Granere was moved in 1902 to Cranberry Lake, NY in the Adirondacks, and the logging village of Wanakena was formed. The town thrived, and many of the residents chose to remain when the Rich Lumber Company moved on to Vermont. The town today has 36 year-around residents and about 150 summer residents. It boasts a village store, a village green, beach, library, and until three years ago the original suspension footbridge that allowed the workers to cross the Oswagatchie River from the village to the mills on the other side. The original footbridge was destroyed by the receeding ice on the Oswagatchie, but the village has raised over $150,000 to replace it. The new suspension bridge was opened in November, 2016.
I am writing an article entitled "Wanakena's Pennsylvania Roots," which traces the Rich Lumber Company from Gardeau, PA to Granere, PA, to Wanakena, NY. If you have or know of anyone with photographs or historical knowledge of either village, I would like the information so I can include the material in the article.
You can view scenes of the current, very active village of Wanakena, NY by Googling the Wanakena Historical Association.
Please leave a comment or email me: packjac2000@gmail.com.
Thanks in advance:
Jack Williams
Wanakena, NY
Wanakena, NY is a "decendant" of Gardeau and Granere, PA. I'm writng an article entitled "Wanakena's Pennsylvania Roots" and would appreciate receiving any photos or written or personal histories of either logging village. You can learn about Wanakena by searching "Wanakena Historical Association." Jack Williams, Wanakena, NY
I have done an archeologist study of Granere, beginning in 2010 since I live four miles of the site. I also have digital recordings of elderly residents very familiar with town and the immediate area.It has inspired me to begin a work on the "Ghost Towns of McKean County.
ReplyDeleteIf you get this, let me know who you are I'd love to hear the recordings. Jack
ReplyDelete