Tower at Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick
November’s promise dapples the trees with the last vestige of color as the final leaf of the season hangs on waiting for just the right moment. This installment of the “Mt. Gretna Chronicles” is about people, a place and things…time traveling from the Revolutionary War to modern day. It’s a tale as much about relationships with pride of place and a center of choices for cycling, climbing and hiking, with art at its heart.
Governor Dick Park & Tower
The song title, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” could be the soundtrack for Christian and Kathryn Barr’s new life together as newlyweds. The “mountain” is that of South Mountain near the Governor Dick Tower and Trails in Mt. Gretna.
This article came about due to a conversation with Christian, a work colleague who told me how Governor Dick got its name. This historic landmark and its many trails are comprised of 1,105 acres of forested land in southern Lebanon County, a stone’s throw from Rt. 117S that runs through Gretna. Dating to the Revolutionary War, the Cornwall Furnace relied on charcoal for smelting iron to provide cannonade for George Washington’s army. The surrounding woodlands full of chestnut trees provided an ample source of producing it. An enslaved collier who worked in the area during that time and lived on the mountain was affectionately nicknamed “Guv’nor” by his fellow workers due to his leadership and skill in producing charcoal. The term was a sign of respect and admiration. Over time, the nickname evolved to Governor Dick.
Returning to Christian, he is one of the most down-to-earth people I have met—that is, when he is not biking, hiking or mountain climbing. His weekly cycling regimen logs over 135 miles and even more with Kathryn by his side. Together, they have hiked Acadia National Park in Maine and far beyond. Somehow, Christian has found time to mountain climb, especially in his own backyard at Governor Dick Park (aka, Clarence Schock Park as it is known today.) His favorite spot for outdoor activities is the trail at Governor Dick that always looms between the light and shadows of sunrise and sunset, which calls to his restless nature.
“At this stage in my life, hiking at Governor Dick is a part of my DNA. Since childhood, I’ve climbed the tower well over 100 times,” he told me. “It’s a special place that brings tranquility and calm. Especially on a crisp fall morning, I am one with the world. As I navigate the terrain, the thrill of mountain climbing never gets old, but for clearing my head, hiking is right up there next to the joy of biking on the open road. It is exhilarating and breathtaking all at once.”
More Than a Tower
The landmark tower at Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick stands an impressive 66 feet tall. This concrete structure, erected in 1954, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding region that includes five counties: Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks and York. What the tower lacks in beauty and charm, its 360-degree view more than makes up for. There is a slight challenge in climbing to the top but is well worth the view.
Remember the fun you had shimmying hand over hand across the monkey bars in the school playground? Once inside the tower, you navigate a series of nine ladders with eight rungs each to get to the observation deck at Governor Dick. The circumference is but 15 feet, so King Kong would need to scale it, not squeeze inside. From the Environmental Center, the hike to the tower is roughly 1.5 miles one way. The terrain ahead provides variety from flat and wide to steep and narrow. Prepare for a two-to-three-hour jaunt to finish the 6.3-mile loop.
Clarence Schock, a Mount Joy businessman, purchased land at Governor Dick and in 1936 opened it to the public for use. The Environmental Center named after him provides an educational resource for visitors that is outfitted with high-ceilinged wooden beams and taxidermy wildlife throughout its interior. It is a community meeting place for families to get a hands-on education of the natural world around them. The center’s park manager, Jedd Erdman, climbs the interior of the tower three times a week. It is excellent exercise and serves as a means of inspection. Taylor Casey, the park naturalist, knows the lay of the land like the back of her hand. Together, they form a dream team for visitors who want “the inside story.” Our visit there shed historical light on the once-storybook residence from decades ago that Clarence built for his wife.
Looping back to our young couple, now six months married, Christian and Kathryn are still in their honeymoon phase. They share a great love for nature, and the outdoor adventures they revel in are part of their routine. Spending time together in the great outdoors draws them even closer. As they contemplate a move to Philly—he as a project manager/field superintendent in his brother’s firm and she as a dedicated nurse—it is bittersweet to know this passage of our friendship may be interrupted, at least for the time being. Before they start their next chapter, Christian and Kathryn returned to the tower’s top for a picture together before they were transported by music for the last night of the Cicada Festival in August at the Gretna Playhouse. In life, everything comes full circle, especially in Gretna—a place to fall in love and to fall in love with.
Late Fall Events
Founded in 2015, the South-Central Pennsylvania Climbers (SCPC) are adventurers ready for any challenge that may come their way. Their mission: to “provide education while protecting and conserving central Pa. rock climbing for everyone.” This group of volunteers is looking to mentor the next generation of climbing enthusiasts.
Southeastern Pennsylvania is a well-known area for diabase bouldering, which refers to rock climbing along the hard, sticky and coarsely grained igneous rock that forms unique, often large boulders. SCPC takes advantage of the 700 diabase challenges at varying skill levels, while focused on both education and conservation. With two major events at Governor Dick Park this November and mid-December, now is a perfect time to hike or climb with like-minded individuals.
A “Bouldering Competition” is set for Saturday, Nov. 15, with a rain date of the following day. The second annual “Tame the Tower Trail Challenge” takes place on Dec. 13 for runners, walkers and hikers. Join in for a 9 a.m. start at the tower. There are two different distances to choose from, a 5K or 10K challenge. Drink in the beauty of South Mountain surrounded by a caring community of nature lovers. All event proceeds go back to the park and its component parts, education, maintenance and preservation.
Epilogue
There is no more beautiful art than that found in nature. As the sun sets earlier in November, seize the moment and squeeze every drop of fall calling out to you. To live in the land of Mt. Gretna’s beauty is a gift immeasurable. As the sands of searing color filter through the hourglass, know you are experiencing life at its best. Taking in the rarefied air of Gretna’s glens at Governor Dick is its own reward. Drink in all that is before you, let it simmer, and hold it close to your heart as the time will come when that last leaf falls.
For more information on Governor Dick and Clarence Schock Memorial Park, visit www.parkatgovernordick.org.
For more information on South Central Pennsylvania Climbers, visit www.scpclimbers.org.
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