History of Ricketts Glen

Colonel Robert Bruce Ricketts enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army at the beginning of the Civil War.  He bravely led Battery F during the Battle of Gettysburg.  Young Ricketts moved up through the ranks and was discharged as a Colonel.  At one time Col. Ricketts owned over 80,000 acres of land.  Through the 20's, 30's, and 40's the family sold land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a state park.  The 13,050 acre state park which is in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia Counties first opened in 1944.  Today the Glens Natural Area encompasses two branches of Kitchen Creek where 22 majestic waterfalls flow among ancient trees, many over 300 years old. Fishing, boating, and swimming on Lake Jean provide tranquil rest after a full day of hiking the 7.2 mile Falls Trail.