Nestled in the lush landscapes of Pennsylvania, Rockwood is a vibrant testimony to the enduring allure of small-town America. This quaint borough, cradled by the Laurel Highlands, is more than just a waypoint on the Great Allegheny Passage – it’s a destination in its own right, brimming with charm and character.
Rockwood emerges like a breath of fresh air. Its serene streets, lined with historic architecture, beckon travelers to slow down and soak in the town’s peaceful ambiance.Here, each building tells a story, each corner reveals a slice of history, and the warm smiles of locals make you feel right at home.
The heart of Rockwood pulses with community spirit. Local cafes and eateries offer delicious fare and a chance to mingle with residents. These establishments serve as informal community hubs, where tales of the town’s past intermingle with the laughter and camaraderie of present-day life. It’s in these cozy settings that visitors can savor the local cuisine, perhaps enjoying a craft beer or a homemade slice of pie, and feel the true essence of Rockwood.
For history buffs, Rockwood offers a journey through time. The town’s rich heritage is evident in its well-preserved buildings and the stories that locals are always keen to share. A walk through Rockwood is like flipping through the pages of a history book, with each step unveiling a new chapter of the past. This deep sense of history enriches the visitor experience, connecting them to the town’s storied past.
West of Rockwood is Laurel Hill State Park, with a rich history of early conservation efforts setting a national tone of resource protection.
The Laurel Hill Valley escaped the rampant logging that swept through Pennsylvania far longer than many areas of the state. The steep stream valleys and rugged hills made logging difficult until technology laid the tracks to haul the trees to mills.
Near Laurel Hill State Park, the Hemlock Trail Natural Area area escaped the loggers’ reach. Ancient hemlock trees, 200-300 years old with diameters up to 3-½ feet, line the creek along this gentle trail. The scenery here is spectacular, with moss carpeting small rocks and boulders, the creek running wide and clear, and virgin hemlocks providing the final magic touch. Along the upper loop of the trail are impressive black cherry, yellow birch, beech, maples, and oaks.
In 1935, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration began purchasing sub-marginal agricultural and forest land to be converted to better use. 1936 the National Park Service was responsible for the Recreational Demonstration Areas.Laurel Hill was one of five areas in Pennsylvania targeted for restoration and reforestation, organized group camping, and day picnicking.
Beginning in 1935, with the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters cooperation, men of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began building roads, trails, bridges, and recreational facilities.
The 200 young men in camps worked year-round building park facilities like group camps, picnic areas, waterlines, roads, the beach house, and Laurel Hill Lake. World War II ended the CCC. In October 1945, the Department of the Interior transferred the project to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which became Laurel Hill State Park.
The Laurel Hill Recreational Demonstration Area Historic District includes all CCC-constructed buildings and structures that retain a significant degree of integrity. The district contains 202 buildings on 1,352 acres of land, the most extensive collection of CCC architecture in Pennsylvania state parks.
Somerset County has ten remaining covered bridges, several near Rockwood. Barronvale Bridge, or Barron’s Mill Bridge, is a historic covered bridge crossing Laurel Hill Creek—west of Rockwood. At 162 feet 3 inches (49.45 m), it is the longest remaining covered bridge in the County. It is a 13 feet 10 inches wide Burr Truss bridge built in 1902.
Kings Bridge is a historic landmark built in 1802. It’s another Burr Truss design, 127-foot-4-inch-long with a covered gable roof.
As the journey along the Great Allegheny Passage continues, the memory of Rockwood lingers. It’s a place that leaves an imprint on every traveler’s heart. Its natural beauty, rich history, warm hospitality, and vibrant community life make it more than just a stop along the way – it’s a highlight. In this place, the journey and the destination become one.