Exploring the Abandoned Six Penny Water Park

[@cherylstanley61]

This was a great summer daytrip destination! My family used to frequent the lake in the mid-50's through the 60's. Our family lived in Pottstown, and Sixpenny was a favorite destination to beat the heat. The water was so cold and not too clear, but a great place for a day of summer picnics and swimming. We would play in the water until our lips turned blue, then we would picnic. The picnic tables were very well used, the water fountain water tasted so sweet, and there were places in the lake I was NOT allowed to swim in (near the dam). If you floated around too long, you were sure to come out with leaches attached and although they were big and black and scary they were easily removed. The favorite day's warning was "don't stay still too long in the water, watch out for the copperheads and water moccasins, and don't step in the poison ivy". And yes, there was constant supervision from a family member or two. I'm so sad to hear of the park's downtrodden condition, so glad it is still being somewhat protected (although really overgrown with water vegetation) inside the State Park. And...we did hear scarry ghost stories back then of people disappearing, but not necessarily while traversing the steps. It was a great hidden getaway always filled with wonder and adventure. I'm happy folks are hiking there! I'm 68 years old and have fond memories (except for the leaches).

[@timothysmith879]

I am 59 , as a child about 7 yrs old .I also had a lot of great memories there ...Cold water, & lots of black tadpoles....GREAT TIMES... GREAT MEMORIES...Wish I could step back into time.

[@hound03]

I could picture all of that! What a Wonderful Life!!

[@jessagoodeaux7560]

Hi Cheryl! I am working on an article about the Six Penny Trail that I hope to be able to share with others! Can I use statements from your comment in my article?

[@olddad4551]

In the mid-60's, this beautiful place was, unfortunately, drastically under-utilized. Most swimmers/families went to Hopewell, where there was a better beach, etc. I (age 16!) operated the concession stand whose foundations you've discovered. It was a sturdy little place, for sure - typical of State Park construction. The concessionaire, the Theater Candy Company of Pittsburgh, was apparently required to operate this stand as part of the deal whereby they also operated the far bigger and busier stand at Hopewell. They sure didn't make any money at Six Penny! I got an awful lot of reading done that summer - some days I would have a customer or two, most days, not. Seems a pity, because it really was a charming facility, and a lot of care and construction had obviously gone into preparing it for public use. Still, it was difficult to find, poorly marked, and if it ever received any publicity, that was beyond my experience. Nice find. Thanks.

[@jessagoodeaux7560]

Hi! I am working on an article about the Six Penny Trail that I hope to be able to share with others! Can I use statements from your comment in my article?

[@olddad4551]

@@jessagoodeaux7560 of course,

[@eltonjake6712]

I love watching your videos. As a youngster I was always in the woods hiking and exploring, some of my fondest memories. The legs don’t work so good these days, though, so watching your adventures helps me to see the outdoors once more. Thank you.

[@breadandcircus1]

You make every hiking in the woods, an amazing adventure. I really like your videos, so much to learn watching you

[@josephstockmal2390]

Just explored that area with my wife last week. I had her walk up the steps first,but unfortunately she didn't disappear lol. We really enjoyed the dam and the sound of the falling water. Thanks for the video Cliff, I'll keep watching.

[@shavguru]

That stuff about stairs, or steps, in the woods is just silly. All they are is steps that used to have a purpose, and don't anymore. Love the videos!

[@lindahorton1129]

I love watching your videos of hikes that I can no longer manage. You make it possible for me to see so many things. This was a great one!!!

[@a.s.2245]

When I was young, back in the 1960s, my father used to fish for Bass here, and I and my brother both used to swim here. It is spring fed and extremely cold. Good memories!

[@headiron5888]

Recently discovered you on the tube. You are awesome. Love the places you explore. Looking forward to watching more Wanderings.

[@go_birds3307]

I used to love just exploring the wilderness. Thanks for taking us along on your adventures.

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Such a beautiful place. Awesome job on this exploration.

[@lindaberg9960]

Just love tagging along with you Cliff! You explore some really neat finds. Thanks very much! I love history also. If I ever return to your Pennsylvania area, I'm certain it will look familiar 😊

[@sandraplonka5225]

You go to some awesome places.

