Our Trip to Cook Forest, Pa. June 2026

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My wife made friends instantly with this doe by feeding her watermelon.

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Hello! I'm Mr. Ed

Blog Created: 6-17-2026

Last Updated: 6-19-2026

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Our Trip to Cook Forest, Pa. -Sunday, June 7 to Wednesday, June 10, 2026

My wife and I joined my Niece, nephew and sister for a trip to Cook Forest, Pa. In the 1950s and 1960s, I lived at Cook Forest with my parents as we built a house there from 1957 to 1966. My father had wanted to retire and move from our home in Akron, Ohio to Cook Forest and live there full time so he could go deer hunting. My mother loved fishing so we made sure that the property was right on the river. Sadly, before retiring, dad died of cancer at the age of 56. In 1968, mom and I moved to the house at Cook Forest but, after several months there, she had a stroke and we had to move back to Akron. She died in January 1970.

My wife and I married in 1973 and we took a trip back to the forest from Ohio in 1995. Then in 2004, we went again. We had sold the property back in the early 1970s.

Today, Cook Forest has changed a lot. Back then, we were the only house on the River Road for 1/2 a mile. Today there are houses next to each other.

Truman's General Store in the town of Sigel was a favorite place growing up. Today it is closed down.

Brookville was our "downtown" area and was a nice, small town that reeked of Americana. Today it's no different than any other town. So sad. But that's progress, I guess.

Happily, Cook Forest itself, hasn't changed at all. The woodsy roads and forests are the same as I remember them. The road still follows the river and the buildings, such as gift shops and the likes, are still there. Though the gift shops are different. Plus, there are many more restaurants around the area.

For those who want a relaxed vacation in the woods, you can't beat Cook Forest State Park. I was disappointed only because of my memories and places were gone. But, for an enjoyable trip, Cook Forest is a great destination.

The first part of this blog covers where we stayed and places we went. The second part covers the history of the forest. At the end are links to websites.

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June 7, 2026 - Sunday ~

We arrived at the cabin.

We drove River Road which, of course, follows the river.

We left the River Road and drove up a gravel road for about four miles to get to the cabin.

We arrived at the cabin.

The covered deck had a picnic table and a porch swing.

Lots of space inside the cabin. 3-bedrooms and 2-full bathrooms.

Small bathroom.

Larger bathroom.

Bedroom 1. Bedroom 2 looks the same as this one.

Bedroom 3.

There's a woodburning stove for the cold nights. The cabin has central heating and is air conditioned.

Coffee and end tables are all hand carved.

The cabin also had a den or extra bedroom.

There's bears ever where.

The entire cabin is well decorated.

The cabin sits on a lot of acres. Deer are plentiful.

This was the back yard.

We sat at the fire pit every evening and roasted marshmallows.

June 8, 2026 - Monday

More bears.

Our dog loved it. All new smells.

On Monday we hit the road to check things out.

Our first stop was at Macbeth's Cabins gift shop. I bought three knives. My wife, Sue bought a sweatshirt and our dog got a stuffed toy.

We drove down the River Road.

We stopped at a Dollar General. As it turned out, there was tons of them around the forest.

While there, I saw a mini van with a sign, "County of forest Transportation". I guess they shuttle older people to the stores who do not have a car or do not drive.

We drove to Leeper, Pa. and stopped at the Sawmill Restaurant for lunch. Really good food.

We thern went back to the cabin and had dinner and sat outside.

The deer began coming out and came up fairly close when Sue put out some watermelon.

We sat around the fire pit again all evening.

June 9, 2026 - Tuesday

Tuesday morning we were off again.

We stopped at the Pickle Barrel gift shop.

Then we stopped at another Dollar General.

We also stopped at Parker's Indian Trading Post where I bought another knife and our dog got another toy.

On Tuesday evening we drove to Maionville, Pa. and went to Tall Oaks gift shop. I bought a Bigfoot walking stick there.

They had a kissing booth that looked more like an outhouse.

We got the chance to meet Bigfoot while there.

Sue posed with bigfoot.

Before leaving, we both posed with him. I hade to hold his hand as he had been frightened by a chipmonk.

Then it was back to the cabin again.

For dinner, we drove to Sigel to the Farmer's Inn and had a really good dinner.

Back at the cabin, the doe brought a friend for more watermelon.

June 10, 2026 - Wednesday

We left for Ohio on Wednesday morning. We got a chance to go and get a picture of our old house on the River Road.

Here's the house in 1964 when we owned it. That's dad's 1958 Packard Hawk in the driveway.

Dad and my brother-in-law, Tom working on the Cook Forest house. May, 1960.

Dad building pumphouse at the house in Cook Forest, Pa. c1962.

Dad's guns on the wall of the house in 1961.

Me shooting my .22 in woods behind house in 1958.

Me shooting my .25-20 by front door of Cook Forest house. c1961.

The deer dad shot in 1962 on the back of the '58 Packard behind the house.

Dad in 1960.

Mom and Dad seated, me in hat, dad's friend from Firestone, Art Carmack at the house in Cook Forest, Pa., 1959.

We were off again down the River Road and back to Ohio.

Things I Bought at Gift Shops ~

Deer knife on stand.

Dragon knife.

King Arthur knife.

Bigfoot walking stick.

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FROM: Cook Forest State Park

History of Cook Forest State Park, Pennsylvania ~

Cook Forest State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania has a rich history spanning Native American heritage, early American settlement, industrial development, and conservation.

