Exploring an Abandoned Cemetery at the Bottom of Keystone Lake (Armstrong County, PA)

I took advantage of the low water at my home lake to check out some old landmarks. It's hard to believe that people once lived in this now flooded valley over 50 years ago.
CORRECTION: The old foundation was actually Jack's Service Station owned by Jack Allshouse.
For more information on the Cemetery: www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2...
For an aerial map prior to Keystone Lake: www.historicaerials.com/viewer
#lake
#cemetery
#armstongcounty
#keystonepowerdam
#Jack's Service Station

[@johnkovalchick6218]

That was a service station owned by Jack allshouse

[@rgrtv8677]

John Kovalchick - Thanks for confirming this. My dad probably said Jack's I just misheard him. I wanted this video to be accurate as possible. Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@bonniekotula3480]

My Dad built that pond Ebert Bonacci. My father owned 367 acres. He built a red brick home we lived on beside the pond. He had a Christmas tree farm. There is a block spring house on the other side of the pond.

[@tanyastump4013]

I grew up in Elderton. My mom's ashes are spread at Keystone lake. Many years of amazing memories there.❤

[@rgrtv8677]

Tanya Stump - Thank you for sharing!! It truly is a beautiful lake and holds a special place in the hearts of the people who grew up near it.

[@oldsaltsburgcemetery8536]

This old cemetery under Keystone Lake was called Hope Church Cemetery and was supposedly moved by court order and supervised by Jack Kennedy, Armstrong County coroner. It is evident that these graves were not moved properly because, when the stones were placed at the Atwood Cemetery, they were placed extremely close to one another. This is tale tell sign that the bodies were not moved properly if at all. An article in a local newspaper dated July 28, 1965 stated that 200 graves would be moved. This is no small task and would have taken months to complete properly. If ground penetrating radar equipment would scan this area today, the truth would be known. Thanks for the great video.

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks for the great feedback!! Glad you enjoyed the video. If it were my loved one buried in this cemetery I would rather leave everything and is. One things for sure, nobody will ever forget about the ones buried there.

[@davidrebar3601]

Very good fished that lake for 35 years and never knew the history of it what a great lake good job

[@rgrtv8677]

It really is a great lake! I'm glad I had the opportunity to make this video, hopefully it'll be a while before it gets that low again. Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@patrinahenry9042]

Thanks for the historical info 👍

[@rgrtv8677]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jeffnichols9618]

thanks for some memories! stumbled upon this video after my mom sent me a recent photo from Keystone....from possibly you! I grew up in Elderton and fished Keystone with my family....and buddies all the time in the 80's and 90's. like every day in the summer in my HS years. I never saw the lake as low as you show back then....when and if the 'island' was visible above water it was something to talk about. now when we come back to see my mom and dad and brother for vacation, I'm never suprised to see the boat launch mostly dry with the steep drop off. it was really cool to see somebody else show exact places on the lake that we all grew up knowing 1st hand (Reefers cove/Reefers hollow, the 'farm pond', Numine (a group of 8 of us were swimming there and PA Fish Commission caught all of us swinging off that swing and we got tickets....but my brother swam to the other side of the cove and didnt get caught!). thanks from Alaska!

[@rgrtv8677]

Jeff Nichols - Great to hear from you and thanks for sharing those memories!! I remember my Dad talking about a rope swing years ago and some kid drowning after he jumped off of it. Hopefully the lake fills back up by spring. It's been neat to see it that low but I'm ready for normal fishing conditions once again.

[@semich51]

There is a section, in the back, left, side, of the Atwood Cemetery, in Cowanshannock Township, that is called the "Meeting House." There are 86 people buried here, in this section, who were originally buried in Concord Cemetery, located in Plum Creek Township. This Concord Cemetery was moved from the original location along the Plum Creek, in Plum Creek Township, to the present location in Atwood Cemetery, in Nov. 1965. This Concord Cemetery was removed because of the Keystone Dam that was constructed, on Plum Creek, circa 1967-69. This Lake provides cooling water for the Shelocta, PA, Electric Generating Power Plant and it also provides some pretty darn good fishing. Anyone, listed in Atwood, whose monument has the photo of the Keystone Lake, posted with it, is an individual who was buried under those waters, in Concord Cemetery and is now in the "Meeting House" section, in Atwood Cemetery.