[@jansmith6566]

You are a brave man and you have helped restore my confidence in hiking alone. Thanks for the super videos.

[@kateclark7250]

Interesting explore. Thanks for taking us along.

[@johnsanderlin7931]

Thanks for the video, have been to French creek a few times and never knew about this, Guess I'm going back again..LOL Great Video!

[@evilladollyz7602]

Pretty place but has an eerie undertone. Great video and loved the toad.

[@rando42069]

The stairs in the woods story is a creepypasta, or internet urban legend. There was a series of Reddit posts once that was claimed to be written by a park ranger. The person included the stairs in the woods phenomenon. They warned that no one should climb them lest some tragedy befall the climber. I think that's where the creepypasta myth came from

[@nancybee7777]

Beautiful water fall. Nice. Thanks for walking us through. I'm enjoying your videos. Just found you today - 2.9.20.

[@lmc958]

I really enjoy his explorations he makes you feel like you are right there with him!

[@lmc958]

Thanks to him I have explored a lot of places in America that I probably never would know existed without ever having to leave my recliner!

[@samvue9219]

Nice trail walk and greens.....beautiful...

[@terryanderson5947]

Great video Cliff.

[@maleighawright912]

Ahhhh...a Geocache! How is it you've never heard of this! I thought for sure your l you'd be an old hand at that! Love it! Way cool area though!

[@LumberjackPa]

We just hiked there today and saw the steps and I immediately remembered this video. We are going to go out again tomorrow to retrace your steps and enjoy the remnants of this long forgotten area.

[@polishpicl]

brought back memories,,I walked those trails two years ago..I also found that geocache before the log was replaced..it looked new again,, they do get wetlaying out there..I also have a video on my channel about that same hike., tanks for the memories.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Thanks for watching

[@LoneGRoEnt]

Wao there is so much to see at French Creek.. Awesome..

[@eveysheavenlycreate]

We use to visit this place as kids with my uncle Genaro and aunt Theresa. Remember the water was clear and cold, lots of little frogs too.

[@pamelanoel8948]

The birds in the background...beautiful !

[@LetscampingwithTara]

thank you for showing me these interesting places I really enjoy uour videos

[@michaeltomczyk864]

Terrific - very helpful.

[@lisabates8982]

Love nature & exploring....

[@edgurecki1333]

Thanks for doing this, it's great, in this time of staying home, it's like going on a adventure with you. Question, have you ever explored a town named Pit Hole, it's a ghost town left from the oil boom days. There's alot of foundations there, I think you would enjoy it.

[@davidcassidy5868]

French Creek is most definitely a very cool place. We used to go there a lot back in the 1980's. Used to like going in the wintertime and watch people ice fishing. Never knew about Six Penny though. Love the abandoned (ghost) staircase story. . @19:04 - Wassup, BIG GUY ? (sorry WW, but I couldn't help myself-- pandemic coop-up)) Another excellent post.

[@karenpacker8862]

Beautiful hike! Too bad the park closed!!!

[@giamarie1100]

Hello!!! I stumbled across your You Tube channel and I am HOOKED!!! LOVE IT! I have lived in Pittsburgh PA for 15 yrs and I know there is so much to see and explore and yet have not been able to. I know this video is 3 yrs old..maybe you will see this question. While out in the woods exploring and hiking have you gotten poison ivy or ticks? Anyway..love the channel and will be binge watching your video's until I get through them all. Love and Light~ G

[@douglasfreebirdphotography8473]

Very interesting indeed. Thank you for the adventure....

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Thanks for watching

[@douglasfreebirdphotography8473]

Always a pleasure sir....

[@Chrisamos412]

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to French Creek , beautiful area, thanks!

[@charliepc56]

I'm surprised that park wasn't kept open for camping, picnicking and walking trails, maybe, a botanical park.. Lots of potential to let go to wast.. All that old metal should be taken out of there.. Great Vlog! Very cool place!

[@erinlorah9970]

I swam here once when my grandparents took me to this place approx. 1980. it was a nice lake and I'm sorry to see it gone.

