds. But they were vanquished by the Six Nations. More than two wagon-loads of bones are still lying here. I tried to fit together a skeleton, but the time was too short.”
Many travelers passed through the area once inhabited by various tribes over the years, including John Bartram and Lewis Evans in 1743, as well as Moravian missionaries Zinzendorf, Zeisberger and Spangenberg, to name a few.
Today, one can still enjoy a spectacular vista of the Susquehanna River, its islands and surrounding countryside from the mountain’s summit. It remains a popular climbing spot, and each year, Susquehanna University’s graduating seniors continue a long-standing tradition by hiking it during Senior Week.
News
Related Photos
Discussion
Once upon a time in ... Northumberland County
A mighty mountain remains worth climbing
- News
-
-
Raw milk remains popular, despite illnesses
WASHINGTON — The popularity of unpasteurized raw milk remains strong despite warnings from public health officials about its dangers and outbreaks of bacterial infections. In the latest case untreated contaminated milk from a Pennsylvania farm has sickened 38 people on the East Coast. It's a reminder of the risks of consuming milk bottled straight from the cow.
-
State Supreme Court explains legislative redistricting decision
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state's legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year's races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Heinz Endowments fund Flight 93 oral histories
PITTSBURGH — A project to compile oral histories of those connected to the crash of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 will continue for at least the next three years due to a $225,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
-
LARA looks ahead
LEWISBURG -- The Lewisburg Community Pool and spring and summer schedule of events are the big concerns these days for those running the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority. Officials are confident they finally have the regional recreation authority's financial situation under control.
-
Wirth not first driver to face murder charge
LEWISBURG -- Christopher Wirth isn't the first person to face a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal crash in Union County. "A death involving a vehicle can support third-degree murder depending on the acts of the subject," District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Thursday.
-
Bumpy ride for prison officers
SUNBURY -- It's been a rough week for two Northumberland County Prison commanders who were suspended without pay, had their wages reinstated, were laid off and then rehired. On Monday, Brian Wheary was suspended without pay from his $36,030-a-year position as commander. By Thursday, the 37-year-old was back on the job.
-
Reality TV star ready for visit
SHAMOKIN -- Ron Shirley has never been to Shamokin, has never been to the Valley at all, but he has an idea of what's waiting for him here. "The only thing I expect is to meet friendly, honest people," said Shirley, a star of the hit Tru TV reality series, "Lizard Lick Towing."
-
Masser to seek 2nd term
ELYSBURG -- State Rep. Kurt Masser, a Republican from Elysburg, announced Thursday that he will seek a second term representing the 107th Legislative District in the state House. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a second term to represent the people of our area," he said. "We've accomplished a lot in our first term, but there is so much more to do. I want to keep being an independent voice for our community in Harrisburg."
-
West Milton man arraigned on robbery charges
A West Milton man is the second suspect in an armed robbery at a West Buffalo Township convenience store Saturday night. Michael Gulli, 41, of 310 Broad St., was arrested by Milton state police who said Gulli was involved in pointing a gun at two employees of the Forest Hill Store, on Buffalo Road, in Union County, and threatening to kill them.
-
Show guns for 1,500
LEWISBURG -- Hundreds of long rifles and other Colonial weapons that helped win the Revolutionary War and forge a nation will be on display -- and some, for sale -- today through Saturday at the fifth annual 18th Century Artisan Show.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
Tim Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
HARRISBURG — An entrepreneur from southwestern Pennsylvania is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate now that the Republican Party has endorsed another candidate.
- More News Headlines
-
