The village of Claghorn was one of eight towns that once existed along the Ghost Town Trail. Claghorn was named for Clarence Claghorn, Superintendent of the Lackawanna Coal and Coke Company. The town was established in 1916 and although the mines closed in 1924 people continued to live in Claghorn until after WWII. Nothing remains of Claghorn except the large three arch concrete bridge that spans Blacklick Creek. The bridge was built in 1917 at a cost of $19,000. The bridge has survived many major floods. Claghorn at its peak had a population of about 400. There were 84 houses, a three-story 22-room hotel, a combination school-church-theatre and a company store. All gone today, only the memories remain.
As it travels across the northern tier of Indiana County the Little Mahoning Creek offers scenes of great beauty. This high quality stream is known for its trout fishing and as the home of the Eastern Hellbender, a large aquatic salamander that can reach lengths of up to 24 inches. Hellbenders need clean, cool, well aerated streams with abundant rocks to survive. Protection of this stream is vital if the Hellbender can continue to live in our County for future generations to enjoy.
Northern and eastern parts of Indiana County contain areas of large strands of hemlock trees. The serenity of a hemlock forest, especially after a winter snow, is one of our favorite things about winter . This photo was taken in an area along Little Mahoning Creek near Rochester Mills, PA.
