Paradise fish hatchery oldest in state

In 1902, a Monroe County business created an industry to sell this native fish species to the public. The Paradise Brook Trout Co. was the first licensed trout hatchery in Pennsylvania. Founded by a group of businessmen from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the hatchery is still operating today on Route 191 in Paradise Township. Read More...

Historic Carolina Parakeet

Springtime has come once again to Monroe County. The trees’ leaves are budding, the flowers are blooming, and the birds have returned. One beautiful bird, however, has not appeared in spring for almost one hundred years. This small, brightly-colored parrot-like bird, named the Carolina parakeet, once called Eastern North America, including Monroe County, its home.
Read More...

History of the Appalachian Trail

From Delaware Water Gap through Totts Gap over Wolf Rocks and beyond Wind Gap and Smith Gap, Monroe County’s scenery and natural history can be viewed from high atop the Appalachian Mountains on the Appalachian Trail. Read More...

The Marshalls Creek Mastodon

Twelve thousand years ago, Monroe County looked much different than it does today. With a glacier receding just to the north, many unusual, and unusually large animals wandered the land. From giant ground sloths and beavers the size of riding mowers to oversized bears and sabre-toothed cats, Monroe County’s landscape was dominated by creatures that were remarkably different than those found here today. One of the largest animals to wander what would eventually become Monroe County was the American mastodon. Read More...

The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree

The tradition of bringing evergreen boughs and even whole trees indoors during the Winter Solstice began in Europe well before reliable written records. These early indoor trees, however, were not adorned with fanciful decorations. Relatively modern Christmas tree traditions began in the 16th Century, with the Protestant reformer Martin Luther being credited with first decorating a small evergreen tree with candles. These candles represented the stars in the sky that twinkled over Bethlehem. Read More...