by Nancy Bishop
It’s June – the month for weddings, proms and graduations. And what do those three have in common? That’s right: Photos. Lots of photos. And now you’re looking for the perfect spot to stage your photos. Look no farther than Columbia and Montour counties where there’s an abundance of scenic backdrops for your lifetime memories.
Perhaps the most iconic spot is the David Stroup Fountain, sometimes called “Memorial Fountain” or “Town Fountain,” in downtown Bloomsburg’s Market Square.
Erected in the autumn of 1892, the fountain was manufactured by the J.L. Mott Ironworks in the Bronx section of New York City. The Bloomsburg Water Company told Town Council it would supply free water for a fountain, and the Town Council used money that David Stroup, the owner of a local candy shop, had left to the town in his estate to purchase the fountain.
The original fountain was dismantled in 1966 because it had deteriorated, but it was put back together in 1982 by Daniel and Michael McCloskey. The sculpture of a crane that had topped the original fountain was lost in storage until 2005, when it was cleaned, repaired and placed back on the fountain. To learn more about this special area landmark, visit the Town of Bloomsburg’s website.
And what is this area also known for that are also popular spots for event photos?
That’s right: Covered Bridges.
Best for a photo background are these covered bridges that are closed to traffic:
Stillwater Bridge, located off Paperdale Road east of Route 487 in Stillwater, was built in 1849. It crosses Fishing Creek.
Parr’s Mill Bridge, which crosses the North Branch of Roaring Creek, is on Parr’s Mill Road off Route 487, south of Catawissa. It was built in 1866.
Shoemaker Bridge, located on West Branch Run, is on Shoemaker Bridge Road near Pennsylvania Route 442, northwest of Iola. It was built in 1881.
Josiah Hess Bridge on Huntington Creek in Fishing Creek Township is between Forks and Jonestown off Winding Road. It was built in 1875.
East Paden Bridge and West Paden Bridge, known as the Twin Bridges, are located on Huntington Creek in Fishing Creek Township, east of Forks, off Winding Road, east of Pennsylvania Route 487. They were built in 1884.
If you love flowers, another very scenic spot for photos is the Field of Flowers at the Barn at Greenwood, located along Route 42 in Millville. And, if you’re looking for a place to have that wedding, the barn is a popular venue as well. Just be sure to contact the Barn at Greenwood in advance if you would like to take photos in their field!
Continuing the water theme that seems to prevail in this blog (fountain, bridges…), another popular backdrop is Adams Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park near Benton. It’s close to the Ricketts Glen parking area on Route 118 that’s near the intersection of Route 487 and 118.
And now that you’ve taken those photos…
Share Your Photos! We’d love to showcase your photos on our website for other residents and travelers alike to enjoy! To share your photos with us, simply tag them with #itourcolumbiamontour on Instagram or on Facebook.