(The following article, "Bilger’s Rocks: A New Era" appeared in the Fall 1990 issue of "The Bulletin" of the Clearfield County Historical Society, Clearfield, Pennsylvania)

Nestled in a secluded area of Bloom Township in the heart of Clearfield County is a majestic formation of huge sandstone boulders known as Bilger’s Rocks.  Named for the original owner, Jacob Bilger, Bilger’s Rocks are an integral part of the natural and social history of this rural area.  When Bilger’s Rocks are mentioned, most area residents have an immediate positive association of a memorable sunny Sunday afternoon and a relaxing family outing in this mystical setting.  Antique photographs, postcards and newspaper articles serve as evidence that this unique, natural wonder has been visited from outside of the area down through the decades.

The past twenty years have presented a totally different picture at Bilger’s Rocks.  Use of the site for partying, night and day, and dumping of garbage, as well as vandalism to the rocks themselves in the form of spray painting of the most objectionable graffiti, (see photo at right) caused families to question the wisdom of taking children there.

Two and one half years ago a core group of individuals interested in pursuing possible avenues to restore and protect Bilger’s Rocks met for the first time to start the long  journey toward this goal.  Harry Fred and June Bigler, Dr. Richard Lines, Debra Thomas, John Sobel and Eileen Anthony were the members of this core group.  Many enthusiastic and devoted additional members joined as the effort grew.  Several different options were explored but each came to a dead end.  The final and only option available to the group was to purchase the site.  The price of $37,800 was agreed upon for the 120 acre tract of land with J. H. France Refractories, the current owner, and the fund raising campaign began in January 1990.  These included: candy sales; drawing for a gourmet dinner for six; a "Family Day at Bilger’s Rocks"; sales of "pet" Bilger’s Rocks, and a "Hot Wings" booth at the Grampian-Penn-Bloom Homecoming week.  Each fund raiser was very successful, but the most successful and substantive to date has been the "Buy An Acre" Campaign where for a symbolic purchase of an acre, a donation of $315.00, the donor receives: A print of an original painting of Bilger’s Rocks by local artist Willard Dominick; two black and white photographs of Bilger’s Rocks taken forty years ago before the graffiti; a commemorative "deed"; and the donor’s name, memorial, business or organization will be placed on a wall (see photo below) that will be (was) erected at Bilger’s Rocks recognizing those who have made this endeavor possible.  The final payment on the property has been scheduled for December, 1990.  Two grants, one from Clearfield County and the other from the State , through the efforts of Rep. Jim Distler, have helped insure the success of this project.

Purchase of Bilger’s Rocks is only the first step in the project.  Once ownership is attained, The Bilger’s Rocks Association, Inc. (now a private, non-profit organization) will then turn it’s energies toward a clean-up of the graffiti, securing the site from further vandalism, and finally, the thoughtful, creative planning for the development into a natural, successful recreation/tourist attraction.

A memorable occasion occurred recently when the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy of Pittsburgh gave a formal endorsement of the project in a letter from the President John Oliver.

The economic impact of proper development of Bilger’s Rocks to Clearfield County cannot be overstated.  Tourists from many states, as well as many foreign countries (Scotland, France and Canada most recently) have been identified in the past three months.  This being accomplished without advertising signs or promotion of any kind.