[@dennismanbook]

Interesting area you found like the bath house remains and that first concrete barrel where someone threw away their REPEL mosquito spray can at. Walmart currently sells that brand of mosquito spray.

[@DavidParker73]

Dang you doing better than me at geocaching, I Geocache as a hobby.

[@blurayne1974]

Caught my first trout there. 15" rainbow.

[@lilsuzq32]

We had baskets like that at our old community swimming pool in Dundee, IL!! They had locks, and when you locked the padlock you pinned the key to your bathing suit.

[@crazyj5051]

Does anyone have any pictures of what Six Penny Lake looked like in its prime? I’ve searched online but have not found any. It really is an amazing place to see nature reclaiming an area.

[@porkturtle8321]

I have had that very same question. You'd think SOMEBODY might have snapped a few, maybe even a Polaroid over the years it was in operation.

[@gardensofthegods]

6:57.. I think they used to call that a sluice gate.. yes it would have a piece of wood in it.. in more modern times sometimes metal.

[@swm1700]

I loved Six Penny Lake when I was a child. A great place for families to picnic and swim.

[@Dan-n-Duke-jr2ic]

I heard of those steps to,,pretty interesting subject. However those are supposed to be pristine new staircases, like someone just made them out in the middle of nowhere with no discernible foundation or structures around. The pkace where your at will be fine since it was an old dam foundation,,

[@rosesweet1967]

So pretty and peaceful...

[@masonbatchelor6777]

Awesome

[@MariaTorres-tp7xq]

Haha! The story of the stairs scared me.

[@Lalunabreeze]

Oh ya, your videos are fun. It makes you look at the world different You’ll see a hole and want to look in it or go in. . You see a path / road that you say, humm that looks interesting. Or hey, that stream might have gold in it. I look at the videos more than once. When your looking at videos or anything you can’t see everything. You focus on one area, usually up close. Another couple views and you get to see everything. Oh, I remember the stairs from the other video. Up the stair, I’m good. 😂 😆

[@MillerMeteor74]

Back in the 70s we visited some place in Geigertown, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. It definitely was not French Creek State Park. I wish I could remember. I just looked at a map of the area and saw nothing that jogged my memory. But anyway, I loved that dam, and the whole lakebed and steps.

[@bradforddillman7671]

I have no idea why this 2017 video automatically played after your most recent one, but I remember watching this one years ago, and when you climb the stairs in the woods, you remark about not going back five years in time. But that’s exactly what I just did in July 2022.

[@bobfognozzle]

Went there in the 50‘s between there and hopewell summers were great.

[@katiefyock9607]

I'd laugh if he started screaming at the top of the steps just to be a smart ass, but IDT Cliff does that.

[@josephfahner6778]

The first foundation you ran across with the round holes lead one to believe that these were support posts for an open framework pavilion.

[@tommiefisher9525]

There is house ruins 50 yards from the dam up on the hill. Hard to see in summer. If your on little bridge with stream, turn to your right and look up the hill. Better to see in winter

[@darlenegood4101]

That concrete barrel with trash reminds me of the ones like it in Centraila.When you titled it "water park" I was thinking something like being able to slide down a waterfall or two. I know it would not have been like water parks today. In my opinion it was just a swimming hole.

[@danmathers141]

Did you locate any pictures of the way it looked when it was active?

[@kellynoll2519]

We went there in the 70’s and 80’s. I remember the bathhouse, I think it was green? There was a sandy beach. And once the tadpoles were so thick, we couldn’t swim as they were lining the beach and the black strip of tadpoles were a couple feet wide.

[@jessagoodeaux7560]

Hi Cheryl! I am working on an article about the Six Penny Trail that I hope to be able to share with others! Can I use statements from your comment in my article? Id like to include some first hand accounts like your memory of the tadpoles haha!

[@keekeehawke2920]

How can anyone give a thumbs down? What the hades is there to dislike? If you're not interested, just don't watch. Hes doing these for your viewing enjoyment. Period. If its not your cup of tea watch Trump or some other channel. Or Maybe you're just a couch potato? Anyway, Wanderer, awesome video. I do love the scenery and the history of places, i will never get to vjsit except through you. Thank you for showing so many beautiful and informative videos.