[@rgrtv8677]

Great info!! Thanks for sharing this.

[@BBrown-bx5qg]

Such a cool video. Thanks for sharing!!

[@rgrtv8677]

You're welcome!! Thanks for watching!!

[@shelly4012]

Thanks for making this video. I grew up in Sagamore, spent a lot of time walking down to the lake.

[@rgrtv8677]

Machelle B - Your welcome...thanks for watching!! After 33 years it's still my favorite place to fish.

[@joshlewis4574]

great video! I am from central PA, just started exploring the state more a couple years ago. love videos like this.

[@rgrtv8677]

Josh Lewis - Thanks for watching!! I wasn't expecting this video to intrigue so many people. I might have to do more like this.

[@102050lb]

WHAT A GREAT AND PROFESSIONAL JOB DOING THIS VIDEO!!!

[@rgrtv8677]

Linda Boyer - Thanks for watching and the compliment!! I'm still new at this but trying to improve with every video.

[@jeremytrexel4932]

This is a cool video along with the comments from everyone with an historical connection to the area/lake. My dad started taking me to Keystone to fish around 1986/87. Such a gorgeous lake. It even got us into muskie fishing. Biggest over the years was a 50”er in May 1992 right next to the sunken pond dam, which I now know is “Bonacci Pond”.

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks for watching, I appreciate the feedback! That's around the time my dad started taking me as well. To this day it's still my favorite lake to fish.

[@rustysnoot]

Stumbled across this. Thanks so much for posting. I have been researching the Samuel Sloan family. His property was in the middle of where the lake is now, right at the border of Plumcreek and Cowanshannock Twps. He is now listed as being interred at Atwood, but I have my doubts. His son was the famous Col. John Sloan who was kidnapped by Indians and returned around 1794. These people were absolute salt-of-the-earth, stone cold pioneers! Rest in Peace.

[@rgrtv8677]

Very interesting!! Check out the website historicaerials if you haven't already, there's a link in the description. It's a small map but shows the valley in 1963 before the lake was built. Also gives gps coordinates when you hover over the map with the courser. I use it for locating structure and old road beds for fishing. The last time I looked this video had one dislike. I'm pretty sure that was the person responsible for properly moving the cemetery😂. Thanks for watching and the feedback!!

[@christinaohaver1870]

Thanks for making this video. I hunt and fish that area. I have been buggin my dad to take me to see it now that the water is so low. Thank you so much for making this video and showing us the history.

[@rgrtv8677]

Christina O'Haver - Thank you for watching! I hope it keeps the history and memories alive for years to come.

[@tammymeyer1468]

Thank you for posting. Husband (Tim Meyer) grew up over the hill (Gastown) and will be there in November to hike over and see the dam.

[@rgrtv8677]

Tammy Meyer - I took my family there today to see the cemetery in person. Such a beautiful lake, enjoy your hike and thanks for watching my video!!

[@whistle3man]

I live near there. I have seen the old grave stones. Nice video.

[@bonniekotula3480]

My father Ebert Bonacci built that pond. He owned 367 acres. He built a red brick home that we lived in. He had a Christmas tree farm on that land. We were forced to sell and tear down the house .

[@janh6932]

walked it today and took pictures of my husbands families old homestead...found foundation stones from the house and barn...and even the old driveway still visible...

[@rgrtv8677]

Jan H - That's great! I took my family on Sunday and there was a good bit of people walking as well. If you don't mind me asking, what part of the lake is this at?

[@janh6932]

​@@rgrtv8677 it is down on the end nearer to Sagamore....

[@MrEveready299]

I have a camp below Elderton and have fished a lot here. If you drink beer you probably met me somewhere maybe the old Sagamore hotel when ice fishing. I was told there was the Meadow gold farm here also and when they flooded the lake some coffins floated to the surface again maybe just stories but I do have some geocaches around the lake if anyone knows about that. Great video with a ton of history. Thanks for sharing.

[@rgrtv8677]

Rick Jones - Thanks for watching!! I've heard stories like that but given how old the cemetery is they probably would've used wooden caskets. A co-worker of mine geocaches also, sounds like a fun hobby.

