🌲 Welcome to the Lumber Heritage Region GeoTour 🪵

Full of history and natural beauty, Pennsylvania’s Lumber Heritage Region spans 4.2 million acres across 15 counties. From sweeping forests and rolling hills to vibrant communities shaped by the lumber industry, come explore what makes North-Central Pennsylvania so special! This officially registered GeoTour highlights our favorite locations, from parks and forests to museums and monuments. Find 20 of the 23 caches to earn a limited-edition GeoTour coin, or find all 23 to unlock a unique souvenir added to your Geocaching profile.

For information regarding the GeoTour and a full list of caches, please visit our website.

LHR-GT #23: Historic Philipsburg

Philipsburg holds an important place in Pennsylvania’s lumber heritage, reflecting the resilience and evolution of early industrial communities that supported the region’s timber economy. Established in the 1790s, the town grew alongside nearby forests and waterways that fueled the lumber trade, with early settlers building more permanent and refined structures as prosperity increased. The John Henry Simler House, constructed in 1807, stands as a powerful symbol of this transition—showcasing craftsmanship, adaptability, and a shift from frontier survival to established community life. Together, Philipsburg’s historic landmarks and preserved architecture highlight its role in the broader story of Pennsylvania’s lumber industry and the enduring spirit of the communities that helped shape it. Click here to learn more

THIS IS A VIRTUAL CACHE,  there is no physical container. To claim credit for this Geocache, you will need to take a short walking tour of Phillipsburg to collect information from three locations. This Virtual will require about a half mile of walking and take up to 20 minutes to complete.

LOGGING REQUIREMENTS. To claim this Virtual Geocache, you need to complete two tasks. First, visit the posted coordinates and take a picture of yourself or a personal item with the John Henry Simler House in the background (bonus points if you can include the LHR signpost as well). Next, visit the three waypoints listed below and answer the question for each location. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the page to enter your answers into Certitude to get credit for this virtual cache and reveal the special code word for your LHR GeoTour passport.

John Henry Simler House

Built in 1807, this house is the town’s oldest remaining structure and a rare example of early frontier architecture. Constructed by Revolutionary War veteran John Henry Simler, the historic log home has served many roles over time and now stands as a preserved symbol of the community’s early settlement and heritage.

ANSWER #1
This location has served as a home, shoe repair shop, school, bakery, and what? (6 letters)

Holt Memorial Library Book Bench

This unique artwork highlights the town’s deep roots in early industry, including lumbering, mining, and manufacturing, that shaped the region’s working-class identity. As part of the county’s public art initiative, it interprets the stories of local workers and industries that helped define Philipsburg’s growth from its earliest days.

ANSWER #2
What object can be seen poking through the legs on the side of the book bench? (5 letters)

Borough Hall

Philipsburg Borough Hall reflects the town’s history of local governance, dating back to its incorporation in 1864 as a center for civic leadership and public decision-making. Over the years, it has served as a hub for borough operations, representing the evolution of the community while maintaining its role at the heart of Philipsburg’s municipal life.

ANSWER #3
According to the Philipsburg historical marker, what was the town's original name? (9 letters) Note: Please use the very specific spelling as shown on the sign, proceeding "town" on the next-to-last line.

To add your name to the certitude leaderboard and claim credit for this Virtual Geocache (not to mention obtaining the code word for your LHR GeoTour Passport), please enter the answers from the three waypoints in the order shown, seperated by an underscore.

ANSWER#1_ANSWER#2_ANSWER#3
For example: BAKERY_RACCOON_ALTOONA

This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Heritage Areas Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.