Tumbling Run Dam has always had an alluring charm to it. Just off Route 61 outside of Pottsville, there is a serene nature to the area. Trees adorn the perimeter of the reservoirs, and the placid water has a calming effect on those who partake in its beauty.
In the mid 1830's the reservoirs were first developed and constructed as a water reserve for the Schuylkill Canal. The lower dam was completed first. It could hold over 180 million gallons of water. Just two years later, the upper dam was completed. It had the capacity for an additional 225 million gallons of water. The dam's development was a great success as the Schuylkill Canal's traffic increased.
People in the area took advantage of the water as well. Fishing, boating, and swimming were popular activities. The Tumbling Run Dam is best known for a 24 year span (1890-1914) in which the area became a major tourist attraction. A dance hall, roller-skate rink, baseball field, amusement area, hotel and dozens of boat houses sprung up during its heyday. A steam powered boat would provide scenic rides for families over the calm waters. A trolley line was constantly in use by visitors while the elite of the day would vacation in a beautiful hotel located near the upper dam. The location provided families many happy memories for years.
Unfortunately, the reservoirs had their share of historical tragedies as well. There were several floods, including one in 1850 that ravaged Mt. Carbon and Schuylkill Haven when the dams broke and washed away homes and unsuspecting souls. Sadly, there has been numerous drownings, suicides, robberies, fires, and even murders near or within its waters.
However, one story which has captured Schuylkill Countians' imaginations and evoked squeamish thoughts for generations is of a monster witnessed within the dam waters well before the area's usage peaked.
On a pleasant summer day in July 1879, a local man by the name of Patrick Giltoil was enjoying the Schuylkill County weather while walking home near Palo Alto. He had just ended a long day laboring away and was taking in the serene atmosphere Sharp Mountain had to offer. As he continued along a small footpath, the sunlight's reflection upon the placid water of the Tumbling Run Reservoirs caught his eye. He continued upon his path not knowing the shocking sight that lie directly ahead of him. A sound of rustling could be heard up ahead to the right of the path descending down towards the water's edge. Curious, the local man focused his attention where he heard the sound. Just then a large black, oval head accented with lighter brown marks rose out of the thicket with blood splattered upon its mouth. The enormous serpent had a chicken in its coiled grasp.The fowl struggled to free itself, but there was no hope to escape the fangs of the large writhing creature.
Shock and terror seized the local man as he saw the sheer size of this serpent. Giltoil momentarily froze from fear unable to grasp to he had just witnessed. Regaining his wits, he realized remaining in the spot watching the carnage could put himself at risk. What if the monster snake was not satisfied with its chicken meal? Turning quickly, Giltoil began to run as fast as his shaking legs could take him. Looking over his shoulder, out of breath, he kept expecting the monster serpent to be closing in on him as its next meal. Thankfully for Giltoil, his worst fear did not occur.
He reached home and immediately found friends to relay what he had just witnessed. The young man said the snake had to be nearing twenty-feet in length and was as thick as a man's thigh.
Several men from Palo Alto took up arms and made it their duty to eradicate this monster to ensure no one would be injured or killed. The men hurriedly made their way to the spot Giltoil had witnessed the carnage. As they approached, the men listened cautiously. Only a gentle summer breeze could be heard caressing the green leaves upon the trees. Not a sound out of the ordinary was noticed. After several minutes and a thorough investigation, the men realized the monster serpent must have had its fill and left the area.
There was some talk in the area about Giltoil's horrific experience. No doubt people who would normally frequent the small footpath near the reservoirs took an alternate route the days after the sighting. However, like all news of the day, the talk of the serpent eventually began to die down... at least for about ten days.
Just under two weeks after Giltoil's experience, a wild-eyed man rushed into the Miner's Journal Building in Pottsville as its doors opened. The man's name was William Parker. He told the workers within, he had been waiting to see the reports of the monster serpent on the Journal's front page, but none had been printed. His patience was gone. He felt it was his responsibility to warn the area people of the monster at Tumbling Run. Why his responsibility? He too had witnessed the gigantic serpent in the reservoir.
Parker glared at the journal workers for a reaction or response. Stunned, the workers said nothing. He began to tell his account. Parker went to Tumbling Run to take in its beautiful scenery. He had the recent experiences in the back of his mind as he approached the reservoirs. Looking out at the serene water all was calm. Out of the corner of his eye, Parker saw a sweeping motion within the waters. He was horrified by what his eyes focused upon. A large serpent oscillating through the water of the lower dam at a rapid pace. Its dark head rose above the water line a full foot. The huge black serpent lashed at the water with its tail periodically as it made its way across the reservoir. It reached the opposite shore quickly. Upon exiting the water, Parker eyes grew large upon realizing the size of the snake. According to the witness the serpent easily topped twenty- feet long. Its black and light brown marked figure rapidly made its way into the thicket. Fearful, Parker said he left the area immediately. He made his way back to his home, took a loaded pistol into his possession and coerced two friends by the names of Lynch and Donnelly to go back to the dam with him to kill the monster serpent. The men made their way to Tumbling Run and went to the opposite side of the dam. However, after inspecting the area for a considerable amount of time they concluded the monster serpent was gone. The men were able to find some evidence of the aquatic snake. Looking down near the water's edge, in the mud, the stunned men found a trail the snake left. Measuring the width of the imprint with his hand, the shock showed in Parker's eyes. The serpent's body imprint was a full seven inches across.
It was reported a monster snake had been spotted several times just outside of Orwigsburg by farmers a few years prior to this report. The farmers were unable to kill the snake. Locals believed this same snake could now be witnessed around the Tumbling Run Reservoirs. Reports of enormous snakes found within the confines of Pennsylvania are recorded in local newspapers after these reports. In September 1879, a snake measuring 27 feet was witnessed by numerous residents just outside of Pine Grove. Obviously this is quite a distance from Tumbling Run, just shy of 20 miles, however there may be the possibility, although highly unlikely, a snake of this size could make its way through the forests and waterways such a distance. For the most part though, it seemed the sightings of the Tumbling Run Monster snake had ceased...that is until a story came to light just a few years after Parker's testimony was first published in the Miner's Journal.
Did this monster snake actually exist? Could the the Tumbling Run Monster have been alive and well the entire time?