This cache highlights one of the many historical locations along the Ghost Town Trail. Claghorn Bridge, a three arch reinforced concrete bridge, is located at the confluence of Blacklick Creek and Brush Creek. It was built by Indiana County in 1917 at a cost of $19,000. The bridge connected the town of Claghorn and the mines and the Ebensburg and Blacklick Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad (now the Ghost Town Trail). At its peak between 1917 and 1924, there were 84 houses, a three story 22-room hotel, a school/theatre, and a company store. All of the town's streets were lined with wooden sidewalks. Due to economic downturn, the mines closed in 1924 and Claghorn, like many other towns along this branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad became a ghost town. This now-abandoned bridge has stood the test of time and has survived many major flooding events, including the 1977 Johnstown Flood.
The closest trailhead to access this cache is at Heshbon (see parking waypoint). From here it is about a mile and a half walk or bike ride (3 miles round trip). But stay the day and enjoy the history and beautiful scenery of the Ghost Town Trail! There is so much more to see and so many more caches to get on this trail. For more information on the Ghost Town Trail, visit this website: http://www.indianacountyparks.org/trails/ghosttown_trail.aspx
Also, the trail runs through parts of State Game Lands, so during hunting seasons, wear your orange. This cache was placed in honor/memory of a previous cache that was here (that I had the pleasure of finding!), Claghorn (GC3ME3N) by starfishsaving, which was recently archived. This was too good of a spot not to have another cache!