Adventure: Springfield Falls

Ohhh Mercer County. The average Pennsylvanian knows it only by its intersection of interstates (and rest stops!) and a whole shitload of outlet shopping. Myself included. Of course, considering that all this is built in the middle of nowhere just outside of the Pa Wilds, there's bound to be some sort of adventure left outside the grid of commercialism, right? Well, when I had some family obligations in the area for a weekend and took the Jeep along you better believe I researched it... and after checking all my usual sources one spot caught my interest: Springfield Falls. A good old fashioned waterfall known only to the locals, this was as usual one of those amazing places tucked into the middle of nowhere but quickly accessible enough to fit a stop in with the rest of my obligations. Additionally, there was a historical tinge to it as it was once the site of the Springfield Iron Furnace, though only the stones of its structure remain scattered in the creek bed now. Perfect! I took down my usual notes, threw a backpack in with the rest of my luggage and I was off to an awesome oasis hidden just a few miles into the forest from the well-known Grove City Outlets.


I was in a bit of hurry but I was in some luck; the falls weren't far from where I parked at all. And though a lot of waterfalls are difficult to get pictures from because there's limited vantage points, I was able to get pictures from above, below, beside and even behind at Springfield Falls which made for some nice pictures.

Sadly the only traces of the Springfield Iron Furnace or anything related to it were a few stones and such at the base of the falls. It was constructed circa 1837 and operated for some 25 years, using the powerful waterfall to turn a huge 36 foot waterwheel to generate power.

Considering this was a quick jaunt down the backroads from the interstate, this was a pretty spiffy adventure. Sure there was no significant hiking, offroading, or any of my usual senseless antics, but this was really great waterfall in an area I don't normally get to explore. 

Tally-ho!
-Crash