Project Details
Bringing History to the Trail
The Bald Eagle Valley Trail (BEVT) sits at the heart of Clinton County’s rich lumber heritage. Beginning at the historic Castanea Train Station, the trail follows the same railbed once used by the Beech Creek Railroad, a line that carried both passengers and lumber through the region. Before railroads arrived, timber was floated down Bald Eagle Creek; later, trains transformed the scale and speed of lumber transport.
With support from a Lumber Heritage Region mini-grant, Clinton County developed a wayfinding sign designed to connect trail users to this important history and give them a deeper sense of place
The Project
The new sign, located just up the trail from the Castanea Train Station, highlights:
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A historic view of the Castanea Station and its evolution over time
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An image of an original Beech Creek Railroad locomotive
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Information on a local Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp
Together, these elements immerse visitors in the story of Clinton County during the height of Pennsylvania’s lumber industry.
Measuring the Impact
To better understand how many visitors experience the sign, SEDA-COG provided the BEVT with trail counters in 2024. These devices, placed near the interpretive sign, show that on average 26 to 30 people pass by each day, with traffic rising to 35–40 people daily during peak months from May through September. This steady use demonstrates the value of pairing recreation with heritage education
Funding & Partnerships
This mini-grant was financed in part by the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Heritage Area Funds, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
