Visiting the Dauphin County Veteran's Memorial in Harrisburg

We live in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and I have to admit...We didn't know that the Dauphin County Veteran's Memorial even existed. We stumbled upon it purely by accident while visiting Italian Lake a few months ago. It sits right beside Italian Lake and is within a few yards of the former William Penn High School and the Zembo Shrine.

From the research that we've conducted...it was originally located at the North Second and State Streets intersection of downtown Harrisburg from 1866 to 1876, as a tribute to Dauphin County’s Civil War soldiers. Over the years it was neglected and due to the natural weather elements, it had eroded and needed repaired. Once it was refurbished and repaired in 1960, it was moved to its current location at Third and Division Streets in Harrisburg.

It stands 110 feet high, weighs over 600 tons, and was cut from stone taken from the banks of the Susquehanna River. The stone plaque is inscribed: "To the soldiers of Dauphin County who gave their lives for the life of the Union in the suppression of the rebellion 1861-1865. Erected by their fellow citizens." You'll have to get up close to the memorial monument if you want to read the inscription.

If you're looking to visit the memorial, you'll find free parking nearby. We parked on a side street along Italian Lake and walked over to it. If you're going to be visiting Italian Lake, Zembo Shrine or even the Polyclinic Medical Campus, stop on by for a visit and to pay your respects.

Touring the Civil War Monuments on McPherson Ridge - Gettysburg Battlefield

Over the past year we've been making several visits down to Gettysburg to tour the Gettysburg Battlefield. In my honest opinion, if you really want to study the monuments and memorials, it needs to be done over several days and if possible, on several trips.

Every time we go down there we take along our Official Guidebook from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. If you're looking for one of the best guidebooks, I highly recommend this one. The ISBN: 978-1-935442-07-3 and it's published by the Gettysburg Foundation and Beckon Books.

On a recent trip down to the Gettysburg Battlefield we spent close to two hours exploring all of the Civil War monuments in the McPherson Ridge section of the battlefield tour. To make things easier for our readers, we've been breaking down the Gettysburg Battlefield tour into smaller features here on the blog.

Here's a partial list of some of the Civil War monuments and memorials that we saw in McPherson Ridge. They're not in any particular order. We did find some information about them online and included links that you can click on to learn more about those monuments. This is just a SMALL sampling of the ones that you'll see.

The 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument is located along Reynolds Avenue and it was dedicated in 1889 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I really liked this monument as it's a lot different than most that you'll see. When you come across it, make sure you walk behind it to read all of the information about the infantry regiment on it. A lot of people don't look at the reverse-side of the monuments and this one has some important information on it.

The 147th New York Infantry Monument is located along Reynolds Avenue and was dedicated on July 1st, 1888 by the State of New York. When you come across this one you'll want to get out of your car and walk around it. You'll find information about the 147th New York Infantry printed on all four sides of the monument.

The 80th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument is located along Reynolds Avenue and was dedicated in 1888 by the State of New York. This is another one of those Civil War monuments that you really need to get out and look at. You'll find information about this infantry regiment printed on all four sides of the monument.

The Brigadier General James Wadsworth Monument is located on Reynolds Avenue and is quite impressive in size. If you would like to learn more about him and the important part that he played in the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War in general, you should visit THIS WEBSITE to learn more. It was dedicated in 1914 by the State of New York.

The Major General Abner Doubleday Monument is located along Reynolds Avenue and was dedicated on September 25th, 1917 by the State of New York. He was the Commander of the 3rd Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac. It's impressive in size and includes information about his time as Major General in the Civil War.

As you can see, you'll find some very impressive and important Civil War monuments in the McPherson Ridge section on the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania. They're pretty spread out, so you'll drive, park and walk. Drive, park and walk again. That's pretty much the pattern in this particular area.

During the summer tourist season you'll find an official Gettysburg information center that's open from May through September and you'll find public restrooms at the information center that you can use. Also located in the McPherson Ridge area is the Seminary Ridge Museum. A must-see and must-do museum stop while you're in the area.

Fun Things to See and Do in Historic Savage Mill Maryland

Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge is a National Historic Landmark located in Savage, Maryland. It's the oldest, 160 foot, double span iron railroad bridge in the United States. While its no longer in use by the railroad, it's still in use carrying the Savage Mill Trail (0.8 mile rail trail) along and across the Little Patuxent River.

