Caledonia State Park
| Caledonia State Park | |
| Pennsylvania State Park | |
 Reconstruction of Caledonia Furnace
|
|
| Named for: Caledonia Furnace | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Counties | Adams, Franklin |
| Townships | Franklin, Greene |
| Location | |
| - elevation | 1,096 ft (334.1 m) |
| - coordinates | 39°54′42″N 77°28′59″W / 39.91167°N 77.48306°WCoordinates: 39°54′42″N 77°28′59″W / 39.91167°N 77.48306°W |
| Area | 1,130 acres (457 ha) |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Management | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| IUCN category | III - Natural Monument |
 Location of Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania
|
|
| Website: Caledonia State Park | |
Caledonia State Park is a 1,130-acre (460 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Greene Township, Franklin County and Franklin Township, Adams County in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is named for an iron furnace, Caledonia Furnace, that was owned by Thaddeus Stevens beginning in 1837. Today the park is known for its Totem Pole Playhouse, a summer stock theatre. Caledonia State Park is between Chambersburg and Gettysburg at the intersection of U.S. Route 30 and Pennsylvania Route 233 in a valley between Blue Mountain and South Mountain.
Caledonia State Park was once the site of an iron furnace owned by Thaddeus Stevens, a native of Caledonia County, Vermont. Stevens began operation on the furnace in 1837. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a noted abolitionist, and is known as the father of the public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The iron furnace was destroyed during the American Civil War in June 1863 by the Confederate cavalry under the command of General Jubal Early. Some historians believe that the furnace was destroyed not just to slow the industrial power of the Union but also because of Stevens' views opposing slavery. The pastures surrounding the furnace were used as field hospitals during the Battle of Gettysburg later in July 1863. The furnace was rebuilt following the war, but was closed by 1902 when the land was sold to the state. Caledonia State Park was opened in 1903.
...
Wikipedia