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Laurel Summit State Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°07′04″N 79°10′30″W / 40.11778°N 79.17500°W / 40.11778; -79.17500
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Geobox Protected Area
{{Infobox protected area
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = Laurel Summit State Park
| name = Laurel Summit State Park
| native_name =
| iucn_category =
| other_name =
| iucn_ref =
<!-- images -->
| other_name1 =
| photo = LSSP Green trials.jpg
<!-- *** Category *** -->
| photo_caption = Wolf Rock Loop
| category_local = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Park]]
<!-- map -->
| category_iucn =
| map = USA Pennsylvania#USA
<!-- *** Image *** -->
| image =
| map_image =
| image_caption =
| map_size =
| map_caption = Location of Laurel Summit State Park in Pennsylvania
<!-- *** Etymology *** --->
| etymology_type =
| relief =
<!-- location -->
| etymology =
| location = [[Cook Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Cook]], [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]], Pennsylvania, United States
<!-- *** Country etc. *** -->
| nearest_city =
| country = United States
| nearest_town =
| state = Pennsylvania
| coordinates = {{coord|40|07|04|N|79|10|30|W|display=inline,title}}
| region_type = County
| coords_ref =
| region = [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]]
<!-- stats -->
| district_type = Township
| district = [[Cook Township, Pennsylvania|Cook]]
| length =
| city =
| length_mi =
| length_km =
<!-- *** Geography *** -->
| location =
| width =
| lat_d = 40
| width_mi =
| lat_m = 06
| width_km =
| lat_s = 06
| area_acre = 6
| lat_NS = N
| area_ref =
| elevation = {{convert|2674|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="gnis">{{cite web
| long_d = 79
| long_m = 10
| long_s = 41
| long_EW = W
| location_note =<ref name="gnis">{{cite web
| url={{Gnis3|1198257}}
| url={{Gnis3|1198257}}
| title=Laurel Summit State Park
| title=Laurel Summit State Park
| date = [[August 30]] [[1990]]
| date = August 30, 1990
| work=[[Geographic Names Information System]]
| work=[[Geographic Names Information System]]
| publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]
| publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]
| accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref>
| access-date=2008-05-06}}</ref>
| elevation_avg =
| elevation_imperial = 2674
| elevation_round = 1
| elevation_min =
| elevation_max =
| elevation_note = <ref name="gnis"/>
| area_unit = acre
| dimensions =
| area_imperial = 6
| designation =
<!-- dates & info -->
| area_round = 0
| area1_imperial =
| authorized =
| area1_type =
| created =
| length_imperial =
| designated =
| length_orientation =
| established = 1964
| width_imperial =
| named_for =
| visitation_num =
| width_orientation =
| visitation_year =
| highest =
| visitation_ref =
| highest location =
| governing_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
| highest_lat_d =
| highest_lat_m =
| administrator =
| highest_lat_s =
| operator =
| highest_lat_NS =
| owner =
<!-- website, embedded -->
| highest_long_d =
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110930011056/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/laurelsummit/index.htm Laurel Summit State Park]
| highest_long_m =
| highest_long_s =
| embedded =
| highest_long_EW =
| highest_elevation_imperial =
| lowest =
| lowest_location =
| lowest_lat_d =
| lowest_lat_m =
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| lowest_lat_NS =
| lowest_long_d =
| lowest_long_m =
| lowest_long_s =
| lowest_long_EW =
| lowest_elevation_imperial =
<!-- *** Nature *** -->
| biome =
| biome_share =
| biome1 =
| biome1_share =
| geology =
| geology1 =
| plant =
| plant1 =
| animal =
| animal1 =
<!-- *** People *** -->
| established_type =
| established = 1964
| management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
| management_location =
| management_lat_d =
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| management_lat_s =
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| visitation =
| visitation_year =
<!-- *** Free fields *** -->
| free_type = Nearest city
| free = [[Latrobe, Pennsylvania]]
| free1_type =
| free1 =
<!-- *** Map section *** -->
| map = Pennsylvania Locator Map.PNG
| map_caption = Location of Laurel Summit State Park in Pennsylvania
| map_locator = Pennsylvania
| map_first = yes
<!-- *** Website *** -->
| website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelsummit.aspx Laurel Summit State Park]
}}
}}
'''Laurel Summit State Park''' is a {{convert|6|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Park]] in [[Cook Township, Pennsylvania|Cook Township]], [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. It is also a [[picnic]] area with a scenic view of Linn Run]] on the [[Summit (topography)|summit]] of [[Laurel Mountain]]. The temperatures at Laurel Summit State Park are generally several degrees cooler than the surrounding towns in the valleys.<ref name="lssp">{{cite web
'''Laurel Summit State Park''' is a {{convert|6|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Cook Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Cook Township]], [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. It is also a [[picnic]] area with a scenic view of Linn Run on the [[Summit (topography)|summit]] of [[Laurel Hill (Pennsylvania)|Laurel Mountain]]. The temperatures at Laurel Summit State Park are generally several degrees cooler than the surrounding towns in the valleys.<ref name="lssp">{{cite web
| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelsummit.aspx
| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/laurelsummit/index.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930011056/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/laurelsummit/index.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = September 30, 2011| title = Laurel Summit State Park
| access-date = 2006-11-29
| title = Laurel Summit State Park
| publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]}}</ref> The elevation of the park is {{convert|2739|ft}} above [[sea level]].<ref name="gnis"/>
| accessdate = 2006-11-29
| publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]}}</ref> The elevation of the park is {{convert|2739|ft}} above [[sea level]].<ref name="gnis"/>