[@saxonwench1]

any old photos of the Water park?

[@betsystauffer5839]

I enjoy your website. Lititz Pennsylvania

[@kathyb799]

How long did it take to get to stairway

[@thomasyoest6557]

Do you know of anyone who does such exploring in NW PA?

[@AnnaVoytaha]

It would be nice to see some photos of how it used to look like

[@patrickduffy8881]

I know I’m a little late to the party, but here’s the only photo I could find on a quick search of Google: pin.it/7KtLcOB

[@lincolnmaniac]

that's right near my moms house......it closed right when i started driving so that had to be around 1987. there was a bad storm in the area that took out route 82, maybe that dam took some damage too.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Perhaps, I couldn't find much information online about the lake or its closure

[@cloverleaf4829]

Hahaha. You sound almost *disappointed* that nothing happened when you got to the top. And that is a geocache! And I can never find them when I try! It looks like you got a coveted FTF (first to find)

[@clarkmattison1280]

I've climbed many steps in the woods. Never had any experience other than walking up them

[@marypozzi5297]

This place is really cool

[@rougeneon1997]

Where is the waterfall located pictured in the opening of the video? Its beautiful

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Sullivan Falls, near Ricketts Glen state park

[@edithdavis2848]

Lead the way cliff we are with you. For ghost go get JP.

[@crystalfabulous]

Interesting area

[@alexandria8255]

that bird I have been hearing off and on lends an eery sound like someone swinging on an old rusty swingset...

[@nickmad887]

Thanks Cliff,

[@HenriettaFoster]

That was a geocache, and you were First To Find! You’re supposed to write your geocaching name in the log, and log it online!

[@billiefloyd7106]

I enjoyed the tour too, very serious toad.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Thanks

[@vinnyjamea96]

Question? where's any wild life? it seems so quiet

[@bdh3949]

Was this place called a Water Park at any time? I thought a Water Park is a water based amusement park. I visited Six Pennt Lake in FCSP many times in the 60's.

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Cool video! Shame they closed down

[@wespenn7243]

10:08 where did you go? I couldn't see you after this point of the video!

[@nickmad887]

thank you

[@hollynoelleAbductedUfologist]

I miss being there.

[@vinnyjamea96]

I dont know..but i think i felt something on those stairs

[@jhmorgan72753]

2:22 what happened ? No one was injured? 3:42 Tripped !!

[@andyshelly3473]

i used to love hikeing but now i am so afraid of ticks

[@vinnyjamea96]

I'd like to see what that first foundation actually looked like...

[@vgernyc]

"This here is the Stairway to Heaven. You know that don't ya?" Frog "Obnoxious frog" Spike from Cowboy Beebop

[@darlenegood4101]

love the sound if the rain,,sorry if you get wet.

[@AlexBatistaCamargo]

🇧🇷 Men this video Amenzing! Is cool nice

[@edithdavis2848]

Cliff your a sweet man, but you wont melt in the rain,just cover the camera. Toad says leave me alone, your no bug Hope you have a good Sence of direction or compass.

[@NCMOUNTAINSbackyardRC]

NC MOUNTAINS ❤.

[@flanjivfur1]

That was really cool, thanks for sharing :) have you ever been rock hunting in McAdoo?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Not yet, but someone else suggested that place as well, so I'll probably check it out someday

[@annettemillette4091]

TELL ME WHATEVER HAPPENS TO THE UPKEEP OF THAT PARK, I THINK AMERICA HAS TO many wastelands much AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE DONE THERE.

[@melissaguggi746]

Well, obviously those step, aren't just random step...they went to a lake...beware of the Random staircases in the woods

[@jeffmcmullen4910]

Those steps came down from the changing house.Those steps took you down to the beach.my dad would sit on those steps and watch me and my sister swim.

[@jhmorgan72753]

2:00 Bear maze !!!!

[@dillonbilan3299]

You needed to interigate that road more he knows something

[@karencharny1497]

Well it's been one year. What is next

[@rollmeister]

I tried googling this place and found just about nothing.