Tag Archives: VanWagnerMusic

A Visit to the Former Town of Liberty

Back in 2018 NPC helped facilitate a 400 acre addition to State Game Lands 115 (SGL). The owners generously donated the acreage and now the SGL has more acres for hunting, bird watching, hiking, and exploring local history.

The group heading up the hill from the parking area.

On Sunday, December 19, 2021 the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) held a hike on the property. Van Wagner, local history buff (and musician) led the way to remnants of colliers’ huts, charcoal flats, and the town of Liberty.

Van explaining what the collier’s job was and how charcoal was made.

In the photo above Van is showing a photo of a collier at a different property next to his hut. The colliers were the woodsmen who cut trees and made the charcoal. They often lived in the woods for weeks at a time to cut wood and tend the charcoal burn.

From there the group visited a charcoal flat, found more remnants of a colliers’ hut, and then headed to where the Liberty furnace and town were. The 7.5-ish mile walk had a couple of climbs but also some great views.

MARC will be holding more historic hikes and possibly a few paddles during 2022.

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