The area in and surrounding Laurel Summit State Park is now a thriving [[second growth forest]]. One hundred years ago it was generally described as a "waste land". The ridges of the [[Laurel Mountain]] had once been covered with [[virgin forest]]. These forests were [[clear cut]] during the lumber era that swept over most of the mountains and forests of Pennsylvania during the mid to late 1800s and very early 1900s. The lumberman stripped the mountains. They took the logs to the [[sawmill]] where they were cut into [[lumber]]. Smaller logs were used to reinforce the [[mine shaft]]s of the many [[coal mine]]s throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and [[West Virginia]]. The bark of the [[tsuga|hemlock]] tree was used as a source of [[tannin]] at the [[Tanning|tanneries]] of the area. The only thing the lumbermen left behind was the treetops. These tree tops were left to dry. The passing [[steam locomotive]]s of the [[Pittsburgh, Westmoreland, and Somerset Railroad]] would ignite this dry brush causing massive [[wildfire]]s that swept through the mountains and valleys. In 1909, after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had purchased the land from the lumberman, [[Forester]] John R. Williams reported , "I should say that fully three-fifths (60%) of the reserve had been burned since the lumbering was done. The fires did great damage to the young growth. Some places were covered with nothing but [[fern]]s and [[blackberry bush]]es." Scars from these fires can still be seen today in the Laurel Summit vicinity.<ref name="lssp"/>
The area in and surrounding Laurel Summit State Park is now a thriving [[Secondary forest|second growth forest]]. One hundred years ago it was generally described as a "waste land". The ridges of the Laurel Mountain had once been covered with [[old-growth forest]]. These forests were [[clearcutting|clear cut]] during the lumber era that swept over most of the mountains and forests of Pennsylvania during the mid-to-late 19th century and very early 20th century. The lumberman stripped the mountains. They took the logs to the [[sawmill]] where they were cut into [[lumber]]. Smaller logs were used to reinforce the [[shaft mining|mine shaft]]s of the many [[coal mine]]s throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and [[West Virginia]]. The bark of the [[tsuga|hemlock]] tree was used as a source of [[tannin]] at the [[Tanning (leather)|tanneries]] of the area. The only thing the lumbermen left behind was the treetops. These tree tops were left to dry. The passing [[steam locomotive]]s of the [[Pittsburgh, Westmoreland and Somerset Railroad]] would ignite this dry brush causing massive [[wildfire]]s that swept through the mountains and valleys. In 1909, after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had purchased the land from the lumberman, [[Forester]] John R. Williams reported, "I should say that fully three-fifths (60%) of the reserve had been burned since the lumbering was done. The fires did great damage to the young growth. Some places were covered with nothing but [[fern]]s and [[blackberry bush]]es." Scars from these fires can still be seen today in the Laurel Summit vicinity.<ref name="lssp"/>


Most of the [[wildlife]] in the area was devastated due to the destruction of their [[habitat]] or over hunting. [[White-tailed deer]] were imported from [[Michigan]] and [[New York]] to reestablish what had once been a thriving population of deer. These deer were released throughout Pennsylvania. The current population of deer in Pennsylvania are descended from the original stock that was introduced in 1910 after the lumberman had moved out of the area.<ref name="lssp"/>
Most of the [[wildlife]] in the area was devastated due to the destruction of their [[habitat]] or over hunting. [[White-tailed deer]] were imported from [[Michigan]] and [[New York (state)|New York]] to reestablish what had once been a thriving population of deer. These deer were released throughout Pennsylvania. The current population of deer in Pennsylvania are descended from the original stock that was introduced in 1910 after the lumberman had moved out of the area.<ref name="lssp"/>