According to the information at the site, it was the first all-metal bridge that was consistently used on the railroad and was designed by Wendel Bollman, a self-taught engineer from nearby Baltimore. It was built in 1869 and then moved to its current location in 1887. At the time, this type of bridge was loved for its durability and because it was easy to build.

The bridge became a National Historic Landmark on February 16th, 2000. Before that the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 1972. The company that built these type's of bridges, built about 100 of them through 1873. However, the Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge is the oldest surviving one in the U.S.A.

Maryland Historical Society Marker: Bollman Iron Truss Bridge 1869 - Spanning the Little Patuxent River is the sole surviving example of the bridging system invented, 1850 by Wendel Bollman, Baltimore engineer. It was the first system entirely of iron used by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the first in America through 1873 the company built about 100 such bridges.

Located nearby you'll find the historic Savage Mill which is also listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Savage Mill was established in 1822. The cotton mill was renovated into a shopping and restaurant complex. You'll find it at the southwest corner of Foundry Road and Washington Street in Savage, Maryland.

On the property and part of the parks system you'll find the Savage Trail, picnic grounds, some gorgeous statues and a really fun rope course for you and the family to enjoy. We spent an entire afternoon exploring everything that the site had to offer. You can bring along your own picnic-style lunch or purchase lunch at one of the small restaurants at the Savage Mill shopping complex.

Talking about some fun shopping...if you enjoy shopping at local boutiques and/or shopping for antiques...you're going to enjoy this place. The photograph above shows you the inside of one of the antiques stores located in the complex. It was really hard to get a decent photo due to the lighting.

We live in south central Pennsylvania (Harrisburg and Hershey area) and it took us about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to get there. It's a great place to go with the family if you're looking to take a day trip down to Maryland. There are several family-friendly activities for you to enjoy while you're there. Plus, visiting the historic landmark, Savage Trail, Savage Mill Shops and the rope course are 100% free and are open to the public to enjoy.

Pennsylvania Governor's Residence and Mansion in Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania Governor's Residence and Mansion is located at 2035 North Front Street in Harrisburg. The Georgian-Style Mansion was built in 1968 and designed by George M. Ewing, from Philadelphia. If you're driving down Front Street and heading south...you'll see it sitting on the left-hand side of the road. There is free side-street parking nearby.

Current Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf doesn't live there and resides in his own home. Currently the residence is used for official work and by state employees. It's also used for special and official events. You can find a list of these events directly on the Governor's Residence's website.

The public is welcome to come and take an official tour of the residence April through October on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 AM until 2:00 PM. The tours have free admission. For more information, please call the tour line at 717-772-9130.

If you plan on taking one of the guided tours through the residence, you should arrive at least 15 minutes before your schedule tour time is to begin. Next, you'll all meet up together as a group and be escorted onto the property. You can't take tote bags, backpacks, large handbags, etc. onto the property for security reasons, so please leave them locked up in your car. Next, you're not permitted to take photographs inside the residence, so you'll want to leave your cameras locked up too.

On the beautifully landscaped property you'll find four theme'd gardens. The Jane Shafer Rose Garden, Penn’s Woods, Susquehanna Garden and the West Lawn. These gardens are absolutely beautiful and well-taken care of. Since we love botanical gardens, we found them to be stunning. If you're walking around the fenced perimeter of the property, you can get some nice peeks of the gardens inside.

Governor's Residence Historical Marker:

This is the present home of the Governor of Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1968 and is the third official executive mansion located in Harrisburg.

Exploring the Nature Trails at Wildwood Park in Harrisburg

The Wildwood Park and Nature Center is located in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and allows visitors from around the area to view native wildlife in their natural habitat. The park is open year round and is free to visit. If you want to explore the lake and walk the surrounding trails, they're open from dawn to dusk, while the indoor nature center is open during specific hours throughout the year.

There are several different parking lots that visitors can use, with three of them having access to public restrooms. If you plan on visiting the Nature Center and don't want to do a lot of walking, you'll want to park in the Nature Center Lot which is located on the south side of the property.

There are several different walking trails that run around Wildwood Lake. Some of the trails are paved, some are wooden boardwalks and a few are uneven dirt trails. All of the trails are marked and you'll find maps of the park & trails at each parking lot/entrance. I suggest planning out your walking hiking route before you get started.

