U.S. ROUTE 6-KANE, PENNSYLVANIA

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Nestled at the edge of the Allegheny National Forest, Kane has a rich history. It was named for the Civil War leader of Pennsylvania's Bucktail Regiment,Thomas L. Kane, who founded the town in the early 1860s. Moving here with his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Kane, he first called the area "Clarion Summit," then it became"Kane Summit," and the name that finally stuck was "Kane." General Kane was wounded in battle and was taken as a prisoner of war as well. He also fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, and is revered by the Mormons for single-handedly helping avert an all-out war between the Mormons and the U.S. government in the late 1800s. A county in Utah is named for him, and a full-size statue of Kane occupies a central position in the rotunda of the Utah State Capital building in Salt Lake City. Although not a Mormon himself, General Kane was repulsed by the persecution of the Mormons and fought for their human rights. Kane also was a friend of several U.S. Presidents, including Grant, Buchanan, and Polk.
His brother, Elisha Kent Kane was, himself, a famous Arctic explorer and painter whose death celebration rivaled that of President Lincoln. A crater on the moon , a US naval ship, and an Arctic waterway are named for him. In 1921
Dr. Evan O'Neill Kane made medical surgical history by removing his own appendix.

Holgate Toys, America's Finest Wooden Toys, are once again made in Kane and sold throughout the US. The original company started in 1929 and Jarvis Rockwell, brother of Norman, was the chief toy designer. Stop and visit the museum and shop at the factory toy store. See the toys being made!
The Thomas L. Kane Memorial Chapel and Museum contains memorabilia from the Kane family including items from both brothers, as well as family heirlooms such as a a tea set used by Thomas Jefferson and other famous Americans. Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, the museum offers a media presentation about General Kane. Admission is free. A statue identical to the one in the Utah State Capital building, stands in front of the museum in Kane. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The old Pennsylvania Railroad Depot was constructed in the late 1800s. It is being transformed into the Kane Railroad Depot and Museum to preserve the transportation heritage of Kane. It will be a community museum and cultural center.
Seneca Spring was a favorite stopover spot for Native Americans . A trail crossed the Big Level on the way south. This was once the main route from Onandaga, the Iroquois capital, to the Ohio and the Carolinas.
The Kane Manor Country Inn is a Bed and Breakfast establishment and was the home of the Kane family after General Kane died. Constructed in 1897, it contains original paintings and other memorabilia and relics of the Kane family and is a favorite place for visitors to stay. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Historic New Thomson House became a popular resort in the early 1900s during the summer months because the climate of Kane was known to be "healthy." It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Twelve miles away is the Kinzua Viaduct or Bridge. General Kane ordered this railroad bridge built to traverse the Kinzua Creek Valley. It is one of the highest, longest railroad bridges in the world, and has been visited by millions since its construction in the late 1800s. President Ulysses S. Grant, a friend of General Kane, also visited this structure which was once billed as the Eighth Wonder of the World. An excursion train makes daily trips to the bridge in the summer and fall. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

The Allegheny National Forest was recently selected as one of the top six vacation spots in the United States. People flock here to camp, hike on segments of the Appalachian Trail, boat and fish in the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania.
The Knox & Kane Railroad Steam Train Excursion carries many visitors to the historic Kinzua Bridge and back.
The Sir Isaac Newton Astronomical Society,a group of local amateur astronomers,will often have their 8-inch diameter telescope out on summer nights for public viewing of the heavens. The Society won the Edmond Scientific International Award for promoting National Astronomy Day.
A Black Cherry Festival is held in Kane every July. The 3-day fest includes stage shows, an art exhibit, music, food, game and craft booths, a variety of vendors,tournaments,antique car show and more!
Evergreen Enchanted Playground is a community-built creative play area in Evergreen Park in Kane. The park is a favorite picnic area and includes tennis,basketball, and volleyball courts as well as a baseball field.
Summer is also a time to enjoy the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir 8 miles away. It offers boating, swimming, fishing (walleye,bass,muskies, northern pike,trout),camping, hiking and picnicking.
In the fall, Kane becomes a hot spot for deer hunters. In the winter, the Kane area is a haven for Cross-Country Skiing and Snowmobiling with many trails leaving town and going through the forest areas.
Other activities include golfing at the Kane Country Club, the Family Drive-In Theater, rollerskating at Shirley's Temple, swimming in the high school's indoor pool or various beaches at the Kinzua Dam, and bowling at Rose Bowl Lanes.

Kane is a favorite tourism site of summer and winter visitors alike. The Kane Area School District has a population of about 5000, and the schools' mascot is a wolf because in 1921 Kane's Dr. McCleery started a wolf farm in a successful effort to save the world's remaining lobo wolves from extinction.
In 1949 Kane High won the Class B state championship basketball title.
From the outlying area of Kane known as "Jo Jo," came world champion pool table trick shot artist, Clarence "Sunshine" Anderson.
On May 31, 1985 a tornado hit Kane. This was the worst natural disaster in Kane's history.
Kane is the hometown of Chuck Daly, who coached the NBAs Detroit Pistons to two national championships,coached the Gold Medalist Dream Team at the Olympics, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Kane native Amy Rudolph is one of two women who represented the USA in the 5000 meter race in the Olympics in the summer of 1996.
Kane Middle School's Science Olympiad Team placed second at the Pennsylvania state competition in April 1996 and competed in Atlanta in the National competition.
Kane is the home of Mr. Robert Carson, a distinguised retired biology-psychology instructor, historian,author, speaker,inventor, photographer, and philosopher. He is a gentleman through and through. Kane is also home for
Edgar "Jesse " James, the mayor, and Mr. Glennis Rickert, the 102 year-old former teacher, principal, and superintendent.
The Lumber industry is big in the Kane area which grows such a large crop of black cherry that it has been nicknamed the Black Cherry Capital of the World.
Historic U.S. Route 6--Grand Army of the Republic Highway-- runs through Kane.
Kane's uptown merchants cater to visitors as only a small town can. Kane has a daily newspaper (Kane Republican), FM radio station, hospital,churches,fine dining restaurants, a variety of shops, motels, area campgrounds, and is a... prime site for industry location.

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