[@matthewsmith3913]

We lived beside that road until I was 3 years old. I can vaguely remember going to that gas station, probably with my Dad. Our farm was flooded when the dam was filled. We have some photos of the valley pre-Keystone and during construction of the dam. My Dad and I walked to the cemetery in the early 90's (1991 or 1992?) when the water was low.

[@rgrtv8677]

Matthew Smith - Thank you for sharing your memories!! I've seen a few photos of the dam construction but never any of the valley before the lake was built.

[@KathyGraff]

Before the power plant went in there was a conservation program that encouraged farmers to dig spring fed ponds and stock them with fish.

[@rgrtv8677]

Kathy Graff - Thanks for sharing this information!! It has matured into a great fishery after all these years.

[@CJ1610]

Lived in Elderton up to 1963. Remember they had a company moving the cemetery and they needed people to help. Was told you had to live in quarantine while removing the remains. Thought all the graves were moved .

[@rgrtv8677]

CJ1610 - I heard that as well. The people passed away from a disease that was thought to still be contagious. Thanks for watching and the feedback!!

[@dankinnard1833]

Thanks for posting this video, found it to be very interesting. Worked at the Keystone Power Plant for over 38 years, have rode past the lake many times over the last 50 years, not a fisherman so have never been on this lake, looks beautiful from Route 210 no matter what the season is!

[@rgrtv8677]

Dan Kinnard - Thank you for watching!! My Dad was employed by Penelec years ago in mobile maintenance. He worked outages at Keystone Power Plant. This lake will always be my favorite place to fish.

[@dankinnard1833]

@@rgrtv8677 I knew/know several MM employees, started at Keystone 1/7/1972, you got curious, may I inquire who your Dad is?

[@rgrtv8677]

@@dankinnard1833 My Dad's name is Gerald "Jerry" Ramer. After Keystone he worked coal handling at Homer City along with my brother Jason who worked there for many years as well. I can't say I recall them mentioning your name but I've heard lots of different names from both plants through the years.

[@dankinnard1833]

@@rgrtv8677 I was the Senior Clerk at the plant for over 32 years, worked for Penelec until we were sold in 1998, retired in 2010. I recall a Gerald Ramer from high school, Elderton, I graduated in 1967, 4 years in U.S. Navy, hired by Penelec, Keystone January 1972. Knew a few people at Homer City Plant. If I recall your Dad was good on the high bar in school, him and Ed Hileman, good memories, your last names takes me back, small world!

[@rgrtv8677]

@@dankinnard1833 Yep, that was him. My wife and I both graduated from Elderton in 2001. It makes me happy to know by sharing this video helped people remember and appreciate their roots, small world for sure. It was nice to hear from you and I will mention our conversations to my Dad.

[@tw1035]

My son emailed me this video, very interesting, I grew up between gastown and blanco (if you know where that is,lol), went to elderton thru the 9th grade, recognized names of many of the people that commented, some of them being classmates, spencer,keeler,ramer,meyer,cessna,boyer. Thanks for the great video!

[@rgrtv8677]

T W - I know that area quite well. I live near Crooked Creek now so I haven't gone too far. Thank you for watching my video and the feedback!!

[@razorsedge7100]

Great video.

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks!!

[@Pw-f100]

Army Corps of Engineers has a plan in place to raise the Keystone Dam by over 10 ft, it's 5-year project they say and the road will have to be closed, I think that might be what's holding the project up.. I live Downstream in Tulsa 250 ft from the river but homes in my neighborhood have never flooded, but we have seen water come up through the manhole covers in the street at the lowest point in the neighborhood😅 love living close to the river!

[@rayabel1116]

great video

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks!! I really enjoyed making this video.

[@devrain8600]

I was just out there the other day. I’m from Indiana PA and only 2nd time being there. Came across that cemetery and did take photos. Also a large sized barefoot print that seems human but the sheer size of the print resembles Bigfoot. 👀

[@rgrtv8677]

Dev Rain - Maybe a bear? I talked to a few goose hunters not long ago that have seen some running around. If not , a guy I work with has a relative that will investigate the track for free.

[@DpuckFishingandOutdoors]

That was some cool stuff to see. Mark those structures! I am assuming they moved the bodies too haha.