Native American Era ~

When Europeans arrived in the 1700s, the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy used the area as hunting grounds. In 1757, Pennsylvania’s Proprietary Council sent Moravian missionary Christian Frederick Post to persuade the Seneca to join the British in the French and Indian War, but the Seneca sided with the French. After the British victory, the English eventually purchased the land from the Iroquois.

Early Settlement ~

The first permanent American settler was John Cook, who arrived in 1826 to assess the feasibility of building an east–west canal along the Clarion River. He purchased 765 acres in 1828, settled with his wife and 10 children, and built a one-story cabin at the mouth of Tom’s Run (present-day Cooksburg). He established water-driven sawmills, logged with oxen, rafted logs to Pittsburgh, and built flatboats.

Expansion by Anthony Cook ~

John’s son, Anthony W. Cook, bought 36 acres from his father and later acquired the rest after John’s death in 1858. Anthony expanded the operation with three sawmills, a flouring mill, a planing mill, a boat scaffold, several dwellings, and a store. Around 1870, he built the Cook Homestead (now the Inn at Cook Forest) at the intersection of PA 36 and River Road. Many large River Road homes remain in the Cook family’s care.

Judge Andrew Cook.

Cook Forest inn.

Conservation Movement ~

By the 1920s, the Cook Forest Association—led by figures like M. I. McCreight, Theo Wilson, and John Nicholson began efforts to save the remaining old-growth timber. Endorsed by national natural resource groups and Governor Gifford Pinchot, the association raised $200,000. This funding helped the Commonwealth purchase 6,055 acres from A. Cook Sons Company in 1927 for $640,000, making Cook Forest the first Pennsylvania state park acquired to preserve a natural landmark.

Civilian Conservation Corps ~

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established Camp SP-2 in the River Cabins area along River Road. The camp, with barracks, mess hall, and bathhouses, served 200 enrollees until 1937. CCC workers built Indian and river cabins, trails, and roads, leaving much of their work intact.

Legacy ~

Today, Cook Forest State Park preserves some of America’s finest virgin white pine and hemlock stands, including the “Forest Cathedral,” a National Natural Landmark. It is recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s top state parks and a National Natural Landmark.

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FROM: Pa Commonwealth

When Europeans arrived, the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy used this area as hunting grounds. In 1757, the Proprietary Council of Pennsylvania sent Moravian missionary Christian Frederick Post to convince the Seneca to join the British in the French and Indian War, but the Seneca sided with the French. The English won the war and eventually purchased the land from the Iroquois.

John Cook was the first permanent American settler to the area. He arrived in 1826 to determine the feasibility of building an east to west canal along the Clarion River for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

John purchased 765 acres and settled here with his wife and 10 children in 1828. At the mouth of Toms Run, present day Cooksburg, John built his one-story cabin and the first of many water-driven sawmills. He worked his mills, logged with oxen, rafted logs to Pittsburgh, and also engaged in flatboat building through the years.

Running the logs down the Clarion River to the mills. Middle 1800s.

One of John’s sons, Anthony, bought 36 acres from his father and then gained the rest of his acreage when his father died in 1858. Anthony erected three sawmills, one flouring mill, one planing mill, a boat scaffold, several dwellings, and a store. Around 1870, he built the Cook Homestead, now known as the Inn at Cook Forest, at the corner of land where PA 36 and River Road intersect.

Many of the large homes on River Road are still maintained by the Cook Family and descendants. After Anthony’s death, the business was managed under A. Cook Sons Company.

The Cook Forest Association formed in the 1920s to save the few areas of surviving old growth timber. Endorsed by national natural resource groups and Governor Gifford Pinchot, the association raised $200,000, which helped the commonwealth purchase 6,055 acres from A. Cook Sons Company in 1927 for $640,000.

Cook Forest became the first Pennsylvania state park acquired to preserve a natural area. It was later designated a National Natural Landmark.

Civilian Conservation Corps ~

On March 31, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps(opens in a new tab) (CCC). The purpose of the CCC was to provide employment and restore our nation's natural resources.

In 1934, CCC Camp SP-2 was built in the present-day River Cabins area along River Road. This camp with barracks, a mess hall, and bathhouses served 200 enrollees and staff until it closed in 1937. The buildings were razed and used to construct CCC Camp SP-6 at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County.

Much of their work still remains. Indian and River cabins were built, trails and roads constructed, and forest resources preserved by these hard-working men.

Historic Areas

Log Cabin Inn ~

This large log building was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was used as living quarters and then as a restaurant. The building is currently the environmental learning classroom with displays, taxidermy animals, and logging tools from early lumbering days.

River and Indian Cabins ~

In the 1930s, the CCC constructed these buildings from salvaged American chestnut killed by blight. These buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Memorial Fountain ~

Built in 1950 on Longfellow Trail, the fountain was dedicated to the original members of the Cook Forest Association who were instrumental in raising additional funds needed to purchase the land from the A. Cook Sons Company.

Cook Forest Fire Tower/Seneca Point Overlook ~

The 87.5-foot fire tower, built in 1929 by the commonwealth’s Department of Forest and Waters, gave firefighters a 15- to 20-mile view of the area. The tower was retired from service in 1966. Periodically, the observation cabin on top of the tower is open during programs.

The Fire Tower Near Seneca Point, Cook Forest Park.

Cobbtown and Bracket Dams ~

Stone and earthen foundations of bracket dams can be found along the banks of Toms Run. One set of remains can be observed upstream from the swinging bridge. Bracket dams created an artificial flood to raise the water level for floating logs to the Clarion River.