==Nearby state parks==
==Nearby state parks==
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| title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
| title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
| publisher = [[Northern Arizona University]]
| publisher = [[Northern Arizona University]]
| accessdate = 2008-04-23
| access-date = 2008-04-23
}}</ref><ref> {{cite web
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/region_pittsburgh.aspx
| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/where/index.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110924171030/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/where/index.htm
| title = Map Reference for Laurel Summit State Park
| url-status = dead
| accessdate = 2006-11-29
| archive-date = September 24, 2011
| publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
| title = Find a Park by Region (interactive map)
| url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/westmoreland_GHSN.PDF
| access-date = November 18, 2011
| title= 2007 General Highway Map Westmoreland County Pennsylvania
| publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite map
| accessdate= 2007-07-27
|scale = 1:65,000
}} ''Note: shows Laurel Summit State Park''</ref>
|publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
|url = ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/westmoreland_GHSN.PDF
|title = 2007 General Highway Map Westmoreland County Pennsylvania
|access-date = 2007-07-27
}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Note: shows Laurel Summit State Park''</ref>
*[[Keystone State Park (Pennsylvania)|Keystone State Park]] (Westmoreland County)
*[[Keystone State Park (Pennsylvania)|Keystone State Park]] (Westmoreland County)
*[[Kooser State Park]] ([[Somerset County, Pennsylvania|Somerset County]])
*[[Kooser State Park]] ([[Somerset County, Pennsylvania|Somerset County]])
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{PDFlink|[http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelsummit/laurelsummit_mini.pdf Laurel Summit State Park Official map]|301&nbsp;KB}}
{{Portal|Pennsylvania}}
* {{cite web|url=http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737543&DocName=LASU_ParkMap.pdf |title='''Laurel Summit State Park''' — Official map }}&nbsp;{{small|(301&nbsp;KB)}}

{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Pennsylvania state parks]]
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:State parks of the Appalachians]]
[[Category:1964 establishments]]
[[Category:Parks in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Laurel Highlands]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1964]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania]]

Latest revision as of 05:48, 2 August 2023

Laurel Summit State Park
Wolf Rock Loop
Map showing the location of Laurel Summit State Park
Map showing the location of Laurel Summit State Park
Location of Laurel Summit State Park in Pennsylvania
Map showing the location of Laurel Summit State Park
Map showing the location of Laurel Summit State Park
Laurel Summit State Park (the United States)
LocationCook, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates40°07′04″N 79°10′30″W / 40.11778°N 79.17500°W / 40.11778; -79.17500
Area6 acres (2.4 ha)
Elevation2,674 ft (815 m)[1]
Established1964
Governing bodyPennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
WebsiteLaurel Summit State Park

Laurel Summit State Park is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Cook Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is also a picnic area with a scenic view of Linn Run on the summit of Laurel Mountain. The temperatures at Laurel Summit State Park are generally several degrees cooler than the surrounding towns in the valleys.[2] The elevation of the park is 2,739 feet (835 m) above sea level.[1]

The area in and surrounding Laurel Summit State Park is now a thriving second growth forest. One hundred years ago it was generally described as a "waste land". The ridges of the Laurel Mountain had once been covered with old-growth forest. These forests were clear cut during the lumber era that swept over most of the mountains and forests of Pennsylvania during the mid-to-late 19th century and very early 20th century. The lumberman stripped the mountains. They took the logs to the sawmill where they were cut into lumber. Smaller logs were used to reinforce the mine shafts of the many coal mines throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The bark of the hemlock tree was used as a source of tannin at the tanneries of the area. The only thing the lumbermen left behind was the treetops. These tree tops were left to dry. The passing steam locomotives of the Pittsburgh, Westmoreland and Somerset Railroad would ignite this dry brush causing massive wildfires that swept through the mountains and valleys. In 1909, after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had purchased the land from the lumberman, Forester John R. Williams reported, "I should say that fully three-fifths (60%) of the reserve had been burned since the lumbering was done. The fires did great damage to the young growth. Some places were covered with nothing but ferns and blackberry bushes." Scars from these fires can still be seen today in the Laurel Summit vicinity.[2]

Most of the wildlife in the area was devastated due to the destruction of their habitat or over hunting. White-tailed deer were imported from Michigan and New York to reestablish what had once been a thriving population of deer. These deer were released throughout Pennsylvania. The current population of deer in Pennsylvania are descended from the original stock that was introduced in 1910 after the lumberman had moved out of the area.[2]

Nearby state parks[edit]

The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Laurel Summit State Park:[3][4][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Laurel Summit State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. August 30, 1990. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Laurel Summit State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  3. ^ Michels, Chris (1997). "Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation". Northern Arizona University. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
  4. ^ "Find a Park by Region (interactive map)". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  5. ^ 2007 General Highway Map Westmoreland County Pennsylvania (PDF) (Map). 1:65,000. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. Retrieved July 27, 2007.[permanent dead link] Note: shows Laurel Summit State Park

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Laurel Summit State Park.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurel_Summit_State_Park&oldid=1168339428"