Description of Nature Trails:

Towpath Trail is an easy, level trail that is approximately 1 mile in length.

Wildwood Way is a moderately difficult trail with several long hills. It's 2.1 miles in length.

Delta Boardwalk is an easy, level trail with a wooden walkway that is 0.4 miles in length.

Meadow Trail is a grassy trail that loops through an open meadow that's 0.2 miles in length.

North Boardwalk does not connect with any other trails and is 0.4 miles in length.

East Shore Trail is moderately difficult dirt trails that is 0.9 miles in length.

Tall Timbers Trail is a difficult dirt trail that drops from a ridge that is 0.25 miles in length.

Fox Run Trail is a primitive dirt trail that loops through wet woodland and is 0.25 miles in length.

You can find a free downloadable and printable map by visiting their website HERE. Some of the trails are easier to walk than others and please remember, all trails are outdoors, so during wet & sloppy weather, the trails will be muddy. You'll want to wear season-appropriate clothing, comfortable walking shoes and I recommend bringing along sunscreen and bug spray.

Wildwood Lake is the home to many different native species of turtles, birds, frogs, ducks, geese, snakes, butterflies and other wildlife. You'll see migratory birds stopping by for a visit too. On the day that we visited, we saw three different species of turtles out sunning for the day. You'll see them sunning on logs, rocks and around the banks of the sprawling lake. The real highlight for us was seeing a white Egret and a gray Egret swimming around in the lake.

During the late spring and early summer seasons we like to visit to check out all of the colorful wildflowers that line the walking trails. It's a great time to see all of the animals springing back into action after a long winter. During the fall season we enjoy visiting again to see the wildlife preparing for winter and we love seeing the fall foliage as we walk along the trails.

Every year they put on an Art in Nature Show which starts in April and runs through the end of October. Local artists create nature-inspired trail-side creations which are displayed along some of the walking trails. For 2017, they showcased the natural artwork from 15 different artists. This artwork is then judged and winners receive prizes. The public can vote on their favorite piece by scanning the bar code with their phones located near the displayed pieces. How cool is that? Totally cool!

Throughout the year they host various events that are open to the public. You'll find guided and self-guided tours, exercise/fitness programs, scouting day camps & programs, volunteer days and more. There is always something to see and explore, and you can find a complete list of events right on their website.

We try to visit the park several times a year. Our grandchildren love to walk the trails, look for wildlife and participate in family-friendly events. Fortunate for us, it's only a 10 minute drive from our home and it's a great way to get the kids out in nature.  You can learn more by visiting the Wildwood Park official website online.

Family Fun at Lititz Springs Park and Welcome Center

The Lititz Springs Park and Welcome Center is a must-see when visiting Lancaster County. Lititz is a small-town located about 6 miles north of Lancaster City and is situated in the center of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

The town has it's own unique small town charm and vibe. The downtown streets are lined with mom and pop owned stores, gift shops, boutiques and eateries. There is something going on in Lititz year-round and you can find a complete list of scheduled events by visiting their website.

On a recent day trip down to Lancaster County, we stopped in for a visit to Lititz Springs Park and Welcome Center. It sits right along the main drag that runs through town. If you need GPS driving directions, you'll want to use Main Street or 101 Maple Street in Lititz for your GPS directions.

The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk. If you're bringing pets into the park, they must be on a leash at all times. It's a smoke-free park, so no smoking is allowed. In addition, no alcoholic beverages, bicycles, gambling, political activities or soliciting is allowed. You must abide by all park rules and guidelines at all times.

It's a privately owned park that is open (for free) to visitors and the general public to enjoy. They're not publicly funded and rely heavily on donations from community members & visitors. You can learn more on their website if you would like to donate and help out. You can find an online map that will help you get around the park and you'll find maps posted throughout the park too.

The park has been in operation for over 200 years and over the decades...has expanded and added new features along the way. As soon as you visit the park, you'll be impressed with the beautifully landscaped grounds and the peace & quiet that you find there. Even though there are other visitors in the park, we found everyone to be friendly and respectful of one another.