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks for checking out the video Dpuck. I've been taking a lot of pictures. Fish finders are nice but nothing beats seeing structure out of the water.

[@Agedperfection]

I enjoyed that.

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks for watching!!

[@randymcadoo8977]

I remember before the keystone lake was there, didn't fish there for years after it was built, new there was a cemetery there, never heard if they moved the body's or not though, hopefully they did, with respect to folks and there families.

[@wakachico72]

You can see the terrain well when the water is low,, It ’s good to leave it in the video!

[@rgrtv8677]

SAKU-SAKU - Great places to catch big bass. Thanks for watching!! 👊🎣

[@denisefairman6551]

My Grandpa and Grandma Reefer lived where the dam is (Harry and Martha). I think my sister has a big picture of the farm back then. The old cemetery was moved to Atwood, it's in the back left corner. I was always told they only took a few shovels of each grave and put them in Atwood Cemetery. I don't know how true that is.

[@rgrtv8677]

Denise Fairman - Thank you for the feedback!! I'm sure I've heard about those names and that farm growing up. I also heard they just moved shovels of dirt, back then I wouldn't think there would've been much left to move. I love this lake and would be happy if I were buried in it.

[@barryyount34]

My dad was plugging a gas well next to the cemetery and he said they only took a shovel full of dirt from each grave and put it in a marked box and that's what went over to Atwood cemetery. We walked it in 1988 during the drought. I'll never forget dad saying the bodies are still there...

[@rgrtv8677]

@@barryyount34 I vaguely remember the drought of 1988, I was only 6. One thing's for sure, after all these years the people laid to rest in that cemetery have not been forgotten.

[@dennismcentire4659]

Grew up in numine fished that so much always hard about the village but never really seen much of it other then old 210

[@rgrtv8677]

Dennis Mcentire - I'm sure lots of people who come to fish here don't realize it was once a populated valley. Thanks for watching!!

[@sueyoung201]

You say about an old map you have of what the area was. is there any way you can share or publish it. I think it would be interesting to see

[@rgrtv8677]

Sue Young - The map I have is a hand drawn topo-map I purchased from Frailey's Bait and Tackle Shop years ago, not sure of a good way to share it. I did find some old aerials of the lake on historicalaerials.com, I put the link in the video description. The earliest image is from 1963 before the lake was there.

[@davidbrown-55]

Great coverage! Where did you launch? Catch anything?

[@rgrtv8677]

david brown - Boats are launching from the point in front of the Atwood parking lot. I did catch some nice bass that day, they have less places to hide when the water is low.😂 Thanks for watching!!

[@samanthakunkle2962]

We camp at silver canoe and this is crazy.

[@rgrtv8677]

Samantha Kunkle - Thank you for watching!! There is a ton of history down through this valley.

[@robinspencer7701]

Where can I access to the cemetery I live in plumville . Would love to see it

[@rgrtv8677]

Robin Spencer - The quickest way would be to park in Reefer's hollow and walk the shoreline down.

[@robinspencer7701]

@@rgrtv8677 towards Sagamore

[@rgrtv8677]

@@robinspencer7701 Left off Route 85 near Rural Valley. Check your map though it's a spiderweb of roads on the back side of the lake. They all potentially lead to where you need to go.😂 Hope this helps.

[@kirkcurilla4870]

Awesome video Does anyone have old pictures of the area before flooding

[@rgrtv8677]

Thanks!! Yep, my parents neighbor does. She reached out after I posted this video.

[@Pw-f100]

There's there's plenty of Keystone photos and info online before during and after the dam was constructed

[@marcyward4907]

My grandparents lived in greenoak my parents and siblings lived in gastown

[@rgrtv8677]

Marcy Ward - Did they tear down all the buildings there and just leave foundations? Thanks for watching and the feedback.

[@bambicessna7329]

My grandpa and grandma keeler lived in greenoak

[@rgrtv8677]

Bambi Cessna - I knew quite of few Keelers, some of which used to be our neighbors just down the road from the farm I grew up on. I remember my Dad talking about Green Oak flats when we would be fishing near that area.

