Swatara Creek's Lost Treasure

The waterways branching off the ancient Susquehanna River have many legends and ghostly tales associated with its waters. It's no wonder, considering the age of the waterways, which by some estimates are many millions of years old. This haunted tale we plunge into is one of marauding, treasure, theft, and even murder along an offshoot of the Susquehanna River - the Swatara Creek

One legend passed down for many generations is one of a group of Lenni Lenape Native Americans and their quest for goods and gold. This group took to the area to maraud wealth from the unsuspecting. The Natives had a successful few days and were making their way back to their encampment along the Swatara Creek with goods and gold. As the group progressed towards home, one of the Natives slowed his pace to distance himself. Within his satchel he carried many pounds of stolen gold coins. After a few minutes, the solitary Native American was out of the sight from the rest of his group. He searched for a rock to hide the gold below. This way he would be able to come back at a later time ensuring the stolen treasure would be all his. After a moment, his eyes spied the perfect spot. There, he buried his golden treasure under a large rock before quickening his pace to catch up with the group.

Once back at the encampment, the other marauders sat around a fire to talk about their acquisition. The group spoke and laughed, except one man - the solitary marauder. One of the Lenni Lenape spoke up and asked why he was so quiet? There was no response. The group became suspicious. The solitary man was asked for the gold he had taken from marauding. The man looked at his cohorts nervously and said he no longer had it. The group knew he had taken the gold and ordered him to hand it over. After sometime, the solitary marauder attempted to keep to his story intact but eventually cracked and told the others he hid the gold. The group ordered him to tell where the gold was located or he would suffer serious consequences. The solitary Native knew he was important to the tribe and refused knowing he would never be killed. Sadly, the Native's assumption was incorrect, and the tribe killed him right upon that spot.

The tribe split up and traveled in various directions along the Creek looking for the gold. This continued for a long amount of time, however the gold was never found. Word somehow got out about the hidden, golden treasure. Many visitors and locals came out and began searching for gold along the creek. However, even after hundreds of years later, the treasure has never been found.

Legend says the ghost of the Lenni Lenape marauder still walks the Swatara Creek locating and protecting his stolen treasure. On quiet, cool nights, you may just witness the native's ghost gliding through the forest near the water's edge. When you do, be sure not to follow him. The apparition will guide you away from his treasure to protect its hidden spot in hopes of getting you lost.

Legend also says when a thunderstorm rolls through and lightning crashes, the Native will go back to the hidden gold and split the rock it sits beneath in two to view his treasure. He does this because he knows no earthly person will be out near the creek in that heinous, hellish weather. Any person who is able to find the location and gold before the native puts the rock pieces back together will be able to call the gold their own.