Nestled within countless forested areas in Pennsylvania are the remnants of a time long gone – ghost towns, now decaying, that give clues to a vibrant past. Some of those ghost towns are well-known, while others don’t get as much attention. Come along as we delve into the history behind this mysterious and eerie place in Scotia, Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania ghost town.

Mining has always played a significant role in Pennsylvania's history.
All Trails/Mengda Din
And it's the reason this and so many other ghost towns in Pennsylvania got their start.
Andrew Carnegie bought the land in Centre County in 1880.
All Trails/Alexa Desolena
It would become the village of Scotia, for the purpose of operating an iron ore mine. Mr. Carnegie gave the town the name of Scotia as a tribute to his home country of Scotland. This was just one of many mining towns in Pennsylvania.
For the coal mine to operate and make a profit, it needed a wealth of workers.
All Trails/Kaitlyn Livie
A community - homes, a church, and a company store - were all built to house the miners.
It took just two years for Carnegie's idea, which included a railroad station, to come to life.
All Trails/Brian Roudabush
However, in 1899, Carnegie sold the mine to the Bellefonte Furnace Company. The family has a town named after them.

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The mine would continue operating until 1911. The shutdown led to the abandonment of Scotia.
All Trails/Scott Irvin
Nevertheless, World War II brought with it an attempted comeback of mining in Scotia, PA.
However, the iron ore mined from the area was deemed inadequate, effectively drawing the mining era in Scotia to a permanent close.
All Trails/Justin Strickland
Looking back, it's easy to see that this is how the ghost town of Scotia came into being as a relic of a bye-gone era. It really is one of the many interesting, abandoned towns in Pennsylvania.
Today, what remains of the abandoned town sits on State Game Lands 176.
All Trails/Kaitlyn Livie
You can find it by following the 1.4-mile-long Scotia Barrens Trail, which is one of the most popular trails in Pennsylvania.
Considered a relatively easy hike, the trail offers a unique glimpse into yesteryear.
All Trails/Rob Peeler
You'll pass the remains of an old car and...
...the skeletons of the homes...
All Trails/Todd Alexander
...and other buildings that once dotted the town.

Have you heard of this abandoned town in Scotia, Pennsylvania? Have you ever been there? If so, we’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you’d like, here is another abandoned town in Pennsylvania called Centralia. You can no longer explore this Pennsylvania ghost town in person, but you can get a peek at it by watching this intriguing video:

 

For something perhaps a bit more uplifting, the next time you need some quiet time in nature, visit this Pennsylvania waterfall.

Since you’ll be going on a hike to this Pennsylvania ghost town, be sure to wear a pair of comfy hiking shoes.

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More to Explore

Adventures in Pennsylvania

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | February 01, 2023

Where can we find other abandoned towns in Pennsylvania?

  • Eckley - Located near Hazleton, it was originally a miner's town and holds a great deal of history about the Irish immigrants who lived and worked here.
  • French Azilum - Located in Wyalusing, refugees who fled the French Revolution built the original settlement which once encompassed dozens of homes.
  • The Frick's Lock Historical District – Located in East Coventry, this once thriving village was abandoned after the construction of the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant.

Read on to learn about other abandoned towns in Pennsylvania.

 

We’re looking for hiking trails in Pennsylvania.

  • The Raymondskill Creek Trail – Located in Dingman Township, this trail leads to Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.
  • The Copper Kettle Trail - Located in Somerset, it is only one mile long and particularly beautiful in the wintertime.
  • The Chickies Rock Overlook Trail - Located in West Hempfield Township, this trail offers spectacular views of the Susquehanna River, is dog-friendly, wide, and gentle enough for strollers and those needing wheeled methods of movement.

Read on and discover more wonderful hiking trails in Pennsylvania.

 

Where can we learn more about the history of Pennsylvania?

  • The  Independence Visitor's Center - Located in Philadelphia, it is the home of numerous historic documents including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, all of which were written and signed here.
  • The Duquesne Incline – Located in Pittsburgh, it is a century-old cable car that originally opened in 1877 and is today one of the few remaining inclines in the U.S.
  • The Kinzua Viaduct – Located in Mount Jewett, when it was built, it was the world's longest and highest railroad bridge. Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a National Engineering Landmark.

Read on to learn more about the history of Pennsylvania.

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Scotia Barrens, Scotia Range Rd, Port Matilda, PA 16870, USA