[@kriskhudson]

Hi, do you have a drawn map or maybe a arial photo of where the things are you are talking about? Thanks

[@rgrtv8677]

I have a hand drawn topo map from 1982 that shows the old road & bridges, bought it from a local tackle shop years ago. Check out historicaerials.com there's photos of the valley before the lake was built. You have to buy them to see full size and remove the copyright mark though.

[@kriskhudson]

@@rgrtv8677 where are the places you show in the video? North side of the lake?

[@rgrtv8677]

@@kriskhudson Yeah, left side of the lake if you were standing on the dam looking north. The old creek bed is on the right.

[@kriskhudson]

@@rgrtv8677 it would be nice to add to your video of your exact locations so people understand the layout of the lake. Can’t pass down full history if you only give bits and pieces. Share all you know to the younger generation before it’s too late. It would have been a great video for kids if there was more information that went along.

[@rgrtv8677]

@@kriskhudson Even if the younger generation made it 12 seconds into the video they probably don't even care😂. The link in the previous comment shows the valley as it was in 1962, 3 years before it was built. If you zoom in close you could probably tell what the farmers had planted in their fields. Maybe I'll buy a copy and do a more in depth video at some point.

[@bonniekotula3480]

This is Bonnie Bonacci Kotula. As I mentioned, my father built that pond when we lived there. We have tried to get into the property to check it out with no luck. Can you get near by car or can you walk in on foot ? We did get in many years ago.

[@rgrtv8677]

Bonnie Bonacci Kotula - Good to hear from you and thank you so much for the great feedback. I apologize if I mispronounced your last name in the video. I believe my grandfather helped farmers in the valley combine their fields. The closest access would be from the Numine boat launch and walk down from there. Several hundred yards if I had to guess.

[@bonniekotula3480]

@@rgrtv8677 Thank you for the information on how to get down to the property. My family really enjoyed your video. What was your grandfather's name? Also, my father's brothers had the spelling of their last name changed to Bonatch. But my father ketp the original spelling "Bonacci". That is pronounced with an e sound at the end.

[@rgrtv8677]

@@bonniekotula3480 Glad to hear your family liked the video!! My grandfather was Orville Ramer, he owned a dairy farm by Gastown. That's interesting about the last name, I will ask my Dad if he knew about that. I've been calling it Bonatch Pond for 33 years. I really appreciate all the feedback.

[@kirkcurilla4870]

@@bonniekotula3480 can you reach out to me about old pictures of the area

[@kirkcurilla4870]

@RGRTV Please get back to me about the video I have many questions

[@katelynruggeri571]

I’m still trying to figure out where exactly he is. I went to keystone a lot this past summer! And I didn’t look around

[@rgrtv8677]

Katee Ann - Most of these landmarks are on the Rural Valley side of the lake. The cemetery and gas station are at the entrance of Reefer's Cove.

[@samanthakunkle2962]

This isn't keystone in Latrobe. This is in Armstrong County

[@rgrtv8677]

@@samanthakunkle2962 Correct, that's Keystone State Park. Locals refer to this lake as Keystone Power Dam to differentiate. It's not an uncommon mix up.

[@tylorwilson4494]

Can you describe where that pond is so I can go fish it haha

[@rgrtv8677]

Tyler Wilson - The next cove down from the Numine Boat Launch. I used to have "secret spots" until I started a YT channel.😂

[@tylorwilson4494]

Thank you

[@johnkovalchick6218]

The people of the cemetery were moved to the Atwood cemetery

[@rgrtv8677]

John Kovalchick - That's what I always heard they did with the people as well. However, there's no shortage of rumors floating around that they left everything as it were.

[@terrymiller1627]

When was the dam built

[@rgrtv8677]

It was built around 1967.

[@Shade-tanner]

I think it would be cool to medal detect up and down the shore line

[@rgrtv8677]

Uncle Pros - I have seen people out there doing that. Wonder how many people dug a big hole to find a 5/0 worm hook?😂

[@Shade-tanner]

@@rgrtv8677 I think this is just crazy and I can’t imagine how many times I’ve been over that exact location

[@rgrtv8677]

@@Shade-tanner I wonder what's sitting out in the deeper water that we don't know about.

[@41magfan]

4/18/24 it's full

[@pattiwilloby4867]

Let this be a lesson on why to be cremated !