From a train carved into a rock, to a church made from logs, to a tunnel carved through rock, the day was full of sun and melting snow.
St. Severin Old Log Church
Excerpt from the National Register Of Historic Places:
“St. Severin’s Old Log Church was built by German Catholic settlers who had immigrated to the area during the 1840’s. St. Severin’s was dedicated by the Bishop of Pittsburgh, Michael O’Conner, on September 2, 1851. The original parishioners consisted of thirty-five families, the ‘first family’ being that of Severin Nebel. According to belief, Nebel was a prominent Alsatian immigrant, and the church was named for his namesake, St. Severin, believed to be Romain Severin of Bordeaux, Bishop of Cologne.
The church served until about 1880 when a larger church was erected nearby.
Architecturally, the church is one of the few remaining early log structures in north central Pennsylvania.”
Peale Tunnel
From Peale Pennsylvania, 1883-1912:
“Although grading of the road was only to a point east of Snow Shoe (Clarence) work began at what would become the Peale Tunnel by the Collins Brothers, a contractor. Boring work at the east end of the future tunnel began on June 24, 1883 and boring work on the west end on July 27. At about midnight on October 30, 1883 workers employed on the Peale Tunnel project pierced the mountain. The completion of this 1,277 foot tunnel was a major milestone in the construction of the road.”
Today the Beach Creek Railroad bed that runs through the tunnel is part of the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails and used primarily by All-Terrain Vehicles. During our hike to the tunnel we passed many riders and all were friendly and cordial, a fine testament to this association.