On the park grounds you'll find the Lititz Welcome Center which is housed in a building (replica) that depicts the old Reading Train Station. Right behind the welcome center you see a red caboose (train car) that states it's part of the historic Reading Railroad. The train tracks run right alongside of the park, between the park and the historic Wilbur Chocolate Company old factory building.

My family had a great time exploring the park. The kids really enjoyed feeding and watching all of the ducks. I would estimate that on the day that we visited...we saw at least 50 ducks swimming around and walking around the park. They were friendly and enjoyed having the kids feed them. When feeding them, you want to put quarters into the machine and use ONLY the food that's provided for them.

As you walk around the park you'll notice the large pond with water fountain which is really pretty to see. There are paved walking trails, a large gazebo, a stream that runs through the park and plenty of benches for you and your family to sit on. It's really laid out nicely with plenty of room for everyone, even on their busiest days.

You can learn more about the Lititz Springs Park and Welcome Center by visiting their official website online. If you're traveling and visiting the area, this is the first place that you want to visit. They can help guide you to other tourist attractions in the area.

If you're looking for other fun things to see and do, you can check out what we did during our day trip visit to Lititz in Pennsylvania.

Visiting the Wildwoods Vietnam Memorial Wall

The Wildwoods Vietnam Memorial Wall is located right across the street from the Wildwoods Convention Center in New Jersey. If you're unfamiliar with the area, you'll find it located in Columbus Park at 4500 Ocean Avenue, between Burk and Montgomery Avenues. If you're looking for parking, you can find that in the nearby Convention Center parking lot.

Visiting the memorial wall is 100% free and is a really humbling experience. The Vietnam Memorial Wall is 240 feet long and made out of 74 black granite panels. The wall contains the names of 58,913 people that were killed during the Vietnam War. It's basically a replica of the one in Washington D. C. and was dedicated in 2010 at an on-site ceremony.

On the day that we visited...we walked down the boardwalk to the Convention Center and then simply crossed the street to the memorial. The weather was absolutely perfect with mild temperatures, sunshine and blue skies. It was the perfect day to visit!

We took our time reading off a lot of the names of the brave men and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War fighting for our country. It's a really humbling experience to see over 58,000 names engraved on that wall. There is some information on-site that you can read to learn more and if you want to sit down and just reflect on it all, you'll find some park benches that you can use for that.

Since it's located in Columbus Park you'll also find a memorial to Christopher Columbus that stands in front of the memorial wall. The memorial to Christopher Columbus was dedicated by the local Sons of Italy and honors his life.

There is a small area on the property that is dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives during the Korean War too. It states a year of 1950 through 1953 and has some smaller American flags and memorial wreaths around it. It doesn't contain any names or really any other specific information. I guess it's just a reminder about all of those who lost their lives during the war in Korea.

We spent about 40 minutes walking around the Wildwoods Vietnam Memorial Wall reading a lot of the names and visiting the on-site memorials. It was a great reminder that we all need to remember our veterans (past, presence and future) and give them all the respect that they deserve. Like I initially stated, it was a real humbling experience!

The Historic Rockville Bridge in Harrisburg

The historic Rockville Bridge crosses the mighty Susquehanna River right above the city of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1902 and to this day...it's the longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world. It has a total of forty-eight 70-foot arch spans and stretches 3,820 feet in length.

Here's the information on the historical marker located towards the east end of the bridge.

Rockville Bridge

The longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world, visible to the south, was built between 1900 and 1902. Named for the surrounding small settlement, it has forty-eight arches and a length of 3,820 feet. It is the third bridge constructed here by the Pennsylvania Railroad. A wooden structure had been built 1847 through 1849, followed by an iron bridge in 1877.

- Info is from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission 2009

You'll find that the Rockville Bridge crosses the Susquehanna River. On the east side is Rockville and on the west side is south Marysville. At first the masonry railroad bridge had four main-line tracks, but over the years those railroad tracks have been reduced to two. The bridge is only used by the railroad and isn't open to pedestrians. It's still in-use today by the Pennsylvania Railroad and is one of the most-photographed and artistically painted stone bridges in the world.

All of the photographs that we're featuring today were taken with us standing in Fort Hunter Mansion and Park that sits along Front Street in Harrisburg. If you're looking for some great views of the Rockville Bridge, I suggest heading there to see it. You'll find free riverfront parking and you can visit the historic Fort Hunter Mansion and Park while you're there.