JOURNEY AROUND 
 LAKE CONEMAUGH 
 
 *-« 
 
 ^ •■ 
 
JOURNEY AROUND LAKE CONEMAUGH 
 
 LEGEND 
 
 AUTO TOUR ROUTE I 
 LAKE BOUNDARY 1889 , 
 
******************** 
 
 The three mile drive to the North Abutment of South Fork Dam can be both historical 
 and enjoyable. On the way, you will pass the 1889 Clubhouse as well as some of the 
 summer cottages that were part of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. You will 
 also get a chance to drive along a peaceful country road where you may see a variety 
 of wildlife and many other wonders of nature. Your journey around Lake Conemaugh 
 will enable you to physically trace almost the entire boundary of the lake, as it existed 
 in 1889 so you can appreciate its size. Please drive safely and watch for traffic and 
 pedestrians. 
 
 ******************** 
 
1, AS YOU LEAVE THE PARKING LOT, RETURN TO THE ENTRANCE GATE. (.5 Mile) 
 
 >*^-- .V 
 
 
 ^J?S?>p?:!?5g^- 
 
 In 1889, the areaimmediately to your left would have 
 been under water as part of Lake Conennaugh. The 
 two and one-half mile long lake served as a resort for 
 the members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting 
 Club during the years 1879 to 1889. Club members 
 were wealthy Pittsburgh industrialists who wanted 
 to retreat from a smoky city during the hot summer 
 months. Members and their guests were the only 
 ones allowed to use the lake and its facilities. Many 
 business deals were made along the banks of Lake 
 Conemaugh. On summer days, one would see 
 horses and buggies traveling back and forth to the 
 Clubhouse area. 
 
2. TURN LEFT AT THE PARK ENTRANCE AND THEN BEAR TO THE RIGHT AT THE FIRST STREET TO 
 THE RIGHT. (.1 Mile — Total .6) 
 
 This is part of the original road that led to the Clubhouse 
 areaof thelake. Asyou ride along, sixteen cottages lined 
 the street on your right. The club members enjoyed 
 excellent fishing and boating on Lake Conemaugh on 
 your left. 
 
3. THE CLUBHOUSE IS ON YOUR RIGHT AND IS MARKED 
 GRAY BUILDING WITH LATTICE WORK ON THE PORCH. 
 
 "1889 CLUBHOUSE." IT IS THE LARGE 
 (.3 Mile — Total .9) 
 
 The Clubhouse must have been impressive in its 
 day. With 47 rooms it could accommodate members 
 and club guests who did not w/ant a cottage. There 
 was a huge dining room that seated 150 people at 
 one time. It was a common rule that club members 
 took their meals at the Clubhouse. Although the 
 Clubhouse issmallerthan in 1889 (thesouth wing no 
 longer stands), it was truely a proper resort. 
 
4. TWO OF THE ORIGINAL COTTAGES LOCATED ATTHE BEND IN THE ROAD JUST UP AHEAD. (ONE 
 IS WHITE WITH BLUE TRIM. ONE IS RED.) THESE ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES SO PLEASE 
 RESPECT THE OWNERS' PRIVACY. (.1 Mile — Total 1.0) 
 
 These cottages still appear much as they did in 1889. They 
 reflect the architectural trend of the 1880's of the "Queen 
 Anne" style. Looking at them one can hardly call these three- 
 story 17room buildings "cottages"! These homes still showthe 
 elegance of the past. 
 
 AT THIS POINT, CONTINUE ON THE PAVED ROAD TO YOUR LEFT. 
 
5. AT THE END OF THIS ROAD, TURN RIGHT. YOU ARE AGAIN ON PA. ROUTE 869. (.1 Mile — Totall.1) 
 
 You are now below the water line of Lake Conemaugli. St. Michael, a town of 
 approximately 500 people, grew up around the Club's buildings when coal mining 
 developed in this area after 1889. 
 
 TAKE THE FIRST LEFT OFF PA. 869, JUST BEYOND ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH. DRIVE 
 CAREFULLY AND SLOWLY FOR THIS LEFT TURN IS NOT MARKED. (.6 Mile — Total 1.7) 
 
 This left turn is the only left turn on this road, so if you miss it, don't worry. You can 
 turn around at the Forest Hill High School ahead, which marks the end of the lake. 
 After you make the turn, proceed across the bridge and railroad tracks and continue 
 on this road. (Caution: Be alert for trains when crossing the several sets of railroad 
 tracks.) 
 
7. FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES, YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LAKE. 
 (1.4 Mile — Total 3.1) 
 
 The lake bed is to your left. Refer to the map to 
 imagine where the shoreline would be. Also watch 
 for wildlife. It is not uncommon to see deer, rabbits, 
 groundhogs (woodchucks) and birds along this 
 road. 
 
 *******••• 
 
 Along the way, you will pass through the "Park of 
 1889." The Adams-Croyle Recreation Authority 
 established this park in 1977 as an ongoing effort 
 with the National Park Service to preserve the 
 remaining lake bed and shoreline from further 
 development. 
 
IN ABOUT A MILE AND A QUARTER (IV4) THIS ROAD WILL FORK. TAKE THE LEFT FORK. DRIVE 
 DOWN THIS ROAD TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SIGN. PLEASE PARK YOUR VEHICLE IN THE 
 
 SMALL LOT PROVIDED. 
 
 You can now take a walk up to the spillway and the North 
 Abutment. This spillway became clogged with debris and 
 played a major role in the dam's breaking. From the 
 observation point at the end of the abutment, you will be 
 able to see the Clubhouse roof in St. Michael, which was 
 just about the half-way mark of Lake Conemaugh. This 
 will help you visualize the immenseness of the lake. It 
 certainly was a fantastic recreation-vacation spot! 
 
******************** 
 
 Your journey around LakeConemaugh is now over. Relax and enjoy the view. Let your 
 imagination wander. Picture yourself as a wealthy club member coming to spend 
 the summer on beautiful Lake Conemaugh. Also try to remember all you have seen 
 and heard at your visit to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Man's negligence 
 caused a great "natural" disaster. Tipping the balance of nature, without understand- 
 ing what we have done, can result in far-reaching consequences. 
 
 History is full of examples where man did not understand his environment and as a 
 result has suffered. History points out that more times than not, man fails to learn from 
 these tragic experiences and so history is repeated over and over again Can you think 
 of any examples where this has happened? Will we let it happen again? When will we 
 learn? We must find answers because it is then and only then we will live in harmony 
 with our environment. 
 
 ******************** 
 
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 
 
 TO RETURN TO ROUTE U.S. 219, RETRACE YOUR PATH TO ROUTE PA. 869. TURN RIGHT 
 ON PA. 869 TO ROUTE U.S. 219. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH ST. MICHAEL, IF YOU LOOK TO 
 YOUR LEFT, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE CLUBHOUSE FROM A FULL FRONT VIEW. 
 WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED JOURNEY AROUND LAKE CONEMAUGH. 
 
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
 
 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 
 
 JOHNSTOWN FLOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL 
 
 c/o Allegheny Portage Railroad 
 National Historic Site 
 
 P.O. Box 247 
 
 Cresson, PA 16630 
 
 (814) 886-8176