Visit Sites on the Perry County Heritage Trail
The map and descriptions of historical sites of interest on this site provide a virtual guide to the exploration of Perry County and two great river valleys.
The Perry County Heritage Trail
is maintained by
The Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern
The Perry County Heritage Trail web site was created by the 2020 Bicentennial
Committee and made possible by the generous donations of foundations,
businesses and the citizens of the county. First under the stewardship of the
Historical Society of Perry County, this site since 2022 has been administered by
the Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern. This not-for-profit was formed to preserve the
1790 inn as a Welcome and Interpretative center for the county and the two great
river valleys, the Susquehanna and Juniata that meet at the nexus of the famed
Appalachian Trail. The Tavern is located at 603 N. Main Street, Duncannon,
Pennslyvania.
If you have an interest in the history, recreational and cultural attractions of this
area of our Commonwealth, you are invited to join the Friends of Clarks Ferry
Tavern, receive the regular newsletter and know you are helping preserve the
heritage of what in earlier centuries was a major ‘Gateway of America’s
Westward Movement’.
The Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern
P.O. Box 184
Duncannon, PA 17020
email: friendsofcft@gmail.com
Perry County is almost half the size of the State of Rhode Island, but with 1/20th the population. Largely countryside, with small towns, the county has a population of 45,000. Mountains wrap themselves around the county on the south, west and north sides with the picturesque Susquehanna River creating the eastern border. The famed Juniata River Valley provides a historical corridor that first saw canoes, flat boats, picturesque canal boats, the famous Pennsylvania Railroad, and now a major four lane highway slicing through ridges and canyons onto the Appalachian Plateau and points west. To the south and south east of the county are the most populous regions of south central Pennsylvania including the State Capital of Harrisburg.
What will you find on the Perry County Heritage Trail Map?
- If you are a history buff, an outdoors person or a family with a few hours together, you can explore our delightful bucolic county of 19th Century towns, covered bridges, National Register structures, historic markers, lush valleys, master and legacy farms, rivers and state parks and hiking trails.
- To access the maps using a laptop, click or hover on the Heritage Trail Maps icon and select the region you plan to see. Once at the map hover on the locator pin to see info, then click to go to the page of the marker where there is more information. To access the maps using a SMART mobile device, touch on the three bars at the top of the Home screen to bring up a menu and then touch on the region you want. Hovering over a locator pin does not work on a mobile device so you must go to the list below the map and touch the specific location you want. The website can also be accessed by scanning the QR code on a marker using a SMART device.
Whether you are passing through or have the time to wander, our friendly residents will greet you and your family warmly. We welcome the opportunity to share this unique part of Pennsylvania with you.
We are indebted to The Perry Historians for use of their historical photographs and the many books, maps, manuscripts, materials, government records, microfilm and artefacts housed in the Lenig-Foch Library.
In addition, many citizens and other entities have shared pictures and manuscripts and have given oral interviews.
To all who advance our knowledge of the past, we express our gratitude.