Codorus State Park

The dam that formed Marburg Lake in Codorus State Park was built in 1965 as a cooperative project between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large paper company. The company needed a steady supply of water and lake would provide water for the local communities. The lake is also a focal point for the Corodus State Park that opened in 1970. Unfortunately the lake water fluctuates so much due to the amount drawn by the paper mill that building and maintaining a beach is impossible but the park does have swimming pool. 

Almost all  26 miles of shoreline is state park and provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities - camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, mountain biking, disc golf, boating, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, sledding, and ice fishing. We'll come back to explore the park thoroughly when we have more time.

The campground has about 200 sites which are mix of full hook up, electric, non-electric, and tent. Amenities include restrooms with showers and a dump station. 

Seven sites, both full hook up and electric only, are accessible. We didn't need electricity so I chose site 14, a non electric site, because of the distance from other sites and because the stated driveway grade is slight. Although not designated as accessible, site 14 is good fairly level with small gravel under the table and plenty of room to deploy a lift.  Park  39.775, -76.9146

 

York County History Center

The History Center moved into the former Met-Ed steam power plant in August 2024 with all new exhibits including a 12 foot tall Reddy Kilowatt. 

The first exhibits describe the role York, Pennsylvania, founded in 1741, played in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The city hosted the Continental Congress from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 while the Articles of Confederation were drafted and adopted. During the Civil War the city was occupied by the Confederate Army for three days before they marched to Gettysburg. After the battle  thousands of wounded Union soldiers were treated in the York U.S. Army Hospital. 

Other exhibits cover stories of local residents who were involved in the Underground Railroad helping runaway slaves as they headed north, plus tales of early settlers and farming practices. Artifacts include a large variety of equipment and machinery built in York factories. On display is a very complicated looking machine from D. F. Stauffer Biscuit Co. that made animal crackers using a long cylindrical cutter.  The company made the first animal crackers in the US and has been in business for over 150. 

Another complicated piece of machinery is a huge  A-frame ammonia compressor built by York International in the early 1900s.  It was used until the 1970s at the Cudahy Packing Company in Wichita, Kansas to produce ice and refrigeration for preserving meat products. 

The museum is accessible. The admission price includes three more museums in the complex but their hours are very limited so we didn't visit any of them.

Parking is located directly north of the museum. Go past the museum on Pershing Avenue, round the corner onto Gay Avenue then turn right into the lot. The lot is large enough for RVs. History Center  39.96376, -76.73228

Mister Ed's Elephant Museum and Candy Store

Mister Ed's is a family business now being run by the third generation of Gotwalts. Changes over the years included a complete rebuilding after a devastating fire in 2011. Hundreds of volunteers came to clean the elephant collection. Although some were destroyed, thousands survived and are on display in the museum.

 

And then there's the candy! Handmade fudge and chocolates, loose candy by the pound, jelly bellies, Pez candy and dispensers, and nostalgic candy bars, plus nuts and souvenirs. 

Don't miss the small garden featuring animal statues, a fountain, and a teapot collection. 

 

     The museum is accessible. The garden path is rough in spots and the arched bridge is steep. Wheelchair users may need assistance. 

The parking lot is large enough for RVs. It's surfaced with gravel and the store entrance is uphill so wheelchair users may need assistance. Museum/Store  39.89827, -77.43027

 

Fort Bedford Museum

The fort was built by the British during the French and Indian War to protect a military road that stretched from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to the French Fort Duquesne in present day downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The museum was built in 1958, near the original fort location, to commemorate the fort's 200th anniversary and features nicely done exhibits that cover Native American history, the French and Indian War, and the early history of the town of Bedford. 

The main floor of the museum is accessible but the balcony level can only be accessed by stairs. 

The parking lot which is large enough for any vehicle, is located in Fort Bedford Park next to the river. The walk up Fort Bedford Road to the museum entrance is very steep. Wheelchair users will need assistance.  There is a small pull off at the museum entrance for passenger loading and unloading. Museum  40.02, -78.5048

 

Old Bedford Village

The village consists of 35 buildings, mainly from the mid 1700s to the mid 1800s, that have been arranged along  gravel streets. Most were moved to the village from other locations in Bedford County, Pennsylvania and a few were built on site to interpret specific aspects of village life. Native American tribes that lived in area are also covered. The buildings and the village are very nicely done and well maintained. 

 Historical interpreters are located at some of the buildings especially on special event weekends. There were only three when we visited on a quiet weekend which was good for us because the village was uncrowded. Some of the buildings have self service snacks and drinks. 

The gravel on the streets is deep and rough in spots. Almost all of the buildings have ramps. Some are dangerously steep and the thresholds may be high. Most wheelchair users will need assistance. 

A narrow, 12'5" covered bridge must be crossed to get to the main parking lot and the smaller lot directly across from the village entrance. There's a small lot before the bridge if your vehicle is too wide, long, or heavy. Village  40.03957, -78.51037