Another Strange Boulder - Decker Avenue

I took these pictures two weeks ago - just before the first big snow storm moved thru. This boulder is located just across the road from the pictures of yesterday's boulder.

The missing triangle like chunks missing from the front are believed to be the result of natural causes.

Interesting "Chamber Like" Boulder

This boulder is located in an area that is believed to have been a limestone mining operation in Johnstown (which I am doing more historical research on). But having said this, there are some other rock on rocks and niches in the same general area that could possibly be of Native American origin. The site so far seems a mixture of both at this point.

All the evidence suggests that this is believed to have been done by quarry workers sometime in the late 1800's or early 1900's. But this mining area could even be older. Possibly dating back to the 1700's.

This is one of only one of two things I have ever cleaned off in the past couple of years. And I cleaned it off only to be able to get better pictures.

Closeup of top of boulder.

The section of rock that is the "ceiling" was taken from the top of the boulder.

Closeup of "chamber like" feature. It's large enough for someone to sit in.

Closeup of top.

Side view.

Another closeup view.

The back of the structure.

I will be posting more pictures from this site soon. Showing more aspects of possible Native American and historical mining activity.

Rockpiles found along old Transmitter Road - Decker Avenue

These rock piles - some of which look damaged from old trees long gone are of the low to the ground type. I say this because there seems to be types here. Some are similar yet different from the ones found in Eastern Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New England. I have yet to find the large cone shaped cairns and piles. But that's not to say they aren't here because I just might not have found them yet. Or given the amount of historical flooding, they could well have been destroyed long ago.

All these rockpiles sit on basically a level area (given the terrain) about 2500 feet up.

This pile - the left side - kinda looks like a manitou stone to me.

There are at least 15 rockpiles in this one area alone.

Though the pictures don't reflect it. They all seem to be aligned to each other in a grid like pattern.

As you can see, most of these have seem to have suffered some tree damage in the past.

This site is located off to the left of the picture. This is the old road that goes to the transmitter. It comes out by the fire tower.

Do you see what I see?

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what about animals? These are all clustered in the same area of Laurel Hill. And they never fail to not look like animals to me. No matter what time of year I go up there.

Rock on Rock - Mountain Road

These pictures were taken in the summer. This sits off to the side of an old trail that is heading up the mountain. The small rock in the center does sit on another rock, that covers up a small hole. You can't tell that from these pictures. Looking at it on site, it reminds me of a symbolic male figure. If you consider what direction the "head" is pointing. I would say it could possibly be pointing in the direction of an old Native/African American farmstead.

U Shaped Structure

A first glance you might say this could be the foundations of an old outhouse. But I don't think so. This sits directly on the edge of a rather steep ravine.

One false step, and you'll find yourself hopefully clinging to a clump of Mountain Laurel on the hillside. This does look directly into the Conemaugh Gap. There are some nearby rock piles along with some walls a short distance from here.

We have only seen three other examples similar to the one you found. The one in your photos uses what appears to be a mortar with a high sand content. We have seen this on buildings dating to the circa 1900-1955 period. This foundation is anywheres from 60 to 110 years old. Maybe a bit older but unlikely. At such a high elevation, only realistic possibility is some sort of camp whether hunting, logging, back-to-earth person, etc. Whatever it was, it was worth the effort to transport the tools and materials to mix mortar up to the top of this ridgeline.

Is it an outhouse? Until one these types of foundations get excavated by an archaeologist, we can't be sure. There are several other types of farm buildings small enough for such foundation like smoke houses and water pump housing but there is no reasonable possibility as why they would be found at this elevation. Another possibility is was related to fire tower or old communcations tower but I don't see any evidence of this type of activity in the area.

The Old Lady of the Forest

With this weekend's Nor'easter. Thought I'd look back to this beautiful sunday morning in May. Right after a brief downpour that then turned into deep blue skies and a layer of hot and humid weather that you could cut with a knife.

 

This beautiful tree is located just off of Sandstone Court (Decker Avenue). A rough idea of her age - at least 200 years old if not more. Take a left on Standstone, the road makes a left and just as you round the bend this grand old lady is sitting up on the right hand side of the hill. There are at least two and possibly more old mine openings in the same area.

Possible Native American Burial Cairn - Mound

This is a cairn could possibly contain a burial. That is red standstone in the center. It is located near the extrance of Laurel Hiking Trail Shelters on the upper right hand side of the road. It sits slightly up the side of the hill. I have a feeling there could possibly be more of these in the area. But it's awfully hard going for all the low brush and jagger bushes.

Wall - Decker Avenue

This is one of three low walls that run a ravine (near the gas line). This one is by far the longest and they are all believed to be of Native American Origin. The same type of examples can be found in parts of West Virginia.

Very rare use of white - this time it's white standstone in the wall.

Rockpile - Decker Avenue

This is one of many cairns located in near the Native American Wall - just off of Decker Avenue. They are low to the ground - but also seem deeper than they appear.

Possible Cairn Structure - Decker Avenue

Took these pictures two weeks ago before the snow and ice started flying. This located ont he hill side just below the old farm site on Decker. it's before you head up to the transmitter. It's on the right hand side going up, on the ravine next to the gas line.

It hard to tell from this angle, but as I was taking this picture looking down at it, I could feel like I was standing on more rocks. So this structure could possibly be even larger.

This very nice large tree is near the structure. Judging from a few other tree's of this size I have run across in the mountain. It has to be at least 250 to 300 years old.

Native American Wall - Part 3

This is a section of the wall about 3/4 in heading towards the end as it makes it way thru a ravine.

This is where the construction of the wall changes into what looks almost like a sort of tail.