I was recently doing some research on the Lost Turkey trail and saw a memorial on the map for the Lost Children of the Alleghenies. My interest piqued, the next time I was past Blue Knob state park, I took the opportunity to check it out.

Along the way, I came across a pull-off on the right (east side of the road) that indicated the location of CCC camp NP-7. This is unique in that, at least in PA, almost all of the CCC camps were operated by the state. The "NP" designation would indicate that this one was operated as part of the National Park system. There was also a map there of the camps within PA so, if fuel prices remain reasonable, I may take some road trips to see what, if any, remains of these other camps may be found.

50 years afterward, a stone monument was erected where the birch once stood. Today it is covered by a small roof and surrounded by chain link fencing, the combination of which protects the monument from the weather as well as from vandals. Visitors sometimes leave toys at the site and/or weave sticks into the chain link to form crosses.

While there is an understandably somber feeling here, the site is remarkably pretty and the silence of the forest was broken only by the trickling of Ciana run and the songbirds flitting through the trees. I saw no one else on this trip and no other wildlife... which reminds me... the monument stands within state game lands and, I believe, even the area of Blue Knob state park where the parking lot is located is open to hunting. If you visit during hunting season, remember to wear orange. 100 square inches on your head (think ball cap or stocking hat) is the minimum.

I've also recently learned that there was a song written about the Cox brothers entitled Jacob's Dream. Performed by Alison Krauss, it was released in 2007 and, at least in my opinion, fits perfectly with the story.

Godspeed little ones